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charles123
Guest
Hello All
Why is KSKY-660 AM on 92.9 FM??
Why is KSKY-660 AM on 92.9 FM??
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charles123 said:
The FCC has been allowing AMs to use FM translators lately.
KSKY has filed for several around the area as emergency FM translators. It filed the STA requests for them claiming a couple of Mexican AMs on 660 (XEEY Jalpa AZ and XEDTL San Lorenzo Tezoneo DF)are illegally operating at higher power at night (50 kw rather than 1 kw) and reducing their nighttime coverages.
They have applied for and have been granted several FM translators:
95.5 Fort Worth
95.5 Arlington
92.9 Dallas
The 92.9 Dallas facilities co-ordinates put it as co-located with KGGR 1040 in east Dallas: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=32.77861,+-96.73083+(KGGR-AM)&om=1. Coverage map at the end of their filing: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=662261
Interesting development. I'm dubious as to whether they really need those translators for the reason they mention in the filing. It seems to me it's a way for them to get on the FM band cheaply.
tested said:
I don't think Salem's that stupid. Radio can't be something we have to work at to enjoy, and I think they know that. To tell listeners to tune in at 660 or two weak FM frequencies depending on where they are forces them to work at enjoying the station. Virtually no one will tolerate constantly punching buttons to hear their favorite programming for long. Also, I believe the FM translators are only supposed to operate at night.
Getting on FM cheaply and easily by using a translator makes a lot of sense in markets like Waco, Wichita Falls and Texarkana. Translators can cover the population centers of those markets reasonably well. It makes no sense, however, in larger markets. Austin is a good example of this. KEYI used to do well, usually top-5 12+, with oldies. When it became Bob FM, an oldies station from Llano started broadcasting on two translators. It doesn't even crack the book. KAHL in San Antonio has also seen miniscule, if any, improvement since being allowed to rebroadcast its signal on 103.7 FM.
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rbrucecarter5
Guest
Great - we lose more rim shots, KSKY gets a free ride to FM. So much for the neighborhood ---
With KMAD / The Bear jammed by KVTT, and KNIN / KLRK jammed by KSKY - we lose more programming choices and diversity in the area. This is not a good thing. I don't need the same Christian stations repeated on other frequencies. I already get them on their primary frequencies.
I've resisted satellite for years. Enough already. I'm getting it - the hell with intentional jamming - these "Christian" stations ought to ask themselves "what would Jesus do"? He sure didn't try to out shout people with dissenting ideas. He spoke in his own venues - to people that came to hear him.
With KMAD / The Bear jammed by KVTT, and KNIN / KLRK jammed by KSKY - we lose more programming choices and diversity in the area. This is not a good thing. I don't need the same Christian stations repeated on other frequencies. I already get them on their primary frequencies.
I've resisted satellite for years. Enough already. I'm getting it - the hell with intentional jamming - these "Christian" stations ought to ask themselves "what would Jesus do"? He sure didn't try to out shout people with dissenting ideas. He spoke in his own venues - to people that came to hear him.
KSKY is not a Christian station anymore. It is news talk.
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rbrucecarter5
Guest
radioaircheck said:
Check again - they just aren't as blatently obvious.
This is exactly what I thought would happen if the FCC started allowing AMs to have FM translators. It would be the big AMs with plenty of nighttime coverage already that would use this as a back door to an FM license - not the little mom and pop stations that have NO nighttime power at all. KSKY has 700 watts at night - sure it protects New York and Window Rock, but the coverage is complete over the entire metroplex. Much more than their stupid little translator has - except for those of us who have decent radios and can hear their junk all over 92.9 for miles and miles all over the metroplex.
I say - let KSKY keep their AM license, or the FM license, but not both! This is ridiculous! If is is just an issue of FM sounding better - they ought to put HD on AM 660. After all - HD is the greatest thing to ever happen to radio, it will single handedly save AM, HD receivers are flying off the shelves to long lines of eager consumers who wait all night for the latest model. And if you believe that, Santa Claus will fly on the 24th.
If we want to reward somebody with a downtown Dallas translator, somebody who is desperate and deserves it - I say it ought to go to "the ranch" people, who have been trying desperately for years to get a decent signal. I detest country, but I feel their pain. Or if you want to give it to a deserving AM, why not KAAM that really NEEDS good sound because they play music and not talk, and they don't have a good nighttime signal. Or give it to KJIM, which lost their Ft. Worth outlet years ago to yet another Spanish language station. NOT to KSKY - that doesn't really need it, and doesn't bring any more diversity to the market.
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PandK_71
Guest
Their signals on the FM side (92.9 and 99.5) both just happen to be the recommended signals from Sirius Satellite radio for the Dallas area.
I wonder if that had any thing to do with their choice of signals?
Those Right Wing Morons, they are always going after Howard Stern- give it up already!!!
I wonder if that had any thing to do with their choice of signals?
Those Right Wing Morons, they are always going after Howard Stern- give it up already!!!
radioaircheck said:
It is more like Right-Wing extremism. I couldn't believe some of the stuff Mike Gallagher was saying on election night.
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rbrucecarter5
Guest
PandK_71 said:
Howard Stern was making comments about the attractiveness of slain Columbine High School girls - and you defend him?
But -Siriusly - here is our answer! All KNIN and KLRK fans - leave your modulators on 92.9 and lets jam the bastards right off of 92.9! We can disagree on politics- but we agree that we do NOT want KSKY jamming 92.9, no matter what their politics!!!
txchipk said:
What I find interesting from that application is that they're running 800 watts ERP on 92.9 -- which is over three times the 250 watts normally allowed for a translator, and eight times the power allowed for the LPFM service.
