KTTN AM 1600 will turn 70 on April 17, 2025
Trenton's Radio Station signed on for the first time on Sunday, April 17, 1955. For many years, KTTN operated an AM-only radio station on the 2nd floor of a former building at 8th and Washington. The bottom level housed the Missouri Public Service Company and the Trenton Police and Fire Departments. Now it is a parking lot for Southern Bank.
KTTN AM moved to its current building at 804 Main Street, which was built in the mid-1960s. KTTN was one of several tenants for several years. KTTN AM with 500 watts was a day timer-meaning the FCC allowed it to sign on at 6:00 AM, but the sign-off time varied based on local sunset. Through the years, KTTN AM received FCC approval to reduce wattage to low power AFTER sunset. Many locals affectionately referred to us as "kitten" in the early years. But I was told the letters meant Keep Trenton Tuned for News.
KTTN FM went on the air on September 15th, 1978. For quite a few years, this allowed KTTN to broadcast AM and FM in a simulcast. This began nighttime broadcasting, which allowed listeners to be entertained with live sports play-by-play, election coverage, severe storms, etc, in addition to the music.
Midnight was the sign-off for KTTN FM. Eventually, KTTN purchased the necessary equipment and software (automation) to be on the air overnight. That's 24 hours a day, although 1600 AM still must go to lower power at local sunset. Due to that, KTTN applied and received FCC approval for a translator station at 98.3 FM, which debuted in 2021. The audio is the same as KTTN AM, except it is much clearer. As a translator, the FCC limits the power we can have, so the 98.3 coverage is pretty much within Grundy County.
Over the 70 years overall, KTTN has only had five owners or groups of owners. At some point in the late 1990s, KTTN studios and offices expanded to encompass the entire building. As most know, we also own KGOZ at 101.7 FM, which went on the air in mid-June of 1994-broadcasting 24/7 from our studio in downtown Trenton.
The Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce extends a CONGRATULATIONS to our Chamber Member- KTTN and Staff.
