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Has Palestine's FM "KYYK"ed the Bucket?

  • Thread starter Deleted member 108832
  • Start date

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Deleted member 108832

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I've attempted to reach out to the Spearmans directly, but to no avail. KYYK "Kick 98.3" in Palestine is off the air, and has been for at least 3 weeks. No carrier, no anything. Just off. Usually have a fair signal from 98.3 here in Tyler. KCKL in Malakoff is on, although it has actually been on a Silent STA since August. It is still mentioning both KYYK and KWRD during all breaks and promos.

What gives? As silly as I feel asking this, is it possible they are just oblivious that it is down, given that they are nowhere near the area? We have alarms, bells, whistles, strobe lights, red flags being hoisted, and all sorts of notification when the chain is broken, and are either dead air or no power. Did they mistakenly file a Silent Notification on the wrong facility, since KCKL hasn't actually left the air? (to the best of my knowledge, anyway)

Rather odd. Thought maybe someone here knows the family and could, perhaps, inquire.
 
Good question. I'm guessing you're talking Monte Spearman with the main operation in Plainview. I've spoken to the man a few times and he seemed like a good guy. I'd think by talking to him he'd have something in place if the station had issues. He does put salespeople out there locally and I understand he had a person as the manager (whether that be an area manager I don't know). That is odd. I'd like to know too.
 
Yes, Monte Spearman. The company has been running KYYK, KCKL, and KWRD in tandem with their country programming since they purchased KWRD from Jerry Hanszen. I do believe local sales for all 3 stations come from the KYYK/KNET complex in Palestine. I assume things are going well for them as the spot load I've been hearing is quite strong. Several local Palestine, Athens, and Henderson businesses are regularly featured on the stations. Having local people there in Palestine, but not the FM on the air, is what is causing the head scratching here.

Perhaps it is operational, but at reduced power. Again, I would think this scenario would have been reported to the Commission just the same. The group has operated here in ETX, since they purchased the Athens AM/FM. Any time there has been a situation arise that they have had to silence KLVQ or KCKL, they filed the notification. That's what kind of leads me to think the unthinkable, being that they don't realize it's off or running at reduced power. I just can't fathom that that could actually be the case, Bill. What I do know is that the only music receivable on 98.3, anywhere in Tyler, is Spanish and coming here weakly from Dallas.
 
rosecitymedia said:
Perhaps it is operational, but at reduced power. Again, I would think this scenario would have been reported to the Commission just the same.
Click to expand...
It should be, but I will tell you that Spearman has stations in Arkansas that have been off the air for months without notifying the FCC at all. He appears to be having tower lease issues with quite a few stations. Just because you're required to make silent notification doesn't mean it's always done on time, if at all.
 
Yes sir, that's KBOC "Luna 98.3" from Bridgeport, serving DFW. It's been blasting into Tyler all morning. Where you are, tells me it has to be completely dark. You're within the 60dBu service area. I'm just northeast of KYYK's outer ring on the R-L map, but still get a usable signal from most receivers. Usually, anyway.

Thanks for the report, Bill.
 
exdjted said:
It should be, but I will tell you that Spearman has stations in Arkansas that have been off the air for months without notifying the FCC at all. He appears to be having tower lease issues with quite a few stations. Just because you're required to make silent notification doesn't mean it's always done on time, if at all.
Click to expand...
It's interesting to hear this, as his group has been a pretty decent steward of the Athens facilities up to this point. KYYK has become something of an outlier around here, so it seemed.
 
Hello all!

This is Monte Spearman, the GM of KYYK FM in Palestine, Tx. Your comments from yesterday were brought to my attention this morning and obviously there is reason for a detailed reply, so here you go! Approximately four weeks ago when that last very large and ugly storm passed through the area late in the day, KYYK FM took a direct lightening shot and it caused the primary board in the BE transmitter to fail. Our engineer arrived the next day and found the issue by talking directly to Broadcast Electronics and diagnosed the problem. That day the part was pulled and shipped out of Palestine the next day to Chicago to be repaired. Also, that day, our engineer turned on the local back up lower powered unit and the station has been broadcasting ever since, but at lowered power. This is the reason an STA was not filed. Unfortunately, the parts needed were not in stock and they were backordered from CHINA! The search went on for three weeks and parts were located and shipped to BE in Chicago to complete the repair. The repairs and testing will hopefully all be successful, and the repaired unit is scheduled to be shipped to Palestine on either this Friday or next Monday. Our engineer will do the install the day the repaired items are received.

One of the comments said that they had spoken to me in the past and that I seemed to be a pretty nice guy. I appreciate that comment, but I have to ask this simple question. If you knew that about me and had my contact number and KYYK was of concern, why didn't someone simply call me and ask, and I would have explained the situation! I will always reply with full details about any of our stations as they are all smaller community stations and we have always strived to be the local radio connection for the community. It is our job, and we take it very seriously to serve them properly.

Lastly, we are working on selling some stations in other areas. Some have had STAs filed, and some are being relocated. We will always follow the FCC guidelines and when any projects are completed, they will all meet the FCC standards.

Sincerely,
Monte Spearman
GM HPRN and Zula Com
Cell # 806-777-8542
 
Thanks for the response, Monte. I attempted to contact you through a different 806 number that I found attached to the station's file. I, for one, appreciate you taking the time to address the situation with the RD collective.

May I ask, how many watts is it running currently? One of my partners in Pert, 9 miles to the east of Palestine, is receiving no signal at his home base. He's reported to me that he hears 1450's translator just fine, but no sign of 98.3.

I've been rather impressed with the change in musical direction on Kick since you guys acquired it from TLC, and really really dig the new sound on KNET/KLVQ. Would love to see y'all pick up a facility in Tyler. I think y'all would give a few folks around here, that have become rather complacent, a real run for their money.
 
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