> > I drove through the Beaumont area today and noticed that
> > KKMY is still broadcasting on 103.3, which is a translator.
> > I never understood why they did this, since 104.5 is
> > literally a blowtorch at full power in the Golden Triangle.
> >
> > KBIU in Lake Charles, LA now broadcasts at 103.3 and it
> > cannot be heard because of K277AG-FM 103.3 MHz, which is
> > KKMY. If you look at the coverage map for KBIU, it shows
> > Beaumont is well within range.
> >
> > I emailed Clear Channel Beaumont and waiting for a response
> > regarding this matter. Just thought I would share or see if
> > any of you guys know why KKMY does this.
> >
> >
> > Also, does Beaumont/Port Arthur-related radio information
> > belong on the Houston Board or the Texas Board?
> >
> > thanks,
> >
>
> KKMY has been on 103.3 for several years. When 103.3 was
> first on the air, it broadcast a Jasper station in the
> Golden Triangle, then began carrying KKMY. I never
> understood the need for the broadcasting of KKMY on both
> 103.3 and 104.5 in the Beaumont area. 104.5 comes in well
> in the small area that 103.3 covers. Now that 103.3 is also
> KBIU's frequency, it shields Beaumont from a competitor of
> Clear Channel so I'm sure they won't change this.
>
> I guess I post Beaumont related items on the Houston board
> since many of the rimshots into Houston are Beaumont / Port
> Arthur stations on FM (93.3, 97.5, 98.5, 107.9) and on AM
> 1380 is contemplating a move to the Houston area. The Texas
> board seems to have coverage of all of Texas, including the
> Dallas area as well.
>
I would say that Golden Triangle radio news belongs on the Houston board. Many of the Houston stations can be heard in The Golden Triangle and many of the GT's stations can be heard in Houston. What happens in the GT can affect Houston radio. Even the GT's stations that normally can't be heard on the west side, come in fine when there is some tropo activity from the GT area.
Actually Houston wanted 560 KLVI and that great coverage the station has, but it is owned by Clear Channel and they are maxed out in Houston, so I guess 1380 will move if the FCC okays the move. There is a possibility that the FCC may nix the move. While during the day it will cover around 250,000 people at night it really isn't going to do anyone much good. The daytime signal will cover Conroe and The Woodlands and that's about it. At night with only 65 watts they are too far south to cover Conroe and too far north to cover The Woodlands. They are going to be on a very short stick next to the North Frwy, which isn't going to help them any. It would be better if they had a second site at night north of Willis and send 1000 watts south down the North Frwy, then they would cover Willis, Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring down to about FM1960 and make a difference.
KRCM will have to super-serve those two cities with local News-Talk if they want to make a go of it. The station will not really cover any of Houston.
Your right Stan, Clear Channel will leave the Translator on just to block the other station. As long as they are outside the 60dbu signal of KBIU it's legal.
Mike O
