KRPH Signs on in Morristown....nice knowin' ya, KIIM

[Dave Andrews]

Well, it's happened again in the valley of the sun: Another Tucson signal has been blocked out by a local startup. I can still get KLPX in pockets of Phoenix, but this time, KIIM's occasional signal has been practically OBLITERATED. Even got listenable signal of the new station on part of Stapley Drive tonight.

At least it's a good signal and good mix of music (no commercials so far), a lot better than that AM Stereo-quality-at-best waste of air down at 96.1.

Crowding: Yet another reason they should expand the FM band to fill some of the unused VHF-Lo.

Let's have some fun and guess which Tucson signal will be the next to go. I'm guessing either 94.9 or 107.5.
KeithE4 or dhett, any input on this?

 

[EricStein]

I got a chance to briefly listen to KRPH, and it's basically a canned "Jack-FM" like format with no name. It should put a listenable signal on the "Avenue" side of the Valley, but it battles with KIIM in the E.V. The station is in the process of being sold to an entity that will make it Spanish-language, but that sale hasn't been finalized yet.

 

[Dave Andrews]

I got a chance to briefly listen to KRPH, and it's basically a canned "Jack-FM" like format with no name.

I haven't been able to travel for a few years, but someone told me that The Peak is a better version of Jack. Hmm, KRPH seems a bit better though.

The station is in the process of being sold to an entity that will make it Spanish-language, but that sale hasn't been finalized yet.

Oh well, better get them tapes a'rollin'! This will make a fine addition to my 'short-lived formats' section, complementing "Rhythm and Rock" KYOT, and L.A.'s KKBT between classical and The Beat.

 

[KeithE4]

I got a chance to briefly listen to KRPH, and it's basically a canned "Jack-FM" like format with no name. It should put a listenable signal on the "Avenue" side of the Valley, but it battles with KIIM in the E.V. The station is in the process of being sold to an entity that will make it Spanish-language, but that sale hasn't been finalized yet.

Inaudible in the 'Tuke, in and out between Guadalupe Rd. (but good in the higher elevation at Rustlers' Rooste) and University on 48th St./AZ143. A Spanish-language station serving the far west side would be a good format for this station.

 

[EricStein]

Inaudible in the 'Tuke, in and out between Guadalupe Rd. (but good in the higher elevation at Rustlers' Rooste) and University on 48th St./AZ143. A Spanish-language station serving the far west side would be a good format for this station.

The KRPH (or FM1 booster on the White Tanks) signal seemed to be a little stronger today. I could receive them audibly going driving east-west in the E.V. They must be using an IP-based STL for now, since it "hiccuped" once or twice during the hour I listened, and around 8:55 tonight, they went to silence (transmitter was still on the air).

If the Spanish-language radio deal falls through, they could always go traditional soft AC superserving the retirement communities of the West Valley.

 

[EricStein]

I haven't been able to travel for a few years, but someone told me that The Peak is a better version of Jack. Hmm, KRPH seems a bit better though.

That could be debated. I personally thought that The Peak was at its best when Joel Grey was the PD. After he left, his replacements have gradually moved the station's sound in a Hot AC direction, while keeping a few '60s/'70s songs (including the infamous "Brown Eyed Girl"). The same could be said about their former sister station in St. Louis, "The Arch," which added more currents while still under Bonneville ownership.

 

[Dave Andrews]

They must be using an IP-based STL for now, since it "hiccuped" once or twice during the hour I listened, and around 8:55 tonight, they went to silence (transmitter was still on the air).

If the Spanish-language radio deal falls through, they could always go traditional soft AC superserving the retirement communities of the West Valley.

Or they could go B/EZ and cover some parts of the west valley where KAHM is blocked....Silent Sam was still on as of Sunday but I'm thinking that when they return to the air it won't be in English.

 

[EricStein]

Or they could go B/EZ and cover some parts of the west valley where KAHM is blocked....Silent Sam was still on as of Sunday but I'm thinking that when they return to the air it won't be in English.

The B/EZ audience is becoming extinct, just like Adult Standards. The Boomers that are moving to retirement communities will relate to Soft AC better.

As for KRPH, it was on the air yesterday when I visited the NW side. The FM1 booster was off, and it sounded like the main signal was running on or less than 25% power (KIIM was trampling all over it).

 

[DrAkbar]

We got a collection can in the Buckeye Media Hut lobby to purchase this station for $6.95m http://www.radiotvdeals.com/35.html?m8:search (search Market rank 1-50) Future format to include the color red with numerous backyard picnics on the opposite side of town

 

[EricStein]

Update: KRPH has once again powered up its FM1 booster from the White Tank Mountains, and it is audible in the East Valley with a radio's whip antenna positioned up and slightly to the east. Programming is still automated "Jack-FM" like Adult Hits, and the audio quality sounds like mono, but the stereo pilot is on.

