Seattle LPFM roundup

[valvashon]

Seattle LPFM roundup:

95.3 KDXB-LP: License to cover issued on 10/23/17. This station was heard with silence, in mono for several days before the license was issued. Since the license was issued it has also been heard 24/7 with silence in mono. Given the coverage area I believe that the station was built as licensed, with the antenna at the licensed location and the transmitter at the correct power level. Since it's been on the air over a month I wonder when the KMIH booster club will start supplying it with an off-air signal. I'm always surprised that a station like this can be built to apparently professional standards but then left on broadcasting dead air for over a month.

96.9 KODX-LP: License to cover also issued on 10/23/17. This one signs on at 11am and off around 5 or 6 pm weekdays with a similar schedule on Saturday. They appear to be off on Sunday. Outside of these hours they actually shut their transmitter down. A news and public affairs station carrying a heavy schedule of Pacifica programs. I did hear Mike McCormick making a between show announcement one day. They broadcast in stereo with good sound quality, although they are much quieter than other stations. Good coverage area and I'm guessing that they have their transmitter at the licensed power and their antenna at the correct location along 15th in the U-district. I have not attempted to make a visual sighting of the antenna. For a week or so I heard the station broadcasting silence, in stereo, during their broadcast hours. For the last week they seem to be off the air completely. Good website. If they can get their operational issues straightened out this could be a successful station.

100.3 KUCP-LP (Kent): Not really a Seattle area station but I've included them anyway as I have heard this station many times while traveling along SR 167. Good signal, good sound quality, with religious programming in what appears to be the Ukrainian language.

101.1 KMGP-LP: "Space 101 FM"; this is the station run by the Sand Point Arts and Cultural Exchange. License to cover issued on 10/11/17. Heard on or around that time with automated AAA style music and announcements. Great signal on this one, broadcasts in mono from the roof of McMahon Hall at the UW. They actually need some studio engineering help (and can pay) if anybody's interested. Reportedly they get knocked off the air about once a week due to the constant Windows updates to their automation computer!

101.9 KQES-LP: This dumpster fire has been much discussed elsewhere here. Suffice it to say that this confusingly programmed (NTD Television audio?) continues to soldier on, unattended, mostly unmonitored, probably with listeners in the low double digits. If NTD wanted to be on the air in this market why not rent a TV subchannel?

102.1 KXSU-LP: Student run Seattle University radio station. Longtime internet station makes the jump to FM. Pretty good signal- surprising considering their meager 7 watts- from possibly the first Seattle LPFM station to sign on. I find the sound quality poor, however. Not distorted, not clipping, just kind of muddy. Poor studio engineering or poor delivery to what I assume to be a transmitter and antenna on the roof of some SU buidling.

104.9 KHUH-LP: Hollow Earth Radio. This is the spot to find Tuvan throat singing or hammered dulcimer music. But only if you have a visual on the antenna, which is on the roof of the Central Cinema on Capitol Hill. One of the worst licenses I have seen issued, this one suffers very heavy interference from whatever is on today from 104.9 in Eatonville. If you are driving around they get taken over by the time you get to the corner of Boren and Madison for example. They had an application in for 100.3 FM for a while but then filed a change to 104.9 on 6/22/17. I'm guessing nobody associated with the station owns a car (I mean that in the best way possible) and didn't check to see what kind of interference they might suffer at 104.9. I predict that this one won't last, at least not at 104.9. License to cover issued on 9/25/17.

105.7 KVRU-LP: Rainier Valley Radio. License to cover issued on 9/21/17; heard since then with an automated R&B format (for lack of a better description) and announcements regarding their signal testing, etc. Have also heard an occasional public affairs talk show. Good signal, good sound quality (in Stereo) and a nice music selection (at least for now). I enjoy listening and I suspect that this station will be successful.

106.5 KQWZ-LP: Licensed to "One America" with license to cover issued on 9/25/17 (station is licensed to Sea-Tac). Traveling south of Seattle one day I did hear dead air in Stereo on 106.5. No website and no idea what "One America" is. Bit of a mystery on this one.

107.3 KBFG-LP: KBFG stands for Ballard Fremont Greenwood. Mostly automated folk and independent music with some programmed shows. Like may of these other LPFM's they are trying to find volunteers to round out their schedule. Decent signal, good audio in Stereo, this one is pretty much a one-man-band station (I met the owner whose name I forget at the moment) currently run out of his house. Good website. This one could be successful unless we end up with "one too many" of these LPFM stations in the Seattle area.

Note- the NW Broadcasters site was used in the preparation of this post for info about frequency changes, license to cover dates, etc. Thanks to them.

Val

 

[Bongwater]

I talked to one of my old friends in Fremont about 107.3 KBFG and his eyes lit up " OH YEAH! I remember KBFG! Great oldies station....Fastlane Phillips, Heidi M-"

"No. They're not the same station" I then tried to explain it. His spirits kinda sunk....

