Big things coming from little radio station

Frontiersman

In small communities, local public radio is the lifeblood of town life, and that holds true in the upper Susitna area, as KTNA has become a communication leader.

The public broadcasting station serves a variety of listeners, from tourists just passing through the town of Talkeetna in the summer to locals looking to sell a car or some other good. Mike Lindgren, who has been with the station for seven years, said the station works hard to make KTNA the best possible avenue for community discussion.

&#8220Our goal is to provide a service to our community,” Lindgren, who works as a fund-raiser and event coordinator for the station, said. &#8220But how do you define community? Now, with technology going the way it is, our community basically stretches to infinity.

&#8220We reach a lot of locals, but we're also reaching a lot of tourists who listen while they are in town and dig the station. They can go home and Google us and find us online. Maybe we get a membership check from Provo, Utah because of what they heard while they were in Talkeetna,” Lindgren said. &#8220Soon, we'll be streaming online, so they'll have a chance to listen wherever they are.”

The station relies heavily on volunteers, and Lindgren estimated that between 50 and 60 volunteers work at the station throughout the week. The staff is a skeleton crew, with almost every paid staff member working on a part-time basis. Even the station's general manager, Robert Ambrose, works on a part-time basis.

&#8220We put in full-time hours, but pay ourselves part-time,” Lindgren said with a laugh. &#8220Due to the popularity in town and the willingness of the volunteers, it works.”

The station, broadcasting at 88.9 FM, recently installed a new, more powerful digital transmitter to reach a broader audience.

The station has a wide mix of programming, from National Public Radio programs to local news covered by a full-time news editor.

Local musicians flock to the airwaves, and a mix of national artists can be heard from the station, which operates 24 hours a day.

You may hear AC/DC during one segment and then have it followed by local writers and artists discussion local issues.

The eclectic mix also includes the popular Denali Echoes segment.

&#8220The volunteers come in and deejay and make things happen,” Lindgren said. &#8220Without them, I don't think we'd be able to make it. It's their radio station, too.”

Contact Casey Ressler at 352-2265 or

valleylife@frontiersman.com.