KELK

Last updated

KELK
Frequency 1240 kHz
BrandingKELK 95.9 FM 1240 AM
Programming
Format Adult contemporary
Affiliations ABC Radio
Ownership
OwnerElko Broadcasting Company
KLKO, KEAU, KRJC
History
First air date
1948 (at 1340)
Former frequencies
1340 kHz (1948–1951)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 19371
Class C
Power 1,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates
 40°51′56″N115°43′10″W / 40.86556°N 115.71944°W / 40.86556; -115.71944
Translator 95.9 K240AI (Carlin)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website KELK Online

KELK (1240 AM) is a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary format. Licensed to Elko, Nevada, United States, the station is currently owned by Elko Broadcasting Company and features programming from ABC Radio. [2] The station is also heard on 95.9 FM, through a translator licensed to Carlin, Nevada. [3]

Contents

The station broadcasts local sports coverage. [4] The station is designated as an EAS Local Primary station for Elko County, serving as an entry point for local and regional emergency warning messages. [5]

The station's news department was recognized by the Associated Press as The News Station of the Year. [6]

History

KELK was founded by Harold Thompson, a local entrepreneur, and signed on the air in December 1948. [7] It was the inaugural radio station in Elko, initially operating on the frequency 1340 kHz. The frequency change to 1240 kHz occurred early in its history, shortly after its 1948 sign-on. [8]

In July 1949, less than a year after signing on, KELK faced a severe operational setback when an 80-mile-an-hour wind gust hit the station’s facility, causing the broadcast tower to collapse. Chief Engineer Van Welch reported that the station was able to resume broadcasting with a temporary antenna less than ten hours after the tower went down. [9] A new 200-foot permanent tower was subsequently erected.

The station has long been under the banner of "Elko Broadcasting Company" (EBC). The company celebrated its 75th anniversary in December 2023, spanning three generations of local operation. In 2023, control of the station was transferred from Paul G. Gardner to 5T, LLC. [10]

Logo before translator sign on KELK logo.jpg
Logo before translator sign on

Translator

Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
K240AI95.9 FM Carlin, Nevada 8878230323  m (1,060  ft)D LMS

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KELK". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "KELK Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ↑ Station Search Details, fcc.gov. Accessed January 29, 2015
  4. ↑ "Local Sports". Elko Broadcasting Company. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Elko County Evacuation routes and shelters" (PDF). Nevada Joint Information Center (JIC). Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Elko Live". Elko Broadcasting Company. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Elko Broadcasting Company 75th Anniversary". Everything Elko. November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  8. ↑ "WORLDWIDE NEWS (1977)" (PDF). Friends of Sabbath. April 25, 1977. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Broadcasting Telecasting (July - Sept 1949)". Internet Archive (Broadcasting Telecasting Magazine). July 1949. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Public Notice - Transfer of Control (KELK)" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. October 17, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2025.


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