Make way for 1480!

[SomeRadioGuy]

Are these the people running KZXR 1310, leasing it from Bustos?
I can regularly hear that up in Alaska at night.

 

[valvashon]

Are these the people running KZXR 1310, leasing it from Bustos?
I can regularly hear that up in Alaska at night.

Yes they are but of course that shouldn't happen with only 66 watts at night. Iglesia Pentecostal Visperia del Fin are highly respected radio professionals with an unimpeachable record of quality engineering. At least that's what I'm told.

Val

 

[davideduardo]

You mean Iglesia Pentecostal Visperia del Fin?

I know it's in Spanish, but it is "Vispera" and not "Visperia". It means "eve" as in "Eve of the End" which is the church's name. Reminds me of that 60's song about the "Eve of Destruction".

Rather negative name for a church, too.

 

[Grounded Grid]

OK, Val. Well, we all get to have an opinion here.

 

[boombox4]

Why is 1460 included in this deal? After all, they have a different owner, right? KARR's signal is inaudible in SKC except on ultra rare occasions where it just might be heard. Nothing but static during the day. Not sure how much it's audible in the Eastside.

Well, a couple AM signals nobody remembers are gone. But seriously, what have any of these stations been in decades?

When KARRs night crew replaced the pleasing instrumentals and hymns with an overnight full of hard core rap from the internet channel 66Raw (complete with all cuss and swear words, Lil Wayne's "Rich as ****" was in heavy rotation) over a couple nights in 2014-2015 or so, that was something.

 

[Kelly A]

I know it's in Spanish, but it is "Vispera" and not "Visperia". It means "eve" as in "Eve of the End" which is the church's name. Reminds me of that 60's song about the "Eve of Destruction".

Rather negative name for a church, too.

And that's what a lot of old style "Christian" radio networks amounted-to: 'End of the world programming.' I had the opportunity to converse with one of those radio preachers years ago. He claimed that End Of World programming brought in the most revenue, because believers figured they had nothing to lose. That money won't be needed in the afterlife. Pretty slimy stuff.

 

[fordranger797]

I’m probably more negative than most, but I absolutely love seeing these religious stations shut down (and I personally am Christian). It’s amazing to me that they continue to occupy so many frequencies, albeit primarily on the AM band, and still have any listeners. Someone is out there listening, and someone is opening their checkbook…

 

[davideduardo]

And that's what a lot of old style "Christian" radio networks amounted-to: 'End of the world programming.' I had the opportunity to converse with one of those radio preachers years ago. He claimed that End Of World programming brought in the most revenue, because believers figured they had nothing to lose. That money won't be needed in the afterlife. Pretty slimy stuff.

🤮
💩

 

[Grounded Grid]

Val, I took some time to look into your view of K20NF-D. I didn't install it, but I did do some initial work toward getting internet to the transmitter location, so I am generally aware of the project.

I spoke to an engineer out of Miami, who did some of the work. He spoke with the Florida company that sold and installed the transmitter and proofed the installation.

Short of actually going to the site, it looks to me like everything is OK.

Seems to me an installation at the tower of a major Seattle station would be an odd place to fake a license to cover, especially with all the binoculars and union engineering talent up there.

So, I haven't actually laid eyes on it, but I'm told it is on the air, is compliant and is leased to another broadcaster. The license (and preceding LTC app) specifies the KING Galer St. location, which everyone I've spoken to insists is exactly where the installation should be.

Would you care to elaborate on what, specifically, you feel is wrong with the translator or its location? Like I said, I don't work on their TV, but I'd be happy to go over there to see if your claims can be validated.

 

[Grounded Grid]

Ford, this is one of those areas where nobody wins, because the posts are largely opinion based. You don't care for what these guys do, and that's fine. I've been to their HQ church and their studios and I perceive no "slime" or duress.

Out of curiosity, I wonder how much indignance and outrage was heaped on Mr. Camping, when he was around. I did see a lot of general amusement, as his predictions fell by the wayside, but not so much over-the-top vitriol.

As AM audiences have migrated to other mediums and bands, the empty space has been taken up by others who, like it or not, have picked up stations that would have been financially out of reach not too long ago.

I wouldn't have expected 1590 to go for a fraction over what the crippled 1250 sold for, not long ago, and the likely format and operating personality have also come under scrutiny, mainly by people who have no interest in either. But there you are. Somebody has taken a step that many others could have found a way to take, and he'll get to program his new station as he pleases, opinions to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

[fordranger797]

Ford, this is one of those areas where nobody wins, because the posts are largely opinion based. You don't care for what these guys do, and that's fine. I've been to their HQ church and their studios and I perceive no "slime" or duress.

Out of curiosity, I wonder how much indignance and outrage was heaped on Mr. Camping, when he was around. I did see a lot of general amusement, as his predictions fell by the wayside, but not so much over-the-top vitriol.

