Bad sound at KHYI

[Sgt. Hans G. Schultz]

Please do not tar and feather me for digging this up... ;D

I was listening to the Rockwall-Heath v Frisco-? h.s. football Friday night driving home from a few days in Arkansas. The constant mic feedback mayhem during the play-by-play was quite humorous, BUT, everytime they cut away for commercials, the sound quality was like it should be. I kept listening to see what would happen when they went back to music and unfortunately it was back to the same over-modulated AM/POTS line garbage. Anyone have any idea why commercials during the game sounded good? I enjoy the music The Range plays but I cannot bear listening to it.
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As I understand it, the game broadcasts for both KHYI and KXEZ are run out of the old KXEZ studios on Main St in downtown Allen, (that way, Ken only has to pay one board op to run both games) so the spot breaks for KHYI are not coming out of the main KHYI studios on Greenville Ave in Dallas. That might be the reason. ONE of the reasons the game audio sounds like crap is because they use a cell phone with an old Marti Cellcast unit.

 

[johnsummers]

It sounds like it's just overmodulated...badly!

 

[Lazy J]

So why doesn't somebody call them?
Doesn't anybody know who their engineer is?

 

[LibertyNT]

An Engineer can only do so much with a cheap owner.

It's also pretty bad when you call the station,
and the employees agree both the stations sound like crap.

 

[CTaylor]

I became program director of the station in May. I just wanted to say that yes, we are aware of the problem and I am working with the GM to find some solutions. I our staff meeting yesterday, I brought up the issue of the quality of the game broadcasts and am looking into what we can do on that end as well. You have to keep in mind that KHYI is a mom & pop, which means we don't have the $$$ of a huge corp like Cumulus or CC. I don't know what previous pds at the station did, but I promise I am aware of the situations and am working to improve everything I can. Small steps folks, small steps. Thanks for your concerns I truly appreciate them , and if you want to email me directly, my email is [email protected]

Thanks again!

Chuck

 

[LibertyNT]

What I don't get is,
both KHYI and KXEZ used to sound good.
Then one day poof, the audio went to total hell.

What are they using for an STL?
That would be the first thing I would change.

 

[radioaircheck]

WOW!! Ken hired a PD. Those radio statins have never had a PD. And for the record...KHYI has not sounded good in years!! I was in Texas a couple of weeks ago and the audio on KHYI was terrible. That is why the station is not going anywhere.

 

[Sgt. Hans G. Schultz]

An Engineer can only do so much with a cheap owner.

It's also pretty bad when you call the station,
and the employees agree both the stations sound like crap.
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An Engineer can only do so much when the engineer IS the cheap owner.

 

[Sgt. Hans G. Schultz]

I became program director of the station in May. I just wanted to say that yes, we are aware of the problem and I am working with the GM to find some solutions. I our staff meeting yesterday, I brought up the issue of the quality of the game broadcasts and am looking into what we can do on that end as well. You have to keep in mind that KHYI is a mom & pop, which means we don't have the $$$ of a huge corp like Cumulus or CC. I don't know what previous pds at the station did, but I promise I am aware of the situations and am working to improve everything I can. Small steps folks, small steps. Thanks for your concerns I truly appreciate them , and if you want to email me directly, my email is [email protected]

Thanks again!

Chuck

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When Ken owned and operated (that was on his business card: KEN JONES Owner - Operator... looked like he drove a semi rig) KTLR, 107.1 FM in Terrell, at one point he went through four PDs in a relatively short time. They were all the same person. J.P. Beard was hired and fired by Ken four times with no hires in between. John Paul couldn't get hired anywhere else and no one else would take the job in Terrell working for Ken.

Here's hoping, for your sake Mr. Taylor, God speed and that things work out better for you.

