KASA needs a new KASA

[Sammi Brie]

KASA today filed for STA to run a long-wire off a temporary tower near their current site, saying they are under contract to sell most of their tower site at Baseline and 15th Avenue.

Given development trends, I wonder if it's for residential property.

 

[itsTheRolyPoly]

KASA today filed for STA to run a long-wire off a temporary tower near their current site, saying they are under contract to sell most of their tower site at Baseline and 15th Avenue.

Given development trends, I wonder if it's for residential property.

If you mean the television station, then this should be in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe or New Mexico thread.

 

[johndavis]

If you mean the television station, then this should be in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe or New Mexico thread.

1540 AM in Phoenix has been KASA since 1967. It's a daytimer that now has a FM translator.

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/p...etimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=50093

 

[DrAkbar]

1540 AM in Phoenix has been KASA since 1967. It's a daytimer that now has a FM translator.

They do have nighttime authorization of 19 blazing watts. So now that they have the translator...what's the point of keeping power on at night?! 15~Forty is directional almost due west, so you know the long wire aint gonna have much juice per the STA application. Their translator has much better coverage https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=K294CW&service=FX

 

[Sammi Brie]

They do have nighttime authorization of 19 blazing watts. So now that they have the translator...what's the point of keeping power on at night?! 15~Forty is directional almost due west, so you know the long wire aint gonna have much juice per the STA application. Their translator has much better coverage https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=K294CW&service=FX

The translator was probably the reason why KASA dumped out of its religious programming last year and became a secular grupera station known as La Indiscreta. (KCKY and KSAZ are unchanged.)

I think KASA/K294CW is being LMA'd out, as the address listed for La Indiscreta is 3912 W. Indian School, which is home to a used car lot known as La Tortuga Indiscreta. Also, they're not maintaining their public file nor do they even link to it on their site.

 

[EricStein]

The translator was probably the reason why KASA dumped out of its religious programming last year and became a secular grupera station known as La Indiscreta. (KCKY and KSAZ are unchanged.)

I think KASA/K294CW is being LMA'd out, as the address listed for La Indiscreta is 3912 W. Indian School, which is home to a used car lot known as La Tortuga Indiscreta. Also, they're not maintaining their public file nor do they even link to it on their site.

So they're the radio equivalent of K38IZ (K14RK)/Pitic Restaurant?

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

So they're the radio equivalent of K38IZ (K14RK)/Pitic Restaurant?

im intrigued... explain that one?

 

[EricStein]

im intrigued... explain that one?

The owner of a Spanish-language low-power TV station in this market uses his small station to promote the Mexican restaurant he owns, and has done so for the past 20 years. I think he may own some used car lots as well.

 

[DrAkbar]

Nurse Jeff and I believe KASA, KCKY (Coolidge) & KSAZ (Marana) are all owned by the same people. Yes, the same folks who came darned close to losing their license for KCKY because FCC fines weren't paid...plus tower lights weren't working. Guess with a long wire at 25ft up you don't have to worry about lights!

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

The translator was probably the reason why KASA dumped out of its religious programming last year and became a secular grupera station known as La Indiscreta. (KCKY and KSAZ are unchanged.)

I think KASA/K294CW is being LMA'd out, as the address listed for La Indiscreta is 3912 W. Indian School, which is home to a used car lot known as La Tortuga Indiscreta. Also, they're not maintaining their public file nor do they even link to it on their site.

Raymie, go look at that address on google maps street view and tell me what you see .. look carefully and youll find the answer you seek in a driveway
lol

 

[DrAkbar]

Raymie, go look at that address on google maps street view and tell me what you see .. look carefully and youll find the answer you seek in a driveway
lol

...didn't see any hamsters rollin' out of that Kia Soul!

 

[asugeorge1]

These translators are getting out of control. The FCC really needs to scrutinize these translator applications better or else you get a situation like 102.9 FM that has three stations in the valley broadcasting on it!

 

[KeithE4]

These translators are getting out of control. The FCC really needs to scrutinize these translator applications better or else you get a situation like 102.9 FM that has three stations in the valley broadcasting on it!