 

[asugeorge1]

I got a chance to listen to KRPH again this weekend in all it's mono glory over here in the East Valley. A few notes: The music variety is very good, everything from Paul Simon to Maroon 5, and reminds me a lot of the Peak when it was monikered, "70's, 80's and Whatever We Want." On the downside, the signal is okay at best, especially when you head into the far East Valley. There's a lot of interference from KIIM, which is probably the worst situation since there's enough static from both stations to make the 99.5 frequency almost unlistenable. I've also noticed that KRPH has added some bumpers indicating their I-POD like format, but have yet to hear a legal ID. I guess KRPH is trying to mimic our beloved Lumberyard! ;D


On a side note, when I was first trying to find KRPH on the radio dial in my car, I thought KRPH was on 99.3. This was an interesting mistake because when I first tuned in to 99.3, I thought I was picking up some sort of oldies station from Las Vegas. The music variety was actually very good with "Abraham, Martin and John" by Dion, "Norwegian Wood" and "I'm a Loser" by the Beatles. What tipped off the Las Vegas connection was an ad they aired for a golf course in Henderson, Nevada. My first guess was that this could have been some sort of E-Skip event, but when I got home, a cursory search turned up the fact that this was a very weak translator of a real Las Vegas classic hits station broadcasting from Payson. What completely boggles my mind is that the website (http://1069theq.com/) lists itself as KMZQ, 106.9 FM Las Vegas, and 99.3 FM Payson / Phoenix. The on-air legal ID also mentions Phoenix.

Maybe this is some sort of wishful thinking, but can anyone in Phoenix actually pick-up KMZQ? Unless you're in the far east valley where the station barely comes in at all, you're more likely to run into "The Beat" translator from the west side. I've heard of rimshots, but KMZQ definitely has to take the cake!

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

I've also noticed that KRPH has added some bumpers indicating their I-POD like format, but have yet to hear a legal ID. I guess KRPH is trying to mimic our beloved Lumberyard! ;D

What do you mean? KAZG absolutely still has legal IDs every hour, but it sounds like you've missed many a 14 in a row this weekend!

What completely boggles my mind is that the website (http://1069theq.com/) lists itself as KMZQ, 106.9 FM Las Vegas, and 99.3 FM Payson / Phoenix. The on-air legal ID also mentions Phoenix.

Maybe this is some sort of wishful thinking, but can anyone in Phoenix actually pick-up KMZQ? Unless you're in the far east valley where the station barely comes in at all, you're more likely to run into "The Beat" translator from the west side. I've heard of rimshots, but KMZQ definitely has to take the cake!

You really can't hear Payson's KMZQ in too many places around the Valley. East side is your best bet... and even that's iffy.

I always thought when KMZQ the music station launched (with Bill Gardner in the mornings), they added Phoenix with Payson to perhaps attract KOOL listeners who still wanted to hear Bill and have them attempt to listen. Plus, doesn't it always look better when you can include a big market?

 

[johndavis]

I always thought when KMZQ the music station launched (with Bill Gardner in the mornings), they added Phoenix with Payson to perhaps attract KOOL listeners who still wanted to hear Bill and have them attempt to listen. Plus, doesn't it always look better when you can include a big market?

I don't think the KMZQ that's being simulcast with KVGQ (Overton) Vegas has ever had live jocks. It's a pretty broad mix of music, and I find myself streaming them to see what segue they'll come up with next. I've listened to them the last couple of times I was in Vegas for NAB, but I've never picked them up while in Phoenix.

My guess is they're keeping the needles moving while they engineer upgrades on both signals. KVGQ is the second move-in that Kemp has done in Vegas. My understanding is that they thought they'd get farther into Phoenix on the first shot with KMZQ but the translator on 99.3 is in the way. KVGQ has an on channel booster that makes it receivable in a car around the strip until you go into a parking garage and I think another upgrade is in progress. I'm not sure what they plan to do to scoot KMZQ into Phoenix.

 

[justthenumbers]

I always thought when KMZQ the music station launched (with Bill Gardner in the mornings), they added Phoenix with Payson to perhaps attract KOOL listeners who still wanted to hear Bill and have them attempt to listen. Plus, doesn't it always look better when you can include a big market?

I don't think the KMZQ that's being simulcast with KVGQ (Overton) Vegas has ever had live jocks.

What is the difference between "KMZQ the music station" and the current one? Was it initially a standalone (non-simulcast) operation? And if so, is the Vegas simulcast of KVGQ a recent development?

Also, I noticed that the CHR station in Flagstaff (KQST 102.9) now calls itself "Q102.9" -- after calling itself "The Q" for quite some time. I wonder if this change was made to prevent confusion between that station and KVGQ/KMZQ (in the areas, if any, where there is signal overlap.)

 

[johndavis]

What is the difference between "KMZQ the music station" and the current one?

99.3 KMZQ is a new station licensed to Payson that Will Kemp got the original construction permit for in 2005. I don't think it's related to any other stations that have used the call letters in the past.

 

[asugeorge1]

I've also noticed that KRPH has added some bumpers indicating their I-POD like format, but have yet to hear a legal ID. I guess KRPH is trying to mimic our beloved Lumberyard! ;D

What do you mean? KAZG absolutely still has legal IDs every hour, but it sounds like you've missed many a 14 in a row this weekend!

For the most part (99.99% of the time), yes, but KAZG still has it's hiccups every now and then (as do other stations).

For example, every Saturday during the 9:00 A.M. hour, the RCS feed (or whatever feeds those golden oldies to the Lumberyard) has a system reset and we get treated to dead-air. Once the system comes back on-line (which can last for variable amounts of time), the legal ID is never played at 10:00 A.M. I don't know why, but it seems to be consistent every Saturday morning. Also, KAZG used to have problems playing a legal ID coming out of the Culinary Confessions show at 1:00 P.M. Sometimes there would be a double ID, sometimes no ID at all. I haven't really noticed this problem recently, though.

Overall, KAZG does a fine job with their legal ID. Yes, there's those problems with a legal ID at sign-on and sign-off, but that character trait is all a part of the reason why we love KAZG!

Now that I think about it, this would probably be a better discussion left for that lovely 93 page thread better known as, "A Day in the Life of a Lamptimer"!