KTAR Major Announcement

[EricStein]

The last thing any NPR station will do is commit more hours to music. Look for jazz to move to online and KJZZ HD-2.

Unlike many other NPR member stations across the country, KJZZ has been dragging their feet when it comes to adding HD Radio transmission equipment. Either they're waiting for more radios to enter the market or they're afraid that it would interfere with their Fountain Hills-area translator on 91.7. I would suspect if anything, that when (or if) KJZZ decides to go HD, they will simulcast KBAQ on HD2 until they're able to get the permission to move KBAQ to South Mountain.

It's been eons since I tried to pick up KXTC in Flag or Prescott, does the signal propogate as well as other Phoenix FMs? If not, they ought to get a small AM or FM in Flag to simulcast KTAR FM.



Don't laugh, that's exactly what the MISU did with WTOP on its maryland fringes.

How about the unbuilt station at 99.3 in Payson? That would fill some of the areas on the Mogollon Rim that would lose coverage based on FM's "line-of-sight" disadvantage over AM. I don't know about the legalities of Bonneville owning a station in either Prescott or Flagstaff to simulcast KTAR-FM since they are seperate markets according to Arbitron.

 

[EricStein]

It's been eons since I tried to pick up KXTC in Flag or Prescott, does the signal propogate as well as other Phoenix FMs? If not, they ought to get a small AM or FM in Flag to simulcast KTAR FM.

As KXTC, I believe they transmiited from the original Channel 5 tower on the Westward Ho Hotel in the '70s. I don't know when they moved to South Mountain.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought KXTC/KJJJ/KEZC was on Shaw Butte for much of its early years, up until late 1985/early 1986 when they finally moved to South Mountain, and that the former transmitter is being used by the shared stations of KNAI and KPHF.

 

[KeithE4]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought KXTC/KJJJ/KEZC was on Shaw Butte for much of its early years, up until late 1985/early 1986 when they finally moved to South Mountain, and that the former transmitter is being used by the shared stations of KNAI and KPHF.

I believe that's correct but before Shaw Butte, I thought they were on the Westward Ho. This would have been at sign-on circa 1973. IIRC, there weren't any FM stations on Shaw Butte in that era.

 

[zumahans]

I've heard KTAR on I-15 near the NV/CA boarder coming almost like a local...

--->I've heard KT'R at night on a Walkman up next to a window in the terminal one
concourse at LAX.


How long ago was that? TJ and other hash drowns out KTAR at night.

Buckeye now extends west out almost to Tonopah. The signal west of 85 is marginal at best daytimes and better at night. Except at sunset when TJ appears on top.

Isn't there a 620 in Vegas also?

As it happens, I have to drive to Tempe again today. I'll check.

 

[KeithE4]

Buckeye now extends west out almost to Tonopah. The signal west of 85 is marginal at best daytimes and better at night. Except at sunset when TJ appears on top.

I doubt the Sales VP in Secret Underwear gives a diddly about anything west of AZ 85, at least not yet. Not much of an audience that far out. Give it a few years.

Isn't there a 620 in Vegas also?

There was supposed to be, but I don't believe it ever came on the air. IIRC, it was to be a 500-watt daytimer.

 

[testing]

KJZZ-FM going all-jazz because of a move of NPR spoken word to AM is 1980 strategy. Even if it got a 24/7 AM for news/NPR, they would not switch over their highly-listened-to programming to a mortally-wounded band like AM.


The last thing any NPR station will do is commit more hours to music. Look for jazz to move to online and KJZZ HD-2.

this is a possibility.
"They'd move jazz to 89.5 (classical is dying on radio, even on FM) or dump it completely like WBEZ Chicago plans on doing next year. They're going full-time NPR & liberal-talk, something they've wanted to do for almost 15 years. Wouldn't surprise me if KJZZ did the same thing in the next couple of years."

this is also possible. about classical dying--you'd think so, but the numbers here say otherwise. mainstream Jazz listeners don't give much money, and there are few listeners, despite the "hip" cachet of the format. classical has many more listeners than you think under 55. and the classical side has been doing better all along in terms of ratings and money (than the jazz format). classical will most likely stay on 89.5.

 

[zumahans]

Maybe a jazz presence in limited dayparts. But ASU would never give up the prestige of a classical music FM outlet so long as NAU, U of A and even Arizona Western College have them.

Here is the results of the KTAR signal test:

XM wins. The Dodgers - Diamondbacks game sounded great in my Zuma Beach driveway.