KERN's 50,000 watts Vs KNZR's 25,000 watts

[XRQKFM]

KNZR's 25,000 watt non directional signal is clearly better in the Antelope Valley & Tehachapi where 1180 has a null, KNZR also has a better signal around Gorman & Lake Hughes. Clearly the signal increase & frequency change will greatly increase KERN's coverage over its 1410 signal which can barely be herd in the Antelope Valley. 1180 still needs to have its facilities upgraded and maintained to correct the unstable pattern and audio processing could use attention too. The signal fluctuation was obvious in the AV and the 1180 signal has degraded overall over the years in the high desert, going from one of the stronger signals with full quieting and much stronger than KNX to a bit weaker than KNX. KERN now has a signal on par with many LA stations in northern Los Angeles county, with signal and audio processing improvements could easily compete with KFI, which could not hurt it in the ratings. KNZR I know personally has benefited from having a good signal in the AV, at least three diaries I viewed were filled with KNZR entries.

Glad to see AGM finally took a suggestion made on this board over a year ago, to swap KERI with KERN

Steve
www.radiobrandy.com

 

[Madmansam]

KNZR's 25,000 watt non directional signal is clearly better in the Antelope Valley & Tehachapi where 1180 has a null, KNZR also has a better signal around Gorman & Lake Hughes. Clearly the signal increase & frequency change will greatly increase KERN's coverage over its 1410 signal which can barely be herd in the Antelope Valley. 1180 still needs to have its facilities upgraded and maintained to correct the unstable pattern and audio processing could use attention too. The signal fluctuation was obvious in the AV and the 1180 signal has degraded overall over the years in the high desert, going from one of the stronger signals with full quieting and much stronger than KNX to a bit weaker than KNX. KERN now has a signal on par with many LA stations in northern Los Angeles county, with signal and audio processing improvements could easily compete with KFI, which could not hurt it in the ratings. KNZR I know personally has benefited from having a good signal in the AV, at least three diaries I viewed were filled with KNZR entries.

Glad to see AGM finally took a suggestion made on this board over a year ago, to swap KERI with KERN

Steve
www.radiobrandy.com

North of Bakersfield in Stockton, I can pick up KNZR with no problem at nights but I can't pick up the New KERN at 1180. Too much splatter from KSL-1160 and KEX-1190.

 

[XRQKFM]

North of Bakersfield in Stockton, I can pick up KNZR with no problem at nights but I can't pick up the New KERN at 1180. Too much splatter from KSL-1160 and KEX-1190.

I noticed just before sunset on my way to the mailbox, 1180 was in the mud (worse than 1410), while 1560 was still clear. 1560 has a killer signal in Northern Nevada at night, almost city grade. I know that 50,000 watt signal on 1180 must go somewhere, unless the antenna system needs some serious attention.


Steve
www.radiobrandy.net

 

[davideduardo]

KERN now has a signal on par with many LA stations in northern Los Angeles county, with signal and audio processing improvements could easily compete with KFI, which could not hurt it in the ratings. KNZR I know personally has benefited from having a good signal in the AV, at least three diaries I viewed were filled with KNZR entries.

There are no diaries in LA county and have not been for 7 months. And if a station home to Bakersfield gets any listening in the LA metro, it benefits them not a bit, as out of market listening is tabulated in that other market, not in the home market. It makes no sense for any Bakersfield station to try to serve the Antilope Valley for that reason.... they can never get the 0.495% cume share required to show in the LA book, and it will distract them from Bakersfield.

 

[grudgelfeltz]

North of Bakersfield in Stockton, I can pick up KNZR with no problem at nights but I can't pick up the New KERN at 1180. Too much splatter from KSL-1160 and KEX-1190.

I noticed just before sunset on my way to the mailbox, 1180 was in the mud (worse than 1410), while 1560 was still clear. 1560 has a killer signal in Northern Nevada at night, almost city grade. I know that 50,000 watt signal on 1180 must go somewhere, unless the antenna system needs some serious attention.


Steve
www.radiobrandy.net

It's also pretty much in the mud in Bako on night power (10kw). A Superradio III won't even tune it in wideband mode because the adjacent channel signals are so strong. The pattern has a null affecting a good chunk of the city. In Bako proper, the night signal is much worse than 1410. All in all, I can't see how this helps them in the metro, and that's all that counts in the final analysis. Everything else is just ego-stroking.

