Does anyone have any info on if this station is on the air or not? Where are the studios? They are listed as a classic rock station on radio-locator owned by Cochise Broadcasting. They have no website. When I googled the name of the company it led me to a link to a news story. The station is owned by Ted and Jana Tucker and apparently have had trouble keeping their stations on the air. Just curious, I haven't driven through Flag in a while.
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KZXK 98.9 Doney Park/Flagstaff
- Thread starter wastedtalent23
- Start date
its probably not.. its not that they have trouble keeping them on, but their whole game is to run stations as a toy while they seek to move and upgrade.. and sometimes they operate on STA's for a long time or say they were on air when they werent, etc
In my area of Northern Arizona, KZXK 98.9 has a distant signal most times.
I just checked my best C Crane receiver, There's no signal there at 98.9 MHz. The FM band is getting so crowded
in Yavapai / Coconino counties... 99.1 Prescott and 98.7's splatter are audible at 98.9 MHz.
I'll check again this weekend.
I just checked my best C Crane receiver, There's no signal there at 98.9 MHz. The FM band is getting so crowded
in Yavapai / Coconino counties... 99.1 Prescott and 98.7's splatter are audible at 98.9 MHz.
I'll check again this weekend.
KZXK Shhhhhh...
I went back a half a dozen times and 98.9 KZXK is nonexistent each time.
99.1 KTMG Prescott, has sideband splatter to high heaven. (overmodulation)
98.7 KNLB Lake Havasu City is a fair catch, as a low powered translator.
KZXK has a storied history of running a desktop computer full of rock music for Tucker. It goes through times of silence
then somebody resets it and then it goes, "KZXK Doney Park / Flagstaff." Not many commercial spots; just music & legal ID.
I went back a half a dozen times and 98.9 KZXK is nonexistent each time.
99.1 KTMG Prescott, has sideband splatter to high heaven. (overmodulation)
98.7 KNLB Lake Havasu City is a fair catch, as a low powered translator.
KZXK has a storied history of running a desktop computer full of rock music for Tucker. It goes through times of silence
then somebody resets it and then it goes, "KZXK Doney Park / Flagstaff." Not many commercial spots; just music & legal ID.
yah and? none of this is any secret or anything knew to anyone who knows tucker, his game and what he does
A positive attitude with a smile is most welcome in this discussion group.
I was making a statement about KZXK operations that other readers might find informative.
Peace out
I was making a statement about KZXK operations that other readers might find informative.
Peace out
Cochise Broadcasting / Desert West Air Rancher - CE?
Same thing happens to 98.1 KTBX Tubac, AZ...
I *have* been noticing about 1 spot per hour on 103.1 KCDX Florence (which would be the flagship Tucker enterprise here in AZ?) from the local Internet supplier.
He's also ran a few spots for politicians (e.g., the local congress-critter...) in the past - https://www.radiodiscussions.com/sh...ion-from-Ted&p=6225741&viewfull=1#post6225741
Either Ted makes a quick pass thru the region to recycle power/restart the station periodically, or he's got a go-fer that's doing all of that work for him.
Which one do YOU think it is?
Same thing happens to 98.1 KTBX Tubac, AZ...
I *have* been noticing about 1 spot per hour on 103.1 KCDX Florence (which would be the flagship Tucker enterprise here in AZ?) from the local Internet supplier.
He's also ran a few spots for politicians (e.g., the local congress-critter...) in the past - https://www.radiodiscussions.com/sh...ion-from-Ted&p=6225741&viewfull=1#post6225741
Either Ted makes a quick pass thru the region to recycle power/restart the station periodically, or he's got a go-fer that's doing all of that work for him.
Which one do YOU think it is?
Tucker AZ adventures
There must be a priority to maintain KCDX 103.1 Florence (c.o.l.)-- up and delivering the music. Its proximity to the Metropolis should make it the popular attraction of the group?
Lately, my checking of 98.9 KZXK for a carrier with music has been totally fruitless. As a matter of fact, KTMG 99.1 has so much over-modulation, its splatter would interfere with the more distant signal of KZXK at 98.9 FM.
Your question makes me wonder, if I had the $$$, would I make trips around the southwest checking radio things out, myself? Perhaps, mixing pleasure with business.
If Ted has other hobbies, he might delegate this periodic check-up. I'm going to guess on the former possibility.
Same thing happens to 98.1 KTBX Tubac, AZ...
I *have* been noticing about 1 spot per hour on 103.1 KCDX Florence (which would be the flagship Tucker enterprise here in AZ?) from the local Internet supplier.
