How green can a radio station be?

Moab's public radio station, KZMU, set an astounding example last month when it started using solar energy to supply all of its energy needs.

The station even sends extra energy back to the power grid, meaning in a 24-hour period it produces more energy than it consumes.

Is this solar-power bonanza possible for commercial radio stations, too?

"That's a neat idea," said Eric Hauenstein, Citadel Broadcasting's Salt Lake cluster general manager. But he also noted that public radio stations have low power requirements, while he has nine high-power station transmitters.

If such power becomes effective for transmitters of that size, he's all for going that direction.

"I think the Moab station is doing a good thing," said Dan R. Jessop, operations direction for KBZN and KLO. "It will take time for that to become the norm and, frankly, radio isn't as big a power drain as many other industries."

"I think the example of this station is tremendous. … I think all of us are studying this," said G. Craig Hanson, president of Simmons Media Group (KXRK and six other Salt Lake stations). "We need to look into it."

Like others, he cited the high power usage of commercial radio.

"The transition costs would be massive," he said.

Of particular appeal to Simmons Media is that its St. George-area stations are all powered by diesel fuel as electrical power isn't available in the transmitter locations there. Diesel fuel was very costly last summer and fall, Hanson said. Solar power may be an option for stations in parts of southern Utah someday.

2009 vs. 1949: The year 2009 will be known partially as the year when digital television made its universal premiere.

However, as recently as 60 years ago, TV wasn't that big of deal. In fact, cruising though early 1949 copies of the Deseret News, TV was still a rarity in the Salt Lake market. Radio ruled.

For example, a February 1949 newspaper advertisement for Sears was hyping the sale of a "radio combination," a set that not only had AM/FM reception but also a record changer and storage space.

The price of the Sears console was $159.95, reduced from $169.95. Checking on inflation during the past 60 years, that $159.95 is equal to about $1,438 in today's dollars. So, as we might complain about the cost of digital TVs, even radio sets were as expensive — or more so — six decades ago.

Rob Boshard, 46, alias "Rockin' Rob," has left KODJ to take a job for the LDS Church. Boshard began his radio career in 1982 at Provo's KFMY, where was an intern for the "Fisher and Gentry" show. He also worked for KIKI in Hawaii and the former KISN in Salt Lake City.

Boshard had been at KODJ since 1994. He had also done voice work in Idaho and Minnesota.

Boshard was a truly enthusiastic DJ. He will be missed.

Radio Happenings: KRSP (FM-103.5) is bringing The Eagles on May 9 to Rio Tinto Stadium for the first concert there. For more information, go to: www.arrow1035.com.

The "Z Morning Zoo" on KZHT plans to have Rabbi Shmuley Boteach on the Monday, Jan. 19, show.

E-mail: lynn@desnews.com