KNIT 1480 update

[klystron525]

Just found this site, and noticed the old thread, so I'll bring those interested up to date. KNIT went dark after multiple copper thefts, stripping out electrical mains, entire ground system and stripping ATU's. The good news is one of the bastards was captured in the act, and is now awaiting trial and a lengthy prison sentence. The insurance company finally paid off, and rebuilding/upgrade operations are under way. The pattern has been modified from the original CP, and the tower layout changed, and an amendment is in the works. It should be back on the air in a few months, and with a major format change and facelift. That's all I can say for now, but the change will be worthy of its great past.

 

[LibertyNT]

IT will be cool to see what KNIT goes too.

Since you mentioned a new format worthy of its past..

Either Oldies (KBOX-pre 67) or Classic Country!(KBOX 67-82)

Either way I'm excited for either! (My bet is on Classic Country)

 

[dfaulkner]

Either of the old KBOX formats would be great. Will be good to have the legendary 1480 frequency back on the air.

 

[billyg]

That's great news. I'm so tired of AM stations going dark all over the country. Oldies or Classic Country please!

 

[txchipk]

KNIT changed calls to KBXD Friday...I assume as a homage to its one-time KBOX calls (which have been in use by a station in Santa Maria CA for the last 25 years)

 

[billyg]

KNIT changed calls to KBXD Friday...I assume as a homage to its one-time KBOX calls (which have been in use by a station in Santa Maria CA for the last 25 years)

I guess so too. That sounds like positive news to me. I hope they'll be on the air soon.

 

[Texas Gentleman]

............as an alumni member of KBOX, a memories rush is comin' on! Now, let's get to the nursery for some bushes to spell out K B ...............something!

 

[dfaulkner]

This is fun. KBXD could be "KBOX." Hope they bring back the "KBOX" bushes too.

 

[gabigley1]

Just found this site, and noticed the old thread, so I'll bring those interested up to date. KNIT went dark after multiple copper thefts, stripping out electrical mains, entire ground system and stripping ATU's. The good news is one of the bastards was captured in the act, and is now awaiting trial and a lengthy prison sentence. The insurance company finally paid off, and rebuilding/upgrade operations are under way. The pattern has been modified from the original CP, and the tower layout changed, and an amendment is in the works. It should be back on the air in a few months, and with a major format change and facelift. That's all I can say for now, but the change will be worthy of its great past.

Thanks for the update... Just think of all the money the station lost by having to lave the air.

Please give more details on their new modified CP.. How much power will
they be using daytime and nighttime?
How long have they been off the air, total?

 

[LibertyNT]

I really look forward to KNIT er KBXD (KBOX) to return with a new format!

 

[billyg]

Please give more details on their new modified CP.. How much power will
they be using daytime and nighttime?
How long have they been off the air, total?

The last time I heard 1480 it was last fall playing Christian music with not a great signal btw.

When KBXD gets back on the air, it should be a big 50K daytime, with 1900w nights.

Daytime signal: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KNIT&service=AM&status=C&hours=D
Nightime signal: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KNIT&service=AM&status=C&hours=N

(Btw I had those links bookmarked - They worked for me, I hope they work for you.)

 

[Bob E. Nelson]

When KBXD gets back on the air, it should be a big 50K daytime, with 1900w nights.

Daytime signal: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KNIT&service=AM&status=C&hours=D
Nightime signal: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KNIT&service=AM&status=C&hours=N

The links work just fine...and thanks.

Does anyone have the coverage map for what KBOX (later KMEZ and KCMZ and KDBN) had at the old facility up on McCree Road? It used to occasionally bleed into our church PA system until a filter was put inline.

That old location now has some upscale real estate probably worth much more than the station. It sure packed a potent signal over a large part of the Dallas population back in the day.

 

[billyg]

Does anyone have the coverage map for what KBOX (later KMEZ and KCMZ and KDBN) had at the old facility up on McCree Road? It used to occasionally bleed into our church PA system until a filter was put inline.

That old location now has some upscale real estate probably worth much more than the station. It sure packed a potent signal over a large part of the Dallas population back in the day.

I'm glad the links worked. I wish Radio-Locator wouldn't hide maps of stations that are off the air.

Mike Shannon's excellent "History of KBOX" site has some vintage 60's coverage maps. http://www.knus99.com/kbox1480.html

 

[jd]

When KBXD gets back on the air, it should be a big 50K daytime, with 1900w nights.

Daytime signal: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KNIT&service=AM&status=C&hours=D
Nightime signal: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KNIT&service=AM&status=C&hours=N

Daytime coverage will be good, no argument here. But the nighttime signal will still be simply hideous, with some very deep nulls into heavily populated places but wasted coverage of some essentially rural areas.

I knew one of the engineers who helped construct the site years ago and he admitted, more or less, that the night pattern was a mess. That's what happens when you pick up and move a station, what with changes on the frequency over the years. You wind up having to afford protection to stations that once had to protect yours.

 

[billyg]

Daytime coverage will be good, no argument here. But the nighttime signal will still be simply hideous, with some very deep nulls into heavily populated places but wasted coverage of some essentially rural areas.

I knew one of the engineers who helped construct the site years ago and he admitted, more or less, that the night pattern was a mess. That's what happens when you pick up and move a station, what with changes on the frequency over the years. You wind up having to afford protection to stations that once had to protect yours.

It is a waste with a lot of power going south, was the final 1K pattern at McCree better going north? Strange the night pattern has a lobe pointing toward Athens, when there is 1K 1490 KYZS (the old KDOK) in Tyler.

If the format is classic country or oldies, that wont make a lot of difference since that older audience usually turns the radio off when they get home. I hope they'll stream online.

 

[dfaulkner]

Night pattern reminds me of 1190's, has about as many twists & turns. http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KFXR&service=AM&status=L&hours=N

 

[billyg]

It's been a couple months since the last update. Any word on 1480's transmitter upgrades or any test broadcasting?

 

[LibertyNT]

It's been a couple months since the last update. Any word on 1480's transmitter upgrades or any test broadcasting?

Well they have until July 24th until the license expires from being silent for so long.

 

[317C50KW]

I had to make a trip to the area a couple of weeks ago to pick up my dog from the lady that runs a nearby kennel. I always drive by the entrance to the 1480 site. It didn't look like anything had been going on. I did drive the backroads to the south of the site and it's a lot easier to see the towers that way by looking north. Apparently the Dallas Water Utilities has a big facility of some kind along Jordan Valley Rd. in that area.

It's certainly an out of the way part of Dallas County!

 

[Tom B]

I've been around long enough to remember listening to 'Wonderful KBOX in Dallas'

Now, in April 2012, there's a big void with all the programming removed from 570 and 820 by Cumulus, including Coast-To-Coast. Is there an opportunity here?