1983 and the Early Years

Original tape based equipment used in 1985

KLUX 89.5 FM was originally conceived in 1983 by the Reverend Monsignor Richard Shirley, then Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi, with the blessing of the late Bishop Thomas J. Drury. The station was viewed as being vital in communicating the image of the Church and the Good News of Christ to the population of South Texas and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi.

In 1983, Diocesan Radio Corporation ("DRC") was incorporated and erected as the not-for-profit license applicant. DRC's initial Board of Directors consisted of Monsignor Shirley, Monsignor Robert E. Freeman, Mr. Robert Batterson and Mr. Marty Wind. The FCC application was researched and developed by the Broadcast Consultancy division of WK Associates of Corpus Christi, who also designed the original studio and transmitter facilities. The Federal Communications Commission granted DRC a construction permit for a 3 kilowatt, Class-A, non-commercial, educational facility on 89.5 mHz in mid 1984.

Bishop Gracida Dedicates KLUX with city officials from Robstown and Corpus Christi

With main studios originally located in Robstown, outside of Corpus Christi, KLUX signed on the air March 13, 1985. The station was dedicated by the Most Reverend Rene Gracida who succeeded Bishop Drury as Ordinary of the Diocese. At that time, the station utilized state of the art production and automation equipment to fulfill its mission.

KLUX was the first in a group of broadcast properties which, together with the South Texas Catholic Newspaper, came to be known as the "Catholic Communications Network", which serves the Catholic Church and Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi in South Texas. In keeping with its widening scope, DRC's articles of incorporation were re-stated in 1985 and the corporate name was changed to Diocesan Telecommunications Corporation (DTC).