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Washington Latest in Tri/Walla Walla

Ed Dailey runs it and teaches the radio course a Tri-Tech Skills center across from the cable company in Kennewick. The students used to have more leeway. Today, he programs it with some quirks to make it an interesting listening experience.

Ed's a good guy. He's been nothing but supportive of me and especially so since I've been managing WDSW.

Cheers.

Yeah, I get it. A nice program there at TriTech. Though I wonder if there is any serious discussion of how radio has become a less important field today. Though as I understand it, the program doesn't focus completely on "radio", but in other forms of media today, which is smart. They probably have or will add instructors on social media, podcasts, etc. This is where the action is today. But good to guys like Ed who want to teach!
 
Here in Ellensburg, we have a radio program at 88.1 KCWU 'The Burg'. However the format is much different musically than the mix on KTCV. It's mostly CHR/Hip-Hop with some dance/electronica on Friday nights. I can see why...Ellensburg doesn't have a 'hit music' station of any kind, whether it's an AC-type format or Top 40. Filling the gap that KQBE 103 left behind when they moved to Selah and flipped to K-LOVE many years ago.
 
Yes, I know the station and I know the guy who's running it. Jeff McMullan runs it. He was the one who has spearheaded its current iteration.

Some internal Washington State politics regarding college radio stations. As budgets have gotten tighter radio has been deemed as something that is not high on the list of support. Thus, the state several years ago told all the college stations - 'why do you exist?' They had to have an answer. KCWU wasn't generating much money in terms of pledge drives and was a drain (Familiar for college stations that aren't wrapped in a curriculum). CWU had already made the decision to shut down the station.

Jeff came in and proposed it's current iteration and format - as a learning tool for student placement in the industry and second, instituted the CHR/Urban format to appeal to the college age demo to drive interest.

He's done pretty good. CHR/Urban works for him since the closest service Ellensburg gets of that format is KFFM or a very distant KUJ from the Tri-Cities.

KTCV is a totally different scenario. They both work in similar molds, however KTCV serves a vocational school and high school students. KTCV further is fully funded and doesn't have the same pressures that the college stations have to exist. If Ed Dailey's enrollment stays equal or increases for the KTCV courses, he's fairly safe. A Provost or a Dean coming after a college radio station can come at any time to slice down some costs is always a possibilty. KEWU/89.5 in Cheney went through that a couple years ago.

And KTCV, doesn't have as many format choices. Due to being in a fleshed out market. I do think they could do AAA. Ed likes the quirky thing they do right now more.

I'm in a good position with WDSW. My market is mostly Country, CHR, Urban and oldies. I have a place I can drive WDSW in (a mix of AAA/Americana/Classic Rock) that'll have some community appeal and can position me for community underwriting and sponsorships. Being it's a college town, those commercial formats that are unserved gives me a lane I can drive in.

Cheers.

Here in Ellensburg, we have a radio program at 88.1 KCWU 'The Burg'. However the format is much different musically than the mix on KTCV. It's mostly CHR/Hip-Hop with some dance/electronica on Friday nights. I can see why...Ellensburg doesn't have a 'hit music' station of any kind, whether it's an AC-type format or Top 40. Filling the gap that KQBE 103 left behind when they moved to Selah and flipped to K-LOVE many years ago.
 
Wonder if that political reason was why KYVT Yakima shut down their YVTech radio program and sold to NWPR for the news service? (Albeit now it's on HD2 of KNWY).
 
I had heard declining enrollment with the Yakima Valley Skills Center Radio Program. That program after Randy Beckstead left, just seemed to go into a long slow fade. Plus, NWPR had some good old cash to lay out.

Wonder if that political reason was why KYVT Yakima shut down their YVTech radio program and sold to NWPR for the news service? (Albeit now it's on HD2 of KNWY).
 
News/Talk KFLD (870 AM) is now simulcasting on a translator at 98.7 FM. This is the Rush Limbaugh station. Good signal throughout the Tri, too soon to test it outside the metro. I wonder if KONA will try to do the same.
 
One of the last open frequencies left. How long before KMNA complains? Less than 40 miles away from Tri. I could get them in stereo out in Kennewick last summer.
 
One of the last open frequencies left. How long before KMNA complains? Less than 40 miles away from Tri. I could get them in stereo out in Kennewick last summer.

Upon further investigation, the KFLD translator (98.7) is quite weak in some areas such as South Richland and Queensgate. Does much better in Kennewick and Pasco.
 
Wonder if they are slightly nulled away from Mabton.
Not that anyone in the lower Valley listens to 96.1, but the KYAK Yakima translator that came on last August has just pummeled KLKY to nothing, even in places like Grandview where they were nearly 100% stereo and clear before. Seems like that part of the valley does well for NE Oregon. Party FM 92.1 is solid for miles and miles, except for some multipath west of Outlook due to the Cherry Hill. KOLH-LP on 105.9 (EWTN) can also be picked up in Grandview. 92.1 goes away past Toppenish and reappears *loudly* for about 5 miles near the military exit south of Manastash. Bouncing off a high ridge point I guess? All the Tri-Cities 100KW stations are solid on that stretch of 82. I even get a 90.5 for a few miles with religion...which one day turned out to be the KVIP translator at Heppner! That really impresses me, at 23 watts.
 
