Lower Non-commercial band getting even more congested

[jd]

For westside listeners a change is coming. A construction permit has been approved for KMQX 88.5 Weatherford that gives them a hefty power increase, going from a Class C3 (3,500 watts at 518 feet) to a C1 (100,000 watts, same height). Granted, their tower is north of Mineral Wells and pretty short (with a directional pattern) but it's still a 100kW co-channel with KEOM and its 61,000 watts on the east side. Sadly KTCU 88.7 is still in the middle and stuck with their 10,000 watt directional signal, a low-end Class C3 with minimal power and coverage.

 

[radi0avenger]

And 88.3 just south of Ft Worth is directional to the west, protecting 88.5

 

[sox fan matt]

Is KTCU on 88.7 protecting anything? I'm in the North Tarrant/Beach area (North Ft Worth) and hear them good, but could they increase power or would it cost too much since they are a college station?

 

[jd]

Is KTCU on 88.7 protecting anything?

Yes, they afford protection to KEOM and KMQX. A joint agreement allowed them to increase power back in '02 and for KMQX to sign on, not in Weatherford but from the Mineral Wells site. Incidentally, when KEOM (previously on 88.3 with just 3,000 watts) applied to increase power and switch to 88.5 back in the late '80's their pattern was specifically designed to afford considerable protection to KTCU (which at that time was operating with 3,000 watts). When KTCU increased power the situation was reversed; they had to go directional to protect KEOM.

 

[jd]

We'll see. I don't expect them to cause a lot of interference there with KEOM although occasional "picket-fencing" might occur, something that might be enhanced by seasonal tropo. In the case of KTCU there may be some collateral damage, though.

 

[dfwrunner]

That weatherford station better not ruin my reception of KEOM in Arlington. Its the only station left worthwhile to listen to in DFW.

what protection? the FCC doesn't care about protection, if they did, they wouldn't allow that stupid 92.1 translator in Irving. It messes with KTFW all the way from arlington to downtown fort worth.

 

[jd]

what protection? the FCC doesn't care about protection, if they did, they wouldn't allow that stupid 92.1 translator in Irving.

I know we've talked about this before, but the FCC approved it because it "fits." The coverage contour of the translator is well outside the protected contours of both KTFW and KXEZ. So the answer is don't complain here; send an e-mail (or even snail mail) to the chief engineer at the station if the translator is causing problems with your reception. I talked with another poster who has done that. If it can be shown that there is significant listening, regardless of whether you're outside the "usual" range of either station, and that can be documented by the stations something might be done. Without that nothing will change.

 

[dfwrunner]

what protection? the FCC doesn't care about protection, if they did, they wouldn't allow that stupid 92.1 translator in Irving.

I know we've talked about this before, but the FCC approved it because it "fits." The coverage contour of the translator is well outside the protected contours of both KTFW and KXEZ. So the answer is don't complain here; send an e-mail (or even snail mail) to the chief engineer at the station if the translator is causing problems with your reception. I talked with another poster who has done that. If it can be shown that there is significant listening, regardless of whether you're outside the "usual" range of either station, and that can be documented by the stations something might be done. Without that nothing will change.

I sent a letter (twice) to the engineer at KTFW and to the FCC directly. Before the translator, KTFW came in just fine most of the way to DFW airport on my truck radio. That should be good enough.

 

[dfaulkner]

what protection? the FCC doesn't care about protection, if they did, they wouldn't allow that stupid 92.1 translator in Irving.

I know we've talked about this before, but the FCC approved it because it "fits." The coverage contour of the translator is well outside the protected contours of both KTFW and KXEZ. So the answer is don't complain here; send an e-mail (or even snail mail) to the chief engineer at the station if the translator is causing problems with your reception. I talked with another poster who has done that. If it can be shown that there is significant listening, regardless of whether you're outside the "usual" range of either station, and that can be documented by the stations something might be done. Without that nothing will change.

I sent a letter (twice) to the engineer at KTFW and to the FCC directly. Before the translator, KTFW came in just fine most of the way to DFW airport on my truck radio. That should be good enough.

Thanks for doing that. I'm probably the other poster that jd mentioned. If others will join us, maybe something will change.