KXIR is "On the Air"

[Mike Brewer]

There is a person, as of this writing, who is on the radio right now who has been on Seattle radio for decades who is broadcasting his final hour before his retirement. Yesterday, another person who has been on Seattle radio for awhile, though not as big as a name, announced her upcoming retirement.

Yet the big topic right now is some station on Whidbey Island that probably has fewer listeners than a Pauly Shore podcast, and of course, Robin & Maynard.

What's more ridiculous?

Rather that ridiculous - it's more a sign of the times (with apologies to Pet Clark...). First, heavy-handed moderation by the previous administration drove a lot of the radio pros away. Plus more and more discussions are now done on social networking obviating the need for a nearly two-decades-old communications technology.

So this board has become one for radio fans and ex-radio folks who generally don't care about things like retirements and such.

 

[MrZoom]

The FM broadcast band was NOT established to provide any single person or group of persons - the chance to "DX" far off radio stations. It was created for "Broadcasting" to the general public. The FCC has established "Classes" of FM stations and resticts each to a specific given "Service area", the 60 dBu contour for most stations.
There are stations called "tanslators" that re-broadcasts a program or main station. All "translator" stations are Secondary service stations and protect all other FM stations.
There should be MORE local "educational" Stations. Just because one person enjoys a single station or program from a single staition, does not mean that the FCC rules are broken or wrong. It means that someone needs to get a grip on life and understand that others have a right to use the Broadcast spectrum the way that they see fit to operate. Otherwise - file for your own broadcast license.

 

[fordranger797]

The FM broadcast band was NOT established to provide any single person or group of persons - the chance to "DX" far off radio stations. It was created for "Broadcasting" to the general public. The FCC has established "Classes" of FM stations and resticts each to a specific given "Service area", the 60 dBu contour for most stations.
There are stations called "tanslators" that re-broadcasts a program or main station. All "translator" stations are Secondary service stations and protect all other FM stations.
There should be MORE local "educational" Stations. Just because one person enjoys a single station or program from a single staition, does not mean that the FCC rules are broken or wrong. It means that someone needs to get a grip on life and understand that others have a right to use the Broadcast spectrum the way that they see fit to operate. Otherwise - file for your own broadcast license.

Isn't there a certain point where these 'translators' become ridiculous? The main signal from KPLU works decently in Mount Vernon, there is no need for a translator to broadcast the same thing. KGHP in Gig Harbour works fine on 89.9, they don't need two other frequencies to cover the area.

The bottom line, many translators are not needed. If there is legitimately no possible way to pick up the signal from the main station, in an area that is ideally supposed to be covered by that signal, then I think that translators are a great thing. However, the use of translators can be abused quickly when there are three frequencies covering the same exact area.

 

[crainbebo]

Another example is down in Centralia - KACS is on 90.5 AND 102.3 in the same city. A complete waste of frequency. I think they were even on 99.7 for a while!

-crainbebo

 

[FMSteve]

I am disappointed that KXIR is allowed to use 89.9 with KGHP in Gig Harbour utilizing the same frequency. I think I have mentioned it before, but KGHP is using 89.9, 89.3, and 93.7 (uh oh.. get ready KANY). They could easily just use 89.9 if they could raise the power on that particular frequency, and shut off all of these repeaters. I imagine KXIR will ensure the repeaters continue to stay on no matter what their technical intentions may be.

KGHP cannot raise power due the proximity to KGRG-FM 89.9 Mhz, Green River Community College in Auburn.

 

[bobdavcav]

I am not sure what to think about KXIR, I do think that they should be applauded for getting on the air with a community-oriented format. As far as translators, there really aren't many that anger me around this area. I do believe that the CSN translators are way out of control. If I understand right, the FCC made the excemption for non-com stations because of large states out here with one population center. The example I saw is Utah, where a translator could have an NPR feed from Salt Lake City relayed to a remote community. I do believe that any station wanting a translator needs to have it in the state the station is licensed in. If this were the rule, KAWZ would have to sell off a large number of translators, but they could keep all the ones in Idaho they have, and possibly some in Montana, but those they would have to feed off the air from the main signal or another of the full power stations they've got. The two that really anger me are in Eugene, where KWJJ is blocked by a religious translator, and KGON is almost impossible to hear due to KHRB-LP.

 

[valvashon]

Had the opportunity to drive California Avenue SW here in West Seattle today, from California and Thistle to the Admiral Junction and back. KXIR came in loud and clear for almost my entire drive, except for some picket fencing through the Alaska junction, with another station trying to sneak through- probably KASB from Bellevue. I found that interesting since Seattle is nowhere near their 60 dBu contour- they must shoot down the sound and into the west side of West Seattle. When I volunteered at KGHP back in the '90's we had regular listeners along Beach Drive SW; I haven't had a chance to try for KXIR there but I'm pretty sure they will take care of any KGHP listenership along there.