In 1978, 103.9 signed on as KBON with a beautiful music format to represent the rapidly growing Riverside-San Bernardino radio market's full potential. The signal was strong enough to reach the Morongo Basin and the Victor Valley areas. In 1984, KBON changed to an adult contemporary format under the name K-104. In 1987, KBON again changed formats to traditional oldies. On September 1, 1992, KBON became KCKC-FM, making 103.9 a full AM/FM simulcast with KCKC 1350 AM. KCKC had been broadcasting in San Bernardino for 25 years with a country music format. On October 31, 1993, KCKC-FM became KABE as it changed to a simulcast of KACE, which broadcast to the nearby Los Angeles area. Covering most of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, the simulcast briefly experimented with a hip hop/R&B format as "The New V103.9". On October 2, 1994, KABE became KAEV, commensurate with Willie Davis learning that sister station WLUM-FM in Milwaukee had personalities playing uncensored tracks and cursing on-air in late night FCC safe harbor hours, along with personal disapproval of the hardcore rap becoming prevalent in hip-hop. After a transitional format of lighter 'positive' rap, on January 1, 1995, KAEV became KCXX and ended its simulcast with KACE by flipping to alternative rock as "X103.9", with the first song played being "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails. 2015 marked KCXX's 20th year as an alternative station. On December 21, 2015, KCXX announced it would end its alternative format the following morning after two decades, citing falling ratings and increased Internet music services for the reasoning behind the change. On December 22, 2015, at 7 a.m., after playing "Snuff" by Slipknot, KCXX flipped to Rhythmic Hot AC as "Hot 103.9." The first song on "Hot" was "Time of Our Lives" by Pitbull. The station changed its call sign to KHTI on the same day as the flip. An automated alt-rock format continued as a separate mobile app under the former X103.9 brand, but the mobile app has been removed from app store from Google and Apple as of May 2018. As of fall 2018, the station has reverted to a more conventional hot adult contemporary format.
