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Coordinates: 45°31′01″N 122°39′37″W / 45.51694°N 122.66028°W / 45.51694; -122.66028
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{{about|the radio station known as XRAY.fm|the British regiment King's Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC)|King's Royal Rifle Corps}}
{{short description|Community radio station in Portland, Oregon}}
{{short description|Community radio station in Portland, Oregon}}
⚫
{{about|the radio station known as XRAY.fm|the British regiment King's Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC)|King's Royal Rifle Corps}}


{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
Line 8: Line 8:
| area = [[Portland, Oregon]]
| area = [[Portland, Oregon]]
| branding = ''XRAY.fm''
| branding = ''XRAY.fm''
| slogan = The little station with big ideas
| frequency = 91.1 [[MHz]]
| frequency = 91.1 [[MHz]]
| translator = 107.1 K296FT (West Haven)
| translator = {{Radio Relay|91.7 MHz|K219KU|[[Nehalem, Oregon|Nehalem]]}}<br>107.1 K296FT (West Haven)
| repeater = 89.9-3 KQAC-HD3
| repeater = 89.9-3 KQAC-HD3
| airdate = May 14, [[1958 in radio|1958]] (as KRRC at 89.3)
| airdate = May 14, [[1958 in radio|1958]] (as KRRC at 89.3)
| format = [[Community radio]]
| format = [[Community radio]]
| erp = 8.2 [[watt]]s
| erp = 90 [[watt]]s
| haat = 85.6 meters
| haat = -20 meters
| class = D
| class = D
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| facility_id = 66303
| facility_id = 66303
| coordinates = {{coord|45|32|26|N|122|33|50|W|region:US-OR_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|45|31|01|N|122|39|37|W|region:US-OR_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = '''K X'''-'''R'''A'''Y'''
| callsign_meaning = '''K X'''-'''R'''A'''Y'''
| former_callsigns = KRRC (1958-2013)
| former_callsigns = KRRC (1958–2013)
| former_frequencies = 89.3 MHz (1958-1981)<br>107.5 MHz (1981-1990?)<br>104.1 MHz (1990?-2001?)<br>97.9 MHz (2001?-2013)
| former_frequencies = 89.3 MHz (1958–1981)<br>107.5 MHz (1981-1990?)<br>104.1 MHz (1990?-2001?)<br>97.9 MHz (2001?-2011)
| affiliations =
| affiliations =
| owner = Cascade Educational Broadcast Service
| owner = Cascade Educational Broadcast Service
| licensee =
| licensee =
| sister_stations =
| sister_stations =
| webcast =
| webcast =
| website = [http://xray.fm xray.fm]
| website = {{URL|https://xray.fm/}}
}}
}}


'''KXRY''' (91.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a non-commercial class D [[radio station]] in [[Portland, Oregon]], [[United States]], operating under the name XRAY.fm. It is a mixed-format progressive, independent radio station which broadcasts progressive talk radio, cultural programs, and music of a wide variety of genres played by its [[disc jockeys]]. Its broadcast license is owned by Cascade Educational Broadcast Service. KXRY streams online at [http://xray.fm xray.fm].
'''KXRY''' (91.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a non-commercial class D [[radio station]] in [[Portland, Oregon]], [[United States]], operating under the name XRAY.fm. It is a mixed-format progressive, independent radio station which broadcasts progressive talk radio, cultural programs, and music of a wide variety of genres played by its [[disc jockeys]]. Its broadcast license is owned by Cascade Educational Broadcast Service. KXRY streams online at [http://xray.fm xray.fm].


As of August 28, 2014, KXRY began simulcasting on translator K296FT 107.1 FM. As of June 15, 2016, KXRY began simulcasting on [[KQAC]]'s HD3 subchannel.
As of August 28, 2014, KXRY began simulcasting on translator K296FT 107.1 FM. From June 15, 2016 through the end of 2020, KXRY would also simulcast on [[KQAC]]'s HD3 subchannel. Beginning in July 2022, the station [https://xrayfm.wordpress.com/2022/10/14/so-we-got-a-new-signal/ expanded to the Oregon Coast] with a translator on 91.7 FM in Nehalem, OR. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=XRAY |date=2022-10-14 |title=So we got a new signal…. |url=https://xrayfm.wordpress.com/2022/10/14/so-we-got-a-new-signal/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=/// Blog |language=en}}</ref>