As AM audiences have migrated to other mediums and bands, the empty space has been taken up by others who, like it or not, have picked up stations that would have been financially out of reach not too long ago.

I wouldn't have expected 1590 to go for a fraction over what the crippled 1250 sold for, not long ago, and the likely format and operating personality have also come under scrutiny, mainly by people who have no interest in either. But there you are. Somebody has taken a step that many others could have found a way to take, and he'll get to program his new station as he pleases, opinions to the contrary notwithstanding.

Not trying to critique the group behind 93.7 and 1480 too heavily. It sounds like they make an effort to not take advantage of their audience and provide decent programming. Unfortunately, there are examples out there of “Christian” groups taking their audience for a ride. The Jimmy Swaggert television station is one that jumps to the front of my mind. The fact that this station is even still on the air is utterly astounding to me, yet there must be people who donate.

 

[Kelly A]

Out of curiosity, I wonder how much indignance and outrage was heaped on Mr. Camping, when he was around.

Harold took a severe beating at the hands of the media when his final end of the world prediction didn't happen. Some might point out, that the stroke that eventually killed him happened pretty close to his failed prediction.

I did see a lot of general amusement, as his predictions fell by the wayside, but not so much over-the-top vitriol.

Harold actually believed the whole end of times diatribe. It wasn't an act. Crazy and wrong, but he was sincere.

As AM audiences have migrated to other mediums and bands, the empty space has been taken up by others who, like it or not, have picked up stations that would have been financially out of reach not too long ago.

Much like Shortwave.

 

[KilowattKat]

The end was near for Camping's Family Radio, after the date came and went, and the earth was still spinning. They had to sell off assets, and stations to survive due to disappointed donors who stopped contributing.

But they survived. I'm sure it helped that Camping was gone from Family Radio, and the world. Wow, being disappointed the world didn't come to an end... shouldn't it be the opposite?

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

I wouldn't have expected 1590 to go for a fraction over what the crippled 1250 sold for, not long ago, and the likely format and operating personality have also come under scrutiny, mainly by people who have no interest in either. But there you are. Somebody has taken a step that many others could have found a way to take, and he'll get to program his new station as he pleases, opinions to the contrary notwithstanding.

Whatever 1250 is running now, faciltiy wise.. new CP or old license.. ive heard it up here too

 

[Grounded Grid]

Whatever 1250 is running now, faciltiy wise.. new CP or old license.. ive heard it up here too

I believe KKDZ is still running at their original 5kW daytime location. Several years ago, after losing the night-time directional site that they and KARR shared, KKDZ went to full-time operation at the day site, running on an STA at 25% power from local sunset until 12 midnight, when they return to full, nondirectional power. This month, that amounts to only 4.5 hours of reduced night-time operation.

Disney bought a new transmitter and took the station stereo. When the station sold and I took maintenance duties, I turned the stereo off. I think it may have been the last Seattle AM to have their stereo equipment running.

1250 has a CP to move to the former Auburn night site of KMIA. They have an STA to operate a single stick there under further reduced power. However, last I checked (very informally from the deck of a passing ferry), they were still at the location that has hosted that frequency for many years.

 

[boombox4]

I’m probably more negative than most, but I absolutely love seeing these religious stations shut down (and I personally am Christian). It’s amazing to me that they continue to occupy so many frequencies, albeit primarily on the AM band, and still have any listeners. Someone is out there listening, and someone is opening their checkbook…

Do you listen to the ones in Seattle? Not that much begging for money. Swindoll, Charles Stanley, MacArthur, Jack Hibbs, Greg Laurie, most of their programs are other, more day-to-day subjects aside from End Times stuff. A lot of people are shut ins, older, don't go to church, don't like TV preachers, and Christian radio is their connection with religious teachings. It's much the same with the Catholic stations.

People open their checkbooks for a lot of stuff. They open their checkbooks for tickets to watch millionaires bat a ball around, or kick a ball down the field, or try to shove it through a hoop while the people open their checkbooks yet again and pay for $15 hot dogs, $5 bags of peanuts or $12 soft drinks or beers. That's after they opened their checkbooks for the expensive parking. They open their checkbooks for $1000 a plate dinners for some political candidate who'll sell them a bill of goods and not get half of what they promised done when they get back to DC.

Religion isn't the only field that makes money off of people. I have no problem with religious radio. There aren't that many of those stations to worry about. Two protestant preaching stations, two Catholic stations and two or three Christian music stations in a metro of around 4 million isn't overkill.

 

[boombox4]

Disney bought a new transmitter and took the station stereo. When the station sold and I took maintenance duties, I turned the stereo off. I think it may have been the last Seattle AM to have their stereo equipment running.

