91.7: What's the verdict?

[Bob E. Nelson]

With all due respect Joe, if you pull out your Radiosoft, you will find that KEOM has vastly more ears inside of the 60 and 70 dBu contours than KTXG, KVRK and KDKR. Your criteria is totally inconsistent at best.

If you are going to including the awful rimshots then you should also include KEOM and KTCU.

I'll concede your point concerning KEOM and KTCU from the reference point of signal density within the contours since both stations are closer to their respective population centers (Dallas County and Tarrant Country, respectively) than the northern rimshots.

In listening to and/or visiting the websites of rimshots KTXG, KVRK and KDKR, each one markets itself to the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex as opposed to the actual community of license -- with the caveat each may have an inflated perception of the usable signal strength delivered to the region.

Take this 1 May 2009 entry from Decatur's KDKR:

http://www.kdkr.org/blog.htm

``100,000 WATTS AT 1,850 FEET!!,
KDKR REACHES THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH METROPOLITAN AREA

KDKR's mission has been to proclaim the Gospel through the teaching of God's Word over the radio airwaves in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. We have done this faithfully since 2000 and NOW we are reaching the over 6 million people in Dallas-Fort Worth metro are and through out North Texas!
[...]
We have received reports from Listeners as far North West as Whichita [sic] Falls, and and as far South East as Mesquite (and all the Cities in between)! We thank God for this increase in coverage area, and are excited to see how He will use KDKR to change and strengthen lives through out North Texas!!''

 

[LibertyNT]

More like 14,000 at 800 feet...
also
KHYI uses Dallas a lot in their name but they hardly cover Dallas signal wise at all...
88.5 puts the best signal into Dallas then all those Rim shots.

 

[Bob E. Nelson]

More like 14,000 at 800 feet...

If you're referring to KDKR, the licensed facility is BLED-20090206AAM. The specs are:

40 kW horizontal and 100 kW vertical with an HAAT of 544 meters (1875').

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=kdkr

On the other hand KVRK is 14 kW at 518 meters (a fraction under 1700').

 

[grantchester]

Wait... 100k vertical, 40k horizontal watts? What; are they broadcasting to heaven?

 

[LibertyNT]

Whoops got the two mixed up
scrambled brains ;D

 

[TheRover]

I still like it--the music is a breath of fresh air. According to Dan Slentz who works with Kera and KXT--He said the licensing fees & costs are too much at this time for HD. He does hope someday it will work though

I hope they can work in HD because the extra radio channels would allow the room for niche music genres that are under-served such as:

Movie Soundtrack Music That is the longer cuts, the suites of music from movies that are already on record. WRR does a nice job at playing the populous "hits" of Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark and the like.
But I am seeking other than those populous mega "hits" to to hear and enjoy broadcast over the airwaves.

I'd like to hear suites from Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrmann, Jerry Goldsmith, and John Barry, to name a few. Trying to get the other than the popupus mega-hits aired on WRR is an uphill battle.

HD would allow the space to explore something other than alternative, world, and local music...

 

[Albert19X]

They need to mix in some Lady Gaga, Daughtry, Justin Timberlake, Pink and Usher

Au contraire, they need more Bessie Smith, Big Joe Turner, Sir Douglas Quintet, James McMurtry, John Mayall.

How can KXT distinguish itself if they play the same crap as the rest of the herd?

 

[grantchester]

Au contraire, they need more Bessie Smith, Big Joe Turner, Sir Douglas Quintet, James McMurtry, John Mayall.

How can KXT distinguish itself if they play the same crap as the rest of the herd?

THIS.

 

[sox fan matt]

Anyone tested the 100,000 watt siginal distance wise to see how far it would go?

 

[P1 Paul]

have u listened to ktcu lately. more kgsr sounding than 91.7. prtty good

 

[grantchester]

update...
At noon today the Texas music program came on, and I heard the Guy Clark version of LA Freeway, the Flatlanders version of Dallas, some rare Janis Joplin, and she teased Townes Van Zant. YES! That's what I'm listening for .
Now, some T-bone Walker, some Shawn Phillips, some early Steve Miller, maybe some Nightcrawlers, Denny Freeman, Eric Hokannen, Paul Glasse, and, perchance, Bubblepuppy, and I'll be hooked.

 

[charles123]

update...
At noon today the Texas music program came on, and I heard the Guy Clark version of LA Freeway, the Flatlanders version of Dallas, some rare Janis Joplin, and she teased Townes Van Zant. YES! That's what I'm listening for .
Now, some T-bone Walker, some Shawn Phillips, some early Steve Miller, maybe some Nightcrawlers, Denny Freeman, Eric Hokannen, Paul Glasse, and, perchance, Bubblepuppy, and I'll be hooked.

The Dallas song is wrong, it's from Jimmie Dale Gilmore that was during the 10 o' clock hour. Look at www.kxt.org/playlists

 

[jeffdfw]

have u listened to ktcu lately. more kgsr sounding than 91.7. prtty good

Yes I have... I discovered that a couple days ago... I am impressed and I also like it better than kxt (just a personal preference). They used to play classical in the middle of the day but they have moved that to Sunday and the rest of the time they seem to stick to the AAA format pretty much. From the KTCU (88.7 the Choice)website:

Choice Music
We’re still “The Choice,” but as you may have noticed, our music is getting a makeover. We’re breaking some of the rules and playing the kind of music you would find on a Friday night in Fort Worth – old & new, college & country, Americana & rock.

