The KXPC High Camp site is history. They stopped paying.
Posted on October 15, 2009 - 06:00 PM
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Towers and such...
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This from All Access:
---------------------------------------------Pamplin Sells Reno AM CP---------------------------------------------
PAMPLIN BROADCASTING, INC. is selling the construction permit for a new AM at 550 KHz in RENO, NV to IRA LITTMAN's ACME BROADCASTING III, INC. for $20,000.
Posted on October 20, 2009 - 05:49 PM # -
He probably spent more than that on engineering and fees.
Posted on October 20, 2009 - 06:55 PM # -
That whole Reno CP has been through the wringer...should be a great signal once built.
Posted on October 20, 2009 - 07:58 PM # -
It'll have to protect the 550s in Bakersfield and Phoenix, for sure...Maybe Corvallis as well...
Posted on October 20, 2009 - 10:54 PM # -
Does anyone know if CC has any plans to put "HD" on 106.7 and 107.5?
It seems that the industry has given up on the expansion of "HD Radio" for now.
Posted on October 21, 2009 - 04:04 AM # -
The FCC is deciding whether or not to allow an across the board, 10-fold power increase. Once that is settled, I expect most stations to fall in line. It shouldn't be much longer.
Posted on October 21, 2009 - 10:04 AM # -
So, WLW may broadcast 500kW once again??
Posted on October 21, 2009 - 11:03 AM # -
HD power, Alfredo, not ERP.
Broadway: "should be a great signal once built."
I don't think so. Four tower array, deep nulls, 250W nighttime, = barely competitive. Located SE of Reno keeps the nulls out of downtown Reno but the growth area is between Reno and Carson City where they undoubtedly have a null to protect Bakersfield and the other growth area north of Reno won't get night signal either. In fact, their major lobe is to the east where nobody lives. They are covering Reno with their "back" lobe.
http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/AM_DA_patterns/608089-76541.pdf
Posted on October 21, 2009 - 11:26 AM # -
KNRQ 97.9 is no longer on the FCC's blocked list but the application hasn't been granted yet either.
Posted on October 21, 2009 - 09:24 PM # -
Ooops! I saw the discussion about the new 550 kHz station and then "10 fold power increase," and I assumed that they were talking about a 10 fold power increase for AM stations! That certainly would be major news.
Posted on October 21, 2009 - 11:18 PM # -
Now, there's an interesting idea; an ACROSS THE BOARD 10-fold increase for analog AM stations: Local channels, that I believe are 65 miles apart, would jump up to 10kw. Imagine the interference potential, even in the daytime!
Posted on October 22, 2009 - 01:58 AM # -
Personally I think we should go for a 10x power increase for AMs and a 10x power DEcrease for FMs. That would allow for a lot more small stations on FM that would actually have some motivation to serve their city of license instead of trying to rimshot a major metro. The AMs would force elimination of the small daytimers that nobody listens to anyway, and improve coverage for the clears.
I know for a fact that 250w and a well placed stick can cover a heck of a lot of ground (see KTEC in Klamath Falls), so 10kw should cover a metro pretty well.
Posted on October 22, 2009 - 04:29 PM # -
That's why I thought, "this is kind of a wild idea, but in Europe and the Middle East, they have (or had) mediumwave stations in the hundreds of kilowatts to megawatt range". This would certainly be an effective way to eliminate low budget radio stations that couldn't afford the power increase. The power companies and transmitter manufacturers would love this!!
Posted on October 22, 2009 - 05:13 PM # -
Does anyone know, does the KORC transmitter site still exist, or did the station liquidate all of its assets after the Woody Nelson experience?
Posted on October 22, 2009 - 05:15 PM # -
You really need a Class C2 to cover the entire Portland Metropolitan Area. A C3 doesn't quite do it. If you didn't have the higher power stations interfering, it would probably work and allow some C3s on 2nd adjacents to cover Salem. Of course, this would create more areas with no reception.
Posted on October 23, 2009 - 12:34 AM # -
This from All Access:
-----------------------FCC Clarifies New AM Directional Proof Of Performance Option-----------------------
The FCC has clarified its new procedures for AM directional antenna performance verification using the "moment method" proof of performance after the optional procedure raised questions from engineers.
In its clarification, the Commission said that moment method modeling is permitted only for directional arrays with series-fed radiators and standard ground systems; top-loaded directional antennas are eligible only if fed in series. To use the moment method proof, a station must offer a post-construction surveyor’s certification to verify that the towers in its directional array have the proper spacing and orientation (with presently-licensed stations not changing their licensed facilities exempted from the certification rule); the Commission will allow a tolerance of 1.5 electrical degrees for the location of each tower in a directional array.
