The history of the radio station at ERAU goes back longer than most people think. Since 1987, the radio station has been broadcasting in some form.

The Early Years

Riddle Radio started out in 1986 broadcasting music and campus information via outdoor speakers in what is called the "Quad", the area in front of the Student Union building (Building 16). Soon, the station expanded its capabilities by broadcasting over the cable television lines into the dormitories on campus and the television sets in the cafeteria that occupied to what is now the Student Union building. This allowed anyone on campus who could access "Riddle Vision" (currently channel 22) to listen to the campus radio station.

Later, the station expanded to an FM transmitter, on 106.7 FM. The 90's was one of the busiest times in Riddle Radio history, and the station became known as KFLI. KFLI expanded its presence in the student body by organizing concerts, promoting ERAU events, and starting a mobile Disk Jockey service to the community. The 90s were, as we often refer to as, the golden age of the radio station; and KFLI made it's name widely known throughout the community.

By 2001, a new era of broadcasting was born, Internet broadcasting. Now, anyone with Internet access could listen to a live, streaming broadcast of the radio station from their computer anywhere in the world.

Unfortunately, changes in management occurred and the station began to falter in its ability to serve ERAU and the community. A Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation involving call letters caught the station in a bind and the era of KFLI ended with the FM transmitter having to be shutdown. The station's involvement in the campus and mobile DJ services ended. To compound the problem, the station's management failed to serve the organization and the station was left to operate on its own with a few DJs and staff members caring to keep the station alive any way they could.This slowdown came to characterize the radio station for several years.

Finally, a student stepped forward to lift the station out of its slowdown: John Lubbers. John became the new the general manager at the time and began on working to start a new era of the campus radio station. Riddle Radio began its long road back from its slowdown to a life as a prodigious service organization. A new executive staff came forth to get the station back on its feet and to get the latest music in by keeping contact going with those in the music industry.

John worked tirelessly to get the process going to purchase a low-power AM transmitter. The only affordable option that would allow the station to be heard on the air outside of the computer and Quad. Soon work began on getting the funding together to buy the AM equipment. John's final semester as general manager would end after the Fall 2007 semester, and the newly hired assistant general manager, Brian Lynch (who came aboard as a Freshman in the Summer 2007 blocks) was selected to takeover as general manager. The Spring 2008 semester would mark the start of Brian's new post with John staying aboard as assistant general manager, allowing an easier hand off and a great learning experience for the young leader.

John submitted his Spring 08 budget proposal to the Student Government Association and to the University (ERAU) in January of 2008 to buy the equipment. Months went by and the proposal was jammed in the upper echelons, stalling the proposal. Unfortunately, the stall persisted and continued through the summer of 2008.

Fall 2008 kicked off quickly, with the new executive staff taking place: Brian Lynch as general manager, Michael Crane as assistant general manager, Greg Imhof as webmaster and radio assistant, and later Patricia (Trixie) Vicente as technical director. The objective for August and September 2008 was simple: acquire the AM transmitter and begin searching for sponsorships for Riddle Radio. The 2008 budget was written to include the request for the AM transmitter installation; and we hoped it would come without delay.

Success! The budget was approved for the final allottment for the AM transmitter and for replacement headphones and microphones, in addition the the station's subscription to the College Music Journal (CMJ). The contractor, Arizona Broadcast Services, made the equipment purchases and prepared to install the transmitter.

October 17, 2008 became the targeted date for AM installation following a delay by the shipping company in moving the parts out. Now, Riddle Radio waits for tomorrow to roll around and waits for the New Riddle Radio to start up.