He's also ran a few spots for politicians (e.g., the local congress-critter...) in the past - https://www.radiodiscussions.com/sh...ion-from-Ted&p=6225741&viewfull=1#post6225741
Either Ted makes a quick pass thru the region to recycle power/restart the station periodically, or he's got a go-fer that's doing all of that work for him.
Which one do YOU think it is?
There must be a priority to maintain KCDX 103.1 Florence (c.o.l.)-- up and delivering the music. Its proximity to the Metropolis should make it the popular attraction of the group?
Lately, my checking of 98.9 KZXK for a carrier with music has been totally fruitless. As a matter of fact, KTMG 99.1 has so much over-modulation, its splatter would interfere with the more distant signal of KZXK at 98.9 FM.
Your question makes me wonder, if I had the $$$, would I make trips around the southwest checking radio things out, myself? Perhaps, mixing pleasure with business.
If Ted has other hobbies, he might delegate this periodic check-up. I'm going to guess on the former possibility.
Is KCDX receivable anywhere in the valley anymore? I haven't heard them anywhere in the East Valley in years. If they can't be heard in my area, I can't imagine them being heard anywhere else in the Phoenix metro.
Between that, and the fact it's been on-air for over 15 years...qualifying it for 'flagship' status, if anything.
I have no idea. If it's to keep his hands into his broadcast enterprises, who better than to be a hands-on owner. Yet, the distances and ownership of a dozen or more properties may preclude him from doing just that *constantly*.
So, more contract engineering, perhaps, if not expedient for him to do it himself. Which could be why many of his properties may take days or even weeks to come back on-air.
I drove thru the Valley of the Sun just a couple of weeks ago. About the time I get to Red Rocks or Picacho is when I typically hit the preset. Listened until I reached the shadow of South Mountain, along Loop 202 without issue.
Call this one "The Tale of Two Licenses"
The thread about Ted Tucker Sr.'s KZXK 98.9 caught my curiosity so I looked into its history. It turns out KZXK provides a great example of Ted’s slow-but-certain pathways for transforming a marginal property to a more valuable offering. The Flagstaff market makes an ideal test case comparing KZXK with nearby KZGL 103.7MHz, both of which are the same vintage (2006).
The Groundwork
• January 2006 - Let the bidding begin...
FCC Auction 62 offers up construction permits for both these stations. Here are the winning bids:
The Cochise Media Trail
Ted starts out spending just 18% versus other guys. Tuba City is some 78 miles north of Flagstaff.
• May 2006 - 250C1 Tuba City Proposal
Ted proposes a mountaintop site 72km southwest of Tuba City, with a 60dBu contour capturing most of Flagstaff. He resorts to the alternate Longley-Rice propagation model (SkyTower case) to meet the Community of License coverage test. The parameters are amazing (reminds me of the KCDX upgrade proposal) and (surprise!) there is no electricity at that site let alone any viable roadways:
Elevation: 2179 meters
Antenna: 15 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 315 meters
Power ERP: 90 kilowatts
• July 2007 - 250A Doner Park Proposal
After some “trial balloon paperwork” Ted proposes a new Class A allocation at Doney Park (in lieu of a full C1 for the community of license). Doney Park is an easterly suburb of Flagstaff:
Elevation: 2841 meters
Antenna: 20 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 607 meters
Power ERP: 145 watts
(on March 31, 2009, Cochise is granted Program Test Authority for 97.9.)
• October 2009 - 255A Doney Park Frequency Switch
Now the groundwork really begins. The FCC approves a February engineering study substituting 255A for 250A, allowing Cochise Media to use a non-directional antenna. To clear any short-spacing issues the then-vacant Leupp 255C2 allotment changes to 293C2. The fun continues:
Elevation: 2844 meters
Antenna: 33 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 610 meters
Power ERP: 140 watts
• December 2009- 255C3 Doney Park Upgrade
Ted’s engineers submit a November proposal to upgrade the installation to a non-directional C3 at the current site with subsequent FCC approval:
Elevation: 2844 meters
Antenna: 33 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 610 meters
Power ERP: 540 watts
• June 2014 - 255C2 Doney Park Upgrade
Ted’s engineers submit a November proposal to slightly upgrade the installation (just +20 watts) but this application gives it C2 status The C2 max power limit is 2100 watts ERP at that HAAT; perhaps there’s some future “upgrade play” with a directional antenna. The FCC approves this paperwork too:
Elevation: 2844 meters
Antenna: 33 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 610 meters
Power ERP: 560 watts
So, in just four further steps an expensive C1 proposal gets transformed into a low-cost C2 buildout. This shows that, except for some occasional stumbling (e.g., FCC consent decree), those sharp engineers and lawyers along with Ted Tucker have done some amazing gamesmanship.
