K229BJ 93.7 now making funny squeaking noises

[Anonymouse]

What's up with this? http://twup.me/3R

It almost sounds like maybe an electronic mouse or an electronic rat got into their broadcasting equipment, LOL. Not to mention the crappy audio stream they're using...

But I've never heard that squeaky feedback noise before. Anyone know what it is?

 

[Anonymouse]

Well, seems like they've improved a great deal since I last posted, and the audio is tolerable now. Clean, stereo, and if the below is correct it's 128 KBPS.

I pulled this stream from their site, sounds just like the FM signal. http://204.93.174.9:9990/
So I assume they're using it to feed the transmitter, now.

 

[Infamous]

Well, seems like they've improved a great deal since I last posted, and the audio is tolerable now. Clean, stereo, and if the below is correct it's 128 KBPS.

I pulled this stream from their site, sounds just like the FM signal. http://204.93.174.9:9990/
So I assume they're using it to feed the transmitter, now.

How about they feed it legally using KTNR 92.1 FM as they filed with the FCC stating that they do? Oh wait...that will "technically" never happen.

How can they go on year after year being illegal like this? Sale after sale and yet not one instance of FCC enforcement??

Maybe I should just bust out a 4 bay antenna and put it up on a telephone pole in the backyard of my house and get a Helios 750 watt transmitter and tune it to 92.1 FM and broadcast whatever I want for 2 or 3 or maybe even 10 years (or at least until the FCC finally decides they want to "investigate")

 

[jras20]

Well, seems like they've improved a great deal since I last posted, and the audio is tolerable now. Clean, stereo, and if the below is correct it's 128 KBPS.

I pulled this stream from their site, sounds just like the FM signal. http://204.93.174.9:9990/
So I assume they're using it to feed the transmitter, now.

How about they feed it legally using KTNR 92.1 FM as they filed with the FCC stating that they do? Oh wait...that will "technically" never happen.

How can they go on year after year being illegal like this? Sale after sale and yet not one instance of FCC enforcement??

Maybe I should just bust out a 4 bay antenna and put it up on a telephone pole in the backyard of my house and get a Helios 750 watt transmitter and tune it to 92.1 FM and broadcast whatever I want for 2 or 3 or maybe even 10 years (or at least until the FCC finally decides they want to "investigate")

Might as well! 90.1 is still broadcasting in Austin.

 

[willdav713]

Folks, the FCC runs on money allocated from the budget which is in a mess. If the FCC had more money allocated to them, then they could start enforcing the laws.

I still receive illegal robocalls to my telephone. Cardholder Services, Home Security, Carribean Cruise.

Have you tried writing a letter to your congressperson?

 

[Infamous]

If the FCC had more money allocated to them...

With the sheer number of illegal broadcasters out there and the fines that those broadcasters would rack up that alone would solve any funding issues with the FCC. lol

 

[Anonymouse]

With the sheer number of illegal broadcasters out there and the fines that those broadcasters would rack up that alone would solve any funding issues with the FCC. lol

I've tried filing a complaint a while back at http://www.fcc.gov/complaints regarding K229BJ, no response. I've also emailed one of the specialists at http://www.fcc.gov/guides/broadcast-information-specialists, still nothing.
Guess the FCC has fallen asleep. :

 

[jd]

This is appalling. After all, this is the new and improved FCC.gov, specifically retooled to be more responsive to the American people. I'm shocked that you didn't receive a reply!

Ok, I'm being facetious. Nothing at all has changed; they act on a complaint basis and complaints from ordinary citizens are ignored. If they come from other broadcasters or someone with axes to grind who happen to have political connections something will happen. Remember also that they take the offending station(s) ability to actually pay a hefty fine into account.

 

[Anonymouse]

They act on a complaint basis and complaints from ordinary citizens are ignored.

At least I tried!
I'm not a broadcaster, so it makes sense now.

Thx FOR THAT INFO!

 

[Anonymouse]

Well, now it looks to me as if 93.7 has begun broadcasting silence half the time I tune in.
Maybe they'll come out and use some dumb excuse to say they've decided to broadcast KQQB-AM 1520 legally now? That's certainly silence (or maybe it's off by now).

Also it doesn't hurt to pick up an old format. KHHL probably upset many people when they flipped to Spanish sports. LMAO.







-- Sarcasm over! Now back to your regularly scheduled programming. Or maybe silence in K229BJ's case?

 

[Anonymouse]

How about they feed it legally using KTNR 92.1 FM as they filed with the FCC stating that they do? Oh wait...that will "technically" never happen.

Maybe they've started doing it now?

This stream, that supposedly leads to KTNR, is now rebroadcasting the same content with all the Radio Ola audio streams. http://50.84.164.26:8150/stream/1/

And here's the stuff I found for RadioOla. Three of them here.
http://204.93.174.9:9990/
http://204.93.174.9:9988/
http://184.107.143.218:9990/
Why Radio Ola has three almost exact streams up on different servers I'll only be able to guess. Pulled them from the site though.
But if anyone's around KTNR's tower they should take a listen. I never go that way otherwise I'd report if they do simulcast or not. I do know that earlier KTNR's audio was rebroadcasting different programming, so I doubt this is a 24 h simulcast. Also I know it's only a bit less illegal to do this, as the audio's supposed to be based in Kenedy-not san antonio or wherever their studios are.