1250 has a CP to move to the former Auburn night site of KMIA. They have an STA to operate a single stick there under further reduced power. However, last I checked (very informally from the deck of a passing ferry), they were still at the location that has hosted that frequency for many years.

KKDZ and KFNQ both had HD IBOC, and both of them switched it off not too long after I got an HD capable radio. It sounded amazingly clean for MW radio.

 

[Red Plume]

People open their checkbooks for a lot of stuff.

My grandmother gave all her money to a religious broadcaster. She died poor and unhappy, geographically separated from her former home, with an undue financial burden put on relatives.

Many religious broadcasters make ruthless asks that are not common elsewhere in the nonprofit sector.

Do you listen to the ones in Seattle? Not that much begging for money. Swindoll, Charles Stanley, MacArthur, Jack Hibbs, Greg Laurie, most of their programs are other, more day-to-day subjects aside from End Times stuff.

I listen to a lot of translators in the PNW, because I'm interested in how these signals propagate given their disadvantages. But the two common themes I hear the most on the non-music stations are solicitations for money and End Times.

Side note: RadioU, a non-comm music station in Granite Falls, was the least alienating of all the religious stations-- they didn't talk about end times, or attack those unlike them, or ask for money beyond your means. The station was sold-- probably didn't bring in enough money because they didn't talk about end times, or attack those unlike them, or ask for money beyond your means.

 

[The New Chico]

I listened to RadioU once in a while- actually a satcaster based in Ohio. The music was hardcore Christian punk and hard rock, and I suspect that more than anything else led to their downfall locally. That and a pretty weak rimshot signal. I think they superserved a very small niche audience. VERY small. They still have a network in OH and a few scattered translators in OK, MI and rural CA.

 

[boombox4]

My grandmother gave all her money to a religious broadcaster. She died poor and unhappy, geographically separated from her former home, with an undue financial burden put on relatives.

Many religious broadcasters make ruthless asks that are not common elsewhere in the nonprofit sector.

I listen to a lot of translators in the PNW, because I'm interested in how these signals propagate given their disadvantages. But the two common themes I hear the most on the non-music stations are solicitations for money and End Times.

I am sorry to hear about what happened to your grandmother.

But just because your grandmother apparently gave a lot of money to a religious broadcaster, it doesn't mean that all listeners to religious broadcasters are sending in tons of money. Elderly people often end up impoverished because of all sorts of reasons, usually health related..

I'm not trying to minimize what happened to your grandmother, but I doubt that even 10% of elderly Americans become impoverished because of giving to religious radio broadcasters. It's probably not even 1%.

Ministries have cut back on their programming because of budget shortfalls, and religious radio stations have gone off the air because of it. Some local ministries that were on the air for several years aren't on the air anymore. The money definitely ain't rollin' in, or they would still be on the air. It's not like the faithful were emptying their wallets.

I've yet to hear any ministry program on KGNW make anything close to a 'ruthless ask'. They always ask for the listener to support the program, and many of them will say even if it's small it helps.

Now, perhaps in other regions of the country the programs broadcast on religious stations are different about it.

And TV broadcasters are different from radio. I know someone who gave a few bucks to a TV ministry and she kept getting letters with checkboxes for $1K, $2K, and $500 donations. There also was a box where you'd fill in what you feel you want to give. But the impetus was to get the viewer to donate big bucks. But that's TV, where a lot of Prosperity Gospel shows are broadcast. I haven't heard such a ministry or program on the Christian radio stations around here.

As for the End Times, according to some, we're already living in the End Times. One prominent politician says we only have 12 years to fix all the environmental problems on the planet or we're all doomed to die The oceans are going to start rising more than the present 1-2 mm a year and NYC and Miami and even parts of Seattle and Tacoma will be completely underwater, and we're already in the opening stages of the Sixth Mass Extinction Event. The Greenland icecap is melting, and we're all going to drown. This I don't hear from religious broadcasters. I hear that from politicians. And of course, politicians never beg for money, do they.

Some of the religious broadcasters -- mostly on TV and internet vids -- push their version of end times fear, too, that is very true. Fear is a powerful tool.

Still, $1000 a plate dinners to try to get another mind-numbed, ideologically programmed bobblehead in Congress, that's money well spent. People waste money on a lot of stuff, and most of it isn't religious. You ever visit a casino, and see all the people there, basically throwing away their money? I met a guy once who lost over $200K at a casino in a year. Still kept going.

Side note: RadioU, a non-comm music station in Granite Falls, was the least alienating of all the religious stations-- they didn't talk about end times, or attack those unlike them, or ask for money beyond your means. The station was sold-- probably didn't bring in enough money because they didn't talk about end times, or attack those unlike them, or ask for money beyond your means.

Sounds like they were serving a small niche in a small market. Granite Falls has maybe 4000 people. How many of them are going to support a radio translator of any stripe?