AM night signal patterns

[sptdfb]

Greetings, all. What would you describe as the relative strengths and weaknesses of KBME's (790 AM) night signal pattern, particularly when compared with KTRH's night coverage area? Thanks.

David

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Greetings, all. What would you describe as the relative strengths and weaknesses of KBME's (790 AM) night signal pattern, particularly when compared with KTRH's night coverage area? Thanks.

David

KBME obviously protects KFYO Lubbock and WMC Memphis. KTRH protects KRMG Tulsa and WYGM Orlando - among others. The net effect is that both stations throw a lot of power over the Gulf, not a lot inland, barely covering Houston. Of the two, KTRH has the edge, but I wouldn't think there is much potential North of Houston for a clear signal on either. Houston definitely got left out when clear channels were assigned, and doesn't really have any good regionals either. Although I have received the old KILT 610 daytime in Lubbock, TX in the early 70's. And I had some luck with KTRH in Midland in spite of heavy interference from a 740 in Carlsbad. But that was daytime, too. Nighttime in West Texas was a mixture of KRMG and KTRH. West Texas was dominated by KFYO at night. I never received KBME at night in Dallas. Daytime 740 was a weak mixture of KRMG and KTRH. Nighttime 740 in Dallas was a mixture of KRMG and KTRH, with KRMG having the edge.

 

[TXCalradio]

When did they actually assign clear channels to specific markets?

 

[purpledevil]

Greetings, all. What would you describe as the relative strengths and weaknesses of KBME's (790 AM) night signal pattern, particularly when compared with KTRH's night coverage area? Thanks.

David

David, I live and work in north Houston. I can tell you that neither signal is exceptional, but KBME is the stronger of the two up here at night. With that being said, going north of Rayford/Sawdust basically renders both signals unlistenable in my experiences. I am certain that you are asking this question for feedback due to the Rockets games being simulcast on both signals. KBME, obviously, doesn't have the overall reach that KTRH does considering the difference in signal strength. The only time that the Rockets games are truly covering the entire market are when you guys are broadcasting on KODA. CBS knew there were limitations on any AM stick in Houston, as when the Rockets were broadcast on 610, the games were being simulcast on 100.3 and then 96.5 once CBS acquired it.

Which leads me to my question. Considering the above mentioned troubles with receiving the games on either KBME or KTRH in the northern areas of Houston, has it been considered to air the Rockets on an FM permanently? I assume that would be rather difficult on KODA, considering its target demo, but why not air the Rockets on 94.5? KTBZ has a great signal that covers a healthy portion of SE Texas.

Given the complications with the unavailability of CSN Houston on most carriers here in Houston and the lack of a true flagship radio station that covers the entire market, the Rockets are in a heck of a predicament right now. Personally, I'm a bit miffed regarding the Rockets broadcasts right now. I don't have CSN Houston so I can't actually WATCH the games, and it's not easy to listen to the radio broadcasts with the static and noise that is KTRH and KBME up here. I guess the same will happen with the start of the Astros season....but then again, who'll really be watching anyway? I do find it amazing that the Astros get fulltime game broadcasts including pregame and postgame shows on the 50kW KTRH, while the one time back to back World Champs get KBME as their consolation prize. Why aren't the Rockets on KTRH fulltime too?

Now, where do I pick up my check for consultation fees? ;D Kidding, of course. Hope I was able to help you with my personal experiences.

 

[Mediafrog+]

KTRH has a major lobe heading SW at night. No problems receiving them in Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and the RGV. There is a lesser lobe towards B/PA.

KBME seems to do well S and SE, but has a big null to the SW that wrecks reception in the western and southwestern parts of the market. The night signal to the west is pretty lousy as well--on a recent night trip to Austin KBME was swaped by co-channel stations by the time I got to Hempstead.

Neither KTRH or KBME has much of a signal to the north. In the Texas Panhandle KRMG booms in, with no trace of KTRH. On a visit to Carlsbad, New Mexico some years ago I could hear KTRH weakly underneath the local 740.

The main reason Houston missed out on having powerful non-directional stations is due to most of the city's growth coming long after the 1941 NARBA treaty. Houston simply was not a big enough player at the time, and the total number of stations on the air here was surprisingly small.

Also keep in mind our geography here--It is easy to conjure up signal patterns that just dump RF into the Gulf, covering the metro area but little else.

Will be interesting to see how much the co-channel interference issues subside when Mexico completes the big migration to FM removing around 80% of the AM stations there.