 

[Infamous]

How about they feed it legally using KTNR 92.1 FM as they filed with the FCC stating that they do? Oh wait...that will "technically" never happen.

Maybe they've started doing it now?

Hey there Kevin! KTNR will never be "technically" able to feed K229BJ with an over the air signal because of two reasons. One, KTNR is 72 miles away from K229BJ's transmitter site. Two, even if they were to use a high gain directional receive FM antenna, KNBT 92.1 in New Braunfels would simply overpower KTNR and tune in before it would. You may be hearing the same programming on both KTNR and K229BJ but it certainly isn't originating in Kenedy, TX. I would be willing to bet all my chips that the audio is originating there in San Antonio at the Radio Ola studios and being fed over the internet to both transmitter sites.

 

[Anonymouse]

KTNR will never be "technically" able to feed K229BJ with an over the air signal because of two reasons. One, KTNR is 72 miles away from K229BJ's transmitter site. Two, even if they were to use a high gain directional receive FM antenna, KNBT 92.1 in New Braunfels would simply overpower KTNR and tune in before it would. You may be hearing the same programming on both KTNR and K229BJ but it certainly isn't originating in Kenedy, TX. I would be willing to bet all my chips that the audio is originating there in San Antonio at the Radio Ola studios and being fed over the internet to both transmitter sites.

Thanks for the clarification.



I don't get why 93.7 hasn't thrown in the towell yet. Just tuned in and their audio sounds horrible mainly due to the fact it's turned up WAY too loud for the transmitter. Totally seems to boom out over other stations even though I can't receive it very well at all from where I am! Can we say total overmodulation?
Their compression doesn't seem to exist - they do have an auto-gain or something turning up the quiet parts of audio and clipping it even more when the loud sounds hit.
I tuned in recently and heard two audio sources going to the transmitter with two songs at once. That'll make everyone tune out immediately. LOL.
And what's up with them not having any crossfading between songs? There's a couple second pause between songs and liners / commercials, not very good broadcasting equipment if you ask me. And then there's the MONO not stereo signal, but that's minor when compared to everything else wrong with this station.




Even I can do better than that on my 0.5 W transmitter set to 96.7 and I'm just an amateur! LOL.
In case you're wondering the Internet stream I have set up is located at http://72.177.233.38:9090 or just type in KevanGC into TuneIn. Whichever is better for ya. I'll try keeping it up for the rest of this weekend. Enjoy.

 

[Infamous]

KTNR will never be "technically" able to feed K229BJ with an over the air signal because of two reasons. One, KTNR is 72 miles away from K229BJ's transmitter site. Two, even if they were to use a high gain directional receive FM antenna, KNBT 92.1 in New Braunfels would simply overpower KTNR and tune in before it would. You may be hearing the same programming on both KTNR and K229BJ but it certainly isn't originating in Kenedy, TX. I would be willing to bet all my chips that the audio is originating there in San Antonio at the Radio Ola studios and being fed over the internet to both transmitter sites.

Thanks for the clarification.



I don't get why 93.7 hasn't thrown in the towell yet. Just tuned in and their audio sounds horrible mainly due to the fact it's turned up WAY too loud for the transmitter. Totally seems to boom out over other stations even though I can't receive it very well at all from where I am! Can we say total overmodulation?
Their compression doesn't seem to exist - they do have an auto-gain or something turning up the quiet parts of audio and clipping it even more when the loud sounds hit.
I tuned in recently and heard two audio sources going to the transmitter with two songs at once. That'll make everyone tune out immediately. LOL.
And what's up with them not having any crossfading between songs? There's a couple second pause between songs and liners / commercials, not very good broadcasting equipment if you ask me. And then there's the MONO not stereo signal, but that's minor when compared to everything else wrong with this station.




Even I can do better than that on my 0.5 W transmitter set to 96.7 and I'm just an amateur! LOL.
In case you're wondering the Internet stream I have set up is located at http://72.177.233.38:9090 or just type in KevanGC into TuneIn. Whichever is better for ya. I'll try keeping it up for the rest of this weekend. Enjoy.

