94.3 Tyler

[C414B]

I've asked this before and didn't find out anything. So, here goes again....

There's a Spanish signal at 94.3 in Tyler. I'm thinking it may be a translator. Whatever it is, it sounded over-modulated/distorted just after 5 this afternoon.

Anybody know anything about this??

 

[jd]

I've asked this before and didn't find out anything. So, here goes again....

There's a Spanish signal at 94.3 in Tyler. I'm thinking it may be a translator. Whatever it is, it sounded over-modulated/distorted just after 5 this afternoon.

Anybody know anything about this??

Wish I could help, but I'm baffled too. I heard the station on two trips to Tyler, several months apart, while I was checking for the KJTX Jefferson translator on 94.1; it wasn't there but 94.3 was, airing nondescript Spanish religious in mono. Both times the audio was fairly clean. It seemed strongest near the South Loop and Broadway, but signal strength was a fraction of something like the 250-watt KERA translator (100.1). Nothing on rec-net, no record at the FCC, so it really sounds like a pirate.

 

[C414B]

I've asked this before and didn't find out anything. So, here goes again....

There's a Spanish signal at 94.3 in Tyler. I'm thinking it may be a translator. Whatever it is, it sounded over-modulated/distorted just after 5 this afternoon.

Anybody know anything about this??

Wish I could help, but I'm baffled too. I heard the station on two trips to Tyler, several months apart, while I was checking for the KJTX Jefferson translator on 94.1; it wasn't there but 94.3 was, airing nondescript Spanish religious in mono. Both times the audio was fairly clean. It seemed strongest near the South Loop and Broadway, but signal strength was a fraction of something like the 250-watt KERA translator (100.1). Nothing on rec-net, no record at the FCC, so it really sounds like a pirate.

I figured that was probably the place. I remembered seeing a translator allocation at 94.1 and wondered if perhaps somebody missed the mark when they tuned the transmitter.

I have received it solid going east/southeast toward Chapel Hill until almost to Chapel Hill. If it's a pirate, they sure are taking a chance with that kind of coverage area.

The other thing I wonder is this...if it's a pirate and I'm not the only one to know about it, how come nobody else has said anything about it?

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

Could this translator somehow be off frequnecy and gone without maintence for so long it drifted or something?

I can't imagine why someone would put a pirate up if there was a licensed 94.1... Im thinking the 94.3 is what the 94.1 should be.

 

[C414B]

Could this translator somehow be off frequnecy and gone without maintence for so long it drifted or something?

I can't imagine why someone would put a pirate up if there was a licensed 94.1... Im thinking the 94.3 is what the 94.1 should be.

Thing is, this signal never started out on 94.1...I've always heard it at 94.3.

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

I'm aware of that.. but there's a licensed translator on 94.1 or should be.. and I wonder if there's something wrong with that translator from the get go...

 

[jd]

I'm aware of that.. but there's a licensed translator on 94.1 or should be.. and I wonder if there's something wrong with that translator from the get go...

Paul, on the one hand you may be onto something, in that the signal strength of 94.3 in the area eastsoutheast of Tyler that C414B described would coincide with the location of the translator licensed on 94.1: www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=K231AL&service=FX&status=L&hours=U

What doesn't stack up it that the translator supposedly was put on the air to rebroadcast KJTX 104.5 over in Jefferson, which airs gospel programming. Getting the OK to use one frequency but actually using another, then not electing to go with their first choice of a station to rebroadcast might be kind of a reach, but I guess anything's possible. Having been unable to reach anyone at KJTX, though, I can't confirm what's really going on.

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

I'll see if I can contact KJTX and see what I come up with.

And as for rebroadcasting another station other then the planned one... you HAVE to specify the originating signal when you file, that's a requirement. But there's nothing to say that can't change before you even get on the air.. or down the road.

 

[Chuck]

I've wondered about the KJTX translator. The FCC stipulates that all translators in the commercial band must receive their signals off the air, either from the originating station, or from another translator that rebroadcasts that signal. I doubt very seriously that it is possible to pick up KJTX off the air in Tyler. Can anyone in Tyler confirm or deny that?

If you decide to use the translator to rebroadcast another signal, you are supposed to file a modification to your construction permit. I haven't seen one of those either. I do know KJTX has (or is) replacing their antenna, and filed appropriately with the FCC.

 

[C414B]

I'm aware of that.. but there's a licensed translator on 94.1 or should be.. and I wonder if there's something wrong with that translator from the get go...

Well, you may be right. Seems Paulino Bernal Evangelism, the licensee of the 94.1 translator, has been in hot water with the FCC before. Google the name and you will find the FCC levied them for $25K for main studio, EAS and public file violations for a station in Boerne.

Whaddayawannabet there's something fishy here, too?

I am in no way carte blanche against Christian radio. Got two of 'em on my resume. But, a spade is a spade. And, I think that the Christian broadcasters should hold themselves to a higher standard.

Thoughts?

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

I do recall reading that Notice of Violation against them.

They had n oreal local studio, everything was stuffed at the transmitter site and the "volunteer: they had didn't staff the site 9 to 5, nor did they speak english.

I'll let you know when I get to the bottom of this..

 

[jd]

I do recall reading that Notice of Violation against them.

They had no real local studio, everything was stuffed at the transmitter site and the "volunteer: they had didn't staff the site 9 to 5, nor did they speak english.

I'll let you know when I get to the bottom of this..

Just a thought, and mind you this is purely speculation: right or wrong, if it really is the translator that was licensed for 94.1, that's really not a very desirable frequency for the Tyler area. Seems that Estereo Latino (KLNO 94.1) from Dallas-Fort Worth is easily received almost all the way to the Tyler city limits. 94.3 is pretty much wide open, making it a better choice. Not legal, of course, but certainly a lot cleaner for a translator operation in the Tyler area.

 

[Chuck]

According to the FCC's CDBS, there was a construction permit granted for a translator on 94.3 in Tyler, back in 1992. There was also one made by the same applicant for Kilgore, back in the mid 1980's. Both have been cancelled.

The only thing I can find in this area is KXVI-LP which is licensed to Winnfield. That's North-Northeast from Tyler. Being pretty familiar with the coverage areas of LPFM's and translators, I'd think it highly unusual that it might be receivable in Tyler.

Unfortunately, the FCC's own web site is not always up to date, but I'm betting it is a pirate.

 

[Chuck]

You guys may be right. 94.1 is licensed to Paulino Bernal Evangelism:

K231AL
Facility Id: 87437
Community of License: TYLER, TX
Service: FX
Fac Type: FM TRANSLATOR
Status: LICENSED
Status Date: 07/12/2004
Frequency: 94.1
Channel: 231
Digital Status:
Lic Expir: 08/01/2013
Licensee: PAULINO BERNAL EVANGELISM
Address: PO BOX 252
Address 2:
City: MCALLEN
State: TX
Zip Code: 78505 -
Phone Number:

 

[Chuck]

As I look through the FCC's database, I notice that the translator application for Wisdom Ministries (KJTX) is no longer there. Am I hallucinating? I'm pretty sure that it was there at one point.

There are three translator applications for Tyler that are pending. One is for 97.9. It has a Construction Permit, but is not on the air, licensed to: Starboard Media Foundation, Inc. from Green Bay, WI.

The other two are 98.7 and 104.9 which are applied for, but haven't been granted. Both of those are from E-String Wireless from San Antonio. E-String filed for quite a few applications during The Great Translator Invasion. As you probably know translator applications were frozen almost two years ago by the FCC, so who knows what will happen to them. Gotta admit, I'd sure like to have any one of those.