KKGO off the air 1-26-08

[davideduardo]

Let me ask you this, if you had a station like KKGO or the others that went off the air, what would you consider doing so that in the future this would not occur (if at all possible)?

Nothing. That is like asking how to prevent an eatrthquake or a hurricane.

 

[shirleyschmidt]

Bringing this back to the Topic of KKGO being off the air for 24 hours...

Michael Levine released a statement saying that it was fortunate that they did their live broadcast from the Staples Center on Friday and that it was disappointing to be down when so many people were on the way to Garth. He went on to say they were going to do some "LIVE CALL-INS" and that there was never a good time to be off the air.

From what I read on the KKGO message boards it seems that Paul Freeman was able to air 1 live caller on Friday night, no more were mentioned but if this is accurate and Mr. Levine was going to continue live call-ins for the concert on Saturday I would say that the station is taking a step in the right direction...

Go Paul Freeman. Way too funny.

I have heard KKGO was not alone. Other station had difficulties, but then they aren't country and weren't the focal point of a legend returning to a local stage.

Do you know if KFrg was there? Did they do any live broadcasts?

 

[recplayer]

kfrg was there and yes they did live call ins.... they said various staff members attended each show....

 

[Hunter]

I've posted a similar question on the Engineering board and I'm curious to know what the FCC allows. I read the article in LARadio about KROQ allowing KKGO to use their aux site on Flint Peak and it clearly stated that their engineer retuned the transmitter to 105.1. At first glance I took it to mean that they loaned them the use of their STL....but due to what appears to be severe damage to the KKGO STL antenna and aux transmitter and building, it appears KKGO used the KROQ aux site.

My question is, given the urgency, how lenient is the FCC in allowing a station to broadcast from a different location than which they are licensed in an emergency? Granted, Wilson and Flint are very close and Flint is lower, as is KROQ's aux power, but theoretically couldn't a scenario like this cause some short spacing problems in a nearby market....and therefore, given the beaurcratic nature of the FCC, wouldn't an engineering study have to be supplied and consented to by the commission before the aux site is used for a freq it is not authorized for?

 

[nmoore6676]

I've posted a similar question on the Engineering board and I'm curious to know what the FCC allows. I read the article in LARadio about KROQ allowing KKGO to use their aux site on Flint Peak and it clearly stated that their engineer retuned the transmitter to 105.1. At first glance I took it to mean that they loaned them the use of their STL....but due to what appears to be severe damage to the KKGO STL antenna and aux transmitter and building, it appears KKGO used the KROQ aux site.

My question is, given the urgency, how lenient is the FCC in allowing a station to broadcast from a different location than which they are licensed in an emergency? Granted, Wilson and Flint are very close and Flint is lower, as is KROQ's aux power, but theoretically couldn't a scenario like this cause some short spacing problems in a nearby market....and therefore, given the beaurcratic nature of the FCC, wouldn't an engineering study have to be supplied and consented to by the commission before the aux site is used for a freq it is not authorized for?

I wondered this myself, but I would assume that a notification of the intended operation would have been enough. If the FCC had issues they can say cease and desist. In my day it was done by telegram, but probably e-mail or fax now. Since they didn't resume until Sunday around 10am I should imagine enough time had elapsed for the proper authority to be given. In any event KROQ would be the one to take the hit and I doubt their engineer would have risked it without a green light.

 

[fybush]

I've posted a similar question on the Engineering board and I'm curious to know what the FCC allows. I read the article in LARadio about KROQ allowing KKGO to use their aux site on Flint Peak and it clearly stated that their engineer retuned the transmitter to 105.1. At first glance I took it to mean that they loaned them the use of their STL....but due to what appears to be severe damage to the KKGO STL antenna and aux transmitter and building, it appears KKGO used the KROQ aux site.

My question is, given the urgency, how lenient is the FCC in allowing a station to broadcast from a different location than which they are licensed in an emergency? Granted, Wilson and Flint are very close and Flint is lower, as is KROQ's aux power, but theoretically couldn't a scenario like this cause some short spacing problems in a nearby market....and therefore, given the beaurcratic nature of the FCC, wouldn't an engineering study have to be supplied and consented to by the commission before the aux site is used for a freq it is not authorized for?

I wondered this myself, but I would assume that a notification of the intended operation would have been enough. If the FCC had issues they can say cease and desist. In my day it was done by telegram, but probably e-mail or fax now. Since they didn't resume until Sunday around 10am I should imagine enough time had elapsed for the proper authority to be given. In any event KROQ would be the one to take the hit and I doubt their engineer would have risked it without a green light.

The FCC is extremely cooperative in emergency situations like this. Staffers there can and do grant "verbal STAs" ("Special Temporary Authority") to get stations back on the air in a bind. As long as the coverage from the auxiliary site doesn't exceed the coverage from the main licensed site, there are no interference issues at play.

