Vanguard purchases new AM CP

[AbqAnonymous]

It looks like Vanguard has purchased the CP to a new AM signal at 1120 licensed to Peralta for $25,000. It will have a 50kw signal in the daytime and just 250 watts at night. So maybe they're serious about putting this new AM station on air? It is hard to imagine this could really do much if anything in 2020 and beyond. There is no more room for any more FM translators in Albuquerque. Perhaps they could purchase one of the existing signals if any are for sale. Is there really any value at all in a new AM station today?

The report is from here:
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/190025/station-sales-week-of-7-3/

 

[DrAkbar]

Vanguard is also purchasing KSFE in Grants for $375k, which seems to be a rich price for that signal...unless it can be moved to the east. KSFE simulcasts KOAZ, and is on a Santa Fe translator (apparently not part of the deal). Somethin's cookin' here.

 

[K6JHU]

And continuing in the 'I don't understand vein', there is still a CP for 400w KEMR in Moriarty on 1080 (moved from Grants). Is there perhaps something about Grants that we don't know about?

 

[Kent]

Vanguard is also purchasing KSFE in Grants for $375k, which seems to be a rich price for that signal...unless it can be moved to the east. KSFE simulcasts KOAZ, and is on a Santa Fe translator (apparently not part of the deal). Somethin's cookin' here.

I can’t imagine KSFE being able to move further east with 96.3 being in Albuquerque. I believe it’s currently a C3. If it could upgrade to a C1, it would probably rimshot Albuquerque fairly well, though. I don’t know if there’s anything else standing in the way of it going up in class, though I know there's a 96.9 in the Four Corners.

I agree that the price seems high.

 

[AbqAnonymous]

KSFE is overpriced for sure, 101.3 went for $250k. Would downgrading it to a class A and moving to the 101.3 site using similar power be permissible? Currently nothing off of Mt. Taylor has a very listenable signal in ABQ. There are five stations there right now; the strongest is KANM 90.3 at 1000 watts which comes in better in the east but not so much in the valley and westside and even in the east there is some interference. KSFE is currently a C3 at 265 watts and is hard to pick up in the city especially with the translator at 96.9. However if it could be upgraded to about maybe 20kw similar to the Sandia Crest stations it might be able to put out a decent enough signal in ABQ. KDAG in Farmington might put limits on it as it appears to cover all of San Juan county but is still far enough away. There is also the translator for KDAZ at 96.9 which is upgrading to 250 watts from Sandia. Could a KSFE upgrade displace it?

 

[kwthom]

<...>Is there perhaps something about Grants that we don't know about?

Mining, tourism (Trails of the Ancients Byway) and maybe a shot into some of the tribal lands nearby?

 

[davideduardo]

Mining, tourism (Trails of the Ancients Byway) and maybe a shot into some of the tribal lands nearby?

None of those directly create radio revenue.

 

[Kent]

Would downgrading it to a class A and moving to the 101.3 site using similar power be permissible?

I wouldn’t think so. A second-adjacent A to a C has to be at least 59 miles away. I don’t think the KRKE tower is even half that distance from Sandia.

KSFE is currently a C3 at 265 watts and is hard to pick up in the city especially with the translator at 96.9. However if it could be upgraded to about maybe 20kw similar to the Sandia Crest stations it might be able to put out a decent enough signal in ABQ. KDAG in Farmington might put limits on it as it appears to cover all of San Juan county but is still far enough away.

KDAG is a C0. An adjacent C0 must be at least 129 miles away while an adjacent C must be at least 137. A C2 must be at least 109 miles away while a C1 requires at least 122. I'm not sure how far apart KDAG and KSFE are from each other. KSFE would also have to protect KKSS as third-adjacent protection is also required, though I'd have to think anything that protected KKOB-FM from that site would also be compliant with protecting KKSS. However, if there’s anything nearby on 96.1, that could cause a problem. I’m thinking KWRK is the closest 96.1 to KSFE. I don’t think it’s close enough to cause it any upgrade issues from its current site or anywhere east, though.

There is also the translator for KDAZ at 96.9 which is upgrading to 250 watts from Sandia. Could a KSFE upgrade displace it?

Good question. I believe the FCC now requires a minimum number of complaints and that complaints come from a fixed location in order to act on translator interference. I'd have to think a station moving into a market as a rimshot would have a harder time securing interference complaints than an established station, but it might still be possible.

 

[kwthom]

None of those directly create radio revenue.

Nine thousand people in the community directly, along with roughly 20,000 vehicles per day passing thru.

Yep, not a dime to be made here. :/

 

[Groove1670]

Nine thousand people in the community directly, along with roughly 20,000 vehicles per day passing thru.

Yep, not a dime to be made here. :/

Looks like they have a love for Smooth Jazz, and this is part of their expansion of programming. With no studio, and a low TPO transmitter (KSFE), expenses should be minimum.

I listened to the stream. Sounds like the use the same service that the Seabreeze in WSBZ Destin FL uses. Sounded very tight. Audio quality was good, and heard several upscale advertisers (on the weekend).

It was branded as "New Mexico's Oasis".