KWKH

[K4WRF]

FWIW:
KWKH as well as co-owned KEEL, have been engaged in a lengthy and challenging project replacing the entire phasing, feeder and matching system at each plant located just a few miles apart north of Shreveport.

 

[BRNout]

Frankly, I never thought CKWX was do-able around here. Certainly not on a walkman. Then there it was yesterday (Thursday) both before and after sunrise. That said, I knew from my 1-2 times a year business trips to Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest that they have a dynamite signal. Basically rock solid from Vancouver all the way to Sea-Tac airport, south of Seattle.

As a teenager....before WISN flipped....I'd sometimes hang out at night on 1130 trying to catch WDGY (usually without success). In those days there really wasn't much of anything on the channel, although occasionally KWKH, WCAR, or WNEW would appear briefly.

Now there's lots of action on 1130! Until your post, I never gave a thought to looking for CKWX. Sure, it comes in well around Edmonton and Calgary - and in much of the intermountain West. But never thought it would make it into the Midwest! Especially with KWKH clobbering all comers. Yet it sneaked in on my barefoot Grundig G8.

You know the dxing is good in northern IL when KNX and KSL start sounding like ho hum reports!

 

[Schroedingers Cat]

I'm really enjoying this discussion about WISN. Some things I knew and had forgotten, but much of it is brand new to me. Thanks to David Eduardo and everyone else for fascinating information.

Meanwhile, here's an update from East Texas about 110 miles WSW of the KWKH transmitter site. This is from the car a couple of hours ago, although I don't think being able to null KWKH would have made much difference. It appears they're still on reduced power and at the time they were talking LSU football. The signal was quite weak and subject to noticeable fading here in their cancellation zone, but they would have listenable were it not for interference from a Mexican, XEYZ in Aguascalientes. It faded in and out, but when they hit their peaks KWKH was completely gone. There are several conflicting powers shown for XEYZ, ranging from 1kW to 30kW, but I tend to believe the listing on Fred Cantu's site which shows them running 10kW day and 2.5kW night.

Interesting indeed. Yesterday afternoon, while raking some leaves, I had it on 1130. Initially, WISN dominated, then I could hear the Twin Cities station coming in well around 4:15. By 4:30 pm (before dark), KWKH was dominating the channel and that continued for the rest of the evening from what I can tell. Very strong signal up here. This was around the same time as WISN fell off the table. But, with such a strong signal, I can't see how KWKH would not interfere with WISN in the Milwaukee market as well - being audible in the background at least.

And, how is it that KWKH supposedly is directional toward the southwest at night - yet blows into the Great Lakes region with so much power?

KWKH is omni days. And if they are on STA, omni with reduced power night. It is usually heard best at dusk, or perhaps dawn, and depending on what time sunrise and sunset is at your location relative to KWKH.

 

[radioman148]

Frankly, I never thought CKWX was do-able around here. Certainly not on a walkman. Then there it was yesterday (Thursday) both before and after sunrise. That said, I knew from my 1-2 times a year business trips to Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest that they have a dynamite signal. Basically rock solid from Vancouver all the way to Sea-Tac airport, south of Seattle.

As a teenager....before WISN flipped....I'd sometimes hang out at night on 1130 trying to catch WDGY (usually without success). In those days there really wasn't much of anything on the channel, although occasionally KWKH, WCAR, or WNEW would appear briefly.

Cyberdad, I think you & I are close to the same age. Anyway, in the early 60s I used to hear WDGY regularly at this time of year here in the Chicago area before they lowered their power around Minneapolis sunset. Also starting around 1963 I used to hear WNOE (1060) New Orleans at the same time until their power switch around 5PM CST. Then poof they were gone & KYW (WRCV) as it was known then owned the frequency.
I found that the fall & early winter turned up the best DX opportunities in late afternoon/early evening hours. Sometimes I could even hear WABC & the other 50KW east coasters as early as 2:30OM CST.
Back to 1130, before WISN moved there I could get WCAR during the day.