It’s a blend we simply call “The Choice.” Some of the artists we’re playing include Pat Green, Bright Eyes, Jerry Jeff Walker, Limbeck, Lucinda Williams, Anberlin, Patty Griffin, Lyle Lovett, Sun Volt, Eli Young Band, Ian Moore, Old 97s, Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Ben Folds, Randy Rogers Band, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Wilco, Eagles, Amy Winehouse, Creedence Clearwater Revival, 100 Damned Guns, and a whole lot more!

KTCU After Dark
KTCU After Dark features the best in indie, modern, and alternative music. With music from bands such as The Dear Hunter, Cartel, Death Cab for Cutie, Coheed & Cambria, Amy Winehouse, Foo Fighters, Mutemath, Bloc Party, Mewithoutyou, The Mars Volta, Cat Powe,r Anberlin, Klaxons, Radiohead, and much, much more, KTCU really knows how to rock after the sun goes down. Check it out weekdays from 7 pm to 1 am, and Saturday from 4 pm to 1 am.

You can listen here>>> http://www.ktcu.tcu.edu/index.html

 

[TheRover]

Listening tonight (Sat. 11/21) over thair at home ---the audio signal has static in it.

I do not recall ever having static issues when listening from home at this same location with KVTT 91.7....

This is something that the station can monitor and improve soon, I hope.

 

[Scotpfv]

Very pleased so far. I love hearing artists that I have not heard before (So much for the conventional wisdom of focus groups,CC, et al).

Found a few new bands that I like. KXT and KTCU are the only stations I listen to for music. Very pleased so far with 91.7.

 

[SiriusTrouble]

I was hoping for something more like KGSR in Austin... you know where you recognize at least some of the songs...

11:14 AM "FAT MAN IN THE BATHTUB" - LITTLE FEAT
11:09 AM "CHAMPAGNE SUPERNOVA" - OASIS
11:00 AM "LISTEN TO THE DARKSIDE" - CHARLIE MARS
10:56 AM "DREAMS" - FLEETWOOD MAC
10:52 AM "HAZEL BLACK" - SEVEN WORLDS COLLIDE
10:48 AM "DON'T GET ME WRONG" - PRETENDERS
10:44 AM "BLUE MOON" - MAVERICKS
10:43 AM "BOAT BEHIND" - KINGS OF CONVENIENCE
10:40 AM "SHE MAKES ME FEEL GOOD" - LYLE LOVETT
10:28 AM "EMINENCE FRONT" - WHO
10:24 AM "EVERYDAY I WRITE THE BOOK" - ELVIS COSTELLO
10:21 AM "GONE GONE GONE (DONE MOVED O" - ROBERT PLANT/ALISON
10:16 AM "ONE HEADLIGHT" - WALLFLOWERS
10:13 AM "BOOGIE CHILLEN" - JOHN LEE HOOKER
10:10 AM "SEX AND CANDY" - MARCY PLAYGROUND
9:53 AM "DO YOU REMEMBER/REMEMBER" - JACK JOHNSON
9:49 AM "MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE" - POLICE
9:41 AM "SUPERMAN" - R.E.M.
9:38 AM "FEELIN' GOOD AGAIN" - ROBERT EARL KEEN
9:27 AM "SKATEAWAY" - DIRE STRAITS
9:23 AM "CRASH INTO ME" - DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
9:16 AM "VIVA LA VIDA" - COLDPLAY
9:12 AM "LEARN TO FLY" - FOO FIGHTERS
9:00 AM "SUGARFOOT" - BLACK JOE LEWIS
8:54 AM "AIN'T GONE 'N' GIVE UP ON LO" - STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN/D
8:50 AM "JAMMING" - BOB MARLEY/& THE WAI
8:46 AM "TAKE IT EASY" - EAGLES
8:37 AM "A COMMON DISASTER" - COWBOY JUNKIES
8:34 AM "COME AWAY WITH ME" - NORAH JONES
8:19 AM "AIRSTREAM DRIVER" - GOMEZ
8:15 AM "OLD MAN" - NEIL YOUNG
8:03 AM "REHAB" - AMY WINEHOUSE
7:54 AM "NATURAL FORCES (RADIO EDIT)" - LYLE LOVETT
7:50 AM "LONDON CALLING" - CLASH
7:45 AM "ONE TREE HILL" - U2
7:38 AM "I WAN'NA BE LIKE YOU (THE MO" - LOS LOBOS
7:34 AM "THE LONG WAY AROUND" - DIXIE CHICKS
7:30 AM "GOING TO CALIFORNIA" - LED ZEPPELIN
7:22 AM "THE NEWS" - CARBON/SILICON
7:17 AM "BITTER SWEET SYMPHONY" - VERVE

You don't know Neil Young? :

 

[critic319]

The verdict is Thank God For This.

 

[jd]

I turned it on in the middle of the night a while back and heard Steve Earle's "City Of Immigrants." I'm not saying that sealed the deal for me, but at the time it struck me as just the right thing. So I hung around for a while. Two thumbs up.

But...(and some of you probably feel the same way) the rest of the broadcast day I think they should lose the news.