On a technical note, KZXK-Cochise does have an STL license for 950MHz (WQLG737) anchored at the offices of mobile radio vendor “Niles Radio Communications” in Flagstaff who owned (still owns?) the Elden Mountain tower site as well. Perhaps at Niles Radio you’ll find a small KZXK automation rack complete with EAS gear.
The Tower Investment Trust Saga
As noted, the investor group “Tower Investment Trust” also won a Flagstaff CP in 2006. The majority shareholder receives new-entrant (35%) bidding credit. Some of the minority shareholders own some portions of radio properties, mostly in New York.
The engineering plan subsequently gets approved in June 2006 and has remained the same to this day as a Class C3 at maximum permitted power:
Elevation: 2831 meters
Antenna: 12 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 597 meters
Power ERP: 560 watts
• June 2006 - Construction Permit Granted
The site chosen is Elden Mountain, also now the current location of Tucker’s KZXK. The initial callsign is KFZA.
• June 2007 - Sale to Walker Radio Inc.
KFZA is sold for $2.5 million. The purchase is heavily leveraged with 90% of the property procured with a financial note. An additional $250,000 was due six months after purchase followed by $2,000,000 in 36 months at 6.75% APR, clearly some steep debt. The callsign subsequently changes to KZGL.
• September 2009 - Court Ordered Sale
The LLC (George Walker, George Kimble, et al) defaults on payments, owing some $2.245 million plus $9700 in attorney/court fees. Kalil Holding Group LLC (a broadcast broker) becomes the court-appointed trustee for property and license. Station is forced silent by November as Walker no longer has access to the facility. Federal bankruptcy court takes jurisdiction.
• February 2010 - Tower Investments Re-Acquires License.
After several bankruptcy court proceedings and unsuccessful attempts by Kalil to market the license to other groups, the court approves Tower Investment’s bid to reacquire the KZGL license/equipment for a “credit” of $350,000.
• May 2010 - Tower Investments fails to swap for Chino Valley Construction Permit
The FCC dismisses a proposed swap of KZGL for Grenax Broadcasting’s CP, which eventually would become KFLX (223A, 92.3). The Prescott area station ironically also has an STL on Elden Mountain.
• April 2015 - Tower Investments Sells KZGL to Murphy Air LLC
Tower Investments agrees to unload the once-multimillion dollar license/equipment for $850,000. The sale consummates in September. Mad Dog Wireless / Murphy Broadcasting also owns other stations in the Mohave County (Lake Havasu) and Flagstaff area. The station remains under Murphy’s ownership to this day, having filed for license renewal in June.
There you have it. A slow, methodical trail ride to a C2 or a bronco-busting session to a retain an over-valued C3. I’ll take Mr. Tucker’s strategy any day.
The thread about Ted Tucker Sr.'s KZXK 98.9 caught my curiosity so I looked into its history. It turns out KZXK provides a great example of Ted’s slow-but-certain pathways for transforming a marginal property to a more valuable offering. The Flagstaff market makes an ideal test case comparing KZXK with nearby KZGL 103.7MHz, both of which are the same vintage (2006).
The Groundwork
• January 2006 - Let the bidding begin...
FCC Auction 62 offers up construction permits for both these stations. Here are the winning bids:
• MM-FM015-C3 Flagstaff AZ 279C3 Tower Investment Trust, Inc. $1,062,100
• MM-FM363-C1 Tuba City AZ 250C1 Cochise Broadcasting LLC wins it for $196,000
The Cochise Media Trail
Ted starts out spending just 18% versus other guys. Tuba City is some 78 miles north of Flagstaff.
• May 2006 - 250C1 Tuba City Proposal
Ted proposes a mountaintop site 72km southwest of Tuba City, with a 60dBu contour capturing most of Flagstaff. He resorts to the alternate Longley-Rice propagation model (SkyTower case) to meet the Community of License coverage test. The parameters are amazing (reminds me of the KCDX upgrade proposal) and (surprise!) there is no electricity at that site let alone any viable roadways:
Elevation: 2179 meters
Antenna: 15 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 315 meters
Power ERP: 90 kilowatts
• July 2007 - 250A Doner Park Proposal
After some “trial balloon paperwork” Ted proposes a new Class A allocation at Doney Park (in lieu of a full C1 for the community of license). Doney Park is an easterly suburb of Flagstaff:
Elevation: 2841 meters
Antenna: 20 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 607 meters
Power ERP: 145 watts
(on March 31, 2009, Cochise is granted Program Test Authority for 97.9.)
