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KBDB 96.7 Forks expanding their coverage?

I heard a rumor that KBDB is moving to a new site that offers a higher HAAT, which will allow expanded coverage. Does anyone know if this is true?
 
They have an application to go from a Class A to C3 at much higher elevation. Here's the protected contour: https://maps.google.com/?q=http://t...&freq=96.7&contour=60&city=FORKS&state=WA.kml

Thanks for the map! I was trying to (unsuccessfully) find that information last night. I wonder if this some sort of strategic move to capitalize on the "Twilight" saga? For example, do you guys think that the expanded coverage is supposed to entertain tourists who may be traveling to more remote regions of the country rather than the residents of Forks?

Judging by the terrain on the Olympic peninsula, I would be very surprised if the service contour prediction is completely accurate. Currently, KBDB is hard to pick up unless you are only a few miles out of Forks.
 
Thanks for the map! I was trying to (unsuccessfully) find that information last night. I wonder if this some sort of strategic move to capitalize on the "Twilight" saga? For example, do you guys think that the expanded coverage is supposed to entertain tourists who may be traveling to more remote regions of the country rather than the residents of Forks?

Judging by the terrain on the Olympic peninsula, I would be very surprised if the service contour prediction is completely accurate. Currently, KBDB is hard to pick up unless you are only a few miles out of Forks.
HAAT is golden.
 
I've been everywhere from Oak Harbor down the Hood Canal and west to the ocean beaches, and not a peep from KBDB at all. Not even aircraft scatter! Hopefully people will notice this station after it increases the HAAT.

-crainbebo
 
I've been everywhere from Oak Harbor down the Hood Canal and west to the ocean beaches, and not a peep from KBDB at all. Not even aircraft scatter! Hopefully people will notice this station after it increases the HAAT.

-crainbebo

I'm skeptical. Northern Gray's Harbour County will typically receive weak signals from Cosmopolis Hill, perhaps a break in from Seattle if you get the right pipeline through the mountains. However, I've received nothing from the north; I blame those Olympic Mountains. Perhaps the new KBDB will adequately serve the very northwest portion of the state, but I don't think it will make an appearance anywhere near Port Angeles (to the north) or Tahola (to the south).
 
As a Class A, KBDB operates at 6KW @ -23 meters above average terrain and 149 meters above sea level. When it becomes a Class C3, it will be 930 watts @ 492 meters HAAT and 731 meters above sea level. That's a huge difference! I don't see anything to be skeptical about.
 
Dang. Well I guess we can look forward to a massive change. I had no idea they were moving to a HAAT of 492 metres. I kind of liked having the radio dial silent out in those remote areas; it was kind of cool. Damn you, Twilight.
 
I think that its good for NW Washington to have at least one FM service. People out at Neah Bay, Sekiu, and Clallam Bay and such probably would like something to listen to other that Canadian stations. For example, if you talk to people in Vancouver (WA), they'll say that they can't get Washington news coverage on the radio, and are completely dominated by Portland and Oregon related news and issues. I think the same would apply in NW corner of the state.
 
I think that its good for NW Washington to have at least one FM service. People out at Neah Bay, Sekiu, and Clallam Bay and such probably would like something to listen to other that Canadian stations. For example, if you talk to people in Vancouver (WA), they'll say that they can't get Washington news coverage on the radio, and are completely dominated by Portland and Oregon related news and issues. I think the same would apply in NW corner of the state.

I'm curious to see what the new KBDB will actually be able to do [as far as coverage]. As much as I hate to say this.. I wonder if KBDB would receive more listeners if they went country after their big switch. KBDB was a country music station on 103.9 if I remember correctly, but the signal was even weaker than what 96.7 uses. CJJR 93.7 is pretty much toast in that area unless you are near Port Angeles.
 
I'm curious to see what the new KBDB will actually be able to do [as far as coverage]. As much as I hate to say this.. I wonder if KBDB would receive more listeners if they went country after their big switch. KBDB was a country music station on 103.9 if I remember correctly, but the signal was even weaker than what 96.7 uses. CJJR 93.7 is pretty much toast in that area unless you are near Port Angeles.

Back in the 80's, 1490 kHz was KVAC and would simulcast CBS News from KIRO (Newsradio 71 at the time). I remember when someone was asleep at the board, and they started to rebroadcast KIRO...it lasted only for about 10 seconds...but was extremely funny. The FM at the time was AC with the calls of KLLM (Clallam) @103.9. The FM went country in the early 90's...don't remember when they switched back to pop. I think they should have an AC and a country in that part of the state...both should do well if executed right. As to coverage, their proposal is going to be on Burnt Mountain, along SR113. If you've ever driven over that highway, you'll see that the location is on the highest point in the area with access to electrical power.
 
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Back in the 80's, 1490 kHz was KVAC and would simulcast CBS News from KIRO (Newsradio 71 at the time). I remember when someone was asleep at the board, and they started to rebroadcast KIRO...it lasted only for about 10 seconds...but was extremely funny. The FM at the time was AC with the calls of KLLM (Clallam) @103.9. The FM went country in the early 90's...don't remember when they switched back to pop. I think they should have an AC and a country in that part of the state...both should do well if executed right. As to coverage, their proposal is going to be on Burnt Mountain, along SR113. If you've ever driven over that highway, you'll see that the location is on the highest point in the area with access to electrical power.

Interesting! I don't imagine that a region that remote can support more than two radio stations (which are owned by the same company in this case). It's cool that there is a news station on that 1490 signal. However, I think it would be a lot smarter to put country/classic country back on 1490 with news mixed in at half hour intervals. That would be the best of both worlds on one frequency. OR.. put AC on the 1490 signal and make 96.7 a country music leader in an area that has no coverage for country music.
 
Sequim and Port Angeles are both getting Class A FM stations. KONP has a CP for the Sequim FM, and a company out of Mississippi has one for Port Angeles.
 
I couldn't hear much on FM when I was in Sekiu years ago.
I listened to a lot of CKMO 900 over there - it was like a local in that area, ditto CFAX, KAPS, CKWX, etc.

-crainbebo
 
I couldn't hear much on FM when I was in Sekiu years ago.
I listened to a lot of CKMO 900 over there - it was like a local in that area, ditto CFAX, KAPS, CKWX, etc.

-crainbebo

With that KBDB move in, that will all change. Like I stated earlier, I think it would be smart to put country music back on that enlarged 96.7 signal and move the AC to the AM sister station. A full time news station really is not needed in Forks anyway, hourly reports are plenty.
 
Port Angeles currently appears to be underserved compared to most communities of its size

It is possible to pick up stations from the Seattle or Vancouver radio market; however, I doubt that most people try. The signal quality is very poor. Victoria provides a decent selection, but Port Angeles could still use a few of their own.
 
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