 

[317C50KW]

I became program director of the station in May. I just wanted to say that yes, we are aware of the problem and I am working with the GM to find some solutions. I our staff meeting yesterday, I brought up the issue of the quality of the game broadcasts and am looking into what we can do on that end as well. You have to keep in mind that KHYI is a mom & pop, which means we don't have the $$$ of a huge corp like Cumulus or CC. I don't know what previous pds at the station did, but I promise I am aware of the situations and am working to improve everything I can. Small steps folks, small steps. Thanks for your concerns I truly appreciate them , and if you want to email me directly, my email is [email protected]

Thanks again!

Chuck

When KHYI aired Wylie HS football a couple of seasons ago the person buying the time provided the station with Comrex Bluebox gear (which works really well) to give the games a "you are there quality." A Bluebox/Matrix pair isn't cheap but it won't drive away potential listeners.

Every time a Rockwall crew visits one pressbox I know of they throw them a line (literally) so they can at least be on a POTS connection instead of the cellcaster.

A couple of years ago the IT guy at one of the area high schools told me that a KXEZ crew showed up in the press box with what they called new equipment. They didn't have a clue as to how to make it work so the IT person spent 30 minutes figuring it out and getting them on the air.

I see there is someone locally doing games this year using Skype. That's the ultimate cheap.

 

[OHTBGH]

I became program director of the station in May. I just wanted to say that yes, we are aware of the problem and I am working with the GM to find some solutions. I our staff meeting yesterday, I brought up the issue of the quality of the game broadcasts and am looking into what we can do on that end as well. You have to keep in mind that KHYI is a mom & pop, which means we don't have the $$$ of a huge corp like Cumulus or CC. I don't know what previous pds at the station did, but I promise I am aware of the situations and am working to improve everything I can. Small steps folks, small steps. Thanks for your concerns I truly appreciate them , and if you want to email me directly, my email is [email protected]

Thanks again!

Chuck

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When Ken owned and operated (that was on his business card: KEN JONES Owner - Operator... looked like he drove a semi rig) KTLR, 107.1 FM in Terrell, at one point he went through four PDs in a relatively short time. They were all the same person. J.P. Beard was hired and fired by Ken four times with no hires in between. John Paul couldn't get hired anywhere else and no one else would take the job in Terrell working for Ken.

Here's hoping, for your sake Mr. Taylor, God speed and that things work out better for you.

Actually, he hired several at KTLR over the years. JP had been in and out several times. He hired me when I started there and also shared an apartment with him when I was in the process of moving to Terrell to live full time. There was a gentleman named Hal Murray that was a DJ in the Northwest U.S. and he also taught at Elkins Institute in its final days. He brought on a couple of students including Bob Hill. I believe he left to concentrate on teaching. Also there was a woman who was hired as PD. She lasted about two weeks! Although we had our suspicions, we never heard why.

Later Ken hired a seasoned guy from Louisiana named Josh Fuller. He was there pretty much until the end. Then the "jock in the box" showed up and KTLR was sold in that frequency swap and Ken got KHYI.

As to J P Beard, he was hired by KQEZ and worked up in the ball at Reunion Tower. That's how he was able to provide insurance for himself and his kid. And he met his wife there as well. After that he worked in security management. Last I heard he was living in Colin County.

I do not think the "Mom and Pop" operation is/was the reason for lack of funds. KTLR billed well for what it was. And Jones and his wife owned the Travel store two doors down as well.

Big house near the lake. Two Mercedes and one being "restored". Using people to "chicken wire" the station together and keep it running. (Remember the lightning strike on Valentine's Day in 1986?) And also ran for Mayor of Rockwall several times and actually served a few terms. Put his kids through college (One of them was even running KHYI I believe.) And paying minimum wage with no insurance as well.

So, uh NO. That Mom and Pop thingy is no excuse.

Try again! ;D

-BGH

 

[CTaylor]

"That Mom and Pop thingy is no excuse.

Try again!

