KSJN 91.9

[pattywells]

Can someone explain why KSJN has a translator K220JP at 91.9 in Minneapolis?

 

[ngriffin]

My guess would be multipath from the buildings in downtown Minneapolis., which are in a direct line to the towers in Shoreview. Multipath would stand out more on a classical station.

 

[Lester_the_NightFly]

The story I remember is the Klings lived in that area of Minneapolis, and was having trouble getting a clean signal...

 

[Gregg.]

Could the translator be relaying another programming source? Have we determined what's on the translator? Maybe it's co-owned KCMP, the Minnesota Public Radio Adult Alternative station at 89.3? That station has its tower about 15-20 miles south of the Twin Cities so a translator in Minneapolis would be helpful.

BTW, the station at 91.9 is KNOW-FM, an NPR outlet. The co-owned Classical station at 99.5 has the call sign KSJN.

 

[Fighting Irish]

Could the translator be relaying another programming source? Have we determined what's on the translator? Maybe it's co-owned KCMP, the Minnesota Public Radio Adult Alternative station at 89.3? That station has its tower about 15-20 miles south of the Twin Cities so a translator in Minneapolis would be helpful.

BTW, the station at 91.9 is KNOW-FM, an NPR outlet. The co-owned Classical station at 99.5 has the call sign KSJN.

KCMP, while licensed to Northfield and having their transmitter in the very deep south suburbs, does cover the entire market well with their 100kw signal. Certainly enough to consistently rank in the top 5 overall in the ratings with a rather eclectic AAA format.

They do have coverage in a few markets around the state via full local signals and translators (Duluth, Rochester, Mankato). And their target audience is probably saavy enough when it comes to streaming the signal (the MPR/Current apps and IHeartRadio).

I sometimes wondered the possibilities of swapping signals between The Current and KSJN (99.5,) to level out regional coverage, but apparently, they don't see the need to.

 

[pattywells]

91.9 is a direct simulcast of KSJN 99.5. Interestingly, they don't air unique station identification for this station.

Perhaps they are just sitting on the frequency. It's very low powered and barely covers the neighborhood. But I'm sure the frequency is still valuable none-the-less.

 

[fmradioguy]

I sometimes wondered the possibilities of swapping signals between The Current and KSJN (99.5,) to level out regional coverage, but apparently, they don't see the need to.

I had thought about this some time back. Would make more sense to have the higher rated station on the frequency that covers all the Twin Cities suburbs with a city-grade signal. Not to mention the fact the music format would fit in better on the commercial part of the dial. I know some people who completely skip over the non-commercial band altogether because those are typically the “boring” stations.

 

[Todd Mitchell]

BTW, the station at 91.9 is KNOW-FM, an NPR outlet. The co-owned Classical station at 99.5 has the call sign KSJN.

KNOW-FM is 91.1, not 91.9. 91.9 is a translator rebroadcasting KSJN.

 

[Fighting Irish]

I had thought about this some time back. Would make more sense to have the higher rated station on the frequency that covers all the Twin Cities suburbs with a city-grade signal. Not to mention the fact the music format would fit in better on the commercial part of the dial. I know some people who completely skip over the non-commercial band altogether because those are typically the “boring” stations.

While 89.3 (The Current) does pretty much cover the entire market (albeit with some static in far north suburbs like Elk River), the presence of various MPR Classical signals throughout that part of the state would make up for any signal deficiencies if KSJN was moved to 89.3. Plus, KCMP on 99.5 would reach St. Cloud and the I-94 corridor northwest of the Cities (the Current is only available on HD2 there). I assume that The Current probably brings in more revenue now than Classical (News is the obvious cash cow), due to demographics, fundraising and promotional opportunities, so it could be a very effective way of expanding the reach and potential of their three major networks - News, Classical and The Current.

Meanwhile, the Current would lose little coverage in the southern part of the state, as they are on a full signal in Rochester and translators in Mankato and St. Peter.

 

[pattywells]

Interesting ideas! While Minnesota Public Radio is well-resourced, they are still in economic shock from the loss of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Any changes like this are very unlikely at this time.

Looking into the future, as commercial FM stations loose audience, and if/when public media receives additional state/federal funding, I could see them purchasing additional FM frequencies that go up for sale on the cheap.

 

[ksradiogeek]

Could the translator be relaying another programming source? Have we determined what's on the translator? Maybe it's co-owned KCMP, the Minnesota Public Radio Adult Alternative station at 89.3? That station has its tower about 15-20 miles south of the Twin Cities so a translator in Minneapolis would be helpful.

BTW, the station at 91.9 is KNOW-FM, an NPR outlet. The co-owned Classical station at 99.5 has the call sign KSJN.

Could the translator be relaying another programming source? Have we determined what's on the translator?

A quick view of a bandscan filmed by the airport as recently as last March can vouch what’s being heard there (albeit weakly, since the translator throws its power over downtown and to the southwest, and the scan was filmed in the southern ‘burb of Bloomington):

And though it’s been a few years, here’s one that’s closer to their transmitter site in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood where it can be heard more clearly:

BTW, the station at 91.9 is KNOW-FM, an NPR outlet. The co-owned Classical station at 99.5 has the call sign KSJN.

You’re thinking of 91.1, which is ‘NOW-FM, MPR’s primary signal that’s the flagship of their News stations.

Here’s also a map of all MPR signals statewide:

https://files.apmcdn.org/production/0e505e25f1b0a3fb32d41db638b94dcc.pdf