KXPR 88.9 New Transmitter

[Mark Roberts]

I mean, its City of License is Sacramento, and Stockton is its own rated market (#81), where I don't believe CapRadio subscribes to Nielsen. So, yeah, cover Sacramento better.

Not to mention that Sacramento is the seat of government with lots of government employees who, one might think, would be inclined to listen to news-oriented programming. I could be assuming too much, but when your livelihood is directly tied to political actors, you might want to know what those actors are doing. Stockton, on the other hand.... (need I say more?)

 

[michael hagerty]

Not to mention that Sacramento is the seat of government with lots of government employees who, one might think, would be inclined to listen to news-oriented programming. I could be assuming too much, but when your livelihood is directly tied to political actors, you might want to know what those actors are doing. Stockton, on the other hand.... (need I say more?)

Well, remember---what we're discussing here is the relocation of the Classical station (KXPR) tower. Our news station, KXJZ, is simulcast on KUOP in Stockton, so we have full coverage of Stockton and Modesto.

 

[davideduardo]

I mean, its City of License is Sacramento, and Stockton is its own rated market (#81), where I don't believe CapRadio subscribes to Nielsen. So, yeah, cover Sacramento better.

And, for those unfamiliar with radio sales, a station in a larger market generally gets no more money from advertisers because they have audience in an adjacent smaller one.

Example: Many LA stations have good coverage and significant ratings in Riverside-San Bernardino, a separate and large market. But those LA stations don't get higher rates or more clients because of that. In fact, most do not even subscribe to the Riverside-San Bernardino Nielsen ratings as the survey costs more than any extra revenue they will get. And local clients in that second market won't pay LA rates to reach Riverside and San Berdoo listeners.

 

[Mark Roberts]

Well, remember---what we're discussing here is the relocation of the Classical station (KXPR) tower. Our news station, KXJZ, is simulcast on KUOP in Stockton, so we have full coverage of Stockton and Modesto.

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Camron Fry]

But KXSR doesn't put a strong signal into Stockton, a significant population center. Yes, you can receive it there, but with a tower way northeast of Sonora, it's a rimshot. So, I don't quite see the net gain of moving KXPR's stick. Sure, you'll get somewhat better coverage of Sacramento. But you'll likely lose a lot of listeners in Stockton.

moving their tower to the new location will put a much stronger signal over Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, Rocklin...etc. Those are areas with massive growth in the last decade and larger household income per capita than oh....let's say.... STOCKTON. That's just smart business for Cap Radio. It's why they continue to grow and thrive and the rest of "commercial" radio is dying a slow death.

 

[radio11]

Sometime around mid-July, the signal from KXPR to Livermore degraded significantly – from clear stereo to noisy mono. Before I give any more money, I will need more signal strength from the translator at KXSR 91.7. I don't know what the signal is like in Stockton, but that's a city of 320,000.

 

[radio11]

After almost three weeks of poor signal, yesterday KXPR's signal started coming in loud and clear. I wonder what is going on. The station stopped responding to my queries. KXSR is intermittent, despite what Capradio's signal status says.

 

[Big D]

The new tower location would put a weaker signal over Livermore. From my location I can’t tell much of a difference between the new site and WG. Perhaps it’s a bit stronger but I never had trouble receiving KXPR from WG.

 

[Camron Fry]

The new tower location would put a weaker signal over Livermore. From my location I can’t tell much of a difference between the new site and WG. Perhaps it’s a bit stronger but I never had trouble receiving KXPR from WG.

KXPR is not transmitting from the new site yet. Read up in the thread.

 

[Weiserguy]

Qn #1: Is KXPR live from its new xmtr site yet?

Qn #2: Is sister station KXJZ back to full power? It's been largely AWOL for the last couple of weeks, and an inquiry to member services was answered that the xmtr air conditioning had a problem and they were reducing power until a new unit could be installed. Anyone have updated info?

 

[michael hagerty]

The latest information I have from inside the building:

We are still doing tests on the new 88.9 transmitter. So we're broadcasting some of the time from the new site and some of the time from the old. They haven't shared a date for the full, permanent switchover.

As for KXJZ, the air conditioning in that transmitter building has apparently failed. We're able to operate the auxilary transmitter on low power (no HD), but that's it. Apparently the AC repair/replacement is complicated and we've been told to expect a few weeks before we're back to normal there.

 

[Big D]

Um, their License to Cover was granted on 6/30. Are they even allowed to still be transmitting from the old site? Seems like an STA would be required at this point.

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

Um, their License to Cover was granted on 6/30. Are they even allowed to still be transmitting from the old site? Seems like an STA would be required at this point.

My thoughts exactly. There is no official active record of the old site. My understanding is that you don’t file for a license to cover until you are ready.

 

[michael hagerty]

What I shared here was what staff has been told via Slack over the past few weeks with permission to share with listeners inquiring about the signal.

For clarification, I've reached out directly to an engineer to make sure I didn't misunderstand what I read, or got the timeline jumbled somehow---which is a far more likely scenario than this organization doing something outside its FCC-granted authority.

I'll tap back here when I have the answer.

 

[Weiserguy]

What I shared here was what staff has been told via Slack over the past few weeks with permission to share with listeners inquiring about the signal.

For clarification, I've reached out directly to an engineer to make sure I didn't misunderstand what I read, or got the timeline jumbled somehow---which is a far more likely scenario than this organization doing something outside its FCC-granted authority.

I'll tap back here when I have the answer.

Thank you, sir.

 

[Camron Fry]

well, rather than the choppy signal driving down my street here in the Carmichael/Fair Oaks area....i was getting classical music in full HD today! Sounded great!!! I could NEVER get the HD to switch on in my area when they were broadcasting from the old site in WG. Quite an improvement.

 

[radio11]

As expected, I've gone from clear stereo to tolerable mono.

 

[Camron Fry]

As expected, I've gone from clear stereo to tolerable mono.

what area are you in? Just curious. *edit* never mind. I saw your post. Unfortunately, considering where you are....that's to be expected considering the new tx location. :-/

 

[radio11]

Had some joy today. I placed a drop amp in the antenna feeder, and most of the KXPR audio quality returned. These amps don't get enough respect. The DJ's sibilance is annoying, but it doesn't extend into the music.

 

[Camron Fry]

moving their tower to the new location will put a much stronger signal over Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, Rocklin...etc. Those are areas with massive growth in the last decade and larger household income per capita than oh....let's say.... STOCKTON. That's just smart business for Cap Radio. It's why they continue to grow and thrive and the rest of "commercial" radio is dying a slow death.

Well.....based on recent events...I guess I was in error there. LOL. This is still a smart move for that signal though.