• October 2009 - 255A Doney Park Frequency Switch
Now the groundwork really begins. The FCC approves a February engineering study substituting 255A for 250A, allowing Cochise Media to use a non-directional antenna. To clear any short-spacing issues the then-vacant Leupp 255C2 allotment changes to 293C2. The fun continues:
Elevation: 2844 meters
Antenna: 33 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 610 meters
Power ERP: 140 watts
• December 2009- 255C3 Doney Park Upgrade
Ted’s engineers submit a November proposal to upgrade the installation to a non-directional C3 at the current site with subsequent FCC approval:
Elevation: 2844 meters
Antenna: 33 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 610 meters
Power ERP: 540 watts
• June 2014 - 255C2 Doney Park Upgrade
Ted’s engineers submit a November proposal to slightly upgrade the installation (just +20 watts) but this application gives it C2 status The C2 max power limit is 2100 watts ERP at that HAAT; perhaps there’s some future “upgrade play” with a directional antenna. The FCC approves this paperwork too:
Elevation: 2844 meters
Antenna: 33 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 610 meters
Power ERP: 560 watts
So, in just four further steps an expensive C1 proposal gets transformed into a low-cost C2 buildout. This shows that, except for some occasional stumbling (e.g., FCC consent decree), those sharp engineers and lawyers along with Ted Tucker have done some amazing gamesmanship.
On a technical note, KZXK-Cochise does have an STL license for 950MHz (WQLG737) anchored at the offices of mobile radio vendor “Niles Radio Communications” in Flagstaff who owned (still owns?) the Elden Mountain tower site as well. Perhaps at Niles Radio you’ll find a small KZXK automation rack complete with EAS gear.
The Tower Investment Trust Saga
As noted, the investor group “Tower Investment Trust” also won a Flagstaff CP in 2006. The majority shareholder receives new-entrant (35%) bidding credit. Some of the minority shareholders own some portions of radio properties, mostly in New York.
The engineering plan subsequently gets approved in June 2006 and has remained the same to this day as a Class C3 at maximum permitted power:
Elevation: 2831 meters
Antenna: 12 Meter (radiation center)
Center of Radiation HAAT: 597 meters
Power ERP: 560 watts
• June 2006 - Construction Permit Granted
The site chosen is Elden Mountain, also now the current location of Tucker’s KZXK. The initial callsign is KFZA.
• June 2007 - Sale to Walker Radio Inc.
KFZA is sold for $2.5 million. The purchase is heavily leveraged with 90% of the property procured with a financial note. An additional $250,000 was due six months after purchase followed by $2,000,000 in 36 months at 6.75% APR, clearly some steep debt. The callsign subsequently changes to KZGL.
• September 2009 - Court Ordered Sale
The LLC (George Walker, George Kimble, et al) defaults on payments, owing some $2.245 million plus $9700 in attorney/court fees. Kalil Holding Group LLC (a broadcast broker) becomes the court-appointed trustee for property and license. Station is forced silent by November as Walker no longer has access to the facility. Federal bankruptcy court takes jurisdiction.
• February 2010 - Tower Investments Re-Acquires License.
After several bankruptcy court proceedings and unsuccessful attempts by Kalil to market the license to other groups, the court approves Tower Investment’s bid to reacquire the KZGL license/equipment for a “credit” of $350,000.
• May 2010 - Tower Investments fails to swap for Chino Valley Construction Permit
The FCC dismisses a proposed swap of KZGL for Grenax Broadcasting’s CP, which eventually would become KFLX (223A, 92.3). The Prescott area station ironically also has an STL on Elden Mountain.
• April 2015 - Tower Investments Sells KZGL to Murphy Air LLC
Tower Investments agrees to unload the once-multimillion dollar license/equipment for $850,000. The sale consummates in September. Mad Dog Wireless / Murphy Broadcasting also owns other stations in the Mohave County (Lake Havasu) and Flagstaff area. The station remains under Murphy’s ownership to this day, having filed for license renewal in June.
There you have it. A slow, methodical trail ride to a C2 or a bronco-busting session to a retain an over-valued C3. I’ll take Mr. Tucker’s strategy any day.
Thanks! This was an educational experience. The Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming forums have been populated with a trail of Tucker-related comments, recently focused on KCDX. I now understand the genius behind the seemingly madness of all these CoL/transmitter moves...
The real question is when will Cochise, etc., sell off these properties?
Radio station prices are crashing as readers of this site already know.
The real question is when will Cochise, etc., sell off these properties?
Radio station prices are crashing as readers of this site already know.
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