KALX

Radio station at the University of California, Berkeley

For the airport in Alexander City, Alabama, assigned ICAO code KALX, see Thomas C. Russell Field.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "KALX" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

KALX

* Berkeley, California

Broadcast area| San Francisco Bay Area
Frequency| 90.7 MHz
Programming
Format| College radio
Ownership
Owner| University of California
History

First air date

| 1962

Call sign meaning

| University of California [sic]
Technical information[1]

Licensing authority

| FCC
Facility ID| 68999
Class| A
ERP| 500 watts
HAAT| 238 meters (781 ft)

Transmitter coordinates

| 37°52′40″N 122°14′44″W﻿ / ﻿37.87778°N 122.24556°W﻿ / 37.87778; -122.24556
Links

Public license information

* Public file
* LMS

Webcast| Listen Live
Website| KALX Online

KALX (90.7 FM) is an FM radio station that broadcasts from the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, California, United States. KALX, a community and student-run radio station licensed to the university, broadcasts in stereo with 500 watts of power. The station employs three full-time paid staff members, but is largely run by its nearly 300 volunteers, including Berkeley students and other members of the local community. The station's studios are located at Social Sciences Building on campus.

## History

[edit]

The station originally began broadcasting in 1962, as a carrier current station. By 1966, KALX (then known as Radio KAL, the call letters being derived from Berkeley's nickname "Cal") had moved from Berkeley's dormitories to Dwinelle Hall on campus, and Berkeley administrators began investigating the possibility of applying for a broadcast frequency for the station. KALX received its broadcast license and made its first FM broadcast, with 10 watts of power, in 1967. The studio in the basement of Dwinelle was modest, a small chamber sequestered off from a sizable library of albums.

In the 1970s, KALX was taken off the air for a short period by the faculty oversight Radio Policy Board after the station manager and friends had abused their use of university automobiles for private use and run up large bills for long distance phone calls to their contacts in Los Angeles and elsewhere. After an investigation, the station was put back on the air in 1975 under new management, led by Andrew Reimer who had previously been manager of KUCI, the radio station at UC Irvine. The station progressed from a 10-watt part-time operation to continuous operation in 1977, to a higher transmitter site in the Berkeley Hills in 1978.

KALX became the official radio station for the Oakland Athletics just days before the season opener in April 1978. Larry Baer, a junior political science major who was the station's sports director and business manager, negotiated the agreement with team owner Charlie Finley. The situation was made possible because of the Athletics' subpar on-field performance and attendance and the uncertainty surrounding Finley's threats to move the ballclub to Denver.[2] Baer, who would later serve as a San Francisco Giants executive beginning in December 1992, was the play-by-play announcer.[3] Sophomore mass communications major Bob Kozberg and station producer/engineer Steve Blum also worked on the broadcasts.

The arrangement lasted only sixteen games. One month into the season, Finley decided to keep the Athletics in Oakland and awarded the broadcast rights to KNEW.[2][4] Nonetheless, the setup made the A's a laughingstock in the Bay Area. At the time, KALX only operated at 10 watts, rendering it practically unlistenable more than 10 miles from Oakland Coliseum. This led one fan to joke about the A's radio network stretching all the way to Hawaii by asking, "Honolulu? How about here?"[5]

In 1981, the station began a successful fundraising drive to boost its power level to the present-day 500 watts, a level that was reached in 1982.[2]

As part of the A's 50th anniversary celebration in 2018, Baer was invited back to do play-by-play for one inning of an A's/Giants game.[6]

## Format

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

KALX offers a diverse range of public affairs programming, and airs many kinds of public service announcements throughout its daily broadcast.

## Notable alumni

[edit]

KALX has provided a training ground for numerous individuals who have had careers in music, television, and radio. These include:

* Madeleine Brand – KCRW "Press Play" Host
* Stewart Copeland–The Police[7]
* Lisa Stark—ABC News[8]
* Sarah Wallace—WNBC, WABC-TV's EyeWitness News[9]
* Andrew Reimer—5aa[10]
* Kristen Sze—ABC7 [11]
* John (Long John) Morehouse—past President Long Valley Communications, KALX, KZYX, KAVA, KMUD, KPHT-LP, KFTY-TV50, KRCB-TV22 [12]
* Bob Sarlatte—Actor and sports announcer[13]

## See also

[edit]

