KHJ vs XEGM

[chuckmcmillan]

Is it true or just hearsay that the FCC mandated XEGM, a radio station in Rosarito, Baja California, which serves the Tijuana-San Diego area, to lower its power because of nighttime interference with RKO's KHJ in Los Angeles?

 

[michael hagerty]

Is it true or just hearsay that the FCC mandated XEGM, a radio station in Rosarito, Baja California, which serves the Tijuana-San Diego area, to lower its power because of nighttime interference with RKO's KHJ in Los Angeles?

The FCC can't and couldn't mandate a station in Mexico to do anything. It could make a request to the Mexican government for cooperation.

I doubt that happened, though, as KHJ is at 930 on the dial and XEGM at 950. That would be epic interference.

 

[chuckmcmillan]

Michael,

Thank you for your insights! I appreciate the clarification regarding the FCC's jurisdiction over Mexican stations. It makes sense that any request for cooperation must go through the Mexican government.

Your point about the frequency difference between KHJ and XEGM is also important; that would indeed reduce the likelihood of significant interference. I will take this into account as I continue my research.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[davideduardo]

The FCC can't and couldn't mandate a station in Mexico to do anything. It could make a request to the Mexican government for cooperation.

I doubt that happened, though, as KHJ is at 930 on the dial and XEGM at 950. That would be epic interference.

Not only that, but Mexico assigns stations at 20 kHz intervals in the same city in Mexico. For example, 690, 710 and 730 in Mexico City. Further, when I owned stations in Quito, Ecuador I had one at 570 and one at 590.

 

[alok]

I recall years ago, maybe in the 80' s there was an issue with 950 "bugging" , 930 KHJ.
The claim if I recall correctly was splatter, I had thought the FCC asked the Mexican authorities to look into 950.
There was something going on. It was fixed after the FCC got involved with Mexican authorities.

 

[boiseengineer]

690 blasting north with 710 next to it.
Also 1090 & 1070.
US station & US seperation rules KGB (KFMB) 760 San Diego having to protect KBRT 740 "L.A." daytime but ramps up to 50 kw nights when KBRT 740 is off (low power Class D).

 

[alok]

here is the story from David's webpage (worldradiohistory.com), it was in the 2/14/72 Broadcasting, page 47,

I was off by 10 years or so, I thought the 80's!!!!

*****

KHJ wants XEGM out of California,

RKO General Inc., licensee of KHJ - AM Los Angeles, has asked the FCC take away the authority of a Mexican AM facility to originate programing from a Hollywood studio due to allegedly illegal engineering practices. RKO has filed an opposition to the renewal of authority of Adolfo and Elias Lieberman to transmit program material from their Sunset Boulevard studios to Tijuana, Mexico, where it is broadcast over XEGM(AM). The company claimed that XEGM is violating a 1957 agreement between Mexico and the U.S. authorizing it to operate with 2.5 kw unlimited power on 950 khz, by operating with 10 kw daytime and 5 kw at night on that frequency. KHJ has repeatedly complained to the commission that XEGM's operation with the higher power has caused severe interference to its own signal and the signals of several other Southern California stations. KHJ is on 930 khz with 5 kw full time, employing a directional antenna at night. Since it increased its power in Febuary 1969, RKO said, KEGM has caused distortion to KHJ's signal on a regular basis, largely through overmodulation. It argued that XEGM should not be afforded a studio in this country because it does not conform to the standards of good engineering practices.

 

[davideduardo]

here is the story from David's webpage (worldradiohistory.com), it was in the 2/14/72 Broadcasting, page 47,

I was off by 10 years or so, I thought the 80's!!!!

And the complaint went nowhere as it was found that the Mexican government had authorized higher power and was in compliance with the border agreements between the two nations.

Of course, the Liberman brothers (they left out José who actually managed the stations) bought KLVE and then KTNQ and gave back the lease on 950 in Tijuana. The Libermans were dual US and Mexican citizens, so they could own both, in fact.

 

[alok]

And the complaint went nowhere as it was found that the Mexican government had authorized higher power and was in compliance with the border agreements between the two nations.

Of course, the Liberman brothers (they left out José who actually managed the stations) bought KLVE and then KTNQ and gave back the lease on 950 in Tijuana. The Libermans were dual US and Mexican citizens, so they could own both, in fact.

I remember when I'd be down in Southern California 950 XEGM was pretty strong, when the Mexican government allowed 950 to raise power was there no concern about frequencies (like 930 in LA) being affected. Especially with the part salt-water path between the areas?
Doesn't Mexico allow minimum 20 khz spacing with-in their country on AM whereas the U.S uses 30 khz.
I think I explained that correct???