 

[hillbillyRockstar]

So is KKGO still using KROQ's or is KKGO back on it's own now?

 

[whirlwizard]

If there were an earthquake there are things you can do to help prevent loss. If I had a station like 105.1, then speaking with other stations in the area and getting an understanding of being able to use their STL in emergency situations as well as returning that favor is a possible action. There isn't a reason to wait until the emergency to set up a strategic plan.

To me it does sound like things worked out. Not sure if there was pre-planning, and station could have gotten on the air any sooner. But the night of Garth.. ,, well glad Kfrg got it on!!

 

[shirleyschmidt]

Let me ask you this, if you had a station like KKGO or the others that went off the air, what would you consider doing so that in the future this would not occur (if at all possible)?

Nothing. That is like asking how to prevent an eatrthquake or a hurricane.

No, that would be like asking what can you do before the earthquake to minimize loss.

Why so condenscending?


Side bar: Our government spends hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to learn how to predict earthquakes and weather related events to help protect and minimize loss. A + B = C

 

[davideduardo]

No, that would be like asking what can you do before the earthquake to minimize loss.

Why so condenscending?

The idea of getting redundancy is to avoid about 99% of potential off air incidents. There is a 1% you can not prevent, so that is why stations have engineers on call 24/7. At some point, the cost of narrowing the percentage becomes so high that it makes no sense.

The formula is different depending on market size, too. If you look at a station in the Palm Springs market, you will find some with no auxiliary transmitter, and most of those who have one will be using the old main, probably 15 to 20 years old, or a much lower power rig. They will not have dual sites, and not all will have genny sets. The LA stations split a billion in gross revenues, while in Palm Springs, they split $17 million. That does not buy a lot of transmitters.

 

[shirleyschmidt]

No, that would be like asking what can you do before the earthquake to minimize loss.

Why so condenscending?

The idea of getting redundancy is to avoid about 99% of potential off air incidents. There is a 1% you can not prevent, so that is why stations have engineers on call 24/7. At some point, the cost of narrowing the percentage becomes so high that it makes no sense.

The formula is different depending on market size, too. If you look at a station in the Palm Springs market, you will find some with no auxiliary transmitter, and most of those who have one will be using the old main, probably 15 to 20 years old, or a much lower power rig. They will not have dual sites, and not all will have genny sets. The LA stations split a billion in gross revenues, while in Palm Springs, they split $17 million. That does not buy a lot of transmitters.

Thank you. As it was a real question I had wish you addressed. This make more sense.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[ceejay]

Wow, this is a fun discussion. People all angered over a station losing their transmission. Seriously, arguing over that?

Wonder if KKGO will now rethink about setting up a back up system. The Garth Brooks (semi) return to stage in Los Angeles and KKGO is off the air. Sorry, but it makes me laugh a little. I guess that would be under the "act of God" clause insurance companies love to use.

Love the statement about getting to hear the reaccounts from the local DJ. Ha, I wonder how many times it was really a topic about what happened to him during the shows and not Garth? Hmm.. I'm just counting.... Joking. I don't listen to the station actually. I had no idea they were down until the next day when someone told me. Oh well.

I am sure if ratings fall next quarter, that will be their excuse.

Wonder how Charlie Cook is doing over there? Any word? Hope some big changes are made soon.

Uh, Shirley, when did you stop listening? Here's a direct quote from you from the "KKGO Bites It" thread...

"As a listener and as someone who talks to a lot of listeners, I can tell you that the removal of a personality is almost less painful than the way the station handles that removal/change. "

Kinda flip-flopping, aren't we? You'd make a great presidential candidate! ;D

Yep.... a great woman president at that.... you bet your sweet bibby (to quote Goldy).

You see this post above was after that post you quote. I was a listener, am not one now. I am not listening to the station so I don't know how many times someone turned it back to an "I" story. Have I listened in the past, and was I a listener (like many).

The station has become bland. There is no difference between air times with the exception of loudness.

It all depends on what the meaning of "IS" is. (I could not resist that one.)

(beware - Shirley is feeling bratish today. All in fun)

Wow, what are the chances of catching someone right as they stop listening? I mean, on January 11 you are a listener and then January 26 comes and you're not.

That's a coincidence big enough to point out right there.

Maybe, just maybe, HBRS..... one of the deciding factors was the loss of the wildly popular TODD BAKER! Dismissing someone as popular as Todd says a lot about the station's regard for their listeners, in my humble opimion.

 

[ceejay]

Ruh row, is someone calling out the person who is single handedly responsible for getting country back on the radio? You will be struck down by the country radio gods for this grievous error.

Whoa Nellie!(remember him?) You must know a heck of a lot more than the rest of us know! I don't remember shirleyschmidt mentioning that. How do you know?

If it's true, then I owe shirleyschmidt a big debt of gratitude....... thanks shirl! 8) ;D