==History==
==History of the Reed College Radio Club==
The [[Reed College]] Radio Club was founded in 1954 by a group of students with the goal of pursuing “the technical and programming aspects of radio broadcasting.” The club was one of the most popular on campus, and launched KRCB-AM in October 1955, at 660 AM.<ref name=reedmag>{{cite news
The [[Reed College]] Radio Club was founded in 1954 by a group of students with the goal of pursuing "the technical and programming aspects of radio broadcasting." The club was one of the most popular on campus, and launched KRCB-AM in October 1955, at 660 AM.<ref name=reedmag>{{cite news
|title=KRRC: The (barely audible) voice of Reed College
|title=KRRC: The (barely audible) voice of Reed College
|first=Patti
|first=Patti
Line 48: Line 48:
The station moved to 89.3 FM on May 14, 1958, and became KRRC. When classes began the next fall, the station's inaugural broadcast featured messages from U.S. Senator [[Wayne Morse]] and other prominent Oregonians.
The station moved to 89.3 FM on May 14, 1958, and became KRRC. When classes began the next fall, the station's inaugural broadcast featured messages from U.S. Senator [[Wayne Morse]] and other prominent Oregonians.


KRRC has encountered numerous technical problems over the years, often dropping off the air, and many have doubted its continued existence. In 1981 it moved to 107.5 FM. The station's signal is barely audible outside the Reed campus.<ref name=reedmag/>
KRRC encountered numerous technical problems over the years, often dropping off the air, and its continued existence was sometimes doubted. In 1981 it moved to 107.5 FM. The station's signal was barely audible outside the Reed campus.<ref name=reedmag/>


In the 1980s and '90s, [[Campus radio|college radio stations]] across the country had a heavy influence on the music industry, promoting "[[alternative rock]]" bands like [[R.E.M.]] and [[The Pixies]]; but KRRC took a more maverick approach, playing a wider variety of music.<ref name=undersound>{{cite news
In the 1980s and '90s, [[Campus radio|college radio stations]] across the country had a heavy influence on the music industry, promoting "[[alternative rock]]" bands like [[R.E.M.]] and [[The Pixies]]; but KRRC took a more maverick approach, playing a wider variety of music.<ref name=undersound>{{cite news
Line 58: Line 58:
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


In 1992 the station petitioned the [[Federal Communications Commission]] for permission to locate its transmitter on the [[KGON]] tower in the [[Tualatin Mountains|West Hills]], to get a better range from its weak signal, but the request was declined.<ref name=undersound/> As of 1994, the station was using a 10 watt transmitter, and its operating budget for one semester was $6,000.<ref name=undersound/> This station now airs online at krrcfm.com.
In 1992 the station petitioned the [[Federal Communications Commission]] for permission to locate its transmitter on the [[KGON]] tower in the [[Tualatin Mountains|West Hills]], to get a better range from its weak signal, but the request was declined.<ref name=undersound/> By 1994, the station was using a 10-watt transmitter, and its operating budget for one semester was $6,000.<ref name=undersound/> This station now airs online at krrc.fm<ref>krrc.fm</ref>


In the early 2000s, a Christian radio station from [[Tillamook, Oregon|Tillamook]] moved to Portland and took over the 104.1 frequency.<ref name=reedmag/> Between 2000 and 2011, the station broadcast at 97.9 FM.<ref>[http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/info?call=KRRC&service=FM Radio-Locator: KRRC-FM: Radio Station Information Page<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> A network stream of programming is available for those on the campus network.<ref name=studmedia>[http://www.reed.edu/student_activities/student_media.html Reed College: Student media]</ref>
In the early 2000s, a Christian radio station from [[Tillamook, Oregon|Tillamook]] moved to Portland and took over the 104.1 frequency.<ref name=reedmag/> Between 2000 and 2011, the station broadcast at 97.9 FM.<ref>[http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/info?call=KRRC&service=FM Radio-Locator: KRRC-FM: Radio Station Information Page<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> A network stream of programming is available for those on the campus network.<ref name=studmedia>[http://www.reed.edu/student_activities/student_media.html Reed College: Student media]</ref>
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Like the ''[[Reed College Quest|Quest]]'', the school newspaper, KRRC was run entirely by students,<ref name=studmedia/> although its early days involved cooperation among students, faculty, and staff.<ref name=reedmag/>
Like the ''[[Reed College Quest|Quest]]'', the school newspaper, KRRC was run entirely by students,<ref name=studmedia/> although its early days involved cooperation among students, faculty, and staff.<ref name=reedmag/>


⚫
In November 2011, KRRC ceased broadcasting at 97.9 FM and moved to an online-only format.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
KRRC has gone through tumultuous times in recent years. When it appeared that the station might be on its last leg, students once again stepped up, to save KRRC and preserve the Reed College radio tradition. A logistical overhaul is currently taking place, in efforts to restore KRRC to its former glory and maintain Reed's presence on the airwaves.


