WKKD (1580 AM) was a radio station licensed to Aurora, Illinois. The station's studios, transmitter and towers were at 1880 Plain Avenue in Aurora. ^[3]

History

Early history

The station was originally owned by Chicago area radio announcer, emcee, and engineer Russell G. Salter, and began broadcasting on September 21, 1960. ^{[9] [1]} The station initially ran 250 watts during daytime hours only with a three tower directional pattern towards Aurora. ^{[10] [3] [11]}

The station began simulcasting on 95.9 WKKD-FM on February 12, 1961. ^[12] Bill Blough hosted a country music program in the station's first years. ^{[13] [14] [15]} Chicago weathercaster Tom Skilling began his career at WKKD, c. 1966, while he attended High School in Aurora. ^[16] By 1968, the simulcast had ended. ^[12] WKKD 1580 would air an easy listening format. ^[11]

WFVR

In 1973, the station's callsign was changed to WFVR, standing for "Fox Valley Radio", and the station adopted a country music format. ^{[10] [17]}

Adult contemporary era

By 1979, the station had adopted an adult contemporary- MOR format. ^{[18] [19]}

In 1983, the station's callsign was changed back to WKKD and it became part of a partial simulcast with WKKD-FM, while continuing to air an adult contemporary format. ^{[4] [20] [21]} On October 3, 1986, the station was granted a construction permit to broadcast during nighttime hours. ^[22]

Pure Gold

By 1988, the station had begun airing an oldies format branded as "Pure Gold". ^{[23] [24]} By 1989, the station had begun nighttime operations. ^{[24] [25]} In 1993, WKKD-FM began simulcasting the oldies format of WKKD. ^{[26] [27]}

Real Country

In March 1995, AM 1580 adopted a country music format, airing Satellite Music Network's " Real Country" format. ^{[28] [29]}

Viva 1580

On July 1, 1996, the station adopted a Spanish language Tejano music format as "Viva 1580". ^{[30] [31]}

CNN Headline News

In 1997, the station adopted an all-news format, airing the national audio feed of CNN Headline News. ^{[32] [33]} In 2000, the Salter family sold WKKD AM & FM, as well as WRWC in Rockford, Illinois to RadioWorks for $6.5 million, plus $1.5 million in consulting and non-compete agreements. ^[34] In 2001, the station was sold to NextMedia Group, along with WKKD-FM, for $3.4 million. ^[35]

Kovas Communications ownership

In early 2002, the station was sold to Kovas Communications for $825,000, and it began simulcasting the ethnic programming of WONX. ^{[36] [37] [38] [39]} In October 2004, the station began airing talk shows related to health and fitness, becoming a full-time "Health Radio" outlet February 1, 2005. ^[40] This format would later be simulcast on 1600 WMCW. ^[41]

End of operations

In 2007, Kovas Communications applied with the FCC to move WKKD to Silvis, Illinois. ^[42] In February 2008, the station was granted a construction permit to move WKKD to Silvis, Illinois, and increase its power to 1,000 watts during the day and 1,400 watts at night. ^[43] On November 29, 2008, the station was taken off the air and on April 10, 2009, Kovas Communications surrendered the station's license to the FCC. ^{[2] [25] [44]} WKKD's license was surrendered, along with 1600 WMCW's and 1600 WCGO's, in order to enable 1590 WONX (now WCGO) to increase its daytime power from 3,500 watts to 7,000 watts. ^[45]

References

External links

• FCC Station Search Details: DWKKD (Facility ID: 72077)
• FCC History Cards for WKKD (covering 1957-1980 as WKKD / WFVR)