Chalk Hill Communications buys KXAL-FM

[Iused2nothat]

My understanding is that translators relaying NCEs are not bound by the rule requiring reception via the mother station's off-air signal. Would this not apply to LPFMs or are LPFMs not given the same privileges as NCEs? (Hope I'm not showing my ignorance here by asking.)

Only translators in the non-commercial band have exceptions to the over-the-air rule. I suspect translators relaying LPFM's would be exempt from the over-the-air rule if and only if they were in the non-commercial band. It may be possible to have a few such translators in the non-comm band as LPFM's are non-comm operations.

Kent, that only applies to translators that are co-owned with the primary station. Since LPFM's can't own any other properties (translators included) the translator would still have to be fed "off the air at the translator site".

 

[C414B]

FCC database now shows The Church at Lake Cherokee as licensee of KZQX-LP. It also shows the application for transfer of KXAL as "granted" although it's still showing Bill Waller's name as licensee.

I'm glad to see 100.3 now being programmed locally. I've thought for a long time that signal was one that would be a great "hometown radio" signal for someone. I look forward to hearing of Chuck building on the success of QX-LP on the new QX-FM.

 

[Chuck]

It went on the air about 4:00 PM November 5th. It actually sounds pretty good, if I do say so myself. The new DSP-Xtra audio processor has really helped with the audio quality.

We are filing for a call sign swap, but that will probably take a couple of weeks. Until then KXAL is rebroadcasting the LPFM station which has not yet changed formats. That overlap should give folks a little while to get used to the new dial position. When the FCC approves the call sign swap, the "QX-FM" format will migrate to 100.3 and the Churches' low power station will flip to light classical and jazz. I think quite a few people in the area will be pleased with the new listening choices

 

[bub]

Chuck:

Sorry I'm way late to the party. Congratulations!!!

 

[billyg]

It went on the air about 4:00 PM November 5th. It actually sounds pretty good, if I do say so myself. The new DSP-Xtra audio processor has really helped with the audio quality.

I've never heard of the DSP-Xtra processor, but it sounds much better than whatever 100.3 was using before.

Also congrats on making the Longview News-Journal, here's their website's version.

http://www.news-journal.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/11/08/11082009_Classical_radio.html?imw=Y

 

[Chuck]

I've never heard of the DSP-Xtra processor, but it sounds much better than whatever 100.3 was using before.

The DSP-Xtra is made by Broadcast Warehouse in London. It is a very good processor that holds its own with anything currently available. KZQX has used their processing products for quite a long time. We originally had an Orban 8000 that I found on eBay (money was tight). Somehow I stumbled across BW when they were developing their first product, the DSP-X. We were a Beta Test site with serial number 004 in service for a long time. We both learned a lot from the experience, but it was positive for both of us. I'm quite sure it is one of the reasons KZQX-LP sounded as decent as it did. I guess my philosophy is "you don't have to sound small, even if you are small."

The DSP-Xtra includes an Arianne Leveler, which is one of the most amazing compressor/limiters I've ever seen (I've been involved in professional audio most of my life). While there are many good products out there, this one is certainly worth your consideration, assuming you need such a product.

 

[C414B]

Was in East Texas last week and listened to the "new" QX-FM on 100.3 and was impressed by the on-air sound. The processing sounded really good, IMO.

If you're wondering, I was mainly on the west side of the listening area. I started picking it up good around Turnertown. Listened through Henderson and north into Longview. The signal finally gave up the (strong) ghost in Gladewater.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for the listening report. I’m still tweaking. As you may guess, this is a "work in progress." The next big hurdle is swapping all the formats, frequencies etc. to comply with our request for a call letter change. It looks like that will happen on Wednesday, but right now I can't confirm that. When it happens, East Texas will get a new Classical and Jazz station.

It is an interesting adventure….