It sounds like the FCC's ultimate goal is to allow every AM station in the country an FM translator. In the smaller markets, it's workable, but in the largest cities it's just not gonna happen. There is no way a larger AM like KFYI or KTAR would be able to make up for most of their AM coverage on a 250 watt translator, even if it's on South Mountain.

An HD2 or 3 on a 100 kW sister station would be the best way, but until there are enough HD radios to make it worthwhile, it won't work. That is deja vu FM circa 1950-65 all over again. It took close to 25 years for FM to compete with AM, and that was when people actually bought radios.

 

[EricStein]

These translators are getting out of control. The FCC really needs to scrutinize these translator applications better or else you get a situation like 102.9 FM that has three stations in the valley broadcasting on it!

Just look at the 95.9 situation. KQFN’s translator gets trashed by KNLB (KYOT-HD3) on Elliott Road between Recker and Val Vista. Just imagine wanting to listen to sports when you hear that “Old Time Religion” interrupt it. 96.1 was like that too until KXEG left the air.

 

[Sammi Brie]

Nurse Jeff and I believe KASA, KCKY (Coolidge) & KSAZ (Marana) are all owned by the same people. Yes, the same folks who came darned close to losing their license for KCKY because FCC fines weren't paid...plus tower lights weren't working. Guess with a long wire at 25ft up you don't have to worry about lights!

And they lost their KCKY translator application to a red light letter, too.

 

[Radio360]

A few observations on this post:

--The anti-AM comments on this board are shameful. I trust that most people who utilize this board are "radio people". "Radio People" historically are a dedicated group who have given their lives to this industry, often with little appreciation. Sadly, many have lost careers in the era of consolidation. So, why run-down a band where entrepreneurial owners are trying to make a go of it?
--There are still many viable AM radio stations across the country. In fact, 4 of the top 10 billing stations in the nation are AM radio stations. A fifth, WFAN-AM is arguably the senior partner in an AM/FM combo. WFAN-AM can be heard clear as a bell in every corner of the New York market, long after WFAN-FM has disappeared.
--Rush Limbaugh, heard largely on AM radio stations including KFYI-AM in Phoenix, just raised $3,000,000 from the proceeds of Betsy Ross T-shirts. That means the total dollar volume of sales from a $27 t-shirt were even higher. Do you know of any FM announcer who could do that? These results are even more impressive when you consider they were generated by a host who did a couple of pitches a day for it on his 3-hour show, not a 24-hour telethon.
--The KASA situation is less about the viability of AM radio than the FCC's decision over several generations to license too many radio stations. If KASA was an FM station and had huge gaps in coverage, it also wouldn't be viable. Are there any rim-shooters in the top ten in Phoenix? Frankly there are a lot of FM stations that came online during the 80-90 docket that are equally un-viable. If there is any benefit from the "creative destruction" of capitalism, it's that many deficient facilities will go away, AM and FM. That way, viable stations can increase power and let out their directional arrays and become more viable.

Lastly, broadcast radio needs more variety, not less. The more viable radio stations there are--offering quality choices--the stronger the commercial radio industry will be in the face of competition from Sirius/XM and audio services such as Spotify and Pandora.

 

[davideduardo]

--The anti-AM comments on this board are shameful. I trust that most people who utilize this board are "radio people". "Radio People" historically are a dedicated group who have given their lives to this industry, often with little appreciation. Sadly, many have lost careers in the era of consolidation. So, why run-down a band where entrepreneurial owners are trying to make a go of it?

Heritage and tradition and "what we used to do" does not work under changed conditions.

Few AM stations are able to compete today due to poor quality audio, coverage that has been outgrown by the market and increasing noise levels as well as new media competition.

Back in the 60's and into the 70's, even stations like KRIZ and KRUX could compete and were, in fact, battling for #1. Today, the market has quadrupled, and not one AM gives truly adequate day and night coverage of the whole marked under today's noise levels.

For most purposes, AM stations like 1540 and 1480 (to name two) are not going to be viable except to provide the licensing requirement for a translator.

--There are still many viable AM radio stations across the country. In fact, 4 of the top 10 billing stations in the nation are AM radio stations. A fifth, WFAN-AM is arguably the senior partner in an AM/FM combo. WFAN-AM can be heard clear as a bell in every corner of the New York market, long after WFAN-FM has disappeared.