⚫
==XRAY.FM==
⚫
In November 2011, KRRC ceased broadcasting at 97.9 FM and is currently online-only.
On November 9, 2012, Portland progressive talk radio station [[KPOJ]] changed to a sports talk format.<ref name=WW-2012nov9>{{cite news|last=Mesh|first=Aaron|title=KPOJ Cancelling Political Talk Radio |date=November 9, 2012|newspaper=[[Willamette Week]] staff blog|url=https://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-29441-kpoj-cancelling-political-talk-radio.html |access-date=December 2, 2018}}</ref> [[BlueOregon]] founder [[Kari Chisholm]] launched a petition to continue progressive talk radio in Portland.<ref name=BO14>{{cite web |title=XRAY FM is here! And Carl Wolfson and Thom Hartmann are back on the air! |work=BlueOregon |date=March 19, 2014 | url=https://www.blueoregon.com/2014/03/xray-fm-here-and-carl-wolfson-and-thom-hartmann-are-back-air/ }}</ref>


In 2012, Cascade Educational Broadcast Service formed a board of directors and entered into a [[Local Management Agreement]] with [[Common Frequency, LLC]], who had received the station from Reed College that year, to broadcast on KRRC. Common Frequency arranged to move the signal to 91.1 FM, thereby achieving better coverage of Portland. (By 2015, the frequency 107.1 had been added.)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Waits |first=Jennifer |date=2015-12-08 |title=A Trip to One of Portland's Newest Community Radio Stations: XRAY.fm |language=en-US |work=Radio Survivor |url=http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2015/12/08/a-trip-to-one-of-portlands-latest-lpfms-community-radio-station-xray-fm/ |access-date=2020-10-13}}</ref>
⚫
==XRAY.fm==

In 2012, Cascade Educational Broadcast System formed a board of directors and entered into a [[Local Management Agreement]] with [[Common Frequency, LLC]], who had received the station from [[Reed College]] that year, to broadcast on KRRC. The original intention was to found an all-music station that focused on local DJs. On March 11, 2013, the station changed its call sign to KXRY. In 2013, progressive talk was added to the programming lineup with several of the former hosts of [[KPOJ]] including [[Carl Wolfson]], [[Adam Klugman]], and [[Thom Hartmann]].<ref>
The original intention of the group behind Cascade Educational Broadcast Service was to found an all-music station that focused on local DJs. On March 11, 2013, the station changed its call sign to KXRY. The new call sign invoked Portland's iconic [[X-Ray Cafe]], a 1990s community music venue, and while there was no formal affiliation, the cafe's founders were supportive of the launch of the new radio station. A fundraiser held in June 2013 featured performers who had come up at the X-Ray Cafe.<ref>{{cite news |title=Xrayfest: Bringing back the weirdness |date=June 7, 2013 | work=The Oregonian |first=CURT |last=SCHULZ }}</ref>

An October 2013 announcement published on the blog [[BlueOregon]] noted that the previous demise of [[KPOJ]], a local progressive talk station, had led to a popular effort to continue host [[Carl Wolfson]]'s show, initially online, and later on KXRY. Nationally syndicated [[Thom Hartmann]], also a KPOJ alumnus, was also part of the launch of progressive talk programming on the station.<ref>
{{cite book
{{cite book
| last =Axtman
| last =Axtman
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| date =October 3, 2013
| date =October 3, 2013
| url =http://www.blueoregon.com/2013/10/kxry-progressive-radio-back/
| url =http://www.blueoregon.com/2013/10/kxry-progressive-radio-back/
⚫
| access-date = October 3, 2013}}</ref>
| doi =

