KILE question

[purpledevil]

I mentioned this in another thread, unfortunately there was no response, so maybe a dedicated thread to the topic is warranted.

KILE is not running 50,000 watts currently. I've read where it's been picked up in Tyler here on the boards, but that was during testing. It's also stated on the FCC website and radio-locator as a 50kw station. From my findings driving around the area, they are still broadcasting from the old site south of the Dome.

Any ideas as to when they are actually going to fire up the new rig?
Corresponding with the format flip, perhaps?
Knowing that KILE has run nighttime programming before, even though they are licensed for daytime operation only...isn't running the lower power illegal??

 

[Mediafrog+]

KILE's new transmitter has been on the air recently; much stronger at my Cy-Fair location than the old 800 watts, but somewhat weaker than what I would expect from 50kw. Of course, the pattern is sharply directional NNE so I might be on the "shoulder." Don't know what they've been running the past few days, haven't checked.

The station was heard in Illinois and Wisconsin around sunset during the original 50kw tests.

Your speculation about timing the power increase to the format flip might be correct, if that is indeed taking place in the very near future.

 

[purpledevil]

Mediafrog, I believe the new format is supposed to debut in June. From what I read on here, the new studios are going to be on W. Alabama, where KLDE used to be.

I too, am on the NW side, and won't benefit much if any from the new signal. But I was all over Houston this weekend, and KILE's signal is terrible, until you get into and south of Bellaire. Perhaps jd could shed some light on this.

 

[jd]

In regard to KILE's signal, there are three separate things involved here. I didn't get any official comments on their status, but here's what I'm picking up on the situation: 1) the license to cover the new 50,000 watt daytime operation was granted on February 1, but they're doing some tweaking on it to ensure that they're operating within the assigned parameters. With such a complicated pattern it was a nightmare to construct and apparently it's still giving them a fit, so that's why they've been using the previous transmitter site south of the Astrodome. 2) Pending FCC approval that site will be converted to an auxiliary (back-up) facility, using the previously authorized level of 1000 watts day, but adding 100 watts night, both non-directional. Finally, 3) KILE is also constructing their recently approved nighttime facility in the Addicks Reservoir area north of I-10 and east of Eldridge Parkway, but that's going to take a while.

So like I said, nothing official from the inside. But my official assessment is this: the big rig has been on the air, but sporadically. If the new format is going to be on by June, the 50,000 watt signal better be right when it happens. KILE has been operating at night for a long time but without authorization; there was some discussion a while back on this board about them having post-sunset authority, but this isn't the case. A "PSSA" cannot be issued to a Class D station (like KILE) that lies west of a dominant Class A station on the same channel (in this case, WQEW New York). Stations that don't have regular nighttime authorization but do have a PSSA are allowed to operate (usually with greatly reduced power) from local sunset to sunset at the dominant station to the west. In the case of 1560, there is another dominant station to the west (KNZR Bakersfield CA), but that's immaterial. The fact that WQEW lies to the east means KILE could have never been issued authority for post-sunset operation under the PSSA rules. Since KILE only recently got authorization for nighttime operation, they've been operating at night illegally. Come June 1st, they may or may not have the 50,000 watt daytime pattern running the way it should, and the construction of the new nighttime facility is not going to be complete for many months. So if you hear them at night, operating from the old site, they're in violation of FCC rules. A note to the new owners: don't do it.

 

[Mediafrog+]

If the new format is going to be on by June, the 50,000 watt signal better be right when it happens. (snip) Come June 1st, they may or may not have the 50,000 watt daytime pattern running the way it should, and the construction of the new nighttime facility is not going to be complete for many months.

Launching in June would be best for the daytime signal, with the long sunlight hours. Hopefully they can get the night array finished and fired up before the end of daylight saving time in early November.

 

[snoman]

Is KEGG 1560 in Daingerfield no longer on-the-air? Is that signal completely dark? If it isnot, wouldn't that affect this station?

 

[jd]

Is KEGG 1560 in Daingerfield no longer on-the-air? Is that signal completely dark? If it isnot, wouldn't that affect this station?

