KFXY-LPFM 99.1 Mesa Off the Air

[asugeorge1]

Don’t know if anyone has noticed, but sometime last month, KFXY-LPFM 99.1 Mesa, went off the air and is no longer broadcasting. A message on their website states that they are off the air, “due to circumstances outside of our control”, whatever that means. See: http://coyotecountry991.com. The long and troubled history of KFXY-LPFM (formerly on 106.7, formerly broadcasting alternative, 90’s dance music, etc...) continues!

Right now in the East Valley, I hear Power 98.3 / 96.1 airing on 99.1. Don’t know if it’s a new translator or bleed over from the 96.1 translator, but the last thing we need is a third station broadcasting Power 98.3.

Anyone know what in the Wide World of Sports is going on with 99.1?

 

[KeithE4]

A few guesses:

1. Greatly reduced coverage after they moved off Usery Mountain. After the move to 104th & Brown, they lost almost all coverage west of the 202, and had none west of Power Rd.

1a. They weren't running full power, which I believe was 100 watts. Their old 2-watt peanut whistle at ground level would explain their poor coverage.

2. Busted by the FCC for airing advertising. Even before the move, they were airing ads that aired exactly as they were on commercial stations. Sometimes the "underwriting" would be properly presented, but not always.

 

[Outlaw]

I think they went off after legal battles with John Low after he started moving a co-channel translator to the Valley from Globe.
KFXY filed to deny that app with the FCC then John Low attacked the LPFM with his attorney.
Low gave the FCC a list of KFXY violations including antenna issues and unauthorized transfer of control. There was even a criminal investigation by Mesa PD.
KFXY was trying to protect their listening area and Low bullied them and now they are off the air.

 

[EricStein]

I think they went off after legal battles with John Low after he started moving a co-channel translator to the Valley from Globe.
KFXY filed to deny that app with the FCC then John Low attacked the LPFM with his attorney.
Low gave the FCC a list of KFXY violations including antenna issues and unauthorized transfer of control. There was even a criminal investigation by Mesa PD.
KFXY was trying to protect their listening area and Low bullied them and now they are off the air.

When Jacob Barker then CRC was ready to fire up an East Valley translator for KHEP/KQFN, it was supposed to be on 99.1. Then they were made aware of the issues they would have with the existence of KFXY-LP, and moved to 99.3 (until Scott Kramer filed a complaint that his LPFM in Gold Canyon was getting stepped on, along with the interference to their own translator on Shaw Butte), and finally they moved to their current position at 95.9.

Low has a history of ruffling other owner's feathers. Just the way he's tried to move his stations and translators closer to Phoenix has brought him some attention. He also has more than one communications law firms representing him in D.C. with everything as he manages his gun show business.

As for KFXY, the morning man Len has already made a deal to host mornings on EVIT's similarly-formatted KVIT 90.7, which covers a bit more of the East Valley than just KFXY did. Note to Steve @ EVIT: if you want to increase your coverage area, they should take full advantage of 88.7's HD-capable transmitter and the thousands of newer cars which have HD receivers and simulcast 90.7 on an HD2 subchannel of 88.7.

 

[EricStein]

(Face palm) I didn’t read the EVIT thread before posting above.