NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS KYOI Saipan QSL

The Pacific remains a fascinating target area for the South African dxer. Apart from Australia and New Zealand, memorable and sensational shortwave catches such as the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Vanuatu have been reported in South Africa by a few experienced dxers.

In 1985 I experienced regular reception from KFBS and KYOI from Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands.

I was fortunate to obtain a QSL from KYOI in response to my reception report from a broadcast on the 11th January 1985.

KYOI - A BRIEF HISTORY

KYOI was a commercial shortwave station that began transmitting from the Pacific island of Saipan on the 17th December 1982. Initial frequencies were 11900, 15190, 15405, and 9670 kHz.

Broadcasting "contemporary hits" rock music with the slogan 'Super Rock', KYOI was not only an instant hit in the intended target area of Japan but also unexpectedly with listeners worldwide. It was one of the few places on the shorwave dial where one could listen to a contemporary rock music format with virtually no interruption.

In December 1986 the Christian Science Monitor purchased KYOI. The format of KYOI was changed in 1987 after which the broadcasting of music programs ended in 1989 with the changing of the station callsign to KHBI.

THE KYOI STORY

Avialable at the Raio Heritage website, The KYOI Story is an interesting account of the history of the station.