LaTech's KLPI on the chopping block

[thebee]

Well folks, it's the end of an era. LaTech's 4000watt radio station (now currently broadcasting at around 20 watts) is about to have its life support pulled. Since 1967 KLPI has entertained the masses and has been a springboard for many bands and radio personalities.

A little history for those unfamilliar with KLPI. The great demise started about 10 years ago when university President Dan Reneau sold off part of the station's transmitter to Dan Hollingsworth over at KXKZ. Some believe this was in retaliation to an on-air prank which spoke poorly of Reneau (to put it mildly). Along with that transmitter came exclusive rights to broadcast all of LaTech athletics. KLPI was pushed down to 250 watts at that time. The student run radio station continued to struggle all while working to get funding for a new tower/transmitter facilities on Grambling's campus. LaTech wouldn't allow construction anywhere near its campus due to the Engineering Department's wind tunnel experiments. It looks like the nail is finally in the coffin because the FCC has found out that no work has been done on the construction agreement filed with them back in 1999. They are demanding that KLPI begin broadcasting at 4000watts or give up its frequency.

What do you think about all of this? Anyone got any insight they'd like to share? It reaks of a university conspiracy. ULM's administration embraces their station and it has a very powerful transmitter as a result. I figured losing a 40 year old radio station would be something interesting to talk about.

Here's the website with all the info: http://www.saveklpi.org

 

[RFLA]

Actually I think you could possibly file a CP for a lower power as educational stations can file for a power as the lowest class A which is 100 watts. And I figure a cheap solid state with a good gain antenna could get you some power. Help alot on the cost of a new station.

I base the 100 watt provision on these two sections of the FCC own rules....
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2005/octqtr/pdf/47cfr73.511.pdf
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2005/octqtr/pdf/47cfr73.211.pdf

But sorry to hear the cut of another student station might be happening...

RFLA

 

[thebee]

Back in 2001 they were broadcasting at 250 watts. Now from what I understand from reading that webpage (haven't kept up with them in some time) they are at 20 watts? Is that even possible? I don't think the university will let them broadcast at 100 watts. They keep pulling the excuse that any higher will interfere with the Engineering Department's wind tunnel experiments. I don't know that much about the technical aspects of frequency modulation but that seems kinda fishy to me. It seems like the university just isn't behind that station.

 

[RFLA]

They may be able to get a waiver with the FCC since it's a existing station for 20 watts but how is the wind tunnel affected at 250 watts (unless it's too close to the equipment)?

Also they state 20 watts, but they don't mention ERP (which is effective radiated power).. Is 20 at the transmitter or ERP? a 20 watt transmitter can be tripled up or more with the right antenna ... (My guess is base transmitter (exciter) w/o amplifier?)


But it's worth a try to ask the FCC and the board about 100 watts...

And I was wondering how you found our website here to publicize?

Also I sent a note to the dude listed on the website, with basically the same info as I put here with some examples of other stations in the board of regents control that are doing it at 250 watts and 150 feet..

espcailly when Grambling's station (KGRM 91.5) and the "red river radio" public broadcasting (K214CE-FM 90.7) are basically on the same tower? Anyone ever ask about what it takes to move there with a few hundred or thousand watts?)

 

[thebee]

I used to work in Monroe radio a few years ago and got my start at KLPI so I'm no stranger to radio-info...even posting a time or two. I was tipped off to the website by a few alumni of that station and I'd really hate to see it die. Last I heard they need to be at 4kw to satisfy the FCC and cannot physically broadcast at that capacity because the university president sold that part of the transmitter to KXKZ (not too familliar with transmitters but that's what I was told by the student engineer...not the cheif engineer). I know that Jerry Harkins is the Cheif Engineer for that station so he should have a better idea of what they can and can't do. I've suggested that they contact him for help/advice. I dug up a construction permit/license on the FCC page several years ago for facilities over at Grambling but I think that's expired by now. I'd really hate to see this station die. It's probably the only one in the state that has a student GM.

 

[w9wi]

They may be able to get a waiver with the FCC since it's a existing station for 20 watts but how is the wind tunnel affected at 250 watts (unless it's too close to the equipment)?

