Rest of Nevada NVPR vs The God Squad in Laughlin

[seattlesarchiebunker]

So, in the last few weeks it looks like the fine folks at KNLB in Havasu have bumped the power up on KAIH, meaning very different things depending on where you live…since NVPR provides the only translator available for NPR programming for about 60,000 full-time residents (besides a weak KNPR and weak NAU classical translator in Kingman)

Basically if one listens to NVPR on 89.5 along the main drags of both Laughlin and Bullhead near the river, it’s perfectly fine. By the time one gets to the residential areas located on higher elevations, this becomes an issue. It’s bad enough that the entire residential neighborhood of Laughlin fully picks up the Havasu religious station (RDS and all) with no trace of the NVPR translator.

I don’t know what NVPRs plan is to fix this. Or why an area this size doesn’t have some sort of non-religious, non-commercial station of its own (I’m sure it was much smaller in size 30-40 years ago when KNPR planned for the translator)

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

Chatted with some folks in the know regarding this:

KAIH (Advance Ministries) was not aware of the translator when doing frequency search (technically, I don’t think they even needed to worry about it since translators are a secondary service)

Unfortunately that means the Spirit Mountain KNPR translator will be going off the air soon.

The talk is of a “booster” on 88.9 from the main signal. I don’t think there is a protocol for a booster to be out of the 60/54 dBu contour, so my guess is it would have to technically be a translator that KNPR accepts potential co-channel interference on.

In addition, Advance is helping them look for an available spot for programming. Considering they have 3 full signals (88.3, 89.5, and 91.1) and 2 translators (89.1 and 106.1) in the area, hopefully this shouldn’t be hard to do.

We will hope for the best. Otherwise it would make Laughlin/Bullhead one of the largest urban areas without public radio service in the country…

 

[KilowattKat]

If NVPR doesn't remedy the situation, then maybe KNAU Arizona Public Radio can step up and find a frequency somehow. KNAU is heard on 89.3 FM in Kingman, the largest community to the west. Adding Bullhead City/Laughlin would a huge boost for them in donations and listeners Only Flagstaff has a larger population in Northern Arizona. Smart move, if they do it.

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

If NVPR doesn't remedy the situation, then maybe KNAU Arizona Public Radio can step up and find a frequency somehow. KNAU is heard on 89.3 FM in Kingman, the largest community to the west. Adding Bullhead City/Laughlin would a huge boost for them in donations and listeners Only Flagstaff has a larger population in Northern Arizona. Smart move, if they do it.

Both KNPR 88.9 and KNAU’s Kingman translator can be heard somewhat well on a good radio in most of the areas. Just not well enough to be a usable signal indoors.

The issue really lies with translator purchasing. At this point, Bullhead/Laughlin’s dial is packed with translators.

I’m actually surprised someone hasn’t tried public radio on their own in the tri-state area by now. 20 years ago, different story…

 

[KilowattKat]

I’m actually surprised someone hasn’t tried public radio on their own in the tri-state area by now. 20 years ago, different story…

That usually requires the backing of a public institution, colleges or a university. The Bullhead City campus of Mohave Community College is pretty much it. It's doubtful there's any interest to undertake a project like that. Especially nowadays, with the budget cuts that public radio is suffering from.

I can't find any information online, but I swear AM 1490 at one time was a public radio station that carried NPR. This would have been prior to becoming KZZZ. Once again, I'm going by memory...for what it's worth.