 

[billyg]

Thanks for the listening report. I’m still tweaking. As you may guess, this is a "work in progress." The next big hurdle is swapping all the formats, frequencies etc. to comply with our request for a call letter change. It looks like that will happen on Wednesday, but right now I can't confirm that. When it happens, East Texas will get a new Classical and Jazz station.

It is an interesting adventure….

I hope you dont get any complaints from listeners in Kilgore, Liberty City used to hearing 105.3 saying they can't pick up 100.3 on their (cheap) home portable or clock radios. From driving around, it seems Kilgore's right at the fringe of 100.3's local signal. And in the past, some mornings I've caught KJKK (Jack FM) from Dallas overpowering it here.

 

[Chuck]

I hope you dont get any complaints from listeners in Kilgore, Liberty City used to hearing 105.3 saying they can't pick up 100.3 on their (cheap) home portable or clock radios. From driving around, it seems Kilgore's right at the fringe of 100.3's local signal. And in the past, some mornings I've caught KJKK (Jack FM) from Dallas overpowering it here.

That's a real possibility. Although its 60 dbu contour extends west of Kilgore, it seems the Dallas station seems to encroach on it. Any way you slice it, it is a "challenged" frequency. You need something better than an $11.95 radio from the drug store.

 

[billyg]

That's a real possibility. Although its 60 dbu contour extends west of Kilgore, it seems the Dallas station seems to encroach on it. Any way you slice it, it is a "challenged" frequency. You need something better than an $11.95 radio from the drug store.

Not me, I was thinking of the elderly and poor people who couldn't afford a good radio.

I have quite a few good boom boxes and a 100w Optimus Receiver (that I bought in the late 80's when Radio Shack still made decent stereo gear) that can lock in 100.3 just fine. ;D

 

[Chuck]

That's a real possibility. Although its 60 dbu contour extends west of Kilgore, it seems the Dallas station seems to encroach on it. Any way you slice it, it is a "challenged" frequency. You need something better than an $11.95 radio from the drug store.

Not me, I was thinking of the elderly and poor people who couldn't afford a good radio.

I have quite a few good boom boxes and a 100w Optimus Receiver (that I bought in the late 80's when Radio Shack still made decent stereo gear) that can lock in 100.3 just fine. ;D

I'm glad you can get it OK, but I am concerned for people who are used to getting it on their cheap radio in Kilgore. There really isn't a good answer. We are getting phone calls and emails from Marshall, Carthage and Henderson who can now get us with no problem. I guess you have to take the good with the bad, but Kilgore has been very supportive of the LPFM. Perhaps people who have trouble with 100.3 will enjoy the new format on 105.3.

Incidentally, the call letter swap became effective about 5:00 PM today. 100.3 is now "KZQX-FM." 104.7 is now "KXAL-LP."

 

[C414B]

Is 100.3's studios now the old 104.7's studios?

 

[Chuck]

Is 100.3's studios now the old 104.7's studios?

Yes.

 

[C414B]

Is 100.3's studios now the old 104.7's studios?

Yes.

Where are the "new" 104.7 studios?

 

[Chuck]

Is 100.3's studios now the old 104.7's studios?

Yes.

Where are the "new" 104.7 studios?

100.3 is now being fed through the old "LP" studios. New equipment has been installed for KXAL-LP, which is currently, in the same building, just another area. Since the format was going to change anyway, it was easier to assemble a new studio for the LP than try to move it and keep the station on the air.

The church is currently building a new Fellowship Hall (the sanctuary is new too). There is a room in there where it will eventually move to, but there is a lot of finish work to do before that happens. It is about a mile or so from our current location. There is no plan to move the transmitter site, since I need a tower for STL purposes for 100.3. Keeping the FM transmitter on my tower is a lot cheaper than trying to move it, and it doesn't eat much.

 

[C414B]

There is no plan to move the transmitter site, since I need a tower for STL purposes for 100.3. Keeping the FM transmitter on my tower is a lot cheaper than trying to move it, and it doesn't eat much.

Makes perfect sense to me. Thanks for the info. Hope all is well with you.