* Campus radio
* List of college radio stations in the United States

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KALX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
2. ^ a b c The Full and Unabridged History of KALX - KALX 90.7FM Berkeley.
3. ^ "San Francisco Giants: Front Office". sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2007.
4. ^ Fimrite, Ron. "They're Just Mad About Charlie," Sports Illustrated, May 21, 1979.
5. ^ Smith, Curt (2001). Storied Stadiums. New York City: Carroll & Graf. ISBN 0-7867-1187-6.
6. ^ Play-by-play. July 21, 2018. KGMZ-FM.
7. ^ "Biography". Off The Score. July 7, 2023.
8. ^ "Lisa Stark". ABC News. April 13, 2012.
9. ^ "Sarah Wallace joins WNBC after ending a 30-year run at WABC". NY Daily News. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
10. ^ "radioinfo.com.au | Australia's leading site for broadcast professionals". www.radioinfo.com.au. February 29, 2008. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
11. ^ "Kristen Sze | ABC7 KGO News Team". ABC7 San Francisco. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
12. ^ "Long John | Tubby Tunes radio show".
13. ^ BobSarlatte.com. "Bay Area - Comedian - Corporate Event Emcee - Bob Sarlatte". www.bobsarlatte.com.

## External links

[edit]

* KALX homepage with online live streaming broadcast

* Facility details for Facility ID 68999 (KALX) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
* KALX in Nielsen Audio's FM station database

* v
* t
* e

University of California, Berkeley

Located in: Berkeley, California

Academics|

* Business
* Chemistry
* Computing, Data Science, and Society
* Education
* Engineering
* Environmental Design
* Information
* Journalism
* Law
* Letters and Science
* Natural Resources
* Optometry and Vision Science
* Public Health
* Public Policy
* Social Welfare

Athletics|

| Programs|

* Golden Bears
* Baseball
* Men's basketball
* Women's basketball
* Football
* Women's Gymnastics
* Rugby
* Softball
* Track and field
* Volleyball

|

Rivals|

* Stanford
* Big Game
* UCLA
* Rivalry

Culture|

* Oski
* "The Play"

Campus|

| Academic|

* Libraries
* Bancroft Library
* Doe Memorial Library
* Moffitt Library
* California Hall
* Campbell Hall
* Dwinelle Hall
* Etcheverry Hall
* Evans Hall
* Gilman Hall
* Hearst Memorial Mining Building
* Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation
* LeConte Hall
* Leuschner Observatory
* South Hall
* Wheeler Hall

|

Residential|

* Bowles Hall
* International House
* Stern Hall
* Student housing
* University House

Student life|

* Hearst Greek Theatre
* Memorial Stadium
* Edwards Stadium
* Senior Hall
* Zellerbach Hall
* Haas Pavilion
* Tightwad Hill
* Evans Diamond

Facilities|

* Berkeley Art Museum
* Botanical Garden and Julia Morgan Hall
* Lawrence Hall of Science
* Sather Gate
* Sather Tower
* Sproul Plaza

Service|

* Bear Transit

Research|

* Laboratories
* Institute of Governmental Studies
* Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute
* Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory
* Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute

Activities|

* Associated Students
* Marching Band
* The Daily Californian
* Jazz Ensembles
* Student Cooperative
* KALX
* CalTV
* Men's Octet
* California Golden Overtones
* Food Collective
* Order of the Golden Bear
* Pioneers in Engineering
* Berkeley Forum
* California Pelican
* Heuristic Squelch
* Symphony Orchestra

Related|

* Alumni
* Faculty and staff
* History
* Caltopia
* Free Speech Movement
* Graduate Theological Union
* Howison Lectures
* Occupy the Farm
* Tarski Lectures

* Founded: 1868

* v
* t
* e

Radio stations in San Francisco, the Peninsula, and the East Bay (California)

This region also includes the following cities: Berkeley
Oakland
Palo Alto
San Mateo

By AM frequency|

* 560
* 610
* 6801
* 740
* 8101
* 860
* 910
* 960
* 990
* 1010
* 1050
* 1100
* 1220
* 1260
* 1310
* 1400
* 1450
* 1510
* 1550
* 1640
* 17102

By FM frequency|

* 88.1
* 88.5
* 89.1
* 89.3
* KMVS
* KOHL
* KPDO
* KPFB
* 89.5
* KPOO
* KSMC
* 89.9
* KCRH
* KDFL
* 90.3
* 90.5
* 90.7
* 91.1
* 91.7
* 92.1
* 92.7
* 93.3
* 94.1
* 94.9
* 95.7
* 96.5
* 97.3
* 98.1
* 98.9
* 99.7
* 101.3
* 101.7
* 102.1
* 102.9
* 103.7
* 104.5
* 105.3
* 106.1
* 106.9
* 107.3
* 107.7

| LPFM|

* 96.1
* KACR-LP
* KEXU-LP
* KJTZ-LP
* KPEA-LP
* 96.9
* KEPT-LP
* KGPC-LP
* KQEA-LP
* KQEB-LP
* 100.9
* 102.5
* KSFP-LP
* KXSF-LP

