Missouri Southern’s radio station 88.7KXMS/Fine Arts Radio International installed a new satellite downlink dish on Nov. 17. 

“It was installed last week and will go into service in May,” Jeff Skibbe, general manager of KXMS said. “The new satellite dish replaces a 25-year old receiving dish.

The old dish was originally installed behind the alumni center 25 years ago and was provided by the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Over time the weight of a satellite dish, which is around 500 pounds, can cause the shape of the dish to change, which can affect its ability to receive signal. 

According to Skibbe, the dish is different from the others Southern has. There is a vinyl covering on the new dish to keep snow and ice from building up inside the dish during winter, which can weaken the radio frequency strength and disrupt signal.

“It’s going to give us better consistency and quality of reception,” Skibbe said. 

KXMS is affiliated with Public Radio International, the WFMT Fine Arts Network and WCLV/Seaway Productions. The National Public Radio and the Public Radio Satellite Service funded the satellite dish. 

“This year is KXMS’s 25-year anniversary as well,” Skibbe said. “The new dish will allow us to move into our 26th year and continue to improve.

KXMS is primarily a classical radio station broadcasted from Webster Hall at Southern. It also airs the biennial Missouri Southern International Piano Competition, filmscores and music from Broadway shows as well as public affairs show. There is also the new addition of Brain Games, a type of on-radio academic challenge not unlike ‘quizbowl.’ KXMS also offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a broadcast environment.