Other clarifications involve the measuring of tower impedance, antenna height adjustment within the model, statements of calibration, and filing fees and procedures.
Posted on October 30, 2009 - 06:30 PM # -
This from All Access:
-----------------------------------FCC Site To Briefly Shut For Maintenance-----------------------------------
Much of the FCC website will be offline for maintenance part of this weekend, with work being down from 10p ET SATURDAY through 8a ET SUNDAY.
Among the areas of the site being shut down overnight will be CDBS, COALS, CSRS, Form 398, CORES, DIRS, EAFS, ECFS, EDOCS, ETFS, GenMen, EAS, ELS, TCB, KDB, REDLIGHT, ROSIE, ABEIS, FeeFiler, RegFee, ECLAS, ECD, KidVid, LMTS and PAMS.
Posted on November 6, 2009 - 08:38 PM # -
We'd better get our fix now.
I didn't know PAMS was a division of the FCC.
Posted on November 6, 2009 - 09:56 PM # -
In a world without an analog channel 6, KLVP and KZRI have applied to add a horizontal signal, equivalent in power to their vertical. This should make a huge difference, at least for KLVP!
Posted on December 1, 2009 - 01:00 PM # -
Until I looked at the FCC FM query, I did not realize that the signal currently transmitted by KZRI (90.3) does not have a horizontal component. Listening on horizontally polarized antennas from my location in Hillsboro, I get a signal that is strong enough to overpower KSLC.
Posted on December 1, 2009 - 01:26 PM # -
It's common for stations at the bottom of the dial to operate as vertical only or with very little horizontal power, in order to protect TV channel 6. It's harder than it used to be for me to keep up with call letter changes. KSZN 1230 is now KRYN. Speaking of call changes, I see that Classical 89.9 has swapped calls on its Hood River and The Dalles properties. KQHR is now in The Dalles and KQDL is in Hood River. This seems strange to me. Aren't these stations just satellites of KQAC?
Posted on December 8, 2009 - 12:00 PM # -
"In a world without an analog channel 6, KLVP and KZRI have applied to add a horizontal signal, equivalent in power to their vertical. This should make a huge difference, at least for KLVP!"
I think the best they can hope for in the short term is a waiver until such time as the rules are deleted or modified. The FCC has indicated that it will revisit this issue but so far I haven't seen anything about it.
"It's common for stations at the bottom of the dial to operate as vertical only or with very little horizontal power, in order to protect TV channel 6."
Waivers given by Ch. 6 stations are not uncommon. The area of potential interference's location and the amount of population potentially effected often dictate the solution (i.e. waiver vs. v only). Small stations out in the B contour area are often waived but close in there is a higher pop count in the interference area and results in no waiver, vertical only, and also limits ERP. It can get complicated to comply.
Posted on December 8, 2009 - 12:26 PM # -
I don't recall the exact wording but read recently, something to the effect that channel 6 would no longer have to be protected after a certain date. I believe that date has passed and is the reason for the applications from KLVP and KZRI.
Posted on December 8, 2009 - 12:59 PM # -
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2214A1.pdf
Posted on December 8, 2009 - 02:05 PM # -
That's the one!
Posted on December 8, 2009 - 02:37 PM # -
Semoochie: Thanks for the heads up! KRYN stands for "la ReYNa".
Posted on December 8, 2009 - 09:26 PM # -
Semoochie, here's the deal on the nonprofit station in the gorge from my article in The Dalle s Chronicle:
Classical music fans can look forward to better reception in the Columbia River Gorge as the result of a trade and a power upgrade. Before the change, things looked like this:KQHR in Hood River was a 44-watt FM station on 90.1 mHz with a tower on a r idg e e a s t o f Whi t e Salmon, and KQDL was a 500 watt FM station on 88.1 mHz, with a tower in Dallesport.
Both of them carried programming from All-Classical KQAC (formerly KBPS-FM) in Portland.
Now the call letters KQHR have moved to a 3, 000-watt FM station on 88.1 mHz, with a tower site east of White Salmon.
The call letters KQDL will go to Oregon Public Broadcasting for a new station on 90.1 mHz located on the ridge between Hood River and Mosier.
"It's the result of a trade with Oregon Public Broadcasting," said All-Classical's Larry Holtz, vicepresident of engineering.
