Two non-commercial stations in Portland will soon become one.
Liberal Talk/Indie Rock “XRay.FM” 91.1 KXRY Portland and Indie Rock “KZME” 89.9 KQAC-HD2/107.1 K296FT West Haven will merge their programming later this summer under the XRay.FM banner.
KXRY, formerly Reed College’s KRRC, launched its programming earlier this year with a mix of Indie Rock shows and few Liberal Talk programs formerly heard on 620 KPOJ before it dropped that format for Sports. Its unprotected Class D signal operates with 7 watts at 85.6 meters covering the eastern parts of Portland from Rocky Butte.
KZME debuted on a 91.1 rimshot that has since been deleted by the FCC in 2011 and has since been operating on the HD2 of KQAC and the 107.1 translator. It currently operates with 28 watts at 270.3 meters with a Construction Permit to upgrade to 99 watts.
Back in April KZME CEO Rob Brading told OregonMusicNews.com that, “What we know as KZME is going off the air.” KZME has since held discussions with multiple groups to lease the translator and voted last night to accept KXRY’s offer.
Hmm.
Well, if I can intercept it on my side of the WA/OR demilitarised zone, it might just be the cure for the bouts of insomnia I’ve experienced lately…