KWHI 1280 Brenham upgrade isn't dead

[jd]

This seems to have slipped under the radar and it's a surprising development; KWHI's application from 2003 was recently amended to address several deficiencies cited by the FCC. There were cases where the proposed 10kW directional daytime signal supposedly would conflict with existing adjacent-channel stations, namely KRGE down in Weslaco, KIVY Crockett and KJEF over in Jennings LA (near Lake Charles), all on 1290. A number of changes have been included in the revised application, not the least of which is reducing the power down to 3.8kW. The transmitter site would still be near the community of Sunny Side, north of I-10 between Katy and Bellville.

Even at the lower power level KWHI would put a city-grade signal into northwestern Harris County, while barely including Brenham within the 5mV/m contour. Nighttime still calls for using just 72 watts non-directional. The proposed daytime coverage can be seen here, on page 2: https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS...?appn=101444799&qnum=5110&copynum=1&exhcnum=3

 

[mrbeasley]

Why do I smell one of our local "characters" in this?

 

[stan]

Oh goody! Another rimshotmthat practically serves no one it intends to serve.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Although there is a big lobe that supposedly covers Houston, the signal level will be too low for any practical purposes. You have to have a pretty solid signal these days to attract any listeners, and that only occurs within the innermost circle on the coverage map--basically the Brenham to Cypress/Katy area. What on earth are they planning to program?

I guess the 72 watt night signal stays at the current site, as that is what KWHI is running now.

 

[jd]

Why do I smell one of our local "characters" in this?

Here's another question, which may or may not be related to yours, but what happened to the supposed "arrangement" that was part of the agreement for Roy Henderson's sale of KULF Bellville a couple of years ago? There were three parts to the plan, which would have had KTWL 105.3 changing their COL from Hempstead to an undisclosed location, with KULF taking its place by being re-licensed from Bellville to Hempstead and a "replacement" station being found to take KULF's place in Bellville.

Which station would be (or would have been) a candidate to re-license to Bellville? Well, consider that the area around the proposed KWHI site is seemingly becoming quite popular with AM stations. Besides KULF 1090 and KCHN 1050 there are now three other stations which may have sites in the vicinity; in addition to KWHI there's the proposed relocation of KYOK 1140 from Conroe to Katy and the upgrade (to 25kW daytime) for KYND 1520. That would be a lot of AM sticks out there, and it wouldn't be surprising to see some diplexing going on if the FCC approves one or more of the pending applications.

You have to have a pretty solid signal these days to attract any listeners, and that only occurs within the innermost circle on the coverage map--basically the Brenham to Cypress/Katy area. What on earth are they planning to program?

KWHI's proposed coverage would be similar in shape, and in coverage equal to or slightly better than KULF, although that's not saying much. Evidently 1090 is making some money, maybe more than we could imagine, and I'd figure that a similar plan could be found for 1280. If not, one has to ask, why would they revive the old application and go for the upgrade? After all, it shouldn't matter whether Brenham is served with 1,000 watts or 3,800, unless they have something else in mind. Apparently they do, but that begs the question, who are they?

 

[Ultanium]

I won't comment on the Henderson deal, but I have been running a carrier-current station in Bellville for almost a month now. What was originally "The Cat" is now "The Bull", and running under 10 watts on 580khz, with an old LPB. When I first fired it up on 1450, it nearly covered the entire town, but when the switch was made to 580 to improve the range, it actually dropped it to less than 1/8th mile. Taking fs readings on this thing has driven me nuts, and despite several calls to OET, I still don't think its right. Every power line on this neutral-loaded setup is an antenna, and my Potomac doesn't like it. We have been playing hits from all genres, from the 50's to the 80's. We have no studio, no vehicle, no staff, no budget, and only one advertiser so far. Not sure yet how I'm going to provide local news, but I'll figure out something...

Tommy J.
AM-580 "The Bull"
http://bigvoices.net

 

[mrh1960]

Although there is a big lobe that supposedly covers Houston, the signal level will be too low for any practical purposes. You have to have a pretty solid signal these days to attract any listeners, and that only occurs within the innermost circle on the coverage map--basically the Brenham to Cypress/Katy area. What on earth are they planning to program?

Good question...what are planning to program that would interest anyone other than a Brenhamite? The music is piped in via a "Real Country" feed with canned DJ's that are not local, with the exception of the Saturday morning Oldies and "Polka Time". Frank Wagner is the most monotoned, unenthusiastic news caster there ever was, and everything that anyone talks about on KWHI is about Brenham...and that subject gets old REAL fast...

 

[rbrucecarter5]

I won't comment on the Henderson deal, but I have been running a carrier-current station in Bellville for almost a month now. What was originally "The Cat" is now "The Bull", and running under 10 watts on 580khz, with an old LPB. When I first fired it up on 1450, it nearly covered the entire town, but when the switch was made to 580 to improve the range, it actually dropped it to less than 1/8th mile. Taking fs readings on this thing has driven me nuts, and despite several calls to OET, I still don't think its right. Every power line on this neutral-loaded setup is an antenna, and my Potomac doesn't like it. We have been playing hits from all genres, from the 50's to the 80's. We have no studio, no vehicle, no staff, no budget, and only one advertiser so far. Not sure yet how I'm going to provide local news, but I'll figure out something...

Tommy J.
AM-580 "The Bull"
http://bigvoices.net

I haven't heard a trace of it in the Cypress area - 580 is dominated by XEMU.

If 1280 would play something besides - foreign language babbling - yet another classic country rimshot - really bad southern gospel/ preaching, etc. I might be interested. Houston has a huge format hole with oldies. Excuse me I meant classic hits. I got a little excited when 1090 was stunting. When they went yet another foreign language, I took it off the presets. I don't speak foreign.

 

[Mediafrog+]

If 1280 would play something besides - foreign language babbling (snip) I might be interested.

There is more than enough English language babbling on AM radio, so at least a different language provides a change of pace. ;D

When they went yet another foreign language, I took it off the presets. I don't speak foreign.

But many listeners would have added it to a preset. Targeting audiences whose first language is something other than English is what has kept many AM stations alive. Without those programming options, many stations would have gone out of business years ago.

 

[Ultanium]

With carrier-current, I'll never get to Cypress, its in-town only, & just barely at that. It uses the neutral side of the powerlines, so the signal travels across town, but only radiates about 300ft.

 

[purpledevil]

With carrier-current, I'll never get to Cypress, its in-town only, & just barely at that. It uses the neutral side of the powerlines, so the signal travels across town, but only radiates about 300ft.

I've never heard it in Bellville either, so Cypress is a real stretch.

I won't comment on the Henderson deal

And for that....I am most thankful. Merry Christmas.

I do like the name change. Very appropriate choice.

 

[Scout]

Frank Wagner is the most monotoned, unenthusiastic news caster there ever was...

Try working with the guy sometime. :