August 9, 2005

After three years of waiting, KWRB in Sierra Vista, Ariz., an English-language FM station in the World Radio Network, has received a construction permit to boost its power, enabling the outlet to more than double its potential audience. The station, southeast of Tucson, is part of the 23-outlet World Radio Network, one of HCJB World Radio's partner ministries. This is one of four outlets in the network that broadcast in English; the rest use Spanish.

The Federal Communications Commission gave the station a construction permit on April 10 to increase its power to 990 watts, up from the present level of 58 watts, said Station Manager Jerry Wagner. "The process took a long time because of the red tape with the Mexican government," he said. "The station is so close to the Mexican border that approval for the change had to come from both U.S. and Mexican communications authorities."

When the transmitter and antenna are upgraded by September, some 140,000 people will be within hearing range of the station, double the present number of about 70,000.

The signal will also come in better for those who can already hear it. "We're surrounded by mountains on all four sides," Wagner explained. "Our signal will still be obstructed by the terrain, but we're looking to put a stronger signal into areas where we've had a modest signal, especially in the northern part of Cochise county. We're now looking to reach the entire county."

He added that the boost in power will coordinate well with the station's annual sharathon Sept. 28-Oct. 1. The theme of the event, "Celebrating God's Faithfulness," was already selected before news of the power increase came through.

"Oh, how He has proven Himself to be faithful," Wagner said. "We are so grateful and thrilled about what He has done. We look forward to our increased listenership -- now people will be able to hear the station better in their homes, and not just in their automobiles." (HCJB World Radio)