K-Love/94.3FM

[skywatchbob]

I noticed this week that WJKL/K-Love now has Glendale Heights as its city of license.
Is there a plan to move the transmitter?
Will they be changing the signal?
I hope we can still listen to them in the future in the north burbs.

 

[Countrykev]

Doesn't appear so, at least right now.

Since changing COL anymore is considered a minor modification, this is something that now gives them more wiggle room if they do decide to move the signal down the road.

 

[ddybas]

I'm just guessing but...maybe they're planning on moving to Moody's tower near Elmhurst some day. ???

 

[Link]

I can't wait to see what they do!

 

[overtheair]

Maybe they're going to attach to the 670 AM antenna (WSCR/ the old 'MAQ) which is in Glendale Heights on Army Trail road.

 

[dave73]

I thought WJKL wanted their COL to be Lombard. I remember in an application at one time that stated Lombard as the new COL. Why Glendale Heights now. I also remember the station wanted to up their power to 25kw as a Class B1, and not as a Class B. I wonder if that part of the application was denied, or withdrawn. I don't know how much they increase their power, but the station might be able to get some increase, though WKTI 94.5 to the north & WGFA 94.1 would be the biggest factors in any upgrade, than WLIT or WZZN would be, since 94.3 is already short-spaced with them. I don't see what harm moving 94.3 to the WSCR/WLEY tower. It's tall enough for another antenna on the tower.

 

[Countrykev]

WLIT and WZZN ARE a problem.

Yes, they are short-spaced. But I highly doubt that they could get an upgrade to a B or B1, in addition to moving closer to Chicago proper. That would be just completely busting the minimum spacing rules...and there would be interference propblems. It appears they applied for something similar in 2005 and it was denied.

They would be more likely to move the class A closer to Glendale Heights, but in terms of power increase I highly doubt they will get it.

 

[PhilJSmith67]

NextMedia was successful in moving 93.5 WVIX (then WJTW) toward Chicago a few years ago, but the move wasn't as significant as a potential relocation of WJKL would be. No class change, and I believe ERP remained approximately, if not exactly the same.

Even so, the move certainly gave WVIX more punch into Chicago.

As for the COL change, not all COL changes translate to a tower move. Entravision changed the COL for 99.9 WRZA from Kankakee to Park Forest around 2000, but transmitter power and location have not changed.

 

[dave73]

NextMedia was successful in moving 93.5 WVIX (then WJTW) toward Chicago a few years ago, but the move wasn't as significant as a potential relocation of WJKL would be. No class change, and I believe ERP remained approximately, if not exactly the same.

Even so, the move certainly gave WVIX more punch into Chicago.

As for the COL change, not all COL changes translate to a tower move. Entravision changed the COL for 99.9 WRZA from Kankakee to Park Forest around 2000, but transmitter power and location have not changed.

WVIX (then WJTW) wanted to go to 22.5kw B1, but spacing with a 93.5 in Tuscola Illinois posed a problem, plus already being short-spaced with 93.1 & 93.9 in Chicago. I don't know how much of an issue 93.3 in Milwaukee would have been. I believe there were some other stations that played a role in the B1 upgrade being denied.

As for WRZA, their tower can't be moved in order to keep the grandfathered short-spacing and keep their station at 50kw. The main reason that station's COL was changed so it could compete as a Chicago area station, since Kankakee isn't part of the Chicago radio market. Chicago is loaded with plenty of short-spaced stations, unlike other markets (mostly rural markets)

WSSR is doing an upgrade too, but I don't know if they could have done the full 6kw or equivalent at their current site, without having to go directional, and still got city grade coverage over Naperville & even Aurora. If so, I think Nextmedia should have gone that route instead of moving into Lockport, not too far from the WVIX tower.

 

[dave73]

NextMedia was successful in moving 93.5 WVIX (then WJTW) toward Chicago a few years ago, but the move wasn't as significant as a potential relocation of WJKL would be. No class change, and I believe ERP remained approximately, if not exactly the same.

Even so, the move certainly gave WVIX more punch into Chicago.

As for the COL change, not all COL changes translate to a tower move. Entravision changed the COL for 99.9 WRZA from Kankakee to Park Forest around 2000, but transmitter power and location have not changed.

WVIX (then WJTW) wanted to go to 22.5kw B1, but spacing with a 93.5 in Tuscola Illinois posed a problem, plus already being short-spaced with 93.1 & 93.9 in Chicago. I don't know how much of an issue 93.3 in Milwaukee would have been. I believe there were some other stations that played a role in the B1 upgrade being denied.

As for WRZA, their tower can't be moved in order to keep the grandfathered short-spacing and keep their station at 50kw. The main reason that station's COL was changed so it could compete as a Chicago area station, since Kankakee isn't part of the Chicago radio market. Chicago is loaded with plenty of short-spaced stations, unlike other markets (mostly rural markets)

WSSR is doing an upgrade too, but I don't know if they could have done the full 6kw or equivalent at their current site, without having to go directional, and still got city grade coverage over Naperville & even Aurora. If so, I think Nextmedia should have gone that route instead of moving into Lockport, not too far from the WVIX tower.

I forgot to mention that I remember that the reason WSSR had to go directional was due to WCOE LaPorte on 96.7 & 96.9 WWDV Zion, or they wouldn't have to go directional, going to 6kw.