Is Cox ever going to do anything with the empty translator on 104.9?

[Anonymouse]

It's been up since last Wednesday and you'd think they'd start broadcasting by now, but nope. I've never heard any audio put on that radio station, and the empty carrier covers much of the city.

All it does is interfere with some stations that are really close to it, not to mention the fact that it's probably a huge electricity waster.
I plan to try getting through on the phone to someone at Cox tomorrow and asking them what's up, will report back if I find anything. Seriously you'd think they'd put up a legal ID or something, but nope I haven't heard a peep.

 

[Ryan Williams]

All it does is interfere with some stations that are really close to it, not to mention the fact that it's probably a huge electricity waster.

A 250 watt translator is NOT a huge power suck. The tower rent is probably many times more than the monthly electric bill.

 

[Anonymouse]

Update: The transmitter is now off at the time of this writing. Looks like they saw this post or finally figured out something was up, or else they decided to stop testing.

 

[jd]

Any of the above could have happened, but who can answer the question about who put it on the air? As we've talked about before, Cox doesn't own it and the sale by Houston Christian Broadcasters is still being scrutinized. This may be a case of seriously jumping the gun by either or both of the companies involved. I'm certain that the people at Clear Channel are taking notes, too.

 

[Anonymouse]

Keeping quiet was probably a good idea. Who knows how long they would have left it on with no audio if I hadn't asked here.
And that's all assuming they read this. But I'll guess they do, as the thing was shut off almost right after I posted.

 

[beaun]

Yes, I am sure all the radio executives are reading this board first thing every day. If they did or cared, things might sound a bit different

 

[jd]

It doesn't have to be anyone in an executive position who might make take notice, since anyone reading a thread could pass the word to somebody who would (or should) care.

You and I have no way of knowing who actually reads these boards. A number of members have noticed things--coincidences, if you will--that seemed to occur when a particular subject was mentioned here. As I'm posting this, in fact, the number of "guests" on line outnumber actual "users" (members) by a ratio of three to one. So you can never tell:

I'm certain that the people at Clear Channel are taking notes, too.

I'll stand by that statement, because unlike your comment, it's a fact.

 

[Anonymouse]

The translator has signed back on, it's simulcasting KKYX 680! They're feeding 104.9 directly and not pulling 680 in with an antenna, as it's in stereo and doesn't sound AM quality. They're also announcing KKYX is now on FM!

Only hope they were given the OK by now - if not they might be shut off.

 

[Anonymouse]

From the KKYX Facebook page:

Today is a big day for KKYX - we've returned to FM in San Antonio!! Listen at 104.9 FM!

 

[willdav713]

From the KKYX Facebook page:

Today is a big day for KKYX - we've returned to FM in San Antonio!! Listen at 104.9 FM!

I knew KKYX would come back to FM! Now to bring back 106.7 JAMZ!!! ;D

 

[jras20]

What are the calls on 104.9? It's not listed in radio locator.

 

[jd]

It's K285EU, and Radio-Locator isn't showing the coverage probably because the FCC currently has it listed as "licensed and silent." Here's the predicted coverage map (60 dBu contour) from the construction permit: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://tr...eq=104.9&contour=60&city=MENDOZA&state=TX.kml

 

[jd]

Regarding the "licensed and silent" status mentioned above, HCB has been busy filing applications, modifications and notifications in the last few days.

They notified the FCC of the resumption of operation for the 104.9 translator. They filed for a license to cover construction of the facility at the Cox compound (The FCC shows that as "accepted for filing.") They had previously notified the FCC of their intention to use K285EU to rebroadcast KKYX, and also noted in another filing by their Kerrville station that the translator wouldn't be rebroadcasting KKER from there as had been previously mentioned, but KKYX instead. That might seem to be a little redundant, but it's a case of CYA.

What hasn't happened yet apparently is any request to modify the translator license to reflect the community served from Mendoza to San Antonio. No big deal, though, it's only about 60 miles!

Oh, and one more thing...click the link, go to the bottom of the page and read the "Consolidated Joint Opposition": https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/w...xt=25&appn=101551080&formid=917&fac_num=87144

Cox and Houston Christian Broadcasters have united to question Clear Channel's right to protest the whole translator deal. The drama continues...

 

[Infamous]

Regarding the "licensed and silent" status mentioned above, HCB has been busy filing applications, modifications and notifications in the last few days.

They notified the FCC of the resumption of operation for the 104.9 translator. They filed for a license to cover construction of the facility at the Cox compound (The FCC shows that as "accepted for filing.") They had previously notified the FCC of their intention to use K285EU to rebroadcast KKYX, and also noted in another filing by their Kerrville station that the translator wouldn't be rebroadcasting KKER from there as had been previously mentioned, but KKYX instead. That might seem to be a little redundant, but it's a case of CYA.

What hasn't happened yet apparently is any request to modify the translator license to reflect the community served from Mendoza to San Antonio. No big deal, though, it's only about 60 miles!

Oh, and one more thing...click the link, go to the bottom of the page and read the "Consolidated Joint Opposition": https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/w...xt=25&appn=101551080&formid=917&fac_num=87144

Cox and Houston Christian Broadcasters have united to question Clear Channel's right to protest the whole translator deal. The drama continues...

They certainly have some really good valid points in the opposition letter. And $250K is definitely not underpaying for a translator in SA. If you look at what Benavides paid for K272EK ($200K) or what Barger paid for K279AB ($125K) or what Lopez paid for K289BN ($25K) or even Radio Ola's K229BJ ($150K) then I'd say Cox paid about $50-$100K too much.

 

[jd]

Yes, the response does address some good issues, and you're absolutely right about the price. Clear Channel shouldn't have brought "fair market value" to the forefront of the deal. Instead, as I said early on, they should have made their case around "serial minor change applications" filed by HCB to accomplish a major change - the move from the original Mendoza location to San Antonio. Cox's investigation of that, along with accusations of misleading or blatantly false statements along the way laid the groundwork for Clear Channel to file the protest. But since Cox dropped their opposition to HCB's actions and have become partners (not really a holy alliance, I'd say) it appears they may be getting the upper hand.

 

[fredcantu]

Serial minor changes is an accepted business practice. That's how EMF's 103.1 translator in San Marcos ended up in Austin as part of CC's cluster.

 

[Infamous]

Serial minor changes is an accepted business practice.

Not anymore. The FCC cracked down on all that because "satellators" like EMF, Calvary Chapel, CSN, Radio Assist Ministry, Edgewater, etc started to flood the FCC with all those serial minor changes looking to move in translators into better markets in multiple hops. The FCC has stated that major change by multiple minor change applications is an abuse of process.

 

[jd]

The FCC has stated that major change by multiple minor change applications is an abuse of process.

It's noteworthy that the case of K276EL isn't an example of that, since all of their minor changes - except the one that relocated it to Austin - involved sites in and around San Marcos.