A new FM in Helena, Montana had a Last Chance to go on the air.
Now, it’s been given new life, thanks to its donation to a local institution of higher learning.
Helena is Montana’s state capital. It’s also the home of Montana State University-Billings, part of the MSU system.
MSU operates Yellowstone Public Radio, and it’s the beneficiary of a soon-to-debut noncommercial FM station presently known as “FCC Facility ID No. 174030.” The donor is known as Last Chance Public Radio Association, led by Tom Golnar.
The construction permit expires on July 29.
The donation allows for an internal transfer of Class C3 KYPH-FM in East Helena from YPR to the Board of Regents for MSU, in exchange of 50-watt translator K251AC, at 98.1 MHz in Helena.
With this move, Montana State University – Bozeman’s eclectic KGLT-FM will gain a much bigger presence in Helena, as it will move to the unbuilt FM, set for 88.5 MHz.
Last Chance was founded in 1984 to bring public radio to the Helena Valley. Run by community volunteers and supported by donations and in-kind support from local members and businesses, it helped bring Yellowstone Public Radio and KGLT to the market, which is south of Great Falls by considerable difference.
With this donation, Last Chance’s last holding is translator K244EH, at 96.7 MHz in Helena.