⚫
| accessdate = October 3, 2013}}</ref>
⚫
KXRY launched a [[crowdfunding]] campaign on the website [[Kickstarter]] on December 16, 2013, with the goal of raising $40,000 to fund the launch of the station.<ref>{{cite news |title=XRAY.FM Is Killing It |work=The [[Portland Mercury]]|first=Marjorie |last=Skinner |date=January 14, 2014 |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2014/01/14/xrayfm-is-killing-it }}</ref> The campaign saw unexpected success and reached over $100,000 during its month-long funding period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4023949/xrayfm-the-little-station-with-big-ideas?ref=live|title=XRAY.FM - The little station with big ideas.|date=December 16, 2013|website=Kickstarter|access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref>

On March 15, 2014, KXRY began broadcasting a full schedule<ref>{{cite web|last=Sandberg|first=James|title=XRAY.fm Launch Schedule|url=http://i.imgur.com/G9fNCmX.jpg|work=XRAY.fm|publisher=KXRY|access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref> of programming under the name XRAY.fm. The initial program included talk and music, and hosts [[Jefferson Smith (politician)|Jefferson Smith]] and [[Adam Klugman]] joined the lineup.<ref name=BO14 /><ref>{{cite news |title=Progressive talk radio hosts return to Portland airwaves on new station |date=March 19, 2014 | work=The Oregonian Web Edition Articles |first=Harry |last=Esteve }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Extra Terrestrial: New Radio Station XRAY.FM's Uphill Struggle Could Be Worth It (Or Maybe It's Just Doomed to Fail) |first=Marjorie |last=Skinner |work=The Portland Mercury |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/extra-terrestrial/Content?oid=11946408 }}</ref> KXRY started broadcasts from a studio on SE 8th and Main Street in [[Portland, Oregon]], and then built and moved into a new studio on N Killingsworth and N Albina.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waits |first=Jennifer |date=2015-12-08 |title=A Trip to One of Portland's Newest Community Radio Stations: XRAY.fm |url=https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2015/12/a-trip-to-one-of-portlands-latest-lpfms-community-radio-station-xray-fm/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Radio Survivor |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of 2017, Smith, a founder of the station, held the position of executive director,<ref>{{cite news |title=Corrections |work=The Oregonian |date=November 15, 2017 }}</ref> but intended to step down.<ref>{{cite news | title=Former Democratic state representative and onetime Portland mayoral candidate Jefferson Smith will lead the Oregon Center for Public Policy |work=The Oregonian |date=October 31, 2017 }}</ref> XRAY.FM had an affiliation with the fledgling Vancouver, Washington station [[KXRW-LP]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Radio Vancouver getting green light |date=June 2, 2016 | work=The Columbian |first=Brooks |last=Johnson }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Airing Vancouver voices |date=December 26, 2017 | work=The Columbian |first=Dameon |last=Pesanti }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Business Briefs |page=C5 |date=March 29, 2017 | work=The Columbian }}</ref> and a role in the founding of [[KNUM-LP]], also known as "The Numberz," a low-power FM station dedicated to Black music.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reed |first=Conner |date=January 21, 2020 |title=The Numberz Is Portland's Only All-Black Radio Station |language=en-US |work=Portland Monthly |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2020/01/the-numberz-is-portland-s-only-all-black-radio-station |access-date=2020-10-13}}</ref>


⚫
Effective June 7, 2018, Common Frequency sold KXRY 91.1 FM's license assets to Cascade Educational Broadcast Service (D/B/A XRAY.FM) for $16,000.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
⚫
KXRY launched a [[crowdfunding]] campaign on the website [[Kickstarter]] on December 16, 2013, with the goal of raising $40,000 to fund the launch of the station. The campaign saw unexpected success and reached over $100,000 during its month-long funding period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4023949/xrayfm-the-little-station-with-big-ideas?ref=live|title=XRAY.FM - The little station with big ideas.|date=December 16, 2013|website=Kickstarter|accessdate=21 March 2014}}</ref>


