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KEXP being jammed in Graham
- Thread starter Cobra14
- Start date
Bad words are banned on the radio for the most part. They should not do that. KPNW can be heard in Graham while KEXP can’t. In fact KEXP can’t be heard in Parkland and most likely even some places in Tacoma (primarily the South End) so it is likely that there are a bunch of KEXP listeners in Seattle since it is pretty ironic for a non full market station to get this high of ratings.
You are hearing K212GL
radio-locator.com
K212GL-FM 90.3 MHz - Tacoma, WA
Radio Station Information for K212GL 90.3 MHz FM, Tacoma, WA
radio-locator.com
Which is why at one time KEXP had a Tacoma outlet, correct? Or is my memory failing me?
Correct. They were using 91.7, which at that time was located on Brown’s Point. Obviously, that didn’t last forever and 91.7 eventually moved to Gold Mountain, where they maintain a pretty good signal. Clearly, KEXP still does well, but coverage wise, it was better when they had a full-blown south sound translator rather than a signal from Capitol Hill with a null to the south.
I still remember 91.7 from when it was KBTC-FM, with a classic rock format. Arguably one of the best stations in town at the time.
I think that Graham is outside of their coverage range which is why KEXP doesn’t work there and that transmitter does. It probably blends in with KEXP in parts of Tacoma.
It also doesn’t work or barely works in Parkland… the transmitter of KLSW doesn’t work there either though. KLSW works in Graham though it technically is very weak to where it almost doesn’t work in Eatonville.
I think the reason why it is going to move to 89.1 in the future is to avoid interfering with KEXP in a lot of KEXP’s weaker spots allowing it to work better in places like Federal Way or North Tacoma. KEXP doesn’t work in Graham so it isn’t the transmitter that is interfering with it over there as it doesn’t work in Parkland as well even though that transmitter also doesn’t work there…
Maybe KEXP will plan to become full market if they can get the translator out of the way and get it to work in Parkland, Graham, Olympus, Eatonville, etc since it has high ratings now. If so maybe they will become number 1 in the market or within the Top 3 stations in the market.
Doubt it. There’s a station on 90.1 in Tacoma (KUPS) that really puts a damper on that proposal. In addition, there’s a fully-licensed KPLU repeater in Olympia on 90.1. Not to mention a 90.1 in Skagit County and 90.5 out of Victoria.
All of those (but especially the 90.1’s to the South) would make it neigh-impossible to make 90.3 even a directional class C.
Fact is, unless they buy a translator or rent/bought another station, KEXP can’t get much better of a signal to the south.
Way too many stations shoehorned in between 90.1 and 90.5 on the FM dial. The KEXP signal isn’t great, but it works decently well within the city limits of Seattle and around the surrounding communities. There isn’t much they can do to improve their situation short of moving to a different frequency.
I wouldn’t expect that to happen, as they decided there wasn’t a point in continuing their simulcast on 91.7. Perhaps they realized that there aren’t enough interested listeners the south sound, or they found that streaming was sufficient. Either way, they do pretty well with a mediocre signal. I guess it proves that interesting content will attract listeners.
Aside from all of that, I think KEXP knows that their core listeners are probably Seattle based anyway. Those who live on the outskirts of the metropolitan area probably aren’t as likely to listen to KEXP, even if it came in crystal clear. There’s a pretty big difference between KEXP and KPNW. KPNW is an eclectic mixture of popular music while KEXP specializes more in playing electronic and “underground” music. I’m glad KEXP’s format works for them, but I don’t think it would be easy to sell on a commercial frequency.
I wouldn’t expect that to happen, as they decided there wasn’t a point in continuing their simulcast on 91.7. Perhaps they realized that there aren’t enough interested listeners the south sound, or they found that streaming was sufficient. Either way, they do pretty well with a mediocre signal. I guess it proves that interesting content will attract listeners.
Aside from all of that, I think KEXP knows that their core listeners are probably Seattle based anyway. Those who live on the outskirts of the metropolitan area probably aren’t as likely to listen to KEXP, even if it came in crystal clear. There’s a pretty big difference between KEXP and KPNW. KPNW is an eclectic mixture of popular music while KEXP specializes more in playing electronic and “underground” music. I’m glad KEXP’s format works for them, but I don’t think it would be easy to sell on a commercial frequency.
Why would they spend the capital and potential rental expense when they already do so well? History has shown that a better fringe signal isn't ever even able to cover the expense of whatever changes. Especially true when stations stream.
I bet if you had access to the data, KEXP probably collects 25-30% of it's fundraising well outside the market. Fretting fringe area signal is 1980's thinking.
Well if there wasn’t that they probably would be able to do that. They would just have to make sure 90.1 moves and 90.5 in Chehalis also moves.
Yes they aren’t on 91.7 rn anyways but they wouldn’t be able to do that now since BBN now owns it.
Probably a lot to change any frequency tbh.
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