KMUL frequency change

[Mediafrog]

Haven't seen any mention of this on the Texas board, but I understand KMUL has made its long anticipated frequency move down to 830 and changed its COL from Muleshoe to Farwell. Apparently only running 1,100 watts daytime instead of the planned 50kw, with a measly 10w at night.

For those of you in the Panhandle/Eastern New Mexico area, how good is the 830 signal coverage? And anyone know what happened to the 50kw plans? The predicted signal contour (three lobes NE/SE/W) would have put a pretty solid signal into Amarillo, Lubbock, and west towards Albuquerque.

50kw still in the cards, or was the idea shelved?

 

[bayou_city_bob]

> Haven't seen any mention of this on the Texas board, but I
> understand KMUL has made its long anticipated frequency move
> down to 830 and changed its COL from Muleshoe to Farwell.
> Apparently only running 1,100 watts daytime instead of the
> planned 50kw, with a measly 10w at night.
>
> For those of you in the Panhandle/Eastern New Mexico area,
> how good is the 830 signal coverage? And anyone know what
> happened to the 50kw plans? The predicted signal contour
> (three lobes NE/SE/W) would have put a pretty solid signal
> into Amarillo, Lubbock, and west towards Albuquerque.
>
> 50kw still in the cards, or was the idea shelved?
>

Here's the scoop:

KMUL's 50kW daytime CP was a hook to try to get someone to buy the station. No one bit, because there is no night coverage over either Amarillo or Lubbock (while there would be during the day at 50kW). 830 during the day does get down into Lubbock and makes it harder for Panhandle listeners to hear 820 WBAP. KMUL's new transmitter is actually the old 1,000 watt backup/night transmitter for 790 KFYO in Lubbock (yes, KMUL is only running 1,000 watts). KMUL is still running their Spanish language music format, but I do have to say, they Legal ID in a very clearly spoken, K-M-U-L Muleshoe.

 

[Kent]

> Haven't seen any mention of this on the Texas board, but I
> understand KMUL has made its long anticipated frequency move
> down to 830 and changed its COL from Muleshoe to Farwell.
> Apparently only running 1,100 watts daytime instead of the
> planned 50kw, with a measly 10w at night.
> For those of you in the Panhandle/Eastern New Mexico area,
> how good is the 830 signal coverage? And anyone know what
> happened to the 50kw plans? The predicted signal contour
> (three lobes NE/SE/W) would have put a pretty solid signal
> into Amarillo, Lubbock, and west towards Albuquerque.

It definitely took place. I heard it on 830 on my way to New Mexico three months ago. It was strong enough for my seek to stop on it several times between Amarillo and Tucumcari. Don't know about future plans, but the move has definitely happened, and it comes in pretty well on at least part of the I-40 run.

 

[rbrucecarter]

> 830 during the day does get
> down into Lubbock and makes it harder for Panhandle
> listeners to hear 820 WBAP.

Just wait until WBAP fires up IBOC - the sidebands will swamp 830 before it makes it to Lubbock. Based on what I hear of the sidebands of 620 in Lubbock on 610 - they are as loud or louder than the main channel. I hear them mixing with 630 as well. Perhaps that is why 830 didn't sell - potential buyers know that if nighttime IBOC is ever authorized, WBAP IBOC will pulverize any rim shot attempt into Lubbock / Amarillo nighttime. And ABC conversion to IBOC is accelerating, its only a matter of time before IBOC hissssss shows up on WBAP's adjacents.

 

[Mediafrog]

> Perhaps that is why 830 didn't sell -
> potential buyers know that if nighttime IBOC is ever
> authorized, WBAP IBOC will pulverize any rim shot attempt
> into Lubbock / Amarillo nighttime.

That may spur KMUL to revive the 50kw daytime plans. The two proposed lobes towards Amarillo and Lubbock would override the WBAP sidebands.

Of course nighttime IBOC from WBAP would kill the 10 watt night signal from KMUL, which was still going to be in place after the proposed daytime upgrade. And there is the issue of increasing co-channel slop on 830 itself. KMUL needs to figure out a night upgrade so at least Clovis-Portales is able to hear them after dark.