 

[XRQKFM]

It makes no sense for any Bakersfield station to try to serve the Antilope Valley for that reason....

Well David you might be surprised how many folks in the AV conduct their business in Bakersfield, especially on the western side where most signals are received from Bakersfield, not Lancaster or Los Angeles. On the west side 1180 has a better signal than 1380 Lancaster, and 1560 is by far the dominate AM signal. Fact is the Antelope Valley needs to be its own radio market like Victorville; The 93536 Zip Code stretches from Quartz Hill to near Gorman, what one receives at one end of the Zip Code is completely different than the other end because of the terrain. On the west end, 102.7 comes from Fresno, on the east end it's Los Angeles sometimes. 93.1 is Bakersfield on the west side and Las Vegas & Los Angeles on the east end. Going across the FM dial, not one Los Angeles station has a signal you would want to listen to for very long with the static and co channel interference from Bakersfield and Fresno. On the AM side; KGEO 1230 Bakersfield has a better signal than most LA AM's.

Here in Northern Los Angels County, it would cost a business allot less to advertise during the Rush Limbaugh show on KNZR than KFI, and KNZR has the better signal in most parts.

Bakersfield businesses get results from advertising on stations that serve the Antelope Valley; like KNZR. When the town of Centennial in the western Antelope Valley is built out, it will be Bakersfield Radio stations the affluent residents will be listening to, not Los Angeles or Lancaster for that matter. The license plate frames tell you where folks around the AV buy their vehicles large and small; Bakersfield dealerships have allot of frames up here.

The Antelope Valley is a bonus to both Bakersfield broadcasters & businesses, with a population well over 350,000 both would be wise to tap into it.

There are no diaries in LA county and have not been for 7 months

Now David did I give a date, no! it was just about February 08 when those diaries were in my hands, about the time KNZR became the number 1 talk station in Bakersfield, besides KNZR, KLLY was in a few diaries too. Not one LA radio station was recorded in the three diaries I looked over, even KBBY Ventura was entered a few times; I wonder how much of a dent three diaries would make in the overall ratings?

If nothing else; I can listen to Inga static free now!


Steve
www.radiooutlaw.com

 

[davideduardo]

Not one LA radio station was recorded in the three diaries I looked over, even KBBY Ventura was entered a few times; I wonder how much of a dent three diaries would make in the overall ratings?

Not a bit. There were nearly 8,000 diaries per survey in LA prior to the meter.

 

[radiomanners62]

More changes for 1410 now 1180.
Sports announcer Cory Costelloe is now part of the 1180 programming staff and D.Carter is out as Program Director, actually he is just plain out.
This info is from The Wife and rumors swirl around her TV station like pollution in the valley air!
I feel for those who get laid off so big ups to you D.Carter and good luck.
Good luck to everyone in radio who has it tough right now.

 

[freekobe]

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT DC CARTER WILL NOT BE MISSED AT AGM.
COSTELLO SEEMS TO BE A GO-GETTER, BUT VERY YOUNG.
WILL THEY SEARCH FOR A NEW PD? HAVE THE OPENING BEEN POSTED?

 

[RadioWiseGuy]

That's not what I hear freekobe. Chris Squires will be calling the shots at KERN, but maybe Costello is helping out. DC Carter was liked but he wasn't given anything to work with at that station. He's done a helluva job at other stops in his career like on the central coast for Mondosphere. It was a budget cut so they won't be hiring anybody else.

Maybe Carter got lucky. KERN is going to be worse off with that crappy 1180 signal. It covers a lot of places but it doesn't cover Bakersfield very good and that's where the diaries come from.

 

[radiomanners62]

Sure Costelloe is young but he's got the cajones to walk the walk and talk the managerial talk.

Loved hearing that Chris Squires actually will be running things.I knew he was back in Bakersfield but had not heard him or about him.

He is a great Program Director and knows his stuff.I still feel bad for all those getting axed whether they are liked or not.Terrestrial radio needs a comeback!I will never go satellite..no,no,no!!

