The radio industry all started from the discovery of electromagnetic waves and their potential. In 1830, Michael Faraday confirmed that Christian Oersted’s theory that a magnetic field is created around a wire that has a current running through it. This established the principle of electromagnetic induction. In the late 1880s, Heinrich Hertz succeeded in producing electromagnetic waves. Later on in September of 1899, an Italian inventor by the name of Guglielmo Marconi, broadcasted the results of America’s Cup yacht races from a ship at sea to a land-based station in New York.This was the very first short-distance transmission. Another transmission by Reginald Fessenden took place in Brant Rock, Massachusetts on December 24th, 1906 and was heard all the way in Norfolk, Virginia. This broadcast set the stage for music and commercial voices to be heard across a larger distance. The Golden Age of Radio happened between the 1920s and the 1950s when television came around. Even when this happened, radio still was very popular because of developments like stereophonic broadcasting, Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), etc. For a total of 118 years, radio broadcasting has given their listeners international news all the way down to their local town events. 83% of Americans listen to terrestrial radio at least once per week.

– Source: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/rescue-development-radio/#:~:text=But%20on%20December%2024%2C%201906,and%20music%20broadcasts%20was%20set.

KNUJ/SAM Radio Shortened History: KNUJ AM 860 went on the air May 22, 1949. The radio station was owned by the same company that owned the New Ulm Journal at the time, hence the call letters K-New-Ulm-Journal. The studios are currently located at 317 North Minnesota Street, New Ulm and 117 East Main Street, Sleepy Eye. The tower and transmitter are in southeast New Ulm. KNUJ was originated by Mickelson Media, and owned by them for more than 36 years. On March 6, 1986, KNUJ was purchased by James Ingstad Broadcasting. Jim Ingstad is part of the Ingstad Family, who owned radio stations in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and other areas. Jim’s first solely-owned stations were KNUJ AM and KXLP FM. A few years later, KXLP studios moved to Mankato. On August 1, 1987, KNUJ studios and offices moved to the Grand Hotel, 210 ½ North Minnesota Street, New Ulm. In June 1995 a new FM radio station, known as KNUJ FM/BRaT 107.3, went on the air. In June 2005 the name changed to SAM 107.3 FM with a format of variety from the last 35 years. Today, SAM and KNUJ AM are simulcast 6am to 8:30am, Monday through Friday, and shorter hours on Saturday. SAM 107.3 FM broadcasts a live local news show from Sleepy Eye, 8:30 to 9am, Monday through Friday, with Craig Hansen. The music format is ‘Variety Hits’. KNUJ also operates a separate mail order business known as KNUJ Polka Cassette & CD Sales, selling primarily polka music, nationwide. KNUJ also operates Tower Storage, a mini storage facility on the south side of New Ulm. KNUJ Trips and Tours is also operated by KNUJ AM & FM, and features over 30 trips or tours from one day trips to events like Twins games and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, to multiple day tours in the US, and internationally. Folks can call 507-359-2921 or email knuj@knuj.net for more information on the Radio Stations, and affiliated businesses. Or see more on knuj.net.

This article brought to you by: – KNUJ/SAM Radio- New Ulm, MN