It's still on, but with different call letters, KNGR, running Southern Gospel: www.kingcountry.org/ They're still non-directional with 1000 watts day, 60 at night. So far as interference from KILE, it's not supposed to be a problem. Allegedly. If the pattern is correct. Or unless it's around sunrise. Or sunset.

 

[purpledevil]

jd, thank you. I figured that you would have a better general idea as to what was going on than someone like myself. That explanation makes complete sense, and explains why KILE's signal is so poor in the North and Northwest portions of our city. Everyone kept stating that KILE was running 50kw currently, and I was hoping that I wasn't completely crazy since I couldn't get the station.

 

[jd]

There's actually much more to the story of KILE's big power increase. I was being more than a little sarcastic about possible interference to the station snoman mentioned, KNGR 1560 Daingerfield (up in northeast Texas). That station, along with KGBC 1540 Galveston lodged some complaints after KILE began operation with the 50,000 watt rig under a Program Test Authority. As a result KILE had to reduce their power to 4,800 watts until October of last year. At that point they reportedly resumed operating at full power. The original complaints were filed back in the Fall of 2005; it wasn't until February 1st of '07 that the PTA was terminated and KILE got a license to operate with the full 50,000 watts, after the FCC had investigated and dismissed the complaints: http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=1529

Also of interest in the letter is part of a statement from the FCC under the heading "BACKGROUND" that clears up any doubt about whether KILE is authorized to operate at night: "KILE(AM), a currently licensed daytime-only station..." Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, there's your proof.

 

[dade921]

Hi Guys, it has been brought to my attention that you are all wondering about kile.
Some of the stuff you are writeing is true. There has been work on the station.
It is now at 50,000 watts. Any and all this legal stuff you are talking about is very old news from last year and is dead. As far i what i saw about 1540 am there is not a problem there. As to the answer to you other questions about a format change i have not a clue about any of that stuff. Who am i . I am the engineer for KILE and a surprise to you all 1540 kgbc is also one of my clients.
Thansk for keeping us in the news.
Dade Moore
Smile All
http://www.dade.cc

 

[jd]

As to the answer to you other questions about a format change i have not a clue about any of that stuff.

Really? Here's your original post about "NEW AM HOUSTON."

Guys, I am getting flooded with email over here about a new am in Houston. Not a roumor, It is 1560 am kile. This is public information that the station was sold on the fcc web site. do not know the format. All i know is the station will be built in the old klde building at 5353 west alabama st where many of us use to work. The station is not even built. It should be around june. I can tell you this will be an english radio station. The new GM and on PD will be in around this time.

You don't know anything about the format, but it will be in English. Uh-huh.

 

[purpledevil]

Dade, if you are an engineer for KILE, and you think the power you're putting out is 50kw, you need to wake up. Or are you having flashbacks from the 93Q days? KILE is still transmitting from the old site south of the Dome, not from the new site off of 288. If you need proof, turn on your radio and drive north. You'll lose the signal right around the North Loop.

It's always great to have the scoop. It's even better when you have the truth.

 

[dade921]

They are doing work on it. Call me anytime you want.
The old 93Q stuff is funny. We had one picture up there and people want to see the old logos so we put them up last week for a little wile. I will check on what your are saying. Buzz me on the telephone anytime.
281-448-6912

 

[CW]

Who am i . I am the engineer for KILE and a surprise to you all 1540 kgbc is also one of my clients.
Thansk for keeping us in the news.
Dade Moore
Smile All
http://www.dade.cc

So you are the one responsible for 1540's microphones sounding like a scratchy tin can? The audio is HORRIBLE...and I seriously doubt the audio chain would pass a FCC NRSC 10kHz proof...sounds like it is trying to pass 15kHz! TOO much treble and no bass....and overmodulating at that!! If thats any indication of what 1560 is going to sound like, well..........

Also why is it that 1540 sounds like a 50kw carrier in Beaumont....stronger than KTRH?? Everytime I am on I10 there, 1540 sounds stronger than any other Houston station....but its only supposed to be running 2500watts? hhhmmmmm

(and then there's Cumulus's crappy signal on 1450 AND 1510.......boy have they screwed up those 2 stations?? but thats another topic)