KFNN adds FM translator

[50kguy]

As of Mon, Sept 16, AM 1510 also heard on FM 99.3 from Shaw Butte. Statement from owner Ron Cohen: "Adding the FM channel will reach a new audience of radio listeners and provide greater signal coverage for those that can’t get 1510 AM on their radios at night."

How will ClearChannel respond in the financial news battle?

 

[EricStein]

What a waste of a good FM translator.

 

[DrAkbar]

Smart move...about the best Clear Channel can do is put 12~Thrity on one of their HD-2 channels. The Nurse and I wonder if KFuNN will observe power down times this fall and winter now that they're on FM? 15~Ten is notorious for keeping the 22kw signal on way past local sunset.

 

[EricStein]

Smart move...about the best Clear Channel can do is put 12~Thrity on one of their HD-2 channels. The Nurse and I wonder if KFuNN will observe power down times this fall and winter now that they're on FM? 15~Ten is notorious for keeping the 22kw signal on way past local sunset.

Do you think they'll REALLY add to the six loyal listeners they already have? Does 99.3 penetrate through the steel structures in Downtown Phoenix? A niche format with an FM translator is still a niche format.

 

[KeithE4]

Do you think they'll REALLY add to the six loyal listeners they already have? Does 99.3 penetrate through the steel structures in Downtown Phoenix? A niche format with an FM translator is still a niche format.

It certainly doesn't penetrate South Mountain; it's very weak or inaudible in most of Ahwatukee. At work, near the 143 and University, 99.3 is weak in my car and can't be heard inside the building.

 

[johndavis]

It certainly doesn't penetrate South Mountain; it's very weak or inaudible in most of Ahwatukee. At work, near the 143 and University, 99.3 is weak in my car and can't be heard inside the building.

Considering it's on Shaw Butte, a full power signal from that stick is a tough get in Ahwatukee because of terrain, much less a translator. It has always been a northwest side signal.

 

[DrAkbar]

Do you think they'll REALLY add to the six loyal listeners they already have? Does 99.3 penetrate through the steel structures in Downtown Phoenix? A niche format with an FM translator is still a niche format.

KFuNN has at least 8 listeners, as Nurse Jeff and I head up the Buckeye chapter of the Moe Ansari Fan Club.

A wise move indeed for a number of reasons: 1) more platforms to hear KFuNN...they've got Ancient Modulation, Tune In Radio, Moneyradio web site, and now FM. 2) More value to the purchasers of brokered airtime..their message is heard on more than just 15~Ten. 3) Bragging rights...as mentioned before, the best CC can do with 12~Thrity is put it on one of their HD-2/3 frequencies. But it's just not the same as having your own FM dial position. 4) 15~Ten's night pattern sucks more than driving a Gremlin...the FM signal will help it suck just a little less.

KFuNN has never been about ratings...just the quality of listener, whether real or perceived. The station has done quite well over the years and Ron Cohen was very wise to put his station on 99~Three.

 

[EricStein]

KFuNN has never been about ratings...just the quality of listener, whether real or perceived. The station has done quite well over the years and Ron Cohen was very wise to put his station on 99~Three.

This is not about finding a new audience, but about bragging rights on paper. KFNN can send out a press release saying they can be heard on 99.3, but the stock markets are open when the AM is running their full 22,000 watts. Just like no one watches CNBC after the markets close, no one listens to 1510 after that time either (unless they're planning on "breaking format" at night and acquire the rights to Michael Savage). CRC makes money from the seminars they hold, and Ron's brother Sanford probably makes money off his Prescott Valley cluster than KFNN bills.

Now, let's find a way to get the comedy format on 1260 to be heard on the west side at night without "War Stories with Alice Cooper" bleeding in on 96.1. I'm sure Aziz Ansari has a bigger fan base than Moe Ansari!

 

[johndavis]

It's a smart move to get on that translator. It's an inexpensive way to increase the value of a marginal AM stick... and dare I say it... a good investment on their part.

 

[davideduardo]

TJust like no one watches CNBC after the markets close, no one listens to 1510 after that time either

I don't think that is true at all.

Unless you are a day trader or other kind of fast-moving trader, the post-close information is of much greater value. Not only do you get analysis of the day's movements, you get the day's financial news that may affect the future. Particularly, you get the "after the close" earnings reports and press releases that purposely do not come out during trading session hours.

So the afternoon and early evening hours are very important for a financial news station. And with in-car listening in afternoon drive, 3 to 7 may be more important than daytime hours.

 

[DrAkbar]

What a waste of a good FM translator.

Quite a few more will be wasted as the FCC Chair wants to give all Ancient Modulation stations a one time shot at getting an FM translator http://www.radioworld.com/article/radio-show-fcc-to-act-on-am/221499 She's also suggesting a lot more changes on the dinosaur band which will all but eliminate DX-ing and guarantee more night-time interference for the sake of local coverage. And that thing about putting a solid signal over your COL, fuhgeddaboudit! A lot of this is Geek-speak, but in the alleged minds of Los Buckeye Boyz it will make a bad situation, badder!

And on the heels of all this, comes word that 50kw WHO (non-D) in Des Moines is working a deal to put their station on a 250 watt FM translator. Kinda makes KFuNN's 99~Three translator deal look like the first of many, many, many more to come in the Valley.

YIKES!