Considering the way that the NAB whined about interference from third adjacent LPFMs at 100 watts, I find it ironic that the NAB is supporting AM translators that will be running eight times that power level on second adjacent channels. It just confirms what we all already knew, which was that the objections to LPFM didn't actually have anything to do with interference concerns.
This was discussed here when the original applications were filed. For the record these are not translators in the official sense. They're designated as emergency "repeater" stations due to the Mexican interference issue and that's why they're not limited to the standard maximum of 250 watts for translators. KSKY was able to get the job done by convincing the FCC that their nighttime coverage was being ripped to shreds and that constituted an emergency.
Years ago a number of AM stations in Florida were given "temporary" authority to run higher power at night because of Cuban interference, and that temporary permission still exists, too. The Cuban interference issue also brought about the first cases of "emergency" FM repeaters, around Nashville and Jackson MS. Last I heard they're are still on the air but with power levels more in line with translators. Unlike Nashville, however, the Jackson station was never referred to as a translator and it's actually licensed for nighttime operation only.
You're right, Tom. The grant of these repeaters for KSKY certainly sets a precedent that's interesting, but to me it's quite disturbing as well. I really doubt that the Mexican stations (one of which is in suburban Mexico City) are going to reduce their nighttime power all the way back to their authorized levels and the "emergency" will be a continuing thing. So they win, KSKY wins and the FCC has opened Pandora's box once again.
Years ago a number of AM stations in Florida were given "temporary" authority to run higher power at night because of Cuban interference, and that temporary permission still exists, too. The Cuban interference issue also brought about the first cases of "emergency" FM repeaters, around Nashville and Jackson MS. Last I heard they're are still on the air but with power levels more in line with translators. Unlike Nashville, however, the Jackson station was never referred to as a translator and it's actually licensed for nighttime operation only.
TexasTom said:
You're right, Tom. The grant of these repeaters for KSKY certainly sets a precedent that's interesting, but to me it's quite disturbing as well. I really doubt that the Mexican stations (one of which is in suburban Mexico City) are going to reduce their nighttime power all the way back to their authorized levels and the "emergency" will be a continuing thing. So they win, KSKY wins and the FCC has opened Pandora's box once again.
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rbrucecarter5
Guest
jd said:
This sounds more and more like two neighbors in an apartment complex turning up their stereos louder and louder because they don't like what the other person is playing. The solution is to turn down both. The US needs to get in front of the Mexican authorities and hash out an agreement that makes sense about nighttime operation. It seems that Mexico is slowly shifting to FM, so the emergency might just go away in a few months or years anyway. But once this huge blaster of a translator is grandfathered in - it will be impossible to get rid of the thing. How long before Salem simply sells it for a huge profit and smiles all the way to the bank?!
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ButtnPushr
Guest
In radio, someone can still make a huge profit??
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rbrucecarter5
Guest
LibertyNT said:
DRamatically different in Plano - it clobbers everything on 92.9. What a difference a few miles makes. At least I didn't care thay much about KKBQ reception - it is country. But I'll miss KNIN. Until I get satellite in a few days and forget the mediocre over the air stuff forever!!!
All of this would seem to boost the argument for eliminating TV channels 5 and 6, and moving stations in the existing AM band to the 76-88 MHz region.
Mexican signals reaching into Texas on 660 is nothing new...I recall hearing the old XERM Mexico City with a good signal most nights in the 60's, much easier to hear than the old WNBC.
Virtually every frequency on AM has nighttime interference issues, especially since the mid-80's when the last clear channels were broken up, and daytimers were given nighttime authorization. The band is a mess.
Once all the dust settles from the DTV transition, broadcasters, the FCC, electronics manufacturers, and the listening public need to have an intelligent dialogue about the future of radio and the eventual shutdown of the AM band. May not happen for 20, 30, or more years, but planning should begin NOW.
Mexican signals reaching into Texas on 660 is nothing new...I recall hearing the old XERM Mexico City with a good signal most nights in the 60's, much easier to hear than the old WNBC.
Virtually every frequency on AM has nighttime interference issues, especially since the mid-80's when the last clear channels were broken up, and daytimers were given nighttime authorization. The band is a mess.
Once all the dust settles from the DTV transition, broadcasters, the FCC, electronics manufacturers, and the listening public need to have an intelligent dialogue about the future of radio and the eventual shutdown of the AM band. May not happen for 20, 30, or more years, but planning should begin NOW.
rbrucecarter5 said:
They can't sell them. They aren't even consider translators or boosters...they are technically just part of KSKY run under STAs (there is no separate FCC facility ID for these outlets). If they are formally converted to some sort of booster (KSKY-FM1), they couldn't do anything but relay KSKY and could not be sold apart. If they are formally converted to FM translators like the 102.5 translator getting sold to KGGR, they would have to reduce power since they seem to be operating higher than what a class D FM translator could have (again under an emergency STA). Even then, they would have to relay a station since translators cannot originate programming. So, it's not like these would have "huge" value.
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rbrucecarter5
Guest
txchipk said:
One thing is for sure - that station in Mexico really IS ripping them apart. When I turned on the radio last night, I heard it like a local and not a trace of KSKY. But my radio just happened to be oriented to null KSKY's nighttime signal. I can sympathize with KSKY for not wanting to put up with this massive interference, but the solution is to approach the station in Mexico and get some sort of resolution. Probably - the station in Mexico wants to migrate to FM anyway - problem solved for both stations.
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Radioman100
Guest
rbrucecarter5 said:
Yeah... Right... It only took 8 years for this mess to be straightened out: http://www.well.com/user/dmsml/xlnc/xlnc.html
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