Wonder if they are slightly nulled away from Mabton.
Not that anyone in the lower Valley listens to 96.1, but the KYAK Yakima translator that came on last August has just pummeled KLKY to nothing, even in places like Grandview where they were nearly 100% stereo and clear before. Seems like that part of the valley does well for NE Oregon. Party FM 92.1 is solid for miles and miles, except for some multipath west of Outlook due to the Cherry Hill. KOLH-LP on 105.9 (EWTN) can also be picked up in Grandview. 92.1 goes away past Toppenish and reappears *loudly* for about 5 miles near the military exit south of Manastash. Bouncing off a high ridge point I guess? All the Tri-Cities 100KW stations are solid on that stretch of 82. I even get a 90.5 for a few miles with religion...which one day turned out to be the KVIP translator at Heppner! That really impresses me, at 23 watts.

I guess I jumped to some conclusions. This KFLD translator has problems all over the metro. I had punched it in to a preset, but it is awful in many areas, and am going to go back to their AM 870 signal.
 
KFLD continues to have problems covering the metro with their fm translator. I think it is quite futile at this point. Also lacking live coverage of important health/public safety on the Coronavirus, that KONA-AM has been taking live on multiple occasions. Sure separates the boys from the men when it comes to being live and local. KFLD is 2nd runner-up with a lack of local programming pure and simple. And what is up with the voice-affected staff announcer on 870? This guy sounds like some sort of android. Just use your natural voice, sir.
 
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KFLD continues to have problems covering the metro with their fm translator. I think it is quite futile at this point. Also lacking live coverage of important health/public safety on the Coronavirus, that KONA-AM has been taking live on multiple occasions. Sure separates the boys from the men when it comes to being live and local. KFLD is 2nd runner-up with a lack of local programming pure and simple. And what is up with the voice-affected staff announcer on 870? This guy sounds like some sort of android. Just use your natural voice, sir.


It's directional and at a site SE of town. what do you expect?
https://fccdata.org/?facid=&call=K2...=&lmspl=&party_type=LICEN&latd=&lond=&lang=en
 

Yeah, I get that. But the way KFLD is promoting this makes one think they can pick it up everywhere. IMO, KFLD is on the right track here, but all Cherry Creek's KONA would need to do is switch their FM at 105.3 if they needed to compete, but obviously there is no urgent need to with the signal problems at Townsquare. A lame attempt at entering the FM dial, IMO. I am also not certain about revenue for Mix (KONA-FM). If they are doing well then the point is moot. Everything is changing in our world, and it will eventually effect media.
 
What I've done with WDSW in all this is go hyper local. Mayor on air. University President on air. Constant community information bulletins about things that affect us all.

A little 100 watter doing this.

My gut is to go hyper local because that's what when you strip the big money out of it, that's what we are at our core - serving our communities.

I've even got Kirk Williamson voicing updates for me across the country. All in service.


Yeah, I get that. But the way KFLD is promoting this makes one think they can pick it up everywhere. IMO, KFLD is on the right track here, but all Cherry Creek's KONA would need to do is switch their FM at 105.3 if they needed to compete, but obviously there is no urgent need to with the signal problems at Townsquare. A lame attempt at entering the FM dial, IMO. I am also not certain about revenue for Mix (KONA-FM). If they are doing well then the point is moot. Everything is changing in our world, and it will eventually effect media.
 
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It seems to me that 93.5 KWDR is broadcasting country music after several days of dead air. It does match 102.3 K272ED, which I can get here in Moses Lake.

Now this leaves me wondering if it's permanent or if Spanish Christian (Radio La Roca) will return to the frequency, how 107.5 in Wenatchee sounds (it was also Spanish Christian), and what will happen to Radio La Roca if 93.5 is country for good.

*Edit: I was told that 93.5 // 102.3 is now permanent. It still leaves me wondering about 107.5 Wenatchee.
 
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KONA out of touch today with no reporting on atleast a 1,000 person demonstration at John dam plaza in Richland. Way to go news department at KONA. You would think Ed and crew would have more awareness of what is actually happening in their local community. Shame on cherry creek radio.
 
I was listening to KONA yesterday and their Bottom Line call-in program was informative about Inslee's press conference. A lot of Tri-Cities people are sick and tired of phase 1.
 
I was listening to KONA yesterday and their Bottom Line call-in program was informative about Inslee's press conference. A lot of Tri-Cities people are sick and tired of phase 1.

Yes, we are. The metrics don't favor spread out metro's like Tri-Cities. It is unfair, yet there is nothing we can do about it. Inslee once represented this area as a State senator, you would think he would have a bit more insight into this.

As for KONA, there was nothing on their Friday noon news with Ed Dawson about the massive protests in Richland that morning. You would think that a 1,000+ protest would garner some note, but instead it was the usual traffic accidents and minor crime events that really don't matter at the end of the day. This station tries to advertise themselves as the local news leader, but when it comes to crunch time, they fail. Cherry Creek should be ashamed.

And what is with this new talk show from 10 to noon? Van Kamp, Robbins, etc. What a bunch of arrogant sounding white guys who make fun of serious topics to amuse themselves. Good gawd it is bad.
 


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