Early in the 2020 [[COVID-19]] outbreak, XRAY.FM was noted as one of the few hubs of local music culture in Portland.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gormley |first1=Shannon |last2=Maryl |last3=local |first3=She covers |last4=Portl |first4=non-local music in |last5=hometown |first5=writes for Baltimore City Paper whenever she's visiting her |date=April 15, 2020 |title=Community Radio Is One of the Last Vestiges of Portland's Music Culture Still Alive During the Coronavirus Shutdown. But Many Challenges Remain. |language=en-US |work=Willamette Week |url=https://www.wweek.com/music/2020/04/15/community-radio-is-one-of-the-last-vestiges-of-portlands-music-culture-still-alive-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown-but-many-challenges-remain/ |access-date=2020-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=King |first=Anthony |date=July 26, 2020 |title=In an era of social distancing, Portland musicians find alternatives to performing live |language=en |work=[[Street Roots]] |url=https://www.streetroots.org/news/2020/07/26/era-social-distancing-portland-musicians-find-alternatives-performing-live |access-date=2020-10-13}}</ref>
On March 15, 2014, KXRY began broadcasting a full schedule<ref>{{cite web|last=Sandberg|first=James|title=XRAY.fm Launch Schedule|url=http://i.imgur.com/G9fNCmX.jpg|work=XRAY.fm|publisher=KXRY|accessdate=21 March 2014}}</ref> of programming under the name XRAY.fm. KXRY broadcasts talk and music. The station's music programming is hosted by over 70 Portland [[disc jockeys]], most of whom are live in the studio during their show. KXRY started broadcasts from a studio on SE 8th and Main Street in [[Portland, Oregon]], and then built and moved into a new studio on N Killingsworth and N Albina.


In late 2020, several XRAY.FM staffers went public with allegations of unprofessional behavior of then executive director, Jefferson Smith.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Staffers at XRAY.FM Allege Unprofessional Behavior by the Station’s Executive Director, Jefferson Smith |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2020/11/18/staffers-at-xray-fm-allege-unprofessional-behavior-by-the-stations-executive-director-jefferson-smith/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Willamette Week |language=en}}</ref> On March 5, 2022, XRAY’s Board of Directors confirmed that they had severed ties with Smith.<ref>{{Cite web |title=XRAY.FM Parts Ways With Former Executive Director Jefferson Smith |url=https://www.wweek.com/music/2021/03/05/xray-fm-parts-ways-with-former-executive-director-jefferson-smith/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Willamette Week |language=en}}</ref> As of July 2021, the station has pivoted to cooperative management from a single executive model, with a group of longtime staff members leading as a collective as part of several changes approved by XRAY's Board of Directors.<ref> {{Cite web |title= SPRING 2021 UPDATE: CULTIVATING STAFF + SIGNAL| url=https://xrayfm.wordpress.com/2021/08/02/spring-2021-update-cultivating-staff-signal/ |website= blog.xray.fm }}</ref>
⚫
Effective June 7, 2018, Common Frequency sold KXRY's license assets to Cascade Educational Broadcast Service for $16,000.


==References==
==References==
Line 90: Line 99:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{official website|https://xray.fm/}}
*{{FM station data|KXRY}}
*{{FM station data|66303|KXRY}}
*{{FMQ|K296FT}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|85732|K219KU}}
*{{FXL|K219KU}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|158590|K296FT}}
*{{FXL|K296FT}}
*{{FXL|K296FT}}
*[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101530070&qnum=5170&copynum=1&exhcnum=1 FCC application]
*[http://www.xray.fm XRAY.FM]
*[http://www.krrcfm.com KRRC online station]


{{Portland, Oregon Radio}}
{{Portland, Oregon Radio}}

Latest revision as of 06:22, 14 July 2024

This article is about the radio station known as XRAY.fm. For the British regiment King's Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC), see King's Royal Rifle Corps.
KXRY
Broadcast areaPortland, Oregon
Frequency91.1 MHz
BrandingXRAY.fm
Programming
FormatCommunity radio
Ownership
OwnerCascade Educational Broadcast Service
History
First air date
May 14, 1958 (as KRRC at 89.3)
Former call signs
KRRC (1958–2013)
Former frequencies
89.3 MHz (1958–1981)
107.5 MHz (1981-1990?)
104.1 MHz (1990?-2001?)
97.9 MHz (2001?-2011)
Call sign meaning
K X-RAY
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID66303
ClassD
ERP90 watts
HAAT-20 meters
Transmitter coordinates
45°31′01″N 122°39′37″W / 45.51694°N 122.66028°W / 45.51694; -122.66028
Translator(s)91.7 MHz K219KU (Nehalem)
107.1 K296FT (West Haven)
Repeater(s)89.9-3 KQAC-HD3
Links
Public license information
Websitexray.fm

KXRY (91.1 FM) is a non-commercial class D radio station in Portland, Oregon, United States, operating under the name XRAY.fm. It is a mixed-format progressive, independent radio station which broadcasts progressive talk radio, cultural programs, and music of a wide variety of genres played by its disc jockeys. Its broadcast license is owned by Cascade Educational Broadcast Service. KXRY streams online at xray.fm.

