| Broadcast area | Lansing-East Lansing metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 870 kHz |
| Branding | WKAR NewsTalk |
| Programming | |
| Format | Public radio; news-talk |
| Affiliations | |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Michigan State University |
| WKAR-TV, WKAR-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | August 18, 1922 (Experimental 8YG 1920-1922) |
Former frequencies |
|
Call sign meaning | Sequentially assigned (unrelated to MSU's original name of Michigan Agricultural College) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 41684 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 10,000 watts day |
Transmitter coordinates | 42°42′19″N 84°28′30″W / 42.70528°N 84.47500°W |
| Translator(s) | 102.3 W272EM (East Lansing, relays WKAR-FM HD2) |
| Repeater(s) | 90.5 WKAR-FM HD2 (East Lansing)) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | wkar.org |
WKAR (870 kHz) is an non-commercial public AM radio station, licensed to the trustees of Michigan State University (MSU) at East Lansing, Michigan. It is part of MSU's Broadcasting Services Division, along with WKAR-FM and WKAR-TV. Studios and offices are in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building, at the southeast corner of Wilson and Red Cedar Roads on the MSU campus.
WKAR is a Class D daytimer station. It is powered at 10,000 watts by day, using a directional antenna with a two-tower array.[2] Its signal reaches as far east as Ann Arbor, as far north as Saginaw and as far west as Grand Rapids.[3][4][5] But because 870 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A station WWL New Orleans, WKAR must go off the air at night to avoid interference. Programming is also heard on 250-watt FM translator W272EM at 102.3 MHz. The translator provides 24 hours a day programming that is also streamed over the Internet and on the second HD digital subchannel of sister station WKAR-FM.