 

[crainbebo]

OneAmerica is a civil rights organization based in Seattle, similar to ACLU and others. They advocate for immigrant rights, and some other rights as well. Probably a lot of liberal talk or cultural programming once KQWZ-LP signs on.
Interesting that KHUH got on the air at 104.9, yet the UW Bothell LPFM was dismissed. KHUH is about 55 miles away from KUBE's transmitter. Are there any issues with KODX-LP and KYYO?
I haven't been back to Seattle in a couple of years, so the only new LPs I heard were KVSH-LP on 101.9, and the Mukilteo Slavic Church station on 100.3. That Vashon station sure gets out, most of Seattle proper can get it at variable signal strength. They really needed a local station that wasn't an AM TIS. I hope KXSU can work on their audio, you'd think Seattle U had more in their budget for equipment.

 

[multiplex]

I believe KODX-LP lost their transmitter audio around the time of the November 13 storm. I finally found their contact info and notified them a week ago. Since then, to their credit, they haven't brought up the carrier just to broadcast silence. They answered my note, and they weren't aware of the problem. I'm sure they'll be back once that's sorted, although, when on, their audio is on the website at kodxseattle.org. They refer to 96.9 as if it's on.
Regarding KMGP-LP, their music is diverse, but at least at this point it seems that their purpose in life is to play automated music and run Magnuson Park public service info. Fine, I suppose, to get that park info out there, since they own the station, but disappointing that they seemingly have no live content. I did hear a public service interview late one afternoon, though. In general, they're an occasionally interesting disappointment so far. Tip of the hat, though, for a clever positioning statement: "Binary radio with an analog heart." There's potential there.
Rainier Valley Radio (KVRU-LP) was credited on KOMO for an audio clip of a mayoral debate a few weeks ago. Impressive. It's a fringe signal for me, audible on only one radio, so I Haven't analyzed their programming since hearing test programming in late September.
Val, you're right; 95.3 has run dead air since mid-October. Not sure why they bother to run open carrier.
KXSU can be an interesting listen, but they could use a bit of light processing to beef up their audio. Fascinating how eclectic those students' tastes can get. Some are darn good broadcasters, too.

 

[multiplex]

KODX-LP is back on the air today, December 15.

 

[valvashon]

95.3 KDXB-LP has been on the air with dead air (in mono) until earlier this week (it's currently August 3rd). That's approximately 10 months on air with a dead carrier. I'd love to know how that happened. Anyway, I now hear a loop of current music, well modulated and in stereo on this station. I have listened on and off but no announcements. What I'm not hearing is 88.9 KMIH. At least somebody has noticed that it's on the air.

I heard KQWZ-LP 106.5 at one point over the summer with some automated music programming and announcements. Happened by the signal at the same time consecutive Thursday mornings and heard the exact same thing both times so I figured it was just a "keep the license active" type of thing and I was probably correct, as they have filed a STA to remain silent while new volunteers are being trained. Will be interesting to see if they actually make it back on the air.

Val

 

[multiplex]

KMIH has been on every time I've checked. And I'm not sure that KDXB-LP has ever been on the air.
Remember that what appeared to be an unlicensed station was broadcasting on 95.3 about three or four years ago. It was on the air for about a year, as I recall, and was heard widely throughout the metro.
At first it broadcast a hum with background audio which couldn't be deciphered. Later that audio became clearer: Air1 with the ID of the station on 88.1, KWAO.
Note that there's no ID on 95.3, just a few tracks played over and over (tracking a CD, I presume.)
Could this 95.3 be the same pirate, not KDXB-LP at all?
Remember, the manager of KMIH is a Seattle radio vet. I can't imagine him putting out a signal with no audio for ten months, then just playing the same tracks with no announcements.
I could be wrong, but I think it's the same pirate on 95.3 from several years ago. And if so, I hope there's a bust in this pirate's near future.
From north Seattle, the most powerful LPFM is the Magnuson Park station on 101.1, which, by the way, often runs dead air during all-nights and mornings. 96.9 is well-heard, and I can often hear 107.3, which airs quite a variety of programming. Too bad it often loses the battle with CSN.
I've received 105.7 but it's seldom listenable (more CSN.)
No chance for 106.5; that frequency is jammed with Linden and Radio U.

 

[boombox4]

I've heard KXSU (like their music) and KVRU (old school R&B). Can't pick up any of the others. I know Mike Fuller has a show on Space 101.1 but it doesn't make it out to my neck of the woods.

 

[valvashon]

KMIH has been on every time I've checked. And I'm not sure that KDXB-LP has ever been on the air.
Remember that what appeared to be an unlicensed station was broadcasting on 95.3 about three or four years ago. It was on the air for about a year, as I recall, and was heard widely throughout the metro.
At first it broadcast a hum with background audio which couldn't be deciphered. Later that audio became clearer: Air1 with the ID of the station on 88.1, KWAO.
Note that there's no ID on 95.3, just a few tracks played over and over (tracking a CD, I presume.)
Could this 95.3 be the same pirate, not KDXB-LP at all?
Remember, the manager of KMIH is a Seattle radio vet. I can't imagine him putting out a signal with no audio for ten months, then just playing the same tracks with no announcements.
I could be wrong, but I think it's the same pirate on 95.3 from several years ago. And if so, I hope there's a bust in this pirate's near future.
From north Seattle, the most powerful LPFM is the Magnuson Park station on 101.1, which, by the way, often runs dead air during all-nights and mornings. 96.9 is well-heard, and I can often hear 107.3, which airs quite a variety of programming. Too bad it often loses the battle with CSN.
I've received 105.7 but it's seldom listenable (more CSN.)
No chance for 106.5; that frequency is jammed with Linden and Radio U.

