Super Rock KYOI was a short-wave radio station located at Saipan island in Pacific region from 1982 to 1989 years. The station broadcasted rock and pop music on Japan, USSR, Australia, New Zealand and other countries of the World.
History
The station began transmitting on December 17, 1982. Initial frequencies were 11900, 15190, 15405, and 9670kHz.To promote a new standard of broadcasting, Super-Rock KYOI had a carefully selected name - "Super" having a very strong, positive meaning in Japan, and "YOI" meaning "good" in Japanese.With the slogan 'Super Rock' it was an instant hit in the intended target area of Japan, but also unexpectedly with listeners worldwide.In December 1986 the Herald Broadcasting division of the Christian Science Monitor Syndicate Inc. purchased KYOI. In 1987 the format broadcasting of former Superrock KYOI radio station was completely changed. The broadcasting of music programs was completely terminated in 1989.
Technical details
Superrock KYOI was located at Agingan point of Saipan island. Both studio and transmitter facilities were co-sited in the same building, a 2000 square foot concrete structure designed to withstand hurricane winds of 150 mph and strength 3 earthquakes. The entire plant was self sufficient, with its own 450 kW diesel generator and a 2500 gallon water catchment system with filtering unit and compression tank. The station had a powerful transmitter, a Continental 418-D-2, 100kW high level plate modulated, with an automatic servo system, allowing pre tuning of channels in use. Three tubes sat in tanks of distilled water that boiled off into steam and then condensed back into water to be returned to the system. The antenna system consisted of a complex and elaborate array, comprising 16 dipoles phased together directed towards an azimuth of 340 degrees true. The curtain and screen system designed to withstand 150 mph typhoon winds.The program of broadcasting consisted of continuous top 40 / rock music controlled primarily by a computer audio sequencing system, with automated song title and station ID announcements inserted as required. The computer system was used to change frequency 4 times daily, completely eliminating operator error. The music was run from a program automation system, which held up to 7 days of 24 hour programming. A time clock was incorporated allowing station IDs and frequency change announcements to be aired at predetermined times. Music, commercials and jingles were all called up from a series of carts by the computer system. From its two 170 foot towers reaching into Pacific skies, the latest in rock music was beamed to a young Japanese audience of 18 to 30 year-olds from one end of Japan to the other. Among major advertisers supporting the station and its programs were Seiko, Sony, Continental/Air Micronesia.
Staff
The main creator of station was Lawrence Berger. Other owners were Fred Zeder, and Adrian Perry.The main operator of KYOI station was MARCOM company.Technical facilities on Saipan employed just 6 staff, working as operators, antenna riggers and other devices which were needed to keep the station on the air around the clock. All programs of Superrock KYOI were prepared in Los Angeles, California by the Drake Chenault Company, and then air-freighted to Saipan. KYOI retained a representative in Japan to advise the programmer of the latest in Japanese pop music trends. Sales of airtime were made in Japan, and bills paid from Honolulu with most business being conducted by telephone and telex. KYOI received thousands of letters and reception reports, and acknowledged all reports with cards postmarked "Saipan CM". The station also hoped to encourage interest in Saipan as a vacation spot.
Aftermath
Superrock KYOI radiostation had a huge influence on minds of its listeners worldwide. There are still many fan clubs of KYOI both in Japan and in Russia.Creators of Superrock made a very good job because the station could unite people from different countries without any political ideology, only by broadcasting good world-class music round the clock.