It's been estimated that 80% of the WFAN listening is now on FM, and nearly all of the 25-54 is there.

Actually, there are only 3 AM only plays in the top 10. WBBM is 100% simulcast on FM and like WFAN, now most of the listening is to the FM facility.

WCBS and WINS are off between 20% and 30% in revenue since 2007. KFI is off almost half. All three are enormously expensive to run.

--Rush Limbaugh, heard largely on AM radio stations including KFYI-AM in Phoenix, just raised $3,000,000 from the proceeds of Betsy Ross T-shirts. That means the total dollar volume of sales from a $27 t-shirt were even higher. Do you know of any FM announcer who could do that? These results are even more impressive when you consider they were generated by a host who did a couple of pitches a day for it on his 3-hour show, not a 24-hour telethon.

There is no FM show with a comparable station line-up. But going back, Stern definitely could have done it. It's about the core following of one person, which does not define the AM band itself.

--The KASA situation is less about the viability of AM radio than the FCC's decision over several generations to license too many radio stations. If KASA was an FM station and had huge gaps in coverage, it also wouldn't be viable. Are there any rim-shooters in the top ten in Phoenix? Frankly there are a lot of FM stations that came online during the 80-90 docket that are equally un-viable. If there is any benefit from the "creative destruction" of capitalism, it's that many deficient facilities will go away, AM and FM. That way, viable stations can increase power and let out their directional arrays and become more viable.

The AM stations that might be viable with a bigger signal are restricted, for the most part, by other such stations. 620 in Phoenix is in part limited by three of the remaining strong AMs in Milwaukee, Tampa and Portland. None are going away soon.

The average Top 100 market has two viable AMs... covering 80% of the market or more day and night. Some, like DC, have none. Others, like Houston, has, maybe, one. With so few decent signals, and little chance to improve, there is no "circulation" of listeners on AM to create listening. And as big AMs essentially move to FM, like KSL and WSB, there will be no reason for listeners to ever visit the band. On average, less than 5% of under-55's use AM; that is a constantly shrinking number.

Lastly, broadcast radio needs more variety, not less. The more viable radio stations there are--offering quality choices--the stronger the commercial radio industry will be in the face of competition from Sirius/XM and audio services such as Spotify and Pandora.

Pandora is "like" a radio station but Spotify is like a Walkman or iPod. One is programmed music with customization, another is full on-demand listening just like an MP3 collection or old cassettes, CDs, 8-tracks or 45's.

Sirius is used differently than terrestrial radio. It's been around about two decades, and is the equivalent of, maybe, 5% of listening. The "hit" to radio occurred a decade or more ago.

You are right that non-viable stations will eventually go silent, but for the moment there always seems to be some fool who will take a dog and try to make it talk.

Let's watch WABC as an example.

 

[DrAkbar]

Back in the 60's and into the 70's, even stations like KRIZ and KRUX could compete and were, in fact, battling for #1. Today, the market has quadrupled, and not one AM gives truly adequate day and night coverage of the whole marked under today's noise levels.

And even back then, both 12~Thirty and 13~Sixty were marginal facilities. As rock migrated to FM in the seventies, game over for both.

For most purposes, AM stations like 1540 and 1480 (to name two) are not going to be viable except to provide the licensing requirement for a translator.

And there are quite a few AM operators currently with translators who'd love to turn in their Ancient Modulation licenses. Those stand alone, or small cluster AM's, are in a world of hurt with little hope...unless they can score a translator.

Let's watch WABC as an example.

Los Buckeye Boyz aint watching that as the fat lady has already sung. Cumulus knew their S.F. sports giant KNBR was vulnerable, so they wisely took over 104~Five to simulcast. Smart move as money demos and Ancient Modulation just don't mix.

Are there any rim-shooters in the top ten in Phoenix?

Not in the worthless 6+, but our hunch is Riveria cobbles together some money demos with their three rimshots: KMVA, KKFR and KOAI. Combined they have a 5.5 share (6+) compared to the markets #1 Ancient Modulation station, KFYI with a 2.4 share and an abundance of oldeous fartiuses.