 

[cyberdad]

Cyberdad, I think you & I are close to the same age.

Similar age, similar experiences. I began DX-ing when I discovered my grandfather's 1938 Zenith multi-band console in perfect working condition. I discovered DXing and Dick Biondi/WLS that same summer!

 

[radioman148]

Cyberdad, I think you & I are close to the same age.

Similar age, similar experiences. I began DX-ing when I discovered my grandfather's 1938 Zenith multi-band console in perfect working condition. I discovered DXing and Dick Biondi/WLS that same summer!

Almost exactly the same experience. My dad's Trans Oceanic--which I still have--has a young Dick Biondi, Cousin Brucie, and so many other memories wrapped up inside.

 

[troyjjones]

Gentlemen,

KWKH is currently undergoing extensive repairs to both its towers and underground directional array and control system after years of neglect. We are in fact under an engineering STA requiring us to reduce power to 12.5kW omni at night instead of pattern change. This month, removal of burned conduit and transmission line caused an "expected" shift in the base impedance of tower 2 of 3. We are currently operating on tower 3. The transmitter is operating at 50,000 watts omni daytime. We will also be make adjustments to the tuning network soon. The burned conduit is being replaced next week, which will put tower 2 impedance back where it should be. I can assure you that KWKH automatically reduces its main forward power to 12.5kW at dusk and raises again to full glory at dawn (the sunrise and sunset times are posted on KW's license) and have logs to prove it. Our sister station KEEL is also undergoing extensive work at the base of all 6 towers where we are replacing the entire grounding system.

This really shouldn't be allowed to occur, though it is abundantly clear that the FCC is running low on people who know anything about signal propagation.

I do take a slight offense to KWKH being called a "southern interloper" as it is a true clear channel station operating since 1926, which means any other stations like WISN (which was born when KW was 28 years old) are technically on KW's turf. And as for the comment that "it shouldn't be allowed to occur" we're following all guidelines set forth by the STA. As for the FCC running low on people who know anything about signal...I agree.

Here is KWKH's antenna orientation:
http://www.fccinfo.com/CMDProEngine.php?sCurrentService=AM&tabSearchType=Appl&sAppIDNumber=1284465&sHours=N

Glad I don't work for WXYT,
Troy J. Jones
Townsquare Media Shreveport
Engineering/I.T.
KEEL / KWKH / KRUF / KVKI / KXKS / KTUX

 

[cyberdad]

Troy....

Thanks for the first-hand explanation. Not only does it explain why KWKH has been so robust here in northern Illinois (12.5kw ND is more than enough juice to do that), but I think it also explains why KWKH in recent years has been an easier nighttime catch here than it had been "back in the day".

I totally agree with your comment that if any station is the interloper it would be WISN (along with a few others, to be sure). And speaking just for myself, I'd much rather listen to classic country to the same old-same old canned junk that fills up most of WISN's broadcast day.

Best of luck with your major project. Hopefully when it's done, you won't have to worry about having that "big stud" CKWX all over your (butt) in these parts. Cheers! ;D

 

[Schroedingers Cat]

Before WUFL and WNVR came on, you could sometimes hear WBZ in Michigan in the daytime, sometimes at solar noon. With the strange low sunspot activity, daytime skywave can happen at almost anytime of day in the winter and near winter months, but generally at shorter distances corresponding to a lower ionospheric layer than at night. Generally, the skywave is less than an order of magnitude greater than the groundwave though. If you have a 50 uV/m groundwave and a 0.5 mV/m skywave though, that's quite substantial.

 

[radioman148]

Before WUFL and WNVR came on, you could sometimes hear WBZ in Michigan in the daytime, sometimes at solar noon. With the strange low sunspot activity, daytime skywave can happen at almost anytime of day in the winter and near winter months, but generally at shorter distances corresponding to a lower ionospheric layer than at night. Generally, the skywave is less than an order of magnitude greater than the groundwave though. If you have a 50 uV/m groundwave and a 0.5 mV/m skywave though, that's quite substantial.