As of August 28, 2014, KXRY began simulcasting on translator K296FT 107.1 FM. From June 15, 2016 through the end of 2020, KXRY would also simulcast on KQAC's HD3 subchannel. Beginning in July 2022, the station expanded to the Oregon Coast with a translator on 91.7 FM in Nehalem, OR. [2]

History of the Reed College Radio Club

[edit]

The Reed College Radio Club was founded in 1954 by a group of students with the goal of pursuing "the technical and programming aspects of radio broadcasting." The club was one of the most popular on campus, and launched KRCB-AM in October 1955, at 660 AM.[3]

Reed students financed the station, and physics students built some of the equipment, including a 40-watt transmitter. The station used a system that transmitted the signal through area power lines, eliminating the need for antennae.[3] The station carried programming atypical of radio in the area from its earliest days, as well as programming tied in with classes and campus activities.[3]

The station moved to 89.3 FM on May 14, 1958, and became KRRC. When classes began the next fall, the station's inaugural broadcast featured messages from U.S. Senator Wayne Morse and other prominent Oregonians.

KRRC encountered numerous technical problems over the years, often dropping off the air, and its continued existence was sometimes doubted. In 1981 it moved to 107.5 FM. The station's signal was barely audible outside the Reed campus.[3]

In the 1980s and '90s, college radio stations across the country had a heavy influence on the music industry, promoting "alternative rock" bands like R.E.M. and The Pixies; but KRRC took a more maverick approach, playing a wider variety of music.[4]

In 1992 the station petitioned the Federal Communications Commission for permission to locate its transmitter on the KGON tower in the West Hills, to get a better range from its weak signal, but the request was declined.[4] By 1994, the station was using a 10-watt transmitter, and its operating budget for one semester was $6,000.[4] This station now airs online at krrc.fm[5]

In the early 2000s, a Christian radio station from Tillamook moved to Portland and took over the 104.1 frequency.[3] Between 2000 and 2011, the station broadcast at 97.9 FM.[6] A network stream of programming is available for those on the campus network.[7]

Like the Quest, the school newspaper, KRRC was run entirely by students,[7] although its early days involved cooperation among students, faculty, and staff.[3]

In November 2011, KRRC ceased broadcasting at 97.9 FM and moved to an online-only format.[citation needed]

XRAY.FM

[edit]

On November 9, 2012, Portland progressive talk radio station KPOJ changed to a sports talk format.[8] BlueOregon founder Kari Chisholm launched a petition to continue progressive talk radio in Portland.[9]

In 2012, Cascade Educational Broadcast Service formed a board of directors and entered into a Local Management Agreement with Common Frequency, LLC, who had received the station from Reed College that year, to broadcast on KRRC. Common Frequency arranged to move the signal to 91.1 FM, thereby achieving better coverage of Portland. (By 2015, the frequency 107.1 had been added.)[10]

The original intention of the group behind Cascade Educational Broadcast Service was to found an all-music station that focused on local DJs. On March 11, 2013, the station changed its call sign to KXRY. The new call sign invoked Portland's iconic X-Ray Cafe, a 1990s community music venue, and while there was no formal affiliation, the cafe's founders were supportive of the launch of the new radio station. A fundraiser held in June 2013 featured performers who had come up at the X-Ray Cafe.[11]

An October 2013 announcement published on the blog BlueOregon noted that the previous demise of KPOJ, a local progressive talk station, had led to a popular effort to continue host Carl Wolfson's show, initially online, and later on KXRY. Nationally syndicated Thom Hartmann, also a KPOJ alumnus, was also part of the launch of progressive talk programming on the station.[12]

KXRY launched a crowdfunding campaign on the website Kickstarter on December 16, 2013, with the goal of raising $40,000 to fund the launch of the station.[13] The campaign saw unexpected success and reached over $100,000 during its month-long funding period.[14]

On March 15, 2014, KXRY began broadcasting a full schedule[15] of programming under the name XRAY.fm. The initial program included talk and music, and hosts Jefferson Smith and Adam Klugman joined the lineup.[9][16][17] KXRY started broadcasts from a studio on SE 8th and Main Street in Portland, Oregon, and then built and moved into a new studio on N Killingsworth and N Albina.[18]

As of 2017, Smith, a founder of the station, held the position of executive director,[19] but intended to step down.[20] XRAY.FM had an affiliation with the fledgling Vancouver, Washington station KXRW-LP[21][22][23] and a role in the founding of KNUM-LP, also known as "The Numberz," a low-power FM station dedicated to Black music.[24]

