 The
second oldest Catholic radio station in the New World, and
the third oldest in the world, seems to be CP12, Radio Fides,
in La Paz, Bolivia. It does not show up in the Radio Guide
Directory for 1937, but Bolivia assigns call letters with
sequential numbers. By its number, 12, it's easily concluded
that the Catholic station received its license around 1937.
Allowing time for construction, it is probable that the station
began broadcasting the following year. The Radio Guide Directory
for 1942 reports "CP12, Radio Fides, La Paz, 6255 kHz shortwave,
hours 7 pm-9 pm," but clearly these are hours when the station
could be heard in the U.S.
The 1946 directory reports its frequency as Radio Fides, La
Paz, 6150 kHz, 250 watts, and a new AM station, CP29, on 1350
AM (100 watts). Interestingly, the owner is reported for the
first time: San Calixto High School.
Today: CP29, Radio Fides, 760 AM (18,000 watts), CP12
on 4845 kHz (5,000 watts) and 9625 kHz (15,000 watts), and
101.5 FM, and Radio Laser 98.1 FM. Box 9143, La Paz. Brother
Jaime Calderón M., Director.
Michael Dorner, Catholic Radio
Update 44, January 10, 2000 |
