| Broadcast area | Tucson metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 830kHz |
| Branding | The Drive 101.7 FM, AM 830 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Oldies |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KTGV,KVOI,KZLZ | |
| History | |
First air date | July 19, 1986; 39 years ago (1986-07-19) |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | "Drive" |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 20649 |
| Class | B |
| Power |
|
Transmitter coordinates | 32°26′39″N111°5′27″W / 32.44417°N 111.09083°W /32.44417; -111.09083 |
| Translator | 101.7 K269FV (Oro Valley) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | thedrivetucson.com |
KDRI (830kHz, "The Drive") is a radio station inTucson, Arizona. Owned byBustos Media, through licensee Bustos Media Holdings, LLC, it broadcasts anoldies format. It is simulcast on FM translator K269FV at 101.7 MHz inOro Valley.
By day, KDRI is powered at 50,000wattsnon-directional, the maximum for commercial AM stations. As830 AM is aclear channel frequency reserved forClass A stationWCCO inMinneapolis, KDRI reduces power at night to 1,000 watts, and switches to adirectional antenna with a four-tower array. Thetransmitter is on Sunshine Lane off North Sandra Road inMarana.[2] KDRI is Arizona's only "Primary Entry Point" station to theEmergency Alert System.[3]
Aconstruction permit was issued in 1983 for a new station on 830 AM in Tucson to Doylan Forney. Forney had won the station, proposing to provide a middle-of-the-road music format "with an emphasis on spiritually enlightening programs",[4] in a proceeding designed to promote ownership of radio stations by ethnic minorities.[5] He first took the calls KGLY, then very soon after took the calls KGLR whenKGVY inGreen Valley objected.[6] In 1986, he sold the CP toFamily Life Radio, which had operated religious station KFLT at 1450 AM since 1977; Family Life then sold the 1450 frequency to another owner. On July 19, 1986,[7] KFLT moved to the new 830, on the air for the first time with 50,000 watts. AM 1450 then relaunched asKKPW "Power 1450". KFLT would be on 830 AM for another 33 years.
On August 1, 2019, KFLT was sold to Tucson Radio, LLC, owned by local businessman Fletcher McCusker, for $650,000. In 2018, Family Life Broadcasting had acquired KQTH (104.1 FM) fromScripps Media viaLotus Communications, and flipped it to Family Life Radio asKFLT-FM, thede facto replacement for 830 AM. Afterstunting withnovelty music asThe Worm, KFLT launched asoft oldies format with a Tucson-centric presentation and local personalities targeting "boomers in cars" asThe Drive, KDRI, on August 5, 2019. Veteran radio executive and personalityBobby Rich joined the station as president of Tucson Radio, program director, and morning host.[8][9]
Effective June 30, 2023,Bustos Media purchased KDRI and translator K269FV from Tucson Radio, LLC.[10] Rich's last day on air and retirement party was May 12, 2023.The Drive Tucson has now positioned themselves as "Timeless Variety" from the 60's, 70's and 80's.