The main problem is that most of these Spanish Christian groups that are "trying" to be on the radio are not real broadcasters. While there are a few Spanish Christian radio groups out there that get it and know what they are doing and do things the right way, there are so many others that don't. They somehow think because The Church of this or that or Pastor so and so has a radio station they can also have a radio station. They have no idea what is involved with the day to day operations of maintaining and operating a radio station. They look at it as a way to either make money for themselves or to compete with other pastors/churches. They are not using the radio station as an extension to their ministry but rather for self gain. Most don't know one bit about radio. They have no idea what the public file is. They don't maintain quarterly issues lists. They don't send or relay EAS messages. They don't even have an engineer or someone technical on hand. They just pretty much get on the air as is and send a check to someone for the station. If you've noticed over the last 5 years Spanish Christian radio stations are popping up everywhere all over the U.S. Now, every time I look at the trades some Pastor or church is either buying or LMA'ing a station. Back in the late 80's/early 90's there was hardly any Spanish Christian radio stations out there. The format was really rare...almost as rare as the Christian Country format was back then. Spanish Christian radio stations had music libraries consisting of only 20 or so artists. Today there are several thousand different artists recording Spanish Christian music. What happen was secular mom and pop broadcasters started having a hard time selling spots to pay bills. It was really easy to find Pastor so and so who was willing to pay $10K-$20K a month for that station. If these groups got into radio and learned the radio business and understood it they would be more successful and last 10, 15, 20 years. Most don't or won't and only last a short time. Even big powerful groups like La Radio Cristiana Network (Paulino Bernal) have been affected by this. Paulino isn't a radio broadcaster. He is a musician turned preacher. He got into radio to promote his ministry and get listeners in those areas he broadcast in to show up to his concerts/revivals. He doesn't play any other Spanish Christian artists expect his own family or associates he records with or is affiliated with. The stations are just tools to promote him and revivals. That's where he picks up most of the money. He can't rely on listeners mailing in a check or money order. His radio network grew to massive proportions. He had stations all over Texas, California, New Mexico, etc. He accomplished this because he hired the right people who knew what they were doing. He hired consultants and engineers based off someone he hired that worked with him that had the technical know how to operate his radio stations. When that person parted ways with Paulino you could see a rapid decline in his radio ministry. About 90% of his huge radio network is off the air and has been off the air for years. No silent STA's, no attempts to get them back on. Lost tower leases, etc. Until these Spanish Christian broadcasters decide to be real radio broadcast owners and invest in their operations, buy proper equipment, do things right, and hire the key personnel needed to keep them going they will all fail over time.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

If I lived in San Antonio - I would be super PO'ed that somebody was covering up the great KLBJ from Austin. Especially with foreign language stuff.

 

[Anonymouse]

LOL, yeah. What I find funnyest of all is how this station's playing CHRISTIAN music yet they don't care much about following FCC rules.

 

[Pirate_Jim]

In case you're wondering the Internet stream I have set up is located at http://72.177.233.38:9090 or just type in KevanGC into TuneIn. Whichever is better for ya. I'll try keeping it up for the rest of this weekend. Enjoy.

Off topic, but cool station, Kevan ..
Been listening this morning ..

 

[rbrucecarter5]

LOL, yeah. What I find funnyest of all is how this station's playing CHRISTIAN music yet they don't care much about following FCC rules.

What I don't understand is how the heck they got on the air with KLBJ's signal as strong as it is. I had them with no problem in my car in Dallas until that stupid KNOR signed on. I would think their SA coverage would be almost like a local.

 

[bturner]

Infamous is certainly correct. I have worked with such groups. I tend to think the radio station is a status symbol for the ministry. It sort of says 'you've arrived'. From folks that attend the church or functions the ministry puts on, the ministry must be right with God because they have been blessed with so much. Think mega church among the Anglo population.

As for following the rules, many born in other countries and some first generation tend to not understand that the way we function and maintain is by following law and demanding our government do the same (ie: if we follow the law, for example, the police had better do the same or we'll expose the corruption without fear). In many countries there is the illusion of law but in reality the effectiveness of the law is not there. So, people in such nations sort of 'wing it', not really close enough to follow the law but not so radically different from the law to call attention to themselves. In other words, we view the law as more of a friend than enemy.

In my days of going across the border to Mexico, $20 could get you a 'pass' because police are paid such low salaries. That was the way (and may still be) things got done in Mexico...it was who you knew and how much money you had that got you what you wanted. Here we have respect for the law on both sides and that keeps everybody 'on line' and what makes our country work. That luxury is something many people around the world don't enjoy. When they arrive here and start over, all they know of how law works is their past experience. In time they 'get it'.

So many ethnic broadcasters that came from such an environment can easily assume the FCC Rules are mere guiidelines or suggestions that might chose to follow or follow closely enough not to call attention to themselves. It's sort of like driving 38 in a 35 speed zone. You're likely not going to get a ticket. And if everybody is going 10 mph over but traffic is flowing well on the freeway, the cops don't do anything.

True, most ministries are not true broadcasters in that realm we call broadcasters. I took flack for taking a secular approach in programming on a Christian station once. I simply explained I was using proven techniques to increase TSL and listener numbers and wasn't their purpose to reach people. You might say I sort of created enough doubt to make them leave me alone, if you get what I mean.

 

[Anonymouse]

What I don't understand is how the heck they got on the air with KLBJ's signal as strong as it is. I had them with no problem in my car in Dallas until that stupid KNOR signed on. I would think their SA coverage would be almost like a local.

KLBJ's? Well, it's not that powerful here even with out K229BJ on the air. I'm on the Northwest side of SA so that might be a factor.




Sidenote - I was flipping channels earlier at about 6:45 P and noticed a dead carrier on 105.9 (probably one of the Radio Ola translators). I kept listening and it died before 7:00. Perhaps they might have been testing for a relaunch... ???