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KQRS Ratings Improve

We've frequently talked about the poor ratings on 92.5 KQRS. It had fallen out of the top ten in Minneapolis for a few years. Long time morning host Tom Barnard retired at the end of last year, causing a hit to the morning show ratings. At one time, Bernard was so popular, he was often #1 in morning drive and helped KQ92 soar.

People said that lately, KQRS music selection is bad, the station is too pop-leaning. But with Cumulus also owning the harder edged, more contemporary rock station KXXR 93.7, KQRS can't stray too far into 93X territory.

Well, it seems things have improved for KQRS. It's #5 in the latest ratings, while sister station KXXR is #8. In the 25-54 demo, KQRS is tied for #6 with Jack-FM KZJK 104.1. So that's a good sign. After listening a few times, I don't hear KQRS sounding much different than other popular Classic Rock stations that don't lean too hard, such as WAXQ NYC and WDRV Chicago.
 
We've frequently talked about the poor ratings on 92.5 KQRS. It had fallen out of the top ten in Minneapolis for a few years. Long time morning host Tom Barnard retired at the end of last year, causing a hit to the morning show ratings. At one time, Bernard was so popular, he was often #1 in morning drive and helped KQ92 soar.

People said that lately, KQRS music selection is bad, the station is too pop-leaning. But with Cumulus also owning the harder edged, more contemporary rock station KXXR 93.7, KQRS can't stray too far into 93X territory.

Well, it seems things have improved for KQRS. It's #5 in the latest ratings, while sister station KXXR is #8. In the 25-54 demo, KQRS is tied for #6 with Jack-FM KZJK 104.1. So that's a good sign. After listening a few times, I don't hear KQRS sounding much different than other popular Classic Rock stations that don't lean too hard, such as WAXQ NYC and WDRV Chicago.
I’ve always thought KQRS sounded great, especially since Tom departed.
 
Their technical sound was off for about 6 months, I was hearing some distortion. Not sure if it was processing or something in the chain gone bad.
Their engineer likes it loud. Apparently Cumulus TC's CE is also the owner of Zoe Communications in WI.... Listen to Zoe's stations, the processing is set very similar. Loud and distorted.
 
Thus I won't be listening any longer than I can stand the distortion.
I've very politely messaged them to make them aware of their overmodulation but haven't gotten any response, they've seen it, but haven't responded. The processing is so cranked that it's causing probably the worst multipath distortion issues I've ever seen (heard) in my life. Multipath distortion is so bad it doesn't even sound like it's at full power, when I'm pretty sure it is! (They're back on Shoreview now) I'd really hate to do this and be 'that' person, but if this keeps up, I'm considering reporting them to the FCC, as they are well over 101.5% (FCC allows 0.5% modulation increase for every 1% of RDS injection, so considering they run 3% RDS injection, 101.5% is as high as they legally can go) total modulation... (But that means I'd also have to report KSTP, KTMY, KXXR and KZJK for being overmodulated as well...)
 
I've very politely messaged them to make them aware of their overmodulation but haven't gotten any response, they've seen it, but haven't responded. The processing is so cranked that it's causing probably the worst multipath distortion issues I've ever seen (heard) in my life. Multipath distortion is so bad it doesn't even sound like it's at full power, when I'm pretty sure it is! (They're back on Shoreview now) I'd really hate to do this and be 'that' person, but if this keeps up, I'm considering reporting them to the FCC, as they are well over 101.5% (FCC allows 0.5% modulation increase for every 1% of RDS injection, so considering they run 3% RDS injection, 101.5% is as high as they legally can go) total modulation... (But that means I'd also have to report KSTP, KTMY, KXXR and KZJK for being overmodulated as well...)
This is a technical question for anyone who knows the answer - why would a processor be able to go higher than 100%?
 
This is a technical question for anyone who knows the answer - why would a processor be able to go higher than 100%?
To answer your question - Every exciter (what drives the transmitter) has what is called a reference level. You need to match your audio processors composite MPX (a composite signal is basically your mono audio, 19k stereo pilot, stereo audio, RDS, and any additional SCA carriers all mixed down into one signal, hence why its called a composite signal) output to your transmitters reference level. However, because different exciters have different reference levels, your processor output has to be able to go very high and very low to ensure it can match every reference level an exciter may have. Some engineers take advantage of this and go a bit higher than the exciters reference level to make the audio louder than everyone else who follows the rules, because for whatever reason, "louder is better" apparently. I heard in NYC this was a huge problem in the 80s (?) I think... With some stations supposedly modulating up to 135%.
 
This is a technical question for anyone who knows the answer - why would a processor be able to go higher than 100%?
I appreciate RadioGuy1019 response, but in a brief answer is, the processor's output is adjustable and the exciter's input is adjustable. So the process requires to have both levels be set to meet the legal FCC modulation.

RG, it's your call, but don't hesitate to contact the FCC. (If they do anything about it).
 
From the Minneapolis-St. Paul Radio Ratings: November 2023 they are not in any of the top five positions of these demos:
25-54: 1. KFXN 2. KSTP 3. KXXR 4. KTIS (up from #7) 5. KZJK 6. KDWB 7. KQQL
18-34: 1. KDWB 2. KEEY 3. KXXR 4T. KSTP 4T. KFXN
18-49: 1. KSTP 2. KFXN 3. KXXR 4. KDWB 5. KTIS 6. KEEY

One of the quickest changes is to get the extreme processing changed back to the previous settings, when Wade set them up.
I still can't listen for any length of time. The days of being the loudest on the dial are over.
 
One of the quickest changes is to get the extreme processing changed back to the previous settings, when Wade set them up.
I still can't listen for any length of time. The days of being the loudest on the dial are over.
Good luck with that. They won't listen. I messaged them, and even reported them to the FCC with proof from my mod monitor (yes, I have a really good signal) as they are overmodulated. But nothing changes. They love that aggressive, distorted sound for some reason... Even though no one likes it, and it's degrading their coverage a lot. (Even the RDS just stops decoding at times on the car radio and will do just fine once a very quiet part in the song approaches.)

What is weird is that KXXR shows the exact same numbers as KQRS in terms of loudness measurements, but KXXR doesn't sound anywhere near as bad as KQ.
 


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