"They had a construction permit for a 20-watt station on 88.1 in Hood River. They withdrew their application so we could T use a higher power on that frequency," and we gave them the 90.1 frequency we had in Hood River." Because parts of The Dalles may have trouble receiving clear transmission on 88.1 due to geographic barriers, All Classical will keep its translator at 96.3 mHz in The Dalles.
But that's not all.
The new 3, 000-watt station is the Mid-Columbia's first high definition (HD) station.
"If you have an HD radio, it's really amazing," said Holtz, though he noted the signal can also be picked up by analog radios and digital radios, which will display the title of the work and the composer on a scrolling screen Funding for the project included $75, 000 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Posted on December 8, 2009 - 09:49 PM # -
Thanks, that almost makes sense! It never occurred to me that the ownership might change.
Posted on December 8, 2009 - 11:07 PM # -
Way-FM has applied to move its Vancouver translator on 93.5 to the Skyline Tower and rebroadcast KGDD 1520! It looks like Bustos isn't giving up on competing with El Rey just yet.
Posted on December 9, 2009 - 02:30 PM # -
According to radio-locator, K228EU is already carrying La Grande. Can anybody check 93.5 to confirm? I am trapped in a RF attenuation bunker right now.
Posted on December 9, 2009 - 03:07 PM # -
Nope, it is Way FM coming from slightly east of North at this time.
Posted on December 9, 2009 - 03:22 PM # -
This is a good move for Bustos! La Gran D will cover most of Portland on the 93.5 translator.
Posted on December 9, 2009 - 10:48 PM # -
Coverage/listeners mostly in cars/trucks...
Posted on December 9, 2009 - 11:24 PM # -
I wonder whether Bustos will make an effort to provide a better audio feed for the FM translator than they do for the 1520 kHz site. Yesterday, while KPOJ was off the air, I caught another La GranD station on 610 kHz. It sounded almost like 1520--the high and low end were rolled off. I don't know if that's their corporate AM processing philosophy or whether they tend to be cheap about how they send the audio to their transmitter sites.
Posted on December 10, 2009 - 01:06 AM # -
Bustos has the low quality "La Gran D" feed on Tacoma/Seattle's 99.3 KDDS, and it sounds like complete garbage. It's no wonder that the ratings are so low. 93.1 El Rey has nothing to worry about, and will always reign over Bustos.
Posted on December 10, 2009 - 02:51 AM # -
Here's the official release message from All Access:
ALL CLASSICAL PUBLIC MEDIA, INC. is assigning Classical KQHR/THE DALLES, OR to OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING in exchange for OPB cancelling its construction permit for its own HOOD RIVER FM; in turn, ALL CLASSICAL will move Classical KQDL/HOOD RIVER, OR to OPB's WHITE SALMON, WA transmitter site and will give OPB its present antenna.
Posted on December 14, 2009 - 09:24 PM # -
Do you think KQAC will merge into oregon public broadcasting (opb) in the future?
Posted on December 15, 2009 - 01:11 AM # -
If you haven't seen Scott's calendars before. Once you buy it, you'll never want to discarded it after it's used.
-----------------------------------2010 Tower Site Calendar Available Now-----------------------------------
The perfect stocking stuffer -- you'll need a big stocking, actually -- for the radio lover in your life is FYBUSH MEDIA's 2010 Tower Site Calendar. The latest edition of SCOTT FYBUSH's annual full-color collection of photographs of tower sites across the country features shots of VERMONT's MOUNT MANSFIELD, the former WTBS tower in ATLANTA (one of the country's tallest self-supporting towers), the Art Deco WTOP transmitter site near WASHINGTON, the unique horizontal antenna that formerly broadcast KGFJ-A/LOS ANGELES, and many more, plys significant dates in radio and TV history.
"The calendar has become a tradition over the years," says FYBUSH. "For many people, they are a very popular holiday gift."
The 2010 calendars cost $18 each, postpaid ($19.44 including sales tax for New York State residents), and can be purchased by check (payable to "SCOTT FYBUSH") or money order to 92 Bonnie Brae Avenue, ROCHESTER, NY 14618. Orders can also be placed with major credit cards at www.fybush.com.
Posted on December 15, 2009 - 08:45 PM # -
The KQAC question doesn't surprise me. I bet a chip and a tower that OPB takes over the KQAC stations even the one here in Lincoln City at 88.1 which sounds great.