You're right about skywave in winter. One time during the 70s I heard WBZ, WABC, WNBC, WHAM, & WCAU all around noon in Northern Illinois. It was right around Christmas.

 

[jd]

Glad I don't work for WXYT,
Troy J. Jones
Townsquare Media Shreveport

I like your sense of humor! Welcome to the boards, Troy; thanks for all the info (and the personal reply). Hope the remainder of the job goes well. Next time I'm over in Shreveport-Bossier I might stop by. (I could swing by Billy The Exterminator's place and say hi, too...or maybe not.)

 

[Bongwater]

Frankly, I never thought CKWX was do-able around here. Certainly not on a walkman. Then there it was yesterday (Thursday) both before and after sunrise. That said, I knew from my 1-2 times a year business trips to Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest that they have a dynamite signal. Basically rock solid from Vancouver all the way to Sea-Tac airport, south of Seattle.

As a teenager....before WISN flipped....I'd sometimes hang out at night on 1130 trying to catch WDGY (usually without success). In those days there really wasn't much of anything on the channel, although occasionally KWKH, WCAR, or WNEW would appear briefly.

CKWX is quite the monster up here in Seattle. Get into Vancouver proper and smoke starts coming out of your radio.

In Anchorage, you might as well be in Seattle because almost every non-graveyard channel AM signal in Puget Sound comes booming in at night.....

 

[BRNout]

Gentlemen,

KWKH is currently undergoing extensive repairs to both its towers and underground directional array and control system after years of neglect. We are in fact under an engineering STA requiring us to reduce power to 12.5kW omni at night instead of pattern change. This month, removal of burned conduit and transmission line caused an "expected" shift in the base impedance of tower 2 of 3. We are currently operating on tower 3. The transmitter is operating at 50,000 watts omni daytime. We will also be make adjustments to the tuning network soon. The burned conduit is being replaced next week, which will put tower 2 impedance back where it should be. I can assure you that KWKH automatically reduces its main forward power to 12.5kW at dusk and raises again to full glory at dawn (the sunrise and sunset times are posted on KW's license) and have logs to prove it. Our sister station KEEL is also undergoing extensive work at the base of all 6 towers where we are replacing the entire grounding system.

This really shouldn't be allowed to occur, though it is abundantly clear that the FCC is running low on people who know anything about signal propagation.

I do take a slight offense to KWKH being called a "southern interloper" as it is a true clear channel station operating since 1926, which means any other stations like WISN (which was born when KW was 28 years old) are technically on KW's turf. And as for the comment that "it shouldn't be allowed to occur" we're following all guidelines set forth by the STA. As for the FCC running low on people who know anything about signal...I agree.

Here is KWKH's antenna orientation:
http://www.fccinfo.com/CMDProEngine.php?sCurrentService=AM&tabSearchType=Appl&sAppIDNumber=1284465&sHours=N

Glad I don't work for WXYT,
Troy J. Jones
Townsquare Media Shreveport
Engineering/I.T.
KEEL / KWKH / KRUF / KVKI / KXKS / KTUX

Sorry if you took offense Troy, but nor was my comment incorrect in that our ability to hear your signal so strongly up north here is not representative of your usual signal pattern. Based on all the available information in the FCC database, one wouldn't think that KWKH should have such an impressively strong signal into the Chicago area given that most of your power should be aimed elsewhere. Given this, our inquiries/comments were certainly understandable. And, based the level of signal strength that I measured from your station while being as close to Milwaukee as Kenosha, I beg to differ with you about who would be in who's turf. Because, on several occasions, I don't see how your signal did not stamp on WISN within portions of their home market.

Your statement explains the issue, clearly you are not doing anything not condoned by the FCC, and we appreciate it. You should hear how well KWKH has come in up here - you'd be impressed with how well your 12.5 kw gets out there!

 

[cyberdad]

Update....

Tried 1130 at 6am this morning, just before dawn (on the SRF 37). KFAN on top with KWKH right in there with it. No CKWX.

