History of KUSD (AM) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 10, 2025

KUSD was a non-commercial educational radio station licensed to the University of South Dakota (USD) from 1922 to 1992. As the oldest broadcasting station in South Dakota, it was the predecessor to South Dakota Public Broadcasting. The station ceased operations after a transmission tower collapsed, and the university decided against replacing it. KUSD's license was officially deleted two years later, marking the end of its broadcasting era.

December 1, 1921: U.S. Department of Commerce establishes broadcasting station category

On December 1, 1921, the U.S. Department of Commerce adopted a regulation establishing a broadcasting station category, setting aside specific wavelengths for entertainment, market, and weather reports.

May 20, 1922: University receives license for station 9YAM

On May 20, 1922, the University was issued a license for a "Technical and Training School" station, named 9YAM. Ernest Lawrence, a student, was responsible for station operations and built the transmitter.

May 26, 1922: University authorized as broadcasting station WEAJ

On May 26, 1922, a telegram was sent to the University of South Dakota, authorizing a broadcasting station, with call letters WEAJ, operating on the 360 meter "entertainment" wavelength.

October 1922: Previous assignment of call letters KUSD

In October 1922, the KUSD call sign had been previously assigned to the steamer City of Honolulu.

1922: KUSD established

In 1922, KUSD, a non-commercial educational radio station, was licensed to the University of South Dakota (USD).

1923: KUSD reassigned to 1060 kHz

In late 1923, KUSD was reassigned to 1060 kHz.

October 1925: Call letters changed to KUSD

In October 1925, the station's call letters were changed to KUSD. That same year, it was shut down for two weeks for rebuilding and connected with the new auditorium, emerging as the first 250-watt outlet in the state.

June 1927: KUSD moved to 620 kHz

In June 1927, KUSD moved to 620 kHz.

November 11, 1928: KUSD assigned to 890 kHz

On November 11, 1928, KUSD was assigned to 890 kHz on a timesharing basis with KFNF and WILL, broadcasting for 3 1/2 hours a week and airing lectures, concerts, and sports.

1936: KUSD allocated 1/8th time on shared frequency

In 1936, KUSD was reported to be allocated 1/8th time on its shared frequency, with a regular schedule of two hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and one hour on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, for an annual total of 350 hours.

1937: WILL moved to a new frequency

In 1937, WILL moved to a new frequency, meaning KUSD was now timesharing with only KFNF.

March 29, 1941: KUSD moved to 920 kHz

On March 29, 1941, KUSD moved to 920 kHz as part of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement.

1952: KUSD moved to 690 kHz

In 1952, KUSD moved to 690 kHz with a new directional antenna, limited to daytime operation but significantly expanding output. The KUSD School of the Air served 1,000 schools, and a companion FM station, KUSD-FM, was built.

1961: KUSD-TV established

In 1961, KUSD-TV, the first transmitter in the South Dakota Public Broadcasting television service, was established.

1971: KUSD stations joined NPR

In 1971, the KUSD stations joined NPR at its launch.

1975: KUSD-FM upgraded

In 1975, KUSD-FM upgraded to 50,000 watts, providing regional coverage and allowing for split programming between AM and FM.

1992: KUSD transmitter tower collapses

In 1992, damage to guy wires caused one of the KUSD AM transmitter towers to collapse, leading to the eventual shutdown of the station.

August 11, 1994: KUSD's license deleted

On August 11, 1994, KUSD's license was deleted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). At the time of its deletion, it was the oldest station in the state.