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Party 104.9 applies for an upgrade

J

jd

It was only a matter of time. After pulling off a move from Rosenburg to Missouri City with a downtown transmitter a few years ago, KPTY is applying for a power upgrade. And get ready Deer Park, you're getting a radio station. Sort of.

In two concurrently filed applications, KPTY would move to the tower currently used by co-owned KLTN 102.9 with essentially the same height (980 feet). They would be upgrading in class from a C3 to C2, increasing their ERP from 2,700 to 8,800 watts. As part of the arrangement KPTY would change their community of license to Deer Park, while KLTN would be relicensed from Houston to Missouri City. There would be no technical changes for KLTN. If it's approved KPTY would still have to afford "contour protection" to co-channel KBUK in La Grange, but the result would be a significantly improved signal.
 
Chuck Tiller said:
Im so excited.
Click to expand...

Easy, Chuck. Imagine how excited the shift workers are gonna be when they hear "Deer Park" in the top of the hour ID for KPTY.
 
I wonder if KULF would have a role in this upgrade? I thought KPTY tried to do that before but KULF had something to do with that or am I wrong? Not much about KULF they are still silent.
 
This upgrade has been speculated about for the past three years, although I thought it would involve a move of the 104.9 transmitter to the Missouri City tower farm. Now things become clearer.

Not sure if this will really help the station, as the primary coverage area already adequately reaches the current target demos. But I suppose it prevents it from being "treed in" by any future signal shuffles in SE Texas.
 
jras20 said:
I thought KPTY tried to do that before but KULF had something to do with that or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

You're right. There was talk of that happening, and KULF in Ganado on its present frequency (104.7) does play a role in this, as does KBUK La Grange. Both stations stand in the way of a move to a Missouri City tower for KPTY.

Now if KULF were removed from the picture it would be a different story, and interestingly, in the past few days KULF filed an amendment to their pending application that would do just that. Now they're now wanting an upgrade from a C2 to a full Class C, requiring them to change frequency, along with changing a recently granted Class A allocation for Markham. More importantly, though, they're proposing a frequency change for KVIC 95.1 Victoria. In effect, KULF would go to 94.9 and KVIC would get KULF's present frequency. I really doubt Victoria Radio Works would go for that, nor do I expect the FCC to be too receptive to it.
 
I really don't see much expanded coverage. from 2,700 watts to 8,000 seems to be a small change, the tower location is just going to change to the other side of the Eastex Freeway. It is not much difference in Tower height. To any engineers, how much better coverage do they get towards the suburbs of Houston?

Also, anyone wants to throw their two cents (any updates) on KPTI? anyone?
 
-juan- said:
I really don't see much expanded coverage. from 2,700 watts to 8,000 seems to be a small change
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It's worth it, but for more than what appears to be just a slight increase in coverage area. The added power would help with building penetration, but what's also important (on paper) is the raise in station class.

-juan- said:
Also, anyone wants to throw their two cents (any updates) on KPTI? anyone?
Click to expand...

If you mean upgrades, no. They'll be stuck on the sandbar for a long time to come: www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM595088.html Nice coverage map.
 
-juan- said:
I really don't see much expanded coverage. from 2,700 watts to 8,000 seems to be a small change, the tower location is just going to change to the other side of the Eastex Freeway.
Click to expand...

I assume Univision owns the tower for KLTN, which means if KPTY moves there it will no longer have to pay for leasing the current transmitter space downtown, unless kept as a backup.
 
jd said:
-juan- said:
I really don't see much expanded coverage. from 2,700 watts to 8,000 seems to be a small change
Click to expand...

It's worth it, but for more than what appears to be just a slight increase in coverage area. The added power would help with building penetration, but what's also important (on paper) is the raise in station class.
Click to expand...

Very true...the co- and adj- channel separations change somewhat..thus allowing a possible upgrade later...and the change to C2 also protects them from someone else trying to upgrade. I heard the eventual plan was for 104.9 to make it to Missouri City as a C1....and this is the 1st step?
 
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