 

[Jay F]

I see that KNZR consistently beats KERN in the ratings? What's the difference in talk show lineup betwen the two stations? Is KNZR a Rush affiliate?

 

[XRQKFM]

I see that KNZR consistently beats KERN in the ratings? What's the difference in talk show lineup between the two stations? Is KNZR a Rush affiliate?

Yes KNZR is a Rush affiliate, and KNZR only started beating KERN when they got Rush. Before that; the little 1000 watt station KERN tore KNZR a new one for years in ratings; with or without Rush. KERN at one time carried Rush, before now defunct Clear Channel owned KGET, grabbed it away from them. Rush should have been on KNZR in the first place since it has been the big frog signal wise for years.

The fact KERN, has had a real news department for years, and KNZR just reads day old news from the newspaper, and calls it NEWS Headlines, probably had a lot to do with KERN not only getting Rush first, but enjoying higher ratings over the years. KERN still has a real meteorologist, with Miles Muzio, and has someone like Bill Curtis doing the News. I still tune out KNZR at the top and bottom of the hour, so I can get real news & a fresh weather update.

The difference in talk show lineup between the two stations is KERN's local talk is done in the mornings, and KNZR's is in the afternoons. Inga Barks on KERN, probably gets the most national attention with her frequent appearances on the FOX News Channel, and during the Sean Hannity show, and Sean's endless shoutouts.
Scott Cox's also of KERN, just skated jail time with one of those stupid stunts morning talk show host, feel they need to do. ON KNZR Jaz McKay handles the first shift at noon, and Ralph Bailey does afternoon drive. Ralph, is famous for his massive ego; Ralph thinks he is God's gift to broadcasting, could help explain the extra large studio doors at Buckley. With Ralph's large head a standard door would never do. Ralph is good! Just not as good as he thinks he is; and he loves to bag on Inga. I guess Inga rejected him one time to often, or he can't handle a smart woman. Jaz is good; my wife's favorite talk show host. Jaz has done allot of time in Central Valley radio, as well as the Central Coast.

While you might expect Jaz to get arrested for something first, Ralph managed to beat him to it with a DUI. Ralph use to enjoy his breakfast drinks from Budweiser as much as the next guy; he just had bad luck driving home one day or two.

I have always had great respect for Brad Buckley, for not throwing his people under the bus every time they get arrested. Normally if you get arrested at work; guilty or not you can kiss your radio job goodbye! Brad has always done the right thing, and stuck by his talent.


Steve
www.outlawradio.us

 

[flakunkel]

KERN is going to be worse off with that crappy 1180 signal. It covers a lot of places but it doesn't cover Bakersfield very good and that's where the diaries come from.

Not to mention the low modulation and extremely muddy audio quality. Brinker today is just about unlistenable. Modulation must be about 20%. Sounds like their STL is alligator clips on a POTS line.

 

[DanielBoone]

I really believe that KERN's 50,000 watt signal can be tweaked a bit or maybeupgrading some. In Fresno, it is not perfect, but, ok. I was driving thru Tulare the other day around 3:30 in the afternoon and there is a tiny bit of noise. Although, KMJ 580 is ALWAYS crystal clear! No matter where I am in the valley (including Bakersfield).

I think 1180 could use more treble, because it sounds too bassie to me. You know what I mean?

 

[kenrayc]

In Clovis 1180 comes in much better than the old 1410 and KNZR 1560.

 

[XRQKFM]

Not to mention the low modulation and extremely muddy audio quality. Brinker today is just about unlistenable.

I heard that too; it sounded like a cassette with dirty heads until Roy Ashburn came on the muddy sound continued. Then there is the problem with the signal fading; I'm at my forth location where the signal varies up and down, it's like someone is adjusting the transmitter up and down in power. The carrier goes from dead quite to sounding like it's a fringe market station. Something is very unstable regarding 1180, either the antenna system or transmitter or both.
1410 AM sounded better despite its weaker overall signal here in the High Desert.


Steve
www.xrqkfm.com

 

[greatstart]

1560 has a killer signal in Northern Nevada at night, almost city grade.
Steve
www.radiobrandy.net

That it is. The 1560 signal from Bakersfield actually wipes out our local 1550 in Reno from where I'm at, 33 miles east of Reno.