A new outlet for music lovers has arrived in DeKalb.

WMKB-FM 102.9, serving DeKalb and surrounding areas, went on the air Feb. 10.

The station plays classic rock and music they feel will become classic rock.

“We play the heavier side of classic rock,” said Mark Allen, program director/morning show host at 102.9.

WMKB-FM also offers “deeper cuts,” which are lesser-known songs of well-known bands, Allen said.

“The radio station is upcoming,” said K.C. Bae of KM Communications in Skokie, owner of WMKB.

Research for the station began three years ago. Allen was brought in during November 2002.

“Classic rock has been [a format] that people really, really wanted to hear,” Allen said.

KM Communications owns six radio stations and seven television stations nationwide. Most are concentrated in Illinois.

Although WMKB is located in Mendota, it broadcasts over a 60 mile radius, which includes Rockford, Rochelle and DeKalb, among other cities.

Robert Miller, an NIU associate professor of communication, said he was impressed KM Communications was able to obtain a license for a frequency in the area.

“The more heavily populated the area, the more difficult, if not impossible, it is to get a frequency,” Miller said. He said it was a matter of consultants finding just the right location.

NIU played a part in deciding on which market to begin the station in, Bae said. The company is in the process of building a television station in Rochelle and the proximity also played a role.

WMKB broadcasts NIU sports scores and gave away tickets for the Styx concert Feb.14, but Bae said they hope to become even more involved with NIU.

Allen also hopes to have the station sponsor events and become involved with the bar scene in DeKalb.

The station is an ABC affiliate and broadcasts satellite feed after the morning show concludes at 10 a.m. Broadcasting satellite feeds is not altogether uncommon in suburban and rural areas, Miller said.

There are still some kinks in the feed, as well as the phone lines, that Allen hopes will be resolved in the next two weeks. When the problem with the phone is fixed, requests for songs will be taken.

Strategies to further improve the morning show are in the works.

“The show will be light, I’m going to add some comedy bits,” Allen said.

KM Communications allows the local station managers complete independence.

“You guys have to control the culture of the area,” said Bae. He encourages reporting feedback to the station.

“Basically, we try to stay away from talk, let’s get back to music and keep rocking,” Allen said.