KRCW, KXOL, KLAX, KYSR, KROQ

[e-dawg]

KRCW 89.9, KXOL 96.3, KLAX 97.9, KYSR 98.7, and KROQ 106.7 are the only full power Class B LA stations that are not top of Mt. Wilson. Why other Full power LA stations are on top of Mt. Wilson and others aren't? KRCW and KYSR are on top of Hollywood Hills, KXOL and KROQ are on Verdugo Peak, and KLAX is on Flint Peak.

 

[nmoore6676]

There are engineering concerns which others are more qualified to address, but the fires of last year and the weather conditions of Mount Wilson makes putting all of the transmitters up there not seem to be so wise. Many stations up there now have or soon will have auxiliaries on other high sites around the area because there was almost a catastrophic shutdown of TV and FM as well as other communications due to last year's wild fire around Mount Wilson.

TV can and does now direct feed to the cable and satellite providers but FM radio would be dead if there was a disaster wiping out the mountain of the roads and power lines going up there.

 

[davideduardo]

KRCW 89.9, KXOL 96.3, KLAX 97.9, KYSR 98.7, and KROQ 106.7 are the only full power Class B LA stations that are not top of Mt. Wilson. Why other Full power LA stations are on top of Mt. Wilson and others aren't? KRCW and KYSR are on top of Hollywood Hills, KXOL and KROQ are on Verdugo Peak, and KLAX is on Flint Peak.

The reasons why any FM can not move to a different location usually involve....

Spacing requirements. The move would put the station too close to a co-channel or adjacent or next adjacent channel station. Sometimes resolved by using directional antenna elements.

New location much higher. Power has to be reduced if the antenna height increases within the definition of the FM class (B, B1, etc.). Sometimes the reduction is so severe that while the height increases, the power is not enough to blanket the market.

Costs and regulations. Sometimes a station finds there is no available location at a prime site, and developing "in the vicinity" hits the wall of permits, environmental concerns, etc. as well as site development costs.

KROQ and KYSR seem to do fine ratings wise; there is something to be said for high power within the market as opposed to lower power and height at the edge of a market.

 

[davideduardo]

There are engineering concerns which others are more qualified to address, but the fires of last year and the weather conditions of Mount Wilson makes putting all of the transmitters up there not seem to be so wise. Many stations up there now have or soon will have auxiliaries on other high sites around the area because there was almost a catastrophic shutdown of TV and FM as well as other communications due to last year's wild fire around Mount Wilson.

TV can and does now direct feed to the cable and satellite providers but FM radio would be dead if there was a disaster wiping out the mountain of the roads and power lines going up there.

I believe all the commercial radio stations have alternate sites closer to the basin floor. Clear has Mulholland, Emmis has Flint, CBS has Verdugo, etc.