Hopped in the car a half hour later. Pretty much a mess on 1130 with an infomercial from somewhere occasionally on top. (Nothing like colon blow at 6:30 on a Saturday morning).

Decided to move over to 1070 to see whether the path to the west coast was open or not. Got my answer in a hurry....KNX was roaring in. Pretty much alone on top of a more crowded channel (around here) than 1130.

 

[radioman148]

Update....

Tried 1130 at 6am this morning, just before dawn (on the SRF 37). KFAN on top with KWKH right in there with it. No CKWX.

Hopped in the car a half hour later. Pretty much a mess on 1130 with an infomercial from somewhere occasionally on top. (Nothing like colon blow at 6:30 on a Saturday morning).

Decided to move over to 1070 to see whether the path to the west coast was open or not. Got my answer in a hurry....KNX was roaring in. Pretty much alone on top of a more crowded channel (around here) than 1130.

I've found over the years that KNX is quite reliable just before sunrise in the Chicago area this time of year especially.

 

[BRNout]

Update....

Tried 1130 at 6am this morning, just before dawn (on the SRF 37). KFAN on top with KWKH right in there with it. No CKWX.

Hopped in the car a half hour later. Pretty much a mess on 1130 with an infomercial from somewhere occasionally on top. (Nothing like colon blow at 6:30 on a Saturday morning).

Decided to move over to 1070 to see whether the path to the west coast was open or not. Got my answer in a hurry....KNX was roaring in. Pretty much alone on top of a more crowded channel (around here) than 1130.

Yes, it was KFAN on top for Friday and Saturday nights as well with KWKH in the background or buried completely. Totally different situation than earlier in the week when KWKH had one of the strongest signals on the entire band.

I never get to dx at that hour of the morning, but it doesn't seem to be that hard from our area to get dx reception of KNX after 9 pm CST during this time of the year. I'd imagine that early in the morning is better still. Still looking for KFI here - I seem to only be able to get a weak mish-mash of weak signals from WWLS from near OK City, WMFN Zeeland, MI, and/or WOI from Ames, IA on 640.

I have yet

 

[cyberdad]

I've pretty much pinpointed the last time I heard KFI here to winter 1981 or 1982....and with a good signal at that. I stand to be corrected, but I think this was before WOI, WMFN, and WWLS all got into the picture. (Usually for me it's either WOI or WMFN...or both...around here at night).

I still think KFI could definitely be do-able in the Chicago area with a little patience. Their nighttime signal up and down the west coast has been really good since they got their tower fixed.

 

[cyberdad]

1130 continues to produce some interesting results....

This morning at 6:15 am, just before sunrise, it was WBBR blasting in. Presumably on day pattern. Contrary to the experience of others in the area (Northern Illinois), I don't personally come across WBBR all that often....although it's definitely do-able. This morning was probably the strongest I've heard it. Which, of course, would fit with "day pattern/coming from the east/just around local dawn.

 

[radioman148]

1130 continues to produce some interesting results....

This morning at 6:15 am, just before sunrise, it was WBBR blasting in. Presumably on day pattern. Contrary to the experience of others in the area (Northern Illinois), I don't personally come across WBBR all that often....although it's definitely do-able. This morning was probably the strongest I've heard it. Which, of course, would fit with "day pattern/coming from the east/just around local dawn.

I have caught WBBR this way many times on late fall/early winter mornings coming in quite strong
into the Chicago area. Also, I can hear them during the evening hours off the back of their pattern, but of course much weaker.

 

[KR4BD]

During "Normal" times when KWKH is on their licensed nighttime directional pattern, 1130 in Central Kentucky is a mixture of two very weak signals....WBBR and KWKH. With KWKH now on a Special Temporary Authority non-directional 12.5 KW night pattern, they win the 1130 battle here at night. At Sunrise/Sunset, I have historically also logged the 1130's from Detroit, Milwaukee and Minneapolis here at times.