 

[Smittian]

KTRH booms in like a local in the RGV, especially the closer one gets to the coast. In 23 years down here, I've never picked up 790 day or night. KBME doesn't even make it to Rockport

 

[dfwrunner]

KTRH has a major lobe heading SW at night. No problems receiving them in Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and the RGV. There is a lesser lobe towards B/PA.

KBME seems to do well S and SE, but has a big null to the SW that wrecks reception in the western and southwestern parts of the market. The night signal to the west is pretty lousy as well--on a recent night trip to Austin KBME was swaped by co-channel stations by the time I got to Hempstead.

Neither KTRH or KBME has much of a signal to the north. In the Texas Panhandle KRMG booms in, with no trace of KTRH. On a visit to Carlsbad, New Mexico some years ago I could hear KTRH weakly underneath the local 740.

The main reason Houston missed out on having powerful non-directional stations is due to most of the city's growth coming long after the 1941 NARBA treaty. Houston simply was not a big enough player at the time, and the total number of stations on the air here was surprisingly small.

Also keep in mind our geography here--It is easy to conjure up signal patterns that just dump RF into the Gulf, covering the metro area but little else.

Will be interesting to see how much the co-channel interference issues subside when Mexico completes the big migration to FM removing around 80% of the AM stations there.

...Indianapolis didn't get one but Fort Wayne did??

 

[gbranch]

The main reason Houston missed out on having powerful non-directional stations is due to most of the city's growth coming long after the 1941 NARBA treaty. Houston simply was not a big enough player at the time, and the total number of stations on the air here was surprisingly small.

I have never bought into that theory. In 1940, Houston was the largest city in Texas and 21st largest in the US. Larger than Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Shreveport, Atlanta, Denver, or Tulsa. All of those cities got class I stations. The proximity to the gulf may have played into it, but, if that were the reason, how did New Orleans get 870?

Source: http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027/tab17.txt

 

[Transisterman]

I cannot hear either station after 6:30PM here in Kingwood

 

[notmenoti]

KTRH is very poor in Conroe and Willis. I've not tried the other one.

 

[Shannon]

In the early 70's, I worked all-nites at KULF 790. On a regular basis, I would receive calls, via ham radio operators, from ships at sea, 2-300 miles out in the gulf who were listening. We had a great nite time signal, but most of it went out to sea.

Of course, this was when there was live, local programing.

Jim Shannon

 

[foursider]

That's because the transmitter site was right on the coast. Out on Battleground Road in Deer Park, and pointed right out into the Gulf.

 

[schmave]

KTRH is very poor in Conroe and Willis. I've not tried the other one.

Several years back when I lived in Houston, I remember driving home from an assignment up near The Woodlands and being able to listen to an NFL game on 790. Never did check 740 when I was up there, but I do know 610 is darn near unlistenable coming down 45 almost until you're within sight of the towers.
The biggest problem area I personally heard with 790 was in Sugar Land, where it could be tough as nails to pick up until you got east of that nasty null.

 

[TooMuchCoffee]

I was always disappointed that KTRH was so weak over land to the north, even though I know they protect KRMG in Tulsa and KVOR in Colorado Springs.

 

[jd]

One minor point about that. KTRH preceded those other stations on the frequency, and thus KRMG affords protection toward KTRH. On the other hand, KVOR tucks in their signal toward Tulsa; any protection from the Colorado Springs station to KTRH is somewhat incidental.

When all is said and done, however, every U.S. station on 740 affords protection toward Canada since it's a Canadian clear.

 

[ChuckTiller]

1070 was designated as a Canadian clear as well.

 

[93-3TheSurge]

KBME may protect KFYO Lubbock and WMC Memphis, but XEFE Nuevo Laredo definitely doesn't protect KBME.

 

[davideduardo]

One minor point about that. KTRH preceded those other stations on the frequency, and thus KRMG affords protection toward KTRH. On the other hand, KVOR tucks in their signal toward Tulsa; any protection from the Colorado Springs station to KTRH is somewhat incidental.

When all is said and done, however, every U.S. station on 740 affords protection toward Canada since it's a Canadian clear.

Take a look at several sets of KTRH engineering from the 40's at

http://www.americanradiohistory.com/The-Crypt.htm

It's the item on the first line at the far right.

There is the 1940 50 kw application, and several changes from the late 40's, including maps showing the required protection.

 

[JustinT]

The biggest problem area I personally heard with 790 was in Sugar Land, where it could be tough as nails to pick up until you got east of that nasty null.

Came across a 790 billboard tonight outside Wharton... day or night, does KBME ever put enough signal into that area to warrant a billboard?

 

[stan]

I don't understand why 'protection' is afforded distant stations such that these stations can't be heard in their own city of license. No wonder AM is dying.