By day, KKGX transmits with 5,000 watts; in order to protect other stations on 920 AM from interference, it reduces power to 1,000 watts at night. It uses a directional antenna with a four-tower array.[2] Programming is also heard on 54-watt FM translatorK256CU at 99.1 MHz in Palm Springs.[3]
History
Early years
The station was originally issued the call sign KGEC when it was a construction permit. But as it was being built, it took the call sign KDES on September 6, 1956.[4] KDES signed on the air on October 29, 1956; 68 years ago (October 29, 1956).
The station was assigned the callsign KKAM on October 15, 1984; on August 17, 1987, the station changed its call sign back to KDES. The station became KESQ on June 1, 1994, but returned to the KDES call sign on November 1, 1995. On September 1, 1997, the call letters were changed to KPSI.[5] The callsign KPSI, which stood for "Keeping Palm Springs Informed", was previously used on 1450 AM (later KCOD).
On August 12, 2016, KPSI and sister station KWXY went silent. The stations were put up for sale. In October 2016, Desert Broadcasters agreed to acquire KPSI and KWXY from Ric and Rozene Supple's R&R Radio Corporation.[6]
KKGX
The call letters were changed to KKGX on February 2, 2017.[5] On March 14, 2017, both KKGX and KWXY returned to the air stunting. The on-air moniker of ‘KGX’ (a truncation of the legal ‘KKGX’ call sign) was a mash-up and homage to legendary three call-letter California radio stations KGO, KNX and KGB. KGX debuted a conservative talk format branded "Real Talk" on March 16.[7] The purchase by Desert Broadcasters was consummated on March 31, 2017.
Effective June 9, 2021, Desert Broadcasters sold KKGX, KWXY and two translators to Louie Comella's IVOX MEDIA LLC for $105,000 as part of a larger package deal. The sale included the old KDES (AM) tower site in Palm Springs for $220,000 and the original KWXY "Broadcast Center" building for $550,000. The 920 AM tower site on its 28.4 acres (11.36 ha) will be expanded to become the new home of the IVOX+ streaming platform as well as a future independent motion picture studio lot and theater venue, although the property lacks public road access.[8]
Return to the air
Both stations were off the air for four months beginning in August. At noon on December 12, 2021, they returned to the air with a four-hour special, "Frank Sinatra: Remembering An American Legend," hosted by Wink Martindale. Following the special, both stations began playing Christmas music. On December 27, KKGX relaunched as "Alternative Talk Radio", abandoning the unique 'KGX' branding, and using only the legal callsign 'KKGX' on-air.[9]
Under the previous ownership, the original 1964 "KWXY" neon lettering on the building's façade was replaced by modern, back-lit LED lettering identifying the station as "KGX". The neon letters are presently undergoing restoration and will be relocated to the façade once completed.