• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Montana 98.7 KHKM Stunting

M

michaeljwyo1

KHKM 98.7 Hamilton (Missoula area) is now stunting with a loop of construction sounds, and an announcer every minute or so saying "Construction is underway. A new radio station is coming to 98.7 K-H-K-M Hamilton, Missoula" As mentioned earlier, tomorrow is supposed to be the day Jacobs Radio takes over. It's already on their web site. Logo and all and ready to stream.

jacobsradiollc.com

98.7 FM The Beat of Montana - Jacobs Radio

98.7 FM The Beat of Montana plays the best in classic hip hop from the 80s and early 90s.
jacobsradiollc.com jacobsradiollc.com

Classic Hip Hop from 80s and early 90s. Hmmm... well I guess it IS something we don't have here. Really don't know how good a format like that will work here. But then again Missoula is weird market. I would have preferred an AC station (like 99.3 KQEZ) or Hot AC station. KQEZ is sparse here in the Bitterroot valley...non-existent here in Hamilton where I live.
 
Been a week now since "the Beat of Montana" has been on. Same format as their "the Beat" in the Tri-Cities area in WA. Same syndicated morning show. (Ana and Raven in the Morning). Don't care too much for the format, but it sucks they can't do something about their signal. KDXT is only 10kw and seems to do better than KHKM's 100kw. Both on Reed Butte east of Stevensville. Different towers but both up there...about the same HAAT. (KDXT is about 6 feet higher)

Yet KHKM has a good bit of multi-path, whereas KDXT doesn't. Funny because that multi-path and slight fading is here in Hamilton - their COL. I don't call that a "city-grade signal." I guess that's why KHKM under previous ownership (Cherry Creek and before) had a translator in Missoula at 96.9. Maybe just that very slight difference in location on the butte makes the difference? Also worth noting was that under Legacy's format (Christian Country), they had the stereo pilot off...MUCH less multi-path. Guess that makes a difference. Techie engineers may correct me on these things. I just call 'em as I see 'em. (hear 'em)
 
michaeljwyo1 said:
Yet KHKM has a good bit of multi-path, whereas KDXT doesn't. Funny because that multi-path and slight fading is here in Hamilton - their COL. I don't call that a "city-grade signal." I guess that's why KHKM under previous ownership (Cherry Creek and before) had a translator in Missoula at 96.9. Maybe just that very slight difference in location on the butte makes the difference?
Click to expand...
There are many variables other than antenna height. Which side of the tower is the antenna on? Is it mounted to the face of the tower or to the edge? What kind of antenna? How many bays? Does it have beam tilt? What is spacing of the elements? All this kind of detail can affect the signal, create little null or overshoots, etc.
 
Thanks David. Yep that makes sense. Especially with it being a "rimshot" for Missoula, I bet they have the antenna pointed towards Missoula, which would probably make more a null this way. (behind the tower) Other factors too I'm sure. I might be able to see more if I go look at it. just to satisfy my curiosity. I know I can't get all the way up as it's gated, but I can get pretty close with a great view of the tower. They have more bays than KDXT does so it should be easy to spot. I don't how much info on the FCC's web site shows all those factors. Takes a good brain to read it all.
 
Good deal for them. I checked the other day when I was in Missoula, and I was correct, signal full of multi-path in Missoula. This is what they need to make it. Interesting to see this is where their studio still is. I guess it never moved. It was there when Cherry Creek owned it way back when. I thought maybe something had happened when Cherry Creek got bought out and it got spun off to Legacy Broadcasting and became Christian Country.

They could use a booster here in Hamilton too. Amazing you have to have a booster to cover your COL with a clean signal. Their main focus is Missoula so I don't know they'll invest in a booster here in Hamilton.

Great job by Jacobs, however. Station has jingles...something no one in Missoula has. Sounds pretty professional and well-run allbeit morning and afternoon shows are syndicated. But execution is done well...with some locally-focused short newscasts (PSA's basically) and local weather forecasts. Don't know how much of an audience they'll have for this format, but it definitely is something unique in Missoula. Now then...time to get some sales people out there and sell. No local ads yet.
 
michaeljwyo1 said:
...
They could use a booster here in Hamilton too. Amazing you have to have a booster to cover your COL with a clean signal. Their main focus is Missoula so I don't know they'll invest in a booster here in Hamilton.
...
Click to expand...
Unfortunately for the COL, any booster signal there has to be at least 20 dBu margin for the main F(50,50) contour over the booster's F(50,10) contour. I don't think any booster in Hamilton could achieve that margin unless a waiver were granted. Besides, Missoula is the target. Still, not much can be done about that multipath effect when the signals bounce off the "Big M".
 


Back
Top Bottom