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The 1,500 watt Spirit 91.5 signal covers
The Spirit Catholic Radio broadcast originates from
"We have a similar setup in
Currently, the call sign for Spirit 91.5 is KBTK, but will change with FCC approval to KJWM to fall in line with Bishop Dendinger's episcopal motto "Justice with Mercy." In addition, organizers would like to expand the broadcast area this spring to reach Hastings and Kearney. To do that, another $150,000 will need to be raised to purchase a more powerful antennae and transmitter and move to a broadcast tower near Wood River, allowing the signal to increase to 32,000 watts.
Persons outside the coverage area can listen to the broadcast on the Internet at www.KVSS.com.
Bo Pelini Supports Catholic Radio Expansion - YOU CAN, TOO!
Bo Pelini, head football coach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, threw his support behind the fundraising campaign by addressing more than 100 supporters of Catholic radio at an event April 13, 2008 in Lincoln.
"Catholic radio is a lot like coaching," Pelini said. "You reach people in different ways. I hope you're committed to it. I think it's a great thing and something that will be extremely powerful. In order for a project like this to take off, you have to make sacrifices. You have to be committed. It's got to become who you are, and it's about what this means to Nebraska, to Catholicism and the impact it can have on the world."
"We can't thank people enough for the many prayers and support they've given to this endeavor," said KVSS Executive Director Jim Carroll. "It's only by God's grace and a lot of hard work by many good people that we were able to make this all happen."
Fundraising efforts for this project have been ongoing since March 2008, and enough money and capital was raised by June 2008 to sign a purchase agreement with Chapin Enterprises of Lincoln for $4.5 million. Since then, the 88.9 FM signal in Omaha has been sold, and proceeds from that sale has gone towards the new signal's purchase price.
Additional funds for the signal were generated by Kolbe Media, a non-profit group that has been working to bring a Catholic radio station to the Lincoln area since January 2007. Under the guidance of KVSS, the group purchased a new 6,000 watt signal the FCC had made available. When KVSS was offered the rare opportunity to purchase a full class C station (102.7 FM) in early 2008, Kolbe Media agreed to merge with KVSS, combine fundraising efforts and put their signal up for sale. Once sold, the money will also go towards purchase of the stronger signal.
"The former director of Kolbe Media, John Soukup, is now the station manager for our Lincoln office," explained Carroll. "He's primarily responsible for development, underwriting and public relations in the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln."
Carroll added that 102.7 FM is now able to reach a much wider audience with the life-changing message of the Gospel, "Catholic radio provides a fresh moral perspective on critical issues and events, while making a spiritually powerful impact on people's lives." KVSS is celebrating 10 years of being on the air in Omaha as of January 9, 2009.