Posted on December 18, 2009 - 01:37 AM # -
I got no response from this when I put it under "HD Radio Musings. I thought I'd try it here: "NPR's tool for assessing HD Radio power levels, has been modified to relate to the recent compromise agreement. If I read this correctly, the following stations should be able to increase HD power to the -10dbu level or 10% of analog power(10 times the current power level)without further adjustment: KGON, KRYP, KPDQ, KXTG, KYCH, KUPL, KUFO, KKCW, KFBW, KLTH and the new station on 94.3 at Government Camp. KKRZ would have to reduce from the maximum, ever so slightly on one sideband. The next set of stations would need to pull back one sideband back to -14dbu or a 6db increase but still have the full -10dbu on the other sideband: KLVP, KPFR, KQAC, KZRI, KBOO, KOPB, KWJJ, KFIS and KRSK. KINK would have to pull back to -14dbu on one sideband and just slightly less than the maximum in the other. KNRK would be backed off a little more than that. Information for 96.3 and 97.9 was mixed in with their licensed locations and not reliable. All other stations including KXJM would be limited to -14dbu or a 6db increase in both sidebands. That's still a four-fold increase over current levels."
Posted on December 19, 2009 - 12:22 PM # -
Couple of things here:
Do many FM stations actually have a large enough IBOC transmitter to make the increase, or are we looking toward another round of transmitter purchases?
Increased IBOC performance vs increased "noise" on the FM band... will listeners notice? or care?
Here is an example that concerns me... I listen to and support KQAC 89.9 as well as KLCC 89.7 which broadcasts from Eugene. For sure, 89.9 IBOC presently makes reception of 89.7 somewhat more difficult, and increased IBOC on 89.9 will make matters worse! On the other hand, Increased IBOC power on 89.7 might enable digital reception of 89.7 more often, as the "lower IBOC sideband" might better overcome the signal from KPFR 89.5.
Same sort of situation with KNRK 94.7 and KUOW 94.9 as well as KING 98.1 and KPPK 98.3... this change could be a DXers nightmare or dream come true!
Posted on December 19, 2009 - 01:42 PM # -
My only concern is interference free reception within the 60dbu(54 in Class B territory)contour and that's supposed to be taken care of by the various power levels and other adjustments, as mentioned above. If it weren't, NPR would never have gone along with it. ANYTHING outside of the 60dbu contour is "bonus coverage" and not protected. The only reason it exists at all is because there are no other stations around that are licensed to those frequencies. Some stations have very little or no bonus coverage.
Posted on December 20, 2009 - 02:53 AM # -
Just noticed this morning that KRVM 91.9 Eugene is now transmitting in HD. Call sign is displayed and the "HD" indicator is blinking, but no HD lock... another 10db might help.
Posted on December 20, 2009 - 12:25 PM # -
It looks like KRVM would have maximum power in the lower sideband and drop back to 12.2(from 10)in the upper one.
Posted on December 20, 2009 - 12:55 PM # -
From this distance (Hillsboro) it appears that KRVM may be having some problems with their new HD transmitter... I noticed several drop outs and periods of dead air and dropped carrier this morning, and now it appears that the HD has been turned off. They still have a strong signal, however.
Posted on December 20, 2009 - 02:45 PM # -
91.9 KRVM started broadcasting HD in July, when they upgraded from an A, to a C2. However, I've noticed that the HD has been going off and on, lately.
Posted on December 21, 2009 - 02:01 AM # -
"91.9 KRVM started broadcasting HD in July"
Wow! I guess at this distance, conditions have to be pretty good for me to detect the KRVM HD... Today I see no sign of it, perhaps I could have missed finding it for 5 months!
Posted on December 21, 2009 - 11:38 AM # -
This from All Access:
-----------------------Spokane’s River, KXLY Executing Call Letter/Frequency Swap-----------------------
At midnight, JANUARY 1st, 2010, KXLY BROADCASTING GROUP Triple A KXLY (SPOKANE’S RIVER) / SPOKANE will change frequencies and call letters with sister-station country KEZE.
SPOKANE'S RIVER will keep the same format, but will have new call letters (KEZE) and a new frequency position (96.9). The music remains the same, the air personalities will still be on the air and they'll still offer great contests and River Road Trips. With this change, the station hopes to super-serve the city of SPOKANE and offer better reception in densely-populated areas and in the downtown business district.
The station's contacts and mailing address remains the same. Send all correspondence to: SPOKANE'S RIVER, KEZE FM 96.9, 500 W. Boone, SPOKANE, WA 99201.
Posted on December 21, 2009 - 09:25 PM # -
What happened to 95.5 The Game? The stereo is missing!
Posted on December 25, 2009 - 01:22 AM #
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