Re: The further adventures of KILE...
> > ...KILE is still trying to get a nighttime
> > license. The latest application from RAFTT is for 100 watts
> > non directional from a CenterPoint Energy tower in most
> > likely the 4300 block of Bissonnet in West U.
>
> And they mention on the application, in so many words, that
> the 100 watts is kind of a temporary fix until they get the
> OTHER application approved. (100-watt cart pulling a
> 5000-watt horse, I guess. Think about it.)
>
> > I'm surprised that KILE is even bothering to apply for a
> > night license. The are licensed for sunrise to sunset only,
> > but operate from 6am to midnight year round. They just had
> > their license renewed for another eight years, so they are
> > good to go on breaking the rules.
>
> Didn't somebody try to convince us one time that KILE
> actually does have a post-sunset authority? If that were
> true it would allow them to operate until sunset in
> Bakersfield CA, but certainly not 'til midnight Houston
> time.
>
I made some phone calls and finally got someone named George, I think, that said they had permission to operate until 10pm everynight because they had pre and post sunset authorization. We both know that pre and post auth only buys you two hours of time. If by chance KILE had been given the same privileges as WQEW, the 50kW Radio Disney outlet from NYC, they would have had four hours at night. KILE is strictly a sunrise sunset operation, that has gotten away with a lot and keeps pushing it further. He didn't even know how much power KILE was allowed to run days, except it would be 50kW very soon. This call was probably two years ago. If you go to KILE's web site though, they have programs scheduled from 0600 to 2400!
>
> CW mentioned that the CP for the new 50,000 watt daytime
> array is about to run out, but I just noticed that they had
> another application reinstated (50kW day/5kW night,
> different site at night). There were also a couple of
> engineering amendments made to the [amended] application, so
> we'll see. I'm sure they'll buy ($$$) some time with the
> FCC if it gets to crunch time for firing up the big rig.
>
The permit for KILE to be operating at 50kW daytime runs out on September 28th at 0300. They have four days to proof the pattern and get the FCC's blessing to operate or they lose that CP. The FCC does not toll or extend CP's any more, except under the most extreme case. I doubt that RAFTT has the pull or $$$$ to get an extension like Cumulus pulled off with KIOL. Somehow 1560 better be pumping out 50000 watts in the correct pattern or they will lose that CP. Their filing three or four apps at the last minute is not going to win them any friends or time at the FCC. They did get screwed on a 10kW nighttime app they had though. The FCC turned it down because it sent too much power over Cuba! Cuba has been f'ing with our stations for years and yet the FCC still abides by the NARBA Treaty, the only country that does. Even Canada and Mexico only use the Treaty when it might be to their advantage. Both countries are citing the Treaty as a reason against nighttime IBOC, which I agree with. Canada or more exactly, Toronto is using some of the same frequencies that Buffalo is assigned. The Canadian stations are careful not to send any power into the States, but if they followed the Treaty they are cochannel short by about 230km. I just read in M Street Journal that the town of Haldimand where my late aunt lived, was just authorizied a station on 92.9, less than 60 miles from Buffalo's 92.9 which operates with nearly 100kW. I think the Canadian station is authorized around 30kW, should be a mess. Buffalo's 92.9 is south of the city in the foothills of the Alleghany's with a tall antenna and has a straight water path across Lake Erie to Haldimand. I do like Canada's spacing requirements for Toronto, no spacing distance even for a second adjacent FM in the city. KIOL-KFNC and other rimshot stations would not have the problem getting a signal into Houston that is usable 24/7 they do now.
I should start another poll, now that Mexico is using the X-Band, what month and year will the X-Band be a sea of Spanish-language stations and not a US signal to be heard in the SW US? I say March 06.
Mike O