It probably is... the Univ. of Wisconsin ham station (in the basement of the electrical engineering building) used to take a fair amount of crap from some of the professors over RF pickup in the experiments. Upon investigation it was usually found the sensor wiring wasn't properly shielded - but it was easier for the university to give the club space in the penthouse of a new building (well away from the labs) than it was for the labs to shield their stuff.

If KLPI has been operating at less than 90% of authorized power for an extended period without notifying the FCC, then they're in violation of the regulations and could potentially be fined or even see their license revoked. (the latter penalty is EXTREMELY unlikely)

Actually, *any* FM station (including commercial) can be licensed for as little as 100 watts ERP. However, a commercial station must show that it could operate at 6kw ERP without interfering with anyone, even if they actually use only 100 watts. Non-commercial stations need only show interference would be avoided at their actual power.

 

[thebee]

Re: LaTech\'s KLPI on the chopping block

KLPI is licensed to broadcast at 4kw. It hasn\'t broadcast at that power since that tier of its transmitter was sold back in the late 80\'s, early 90\'s. They had been broadcasting at 250 watts ever since. I remember during finals week we would actually have to cease broadcasting entirely so that the department could conduct their experiments. Now the transmitter/tower is located atop a 16 story building which houses classrooms, administrative offices, and a library. The studio is located about 1/4 of a mile away and uses a microwave link to push the signal up to the tower. The engineering department is a good mile 3/4 of a mile away from the tower and 1/2 mile away from the studio facilities. I never did buy their argument that the station was interferring at its 250 watts but they were the bosses.

I\'m not sure what\'s going on with the station and the FCC right now but I\'m guessing the FCC isn\'t too pleased that KLPI hasn\'t acted on the transmitter move to Grambling that they filed back in 1999. I think they were supposed to start broadcasting by 2003 or that filing would be void.

 

[thebee]

FYI it appears that the students have taken down their saveklpi.org site.

The alumni and friends have put up their own site and it can be found here: http://www.iwantmyklpi.org

 

[buttonpuncher]

I just wanted to jump in here and clear up what appears to be a misconception of history. The selling of the transmitter amplifier cabinet had nothing to do with the power decrease, the forced reduction in power happened far before it was sold.

The KLPI transmitter was purchased used around 1984, it’s a 1962 Collins 10kw transmitter with two cabinets, the first cabinet has a 250watt tube amp, and the second cabinet contains a single tube 10kw amp. When the previously mentioned on-campus interference issues forced a power reduction the logical thing to do was disconnect the 10kw amp and run on the 250watt amp alone. That amp cabinet then sat there unused for quite some time before being sold to KNBB 99.3. BTW it was finally retired recently when it became more difficult to keep it running than it was worth.

I have fond memories of working at KLPI as one of the engineers and doing several air shifts. I helped with KLPI’s power increase from 10 to 4000 watts, I remember us rolling the equipment rack containing the 10 watt exciter and Optimod from its room in Caruthers down the elevator, up the street and up the elevator to the top of Wyly Tower, it was a long night, but we got it up and running. Nice view up there too.

KLPI used to be a really happening place with top-notch audio quality, sharp DJs who played progressive music, especially for this area. Also, the station had a lot of support and involvement from students in engineering. It’s sad to see it in decline and hope we can save it...

 

[thebee]

Hey buttonpuncher thanks for clearing that up. You know how it is...stories get passed down and a little truth gets left behind with each generation that passes the story down. That would explain why when I worked at KLPI it was at 250watts (and reached almost into West Monroe..wow!) I recently took a trip back there and could barely pick it up from the Interstate. It looks like the administration is going to decide in November if they want to pay to bump the station back to 4000watts (and move the transmitter to Grambling) or just leave it at 10 watts and let the FCC cards fall. Should be interesting but at least they're going to get a lot of good letters from the alumni before they decide.

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

Thanks for clearing it up, I was wondering how a station could sell part of its transmitter LOL. I thought for a minute they sold the tower site land.


I hope they get everything worked out...

 

[rfburns]

KLPI Ruston, La.

Though I'd give an old post a bump...

Anyone know if KLPI ever returned to their licensed power of 4 kw? I know they were off the air for quite some time last year, but have since returned. Coverage still seems to be weak for their licensed power. The most recent CDBS filing was their 2012 license renewal, but no recent STA for reduced power.

RFB