-BGH"

Believe me or don't, I know what I've been told and I know that I have been working everyday since I was hired to affect change and will continue to do so for so long as I am employed at KHYI. Technical problems aside, I believe in the vision of the station and the music that we play. I maintain that I will continue to address the technical problems and it may take some time, but rest assured little by little they will be taken care of. I appreciate your comments and again welcome anyone to email me directly as I don't check this board everyday.

Thanks again!

Chuck

 

[OHTBGH]

"That Mom and Pop thingy is no excuse.

Try again!

-BGH"

Believe me or don't, I know what I've been told and I know that I have been working everyday since I was hired to affect change and will continue to do so for so long as I am employed at KHYI. Technical problems aside, I believe in the vision of the station and the music that we play. I maintain that I will continue to address the technical problems and it may take some time, but rest assured little by little they will be taken care of. I appreciate your comments and again welcome anyone to email me directly as I don't check this board everyday.

Thanks again!

Chuck

Chuck,

I'm sure your working your heart out over there and hope you get it working ok. I wish you nothing but the best of luck.

But the track record with this outfit in running radio is not by a shoestring but off the cotton itself still sitting on the bud!

Everyone has a go to person. Lowry Mays probably has Ken Jones on speed dial!

Its not so much a reputation. It left that solar system a Looooog time ago. Its a Dallas legend!

All this from a guy who said "I'd never amount to anything in radio"! ;D

All I can say is just make sure the cheques cash bruddah!

All the best,

- BGH

 

[CTaylor]

Just a quick update on the sound situation. One of the processors that was going bad, has been sent back to the manufactuer for refurb, also I have expressed to the engineers that there is a definate problem in the right channel with sizzle and static, these I'm told are trying to be identified and addressed. Remember folks as I said small steps, but I am working to address all the sound issues to make the station better.

Thanks for sticking in there! And again my email is [email protected] if you'd like address me personally.

Chuck

 

[jkentclax]

I hope they get the sound fixed soon! You can't even hear the station right now. If i could pick up 95.9 the ranch in dallas, i wouldnt even bother with khyi again.

 

[julesism]

I hope they get the sound fixed soon! You can't even hear the station right now. If i could pick up 95.9 the ranch in dallas, i wouldnt even bother with khyi again.

amen and good point. There is a CP (http://radio-locator.net/info/KFWR-FM) that might help 95.9 The Range get in but it's kinda pointless assuming the Spanish religious translator K240DS is still on...

 

[Texas Gentleman]

KHYI, 95.3 transmission problems are being addressed. Optimod intermittent. KHYI.com, clear & consistant. Thank you for your patience & loyalty. On another note, thank you one & all for the most successful EVER Canvas for Kids Christmas benefit. Over 9 grand from Range listeners that care. The presentation to the Collin County abused kids will be made at a celebration that you are invited to. Date & place to be named shortly. As they say........."stay tuned".

 

[LibertyNT]

When will they do something with 92.1?
It sounds just as bad.
Personally I think DG's classic country has slipped a bit, its not as good any more.

 

[jkentclax]

The station has sounded this way for several years! I really want to listen to KHYI, but am getting fed up. I was evenin the arbitron panel, and the ratings have since dropped.

 

[CTaylor]

Couple of Quick Notes, the constant static and sizzle in the right channel was found to be a problem with one of the STL units. it has been dropped off with Marti in Cleburne and should be back in place as soon as they make their repairs. A tube in the transmitter that went out has been replaced and KHYI is now operating at 100% power. (Stronger signal on my car radio than my former employer which was mentioned just earlier in this thread) which brings me to my third note, KFWR is not the same format as KHYI, sure they play Texas/Red Dirt, but that's where they leave it. We bring Americana into the mix as well. On KHYI you'll hear more Steve Earle, Joe Ely, Townes Van Zandt, along with acts that the other guys just won't play like Fred Eaglesmith, or Corb Lund, or even the Hottest new act in the nation right now out of Austin, Sons of Fathers. And yes the spanish religious translator is still on and they've been saying they were going to move the tower out of Mineral Wells for years even when I was there from 05-08, it was always, according to mgmt just months away.