Effective June 7, 2018, Common Frequency sold KXRY 91.1 FM's license assets to Cascade Educational Broadcast Service (D/B/A XRAY.FM) for $16,000.[citation needed]

Early in the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, XRAY.FM was noted as one of the few hubs of local music culture in Portland.[25][26]

In late 2020, several XRAY.FM staffers went public with allegations of unprofessional behavior of then executive director, Jefferson Smith.[27] On March 5, 2022, XRAY’s Board of Directors confirmed that they had severed ties with Smith.[28] As of July 2021, the station has pivoted to cooperative management from a single executive model, with a group of longtime staff members leading as a collective as part of several changes approved by XRAY's Board of Directors.[29]

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KXRY". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Staff, XRAY (2022-10-14). "So we got a new signal…". /// Blog. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  3. ^ a b c d e f MacRae, Patti (August 2002). "KRRC: The (barely audible) voice of Reed College". Reed Magazine.
  4. ^ a b c Martin, Fiona (1994-01-09). "Underground sound". The Oregonian.
  5. ^ krrc.fm
  6. ^ Radio-Locator: KRRC-FM: Radio Station Information Page
  7. ^ a b Reed College: Student media
  8. ^ Mesh, Aaron (November 9, 2012). "KPOJ Cancelling Political Talk Radio". Willamette Week staff blog. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "XRAY FM is here! And Carl Wolfson and Thom Hartmann are back on the air!". BlueOregon. March 19, 2014.
  10. ^ Waits, Jennifer (2015-12-08). "A Trip to One of Portland's Newest Community Radio Stations: XRAY.fm". Radio Survivor. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  11. ^ SCHULZ, CURT (June 7, 2013). "Xrayfest: Bringing back the weirdness". The Oregonian.
  12. ^ Axtman, Carla (October 3, 2013). KXRY 91.1FM: Progressive radio is back!. BlueOregon. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  13. ^ Skinner, Marjorie (January 14, 2014). "XRAY.FM Is Killing It". The Portland Mercury.
  14. ^ "XRAY.FM - The little station with big ideas". Kickstarter. December 16, 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  15. ^ Sandberg, James. "XRAY.fm Launch Schedule". XRAY.fm. KXRY. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  16. ^ Esteve, Harry (March 19, 2014). "Progressive talk radio hosts return to Portland airwaves on new station". The Oregonian Web Edition Articles.
  17. ^ Skinner, Marjorie. "Extra Terrestrial: New Radio Station XRAY.FM's Uphill Struggle Could Be Worth It (Or Maybe It's Just Doomed to Fail)". The Portland Mercury.
  18. ^ Waits, Jennifer (2015-12-08). "A Trip to One of Portland's Newest Community Radio Stations: XRAY.fm". Radio Survivor. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  19. ^ "Corrections". The Oregonian. November 15, 2017.
  20. ^ "Former Democratic state representative and onetime Portland mayoral candidate Jefferson Smith will lead the Oregon Center for Public Policy". The Oregonian. October 31, 2017.
  21. ^ Johnson, Brooks (June 2, 2016). "Radio Vancouver getting green light". The Columbian.
  22. ^ Pesanti, Dameon (December 26, 2017). "Airing Vancouver voices". The Columbian.
  23. ^ "Business Briefs". The Columbian. March 29, 2017. p. C5.
  24. ^ Reed, Conner (January 21, 2020). "The Numberz Is Portland's Only All-Black Radio Station". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  25. ^ Gormley, Shannon; Maryl; local, She covers; Portl, non-local music in; hometown, writes for Baltimore City Paper whenever she's visiting her (April 15, 2020). "Community Radio Is One of the Last Vestiges of Portland's Music Culture Still Alive During the Coronavirus Shutdown. But Many Challenges Remain". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  26. ^ King, Anthony (July 26, 2020). "In an era of social distancing, Portland musicians find alternatives to performing live". Street Roots. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  27. ^ "Staffers at XRAY.FM Allege Unprofessional Behavior by the Station's Executive Director, Jefferson Smith". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  28. ^ "XRAY.FM Parts Ways With Former Executive Director Jefferson Smith". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  29. ^ "SPRING 2021 UPDATE: CULTIVATING STAFF + SIGNAL". blog.xray.fm.
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