The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved KTRU’s application for a low-power FM transmitter Feb. 9, so Rice’s student-run radio station expects to broadcast on Houston’s FM airwaves by the end of the year.

KTRU has been broadcasting online since the sale of the 50,000-watt tower, frequency and license to the University of Houston was completed in 2011. Rice designated a portion of the proceeds from the sale to be used by KTRU. The station is using the majority of that funding for programming, but the funds will also cover the cost of equipment for the new signal and installation.

“The KTRU community is incredibly excited to re-enter the FM format as a pillar of the Houston local music scene and continue to provide its eclectic, broad range of music through the accessible means of FM radio,” said KTRU Manager Sal Tijerina.
The transmitter will have a maximum power of 41 watts, which will reach a radius of about five miles around campus.

“We are pleased that KTRU will be back on the FM airwaves,” said Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson. “KTRU started out years ago as a low-wattage broadcast station in Hanszen College on the Rice campus, and this new transmitter will take KTRU back to its origins.”

Hutchinson credited KTRU General Manager Will Robedee with spearheading the effort to apply to the FCC for a low-power transmitter. Hutchinson also noted that in addition to providing financial support, President David Leebron authorized plans to install the transmitter on top of Rice Stadium.

Once the transmitter is installed later this year, KTRU will begin broadcasting on 96.1 FM; the station currently broadcasts 24 hours a day online at www.ktru.org and on HD radio at 90.1 HD2 24 as well as through TuneIn and IHeart apps and soon-to-be-added NextRadio app.