First air date 1973 ERP 310 watts Class A | Format "free form" HAAT -228 meters Facility ID 54806 | |
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KEOL (91.7 FM) is a radio station broadcasting from Eastern Oregon University (EOU) in La Grande, Oregon. KEOL operates at 91.7 MHz with an operating power of 310 watts.
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History
KEOL was conceived in early 1967, when two employees of what was then known as Eastern Oregon College envisioned a campus FM radio station offering classical and jazz music—genres not readily available on local radio at that time. A February 1967 letter between the two employees, proposing creation of such a station and applying to the Federal Communications Commission for the necessary licenses, may be found in KEOL's public files.
KEOL first took the air in September 1973 as KEOC-FM. The station originally broadcast on a frequency of 91.1 MHz, with 10 watts of power from a Gates tube-fired transmitter.
KEOL was first located in the newly completed Hoke College Center, before moving to the Walter M. Pierce Library in 1976. A second move placed KEOL in a one-story bungalow, with a basement, just north of Pierce Library. In October 2015 the station moved back to Hoke College Center.
Operations
KEOL La Grande is operated by the students and faculty of Eastern Oregon University. Staff include a faculty adviser, station manager, program and music directors and assistants. Also serving KEOL are sponsorship coordinators and work study students. Occasionally, a student will be tapped to serve as news director. EOU alumni and other volunteers act as community liaisons and advisers.
The station is funded by student incidental fees, fundraising activities and underwriting.
KEOL broadcasts continuously from a modern studio which also has production equipment. The station boasts a large music collection, which includes compact discs and vinyl records. KEOL can also be heard via a streaming Internet audio link from the station's website.