KZPO~KCRZ(CP) COV'GE COMPARISON

[mofocat]

It's interesting that the KCRZ CP (class A), has a larger coverage than KZPO, a class B1, from antennas at almost the same location. Granted, the HAATs are very different, but still they are relatively close.

 

[brettbutlerisok]

It's interesting that the KCRZ CP (class A), has a larger coverage than KZPO, a class B1, from antennas at almost the same location. Granted, the HAATs are very different, but still they are relatively close.

It is interesting. Thank you for pointing it out. I'm sure no engineer but I am thinking KCRZ is getting out farther because of Height above Ground Level. I'm pretty sure the tower is just taller than KZPO even though KZPO is up higher. KCRZ is directional. Could it be that much of KZPO's watts just die up against the taller hills to the east where as KCRZ aims its power to the west.

 

[MisterGort]

Are you both talking about "On paper" coverage or "Real World" Coverage. "On Paper" 104.9 looks better, but in "Real World" 103.3 covers all the way to the Grapevine. There are big differences between FCC Contours, Longley-Rice Contours and "Real World" contours. The new location for 104.9 will afford use of much higher power for KCRZ, but the extra height of 103.3 gives KZPO much more distance. 104.9 will have a much stronger local coverage area. But the 103.3 signal will go 3 times the distance as the new 104.9 Class A. The heights of the two sites are NOT the same. 103.3 is on top of Blue Ridge at almost 5,800 feet. The new 104.9 site is on the lower side of the Blue Ridge at about 3,000 feet. KZPO will still - in Real World -- will still provide 3 times as much coverage as the new 104.9. KCRZ will have a much stronger signal -- or listenable signal -- close in.

 

[kenrayc]

Are you both talking about "On paper" coverage or "Real World" Coverage. "On Paper" 104.9 looks better, but in "Real World" 103.3 covers all the way to the Grapevine. There are big differences between FCC Contours, Longley-Rice Contours and "Real World" contours. The new location for 104.9 will afford use of much higher power for KCRZ, but the extra height of 103.3 gives KZPO much more distance. 104.9 will have a much stronger local coverage area. But the 103.3 signal will go 3 times the distance as the new 104.9 Class A. The heights of the two sites are NOT the same. 103.3 is on top of Blue Ridge at almost 5,800 feet. The new 104.9 site is on the lower side of the Blue Ridge at about 3,000 feet. KZPO will still - in Real World -- will still provide 3 times as much coverage as the new 104.9. KCRZ will have a much stronger signal -- or listenable signal -- close in.

Yes very true, and addition to the fact that KCRZ calculated Average terrain is much lower per Sealevel height than the Blue Ridge site makes KCRZ "Stronger" in a sense.

 

[mofocat]

Well, we will just have to wait to see how it does once KCRZ makes the move. I've got a feeling that says 3100 watts at 2700 feet above the valley floor is going to do pretty well, even into Fresno.
Of course, not city grade or 60 dbu, but listenable. Compared to KZPO, well, in Fresno KZPO has to fight co-channel KATM, Modesto, and loses that battle 50% or more of the time. 104.9 doesn't have any on-channel competition. A receiver with good selectivity should separate it from 104.7 and 105.1, neither of those are big powerhouses in the city.
Even though it's a class A, this is no KMAK with 72 watts @ 2500 - imagine KMAK with 3000 watts!

 

[MisterGort]

Sure. Just what Fresno needs. Another boom-box rock station. At least KZPO has a real radio format of its own.. And gets into the ratings. Selling a rock station like 104.9 -- is like beating your head on a rock. Even if -- you could hear 104.9 in Los Angeles -- it will be a hard time selling spots. Glad to see the upgrade.

 

[mofocat]

Sure. Just what Fresno needs. Another boom-box rock station. At least KZPO has a real radio format of its own.. And gets into the ratings. Selling a rock station like 104.9 -- is like beating your head on a rock. Even if -- you could hear 104.9 in Los Angeles -- it will be a hard time selling spots. Glad to see the upgrade.

Oh, I'm NOT saying KCRZ is going to be any kind of 'sellable' entry into the Fresno market. I don't think the owners have any notion to even try to sell it here. Not any more than KZPO does. My whole point was simply that a class A, could have a signal that rivals a class B1, at least on paper. Again, showing that, maybe, being on top of the highest point you 'could' locate on is NOT the best way to go. Kinda goes contrary to what had been conventional thinking for decades.

 

[kenrayc]

If KZPO would move to the new site of KCRZ they would have somewhere around 10KW ERP, and can be heard in Fresno and overcome any interference from adjacent channel KAAT 103.1 Oakhurst and co-channel KATM Modesto under normal conditions.

 

[MisterGort]

Relocating KZPO - 103.3 over to the new KJUG/KCRZ site is possible and would give KingsRadio a stronger signal. But what if KZPO moved to a much taller ste -- say at about 6300 feet high -- and had an HAAT of only + 100 Meters -- that would allow 103.3 to use a full 25 KW ERP. Then which site would be best ??

 

[DanielBoone]

I think KZPO is at a good height and a non-directional pattern. Increasing power would be smart, (even just a little) might help. I think it would be a bad move 103.3 KZPO moving to the valley floor. Right now, it stretches pretty good (not great) though. Fowler to the north, to Shafter to the south along the 99.

 

[MisterGort]

I agree so far with most of the view points posted. Very good ideas. But the best idea -- has a twist. Find a high site -- with a LOW HAAT -- so that you can use the FULL ERP. KZPE - 102.1 at Ford City -- uses the full Class A 6 KW ERP -- and has a site elevation of + 2800 feet AMSL. (Haat is less than + 100 meters). It has a Coverage area equal to a low class "C-1" station -- about 60 KW at + 299 M HAAT. KZPO could use a few more WATTS. And I am sure that the new 104.9 / 106.7 KJUG site would work very well for KingsRadio. But tell that to the owners of KZPO. They have their "radio ears off" like alot of other owners.