Talkeetna radio station upgrades equipment

Talkeetna Community Radio Inc., a nonprofit organization doing business as public radio station KTNA in Talkeetna, has been fostering community identity and connection in the Upper Susitna Valley for decades by bringing local news and local voices to the airwaves for local listeners who can’t get that anywhere else.

But keeping residents up to date with information and entertained with stories of local people is not a simple plug-and-play endeavor that can be taken for granted indefinitely. As with any infrastructure, time takes its toll. Newer technologies evolve, and the need to adapt becomes more urgent.

That kind of upkeep and modernization can be costly. KTNA was able to replace its automation computers recently with the help of a $15,178 grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. The upgrade brought in new computers to coordinate daily statewide and national programming. General Manager Phillip Manning said this allows the station to be on the air 24/7, even when there is nobody at the station.

“These computers are a critical piece of our broadcast infrastructure,” he said. “Updating the automation software makes our audio chain more reliable. It also means we are much less likely to suffer a critical failure that would take us off the air.”

Manning noted that the system improvements also provide enhanced efficiency for staff, allowing them to spend more time on local programming.

The Rising Readers program is one of those local features. It spotlights Talkeetna-area elementary students reading children’s books.

The Blue Tarp is another. The popular radio program and podcast covers the stories of the people and places of the northern Susitna Valley. Currently in its fifth season, which centers on the theme of mountaineering, The Blue Tarp launched in January 2020.

“KTNA is the only broadcaster in the Upper Susitna Valley. Our listeners rely on us to share information that is relevant to their lives,” Manning said. “Mat-Su Health Foundation's generous grant helps us fulfill our mission to enrich and connect the communities of the Upper Susitna Valley through informational and cultural programming.”

The Mat-Su Health Foundation shares ownership in the local hospital, the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, ensuring it continues to grow and meet the needs of Mat-Su residents. MSHF invests its share of the profits into scholarships, programs, and grants, with the ongoing goal of improving community health. Since 2008, that investment in the community totals more than $130 million.

In addition to his role at KTNA, Manning also serves on the boards of two other area nonprofits. So he has seen the value of what the health foundation brings to the community.

“Mat-Su Health Foundation has been a fantastic partner to organizations in the Upper Susitna Valley,” he said. “There are many projects in this area that simply would not have been possible without funding from the Foundation.”

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