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3 West Coast DX Tests

SomeRadioGuy

SomeRadioGuy

Thanks to an owner the DX Test committee has worked with before, we have graciously been given 3 stations to do a DX test with. It'll be 3 to 6 hour tests with our "all black coffee, no sugar" tests... just morse code, sweep tones, phone off hook noises and similar that just slice through the noise.

We're hoping to announce the stations soon as soon as the station owner gains control of the 3rd station (he's buying it and doesn't have legal control yet, sale is about to be filed)
 
@SomeRadioGuy

Just yesterday I *thought* I'd submitted a thread asking how the DXers here have fared in 2025 with their 'closest unheard' stations. Among the thoughts was a lament about DX TESTS -- along with how nicely this forum had treated me in the past vis-a-vis its notifications.
The new thread didn't 'take'.
But in that undeniable evidence that one's hobby is still up-and-at-em, up pops your news flash.
That 'West Coast' thread title sounds like quite the fishing hole for an AM DXer who will welcome ANYTHING new from past the West Coast of the Susquehanna.
Dash-dot-dash. I gotta remember that. I'll write it down on a box of the original Special K cereal box planned for snack use.
73!
 
Station owner Steve Rubin has graciously said we could run some DX test audio on 4 radio station he owns. It started with a discussion of KKZI because it came up for discussion in a DX'ers group and I knew he'd be buying it but it wasn't yet filed for (it has since been filed).. then he said "Hey how about KTPI and KTOX too?" To which I said sure.!



1201am to 559am pacific (0801-1359UTC) Feb 6, 2026 for KTOX 1340 Needles, CA (1kw non directional)

1201am to 559am pacific (0801-1359UTC Feb 7, 2026 for KTPI 1340 Mojave, CA (1kw non directional)

1201am to 559am pacific (0801-1359UTC) Feb 8, 2026 for KKZI 1310 Barstow, CA
(1kw non directional, under the details spec'd in the pending construction permit)

These tests are all nearly 6 hours long and are specifically 0901 to 1459UTC to accomplish two things...... to make it clear what day its occurring on as theres always bickering back and forth when we say 12am to 6am (do you mean friday into saturday or saturday into sunday) and to keep it fully within the allowed experimental period of 12 to 6am local station time. The test material is the straight up highly caffeinated no sugar or cream added black coffee tests with just morse code, sweep tones and few other noises that clearly cut through the mud as tested and confirmed by an audiologist. (Yes, Les Rayburn really ran this test material past an audiologist)

Steve doesn't yet own KKZI but the sale was filed for about a week ago and he expect to either own it or have it under LMA by test time. He also owns currently silent KAVL 610 Lancaster, CA. We can test with that one too, once he gets it back on air but I can tell you now it won't be with the 3 tower facility

Steve does have some legitimate work that needs to be done on some of these stations, including KAVL and KKZI and our DX tests just happen to help with that.

NOW, onto QSL's and etc. Reports go DIRECTLY to Steve at ONLY The following address, nowhere else: [email protected]. No snail mail reports, no email to any other station email addresses you may find.

Please, dont send 10 minute long wav files, if at all possible, please send mp3 files and rather then sending a 5 or 10 minute recording, it would be advised to send 2 or 3 short mp3s of 20-30 seconds seconds.

PLEASE send them within 60 days of the tests and PLEASE be patient. If you havent gotten a QSL 3 months after submission, reply to this thread and I'll compile the names and reach out to Steve

Keep your reports short, sweet and to the point. WAY less then one page. You could probably accomplish this in a few paragraphs or less.

I think I've covered everything. If I haven't, please ask. By the way, if you logged KCUP 1230 Toledo, OR's test a few years ago because of the morse code, sweep tones and 6 hours of test? You can thank Steve for that, he owned it at the time.
 
Last edited:
Awesome! I need all three of these stations in Yakima. I heard KTOX-1340 from Cascade ID last fall, and I have the KTPI-FM on eskip from here. I'll try to stay up late on these nights.
 
crainbebo said:
Awesome! I need all three of these stations in Yakima. I heard KTOX-1340 from Cascade ID last fall, and I have the KTPI-FM on eskip from here. I'll try to stay up late on these nights.
Click to expand...

Steve doesnt own KTPI-FM, just the AM.

Once Steve gets KAVL back on we'll test that one too
 
mofocat2 said:
"Steve doesnt own KTPI-FM, just the AM" Oh, that seems a bit odd. Weren't they a simulcast?
Click to expand...

Dont recall, but they arent now .. Steve bought KTPI AM and KAVL AM from RZ Broadcasting
 
SomeRadioGuy said:
Dont recall, but they arent now .. Steve bought KTPI AM and KAVL AM from RZ Broadcasting
Click to expand...
Side question: can you tell us a bit about why Steve wants those AMs and how he makes money with them?

I ask because I just had a long "conference calle" with a foursome of friends who have been in top radio management... group or major market station managers... and all simply state that "radio is dead". I'd love to hear from someone who is actually betting on the future of radio.
 
davideduardo said:
Side question: can you tell us a bit about why Steve wants those AMs and how he makes money with them?

I ask because I just had a long "conference calle" with a foursome of friends who have been in top radio management... group or major market station managers... and all simply state that "radio is dead". I'd love to hear from someone who is actually betting on the future of radio.
Click to expand...

Without revealing exact details....

......Part of it is stations that are in poor shape, so he gets them dirt cheap
.... some are in OK shape and come with some gear and the value of what comes with the station is more than he paid for the station.
.. he is an engineer....... he can fix stuff, hes got gear, etc.

I don't know if its so much betting on a future of radio, he sees a way to fix a few things, have some fun with big boy toys and not lose money.

The only stations of his that have or have had local programming is KUNK and KTOX
 
cc333 said:
I wonder if he would be interested in buying KUKI or KDAC, should they become available and are priced within his means?

c
Click to expand...

He was interested in just the license for one of the silenced bi coastal AM stations but they turned his offer down and the land lease for all of the AM's is exhorbinant for what they are.
 
How much are they asking?

It sounds like nobody's buying the stations because they're being priced too high for the market (and believe me, without these stations, the already boring local market is becoming almost unbearable).

It helps that many of the SF stations come in relatively well with a good radio.

c
 
cc333 said:
How much are they asking?

It sounds like nobody's buying the stations because they're being priced too high for the market (and believe me, without these stations, the already boring local market is becoming almost unbearable).

It helps that many of the SF stations come in relatively well with a good radio.

c
Click to expand...

no idea, and i didnt ask Steve what he offered
 


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