|

Translators|

* 88.1
* 88.9
* 93.7
* 95.3
* 97.7
* 100.9
* 101.7
* 103.3
* 104.1
* 104.9

NOAA Weather Radio
frequency|

* 162.4
* 162.45
* 162.5
* 162.55

Digital radio
by frequency & subchannel|

* 88.5-1
* 88.5-2
* 91.1-1
* 91.1-2
* 93.3-1
* 94.9-1
* 95.7-1
* 96.5-1
* 96.5-2
* 97.3-1
* 97.3-2
* 98.1-1
* 99.7-1
* 99.7-2
* 99.7-3
* 101.3-1
* 101.3-2
* 102.1-1
* 102.9-1
* 102.9-2
* 102.9-3
* 103.7-1
* 105.3-1
* 106.1-1
* 106.1-2
* 106.9-1
* 107.3-1
* 107.3-2
* 107.3-3
* 107.7-1

By call sign|

* K201BV
* K205BM
* K229DD
* K237GZ
* K249DJ
* K265CV
* K269FB
* K277CH
* K281BU
* K285FA
* KACR-LP
* KALW
* KALX
* KATD
* KBLX-FM
* HD2
* HD3
* KCBS
* KCEA
* KCRH
* KCSM
* HD2
* KDFC
* KDFL
* KDIA
* KDOW
* KDX54
* KEAR
* KEC49
* KECG
* KEPT-LP
* KEST
* KEXC
* KEXU-LP
* KFAX
* KFRC-FM
* KGMZ-FM
* KGPC-LP
* KHB49
* KHMV-LP
* KIOI
* HD2
* KIQI
* KISQ
* KITS
* KJTZ-LP
* KKDV
* KKIQ
* KKSF
* KLLC
* HD2
* KLVS
* HD2
* HD3
* KMEL
* HD2
* KMKY
* KMVQ
* HD2
* HD3
* KMVS
* KNBR1
* KNBR-FM
* KNEW
* KOHL
* KOIT
* HD2
* KOSF
* KPDO
* KPEA-LP
* KPFA
* KPFB
* KPOO
* KQEA-LP
* KQEB-LP
* KQED-FM
* KRBQ
* KRZZ
* KSAN
* KSFB
* KSFN
* KSFO1
* KSFP-LP
* KSMC
* KSOL
* KTCT
* KTRB
* KVHS
* KVTO
* KXSF-LP
* KYLD
* KZAC
* KZDG
* WWF64

Defunct|

* KABN
* KDN
* KFRC
* KGB
* KGEI (shortwave)
* KGGU
* KGHQ
* KQWA-LP
* KSAN
* KUSF
* KYY
* KZM
* KZY

Radio stations in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco

San Jose
Santa Rosa

Other nearby regions
Fort Bragg/Ukiah
Fresno
Merced
Modesto
Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz
Sacramento
Stockton
Yuba City-Marysville

See also
List of radio stations in California

* Mass media in the San Francisco Bay Area
* Radio stations
* TV stations
* Newspapers

* * *

Notes
1\. Clear-channel stations with extended nighttime coverage.
2\. Part 15 station with notability.

* v
* t
* e

California college radio stations

California State University|

* KCPR
* Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
* KCSN
* Cal State Northridge
* KAZU
* Cal State Monterey Bay
* KFSR
* Fresno State
* KKJZ-HD3
* Long Beach State
* KCR
* San Diego State
* KSFS
* San Francisco State
* KSJS
* San Jose State
* KSSU
* Sacramento State
* KCSS
* Stanislaus State

University of California|

* KALX
* UC Berkeley
* KDVS
* UC Davis
* KUCI
* UC Irvine
* KUCR
* UC Riverside
* KSDT
* UC San Diego
* KCSB
* UC Santa Barbara
* KZSC
* UC Santa Cruz

Private Universities|

* KSCU (Santa Clara University)
* KSMC (St. Mary's College)
* KSPC (Pomona College)
* KUSF (University of San Francisco)
* KXLU (Loyola Marymount University)
* KUSC (University of Southern California)
* KZSU (Stanford University)

Community Colleges|

* KCRH (Chabot College)
* KFJC (Foothill College)
* KOHL (Ohlone College)
* KSBR-HD2 (Saddleback College)
* KKSM (Palomar Community College)
* KSAK (Mount San Antonio Community College)
* KWDC-LP (San Joaquin Delta College)

See also
adult contemporary
classic hits
college
country
news/talk
NPR
oldies
religious
rock
sports
top 40
urban
other radio stations in California

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template