The 95.3 signal is almost undoubtedly KDXB, as KDXB has been on the air with a dead carrier for almost 10 months as I stated. The signal I receive on 95.3 almost perfectly mirrors their coverage map. I live and work in the Seattle metro area (West Seattle to the South Lake Union area, with occasional trips to a transmitter site on Capitol Hill) and have heard this dead air signal consistently on 95.3. As I stated in my first post, they also filed a license to cover last October. Think what you want, but the KDXB-LP transmitter was turned on and left on for almost 10 months. If this was a pirate on 95.3 there would be much interference between the two signals. There isn't, so somebody has been programming some music as of late on KDXB-LP. Remember, KDXB-LP was put up by something called the KMIH booster club, not KMIH. Not sure what the relationship is between the two groups; they could be completely separate.

 

[bobdavcav]

When did KDXB move from 101.1? I thought KDXB was a timeshare with the Magneson Park station.

 

[crainbebo]

My goodness, all the new signals. KDXB? KQWZ? KHUH?
I remember 95.3 as 'Virgin Radio' in Vancouver, and 104.9 was always the Funky Monkey and later Gen-X. Things have changed so much since I left the Puget Sound, and the FM dial is more packed than ever IMO. I never would have thought 101.1 and 95.3 would become Everett translators, especially since Rock 101 can be heard so clearly in Marysville, Lynnwood hills, etc. I still haven't had the chance to listen to KRKO's new classic hits format, it's just a matter of not turning on AM late at night to 1380! KRKO is always strong here in the Yakima valley at night. Sometimes they can be heard daytime in winter, very occasionally even Ontario OR comes in at winter noon.

 

[multiplex]

Val, and you're convinced that KDXB-LP would finally get the ability to transmit audio, after 10 months, and use that ability to track a few songs with no other content or announcements? I'm convinced they haven't been on the air yet. Someone else already has a history of transmission. I have no way of knowing for sure, but do you?

 

[multiplex]

I've never heard the LPFM on 104.9 in north Seattle. Poor choice of frequency; never should have been granted. I do hear Clear Channel's automated Christian music station (it's been a long time since the Funky Monkey days.) The band is busier, (don't forget the 104.1 translator for 820), but fortunately all the new signals except 101.1 can be nulled.

 

[valvashon]

Val, and you're convinced that KDXB-LP would finally get the ability to transmit audio, after 10 months, and use that ability to track a few songs with no other content or announcements? I'm convinced they haven't been on the air yet. Someone else already has a history of transmission. I have no way of knowing for sure, but do you?

Let's review:

1- License to cover. Granted at about the same time the 95.3 signal came on the air. No STA filed to remain silent.
2- Signal almost perfectly matches the contour and transmitter location on the license. In other words, if you are on or very near to Capitol Hill there's no fading or picket fencing.
3- Signal has been heard continuously for 10 months or more. Yes, I live in Seattle and check about once a week. Silent carrier in mono the whole time.
4- I have never heard this other signal on 95.3. But if I ever put up an unlicensed station with this sort of coverage I'm not going to run an open carrier for 10 months. Those of us in the free radio movement have a passion to bring interesting music and programming to an audience, and aren't likely to let a signal like this sit unused.

 

[jwvo]

KDXB is indeed on the air at 95.3, it took forever to get our STL link up and going (we had only played a tiny bit of audio initially due to not having extra rack space at the transmitter site). The real computer system is currently being setup so IDs etc will be all squared away pretty quickly (IE played at the right time). on the audio side, KDXB has an omnia one fed by uncompressed livewire audio over a fiber optic Ethernet circuit to the transmitter site so it should sound pretty good for an LPFM. We are actually building it out as a virtual studio setup so we can have multiple people work on programming etc. I am glad to hear people notice that it matches the predicted coverage so well, my loss budget says we should be right on the money in terms of ERP.

We have not finally decided on format, but the general idea is to put out some sort of high quality format that allows us to involve young people. I can confirm that we are 100% independent of KMIH, in fact we are a few KMIH alums who thought we could do something interesting it just took longer than expected due to the use of a real commercial tower site.

 

[multiplex]

Congratulations on getting on the air. Your signal is listenable in northeast Seattle. I haven't listened enough to ascertain whether it's a bit overmodulated or if there's processing that's overaggressive. Audio seemed cleaner last week, although not as loud. (As a listener, I'd always prefer cleaner, but that's just me.) I know you're just getting started, so that's an observation, not a critique.

My speculation about the prior pirate was based on that pirate's history, and that I'd never seen a licensed signal run dead air for ten months, while I had noted a pirate doing something similar on the very same frequency for a year. Obviously my speculation was wrong, but since we'd heard nothing from the principals here before I posted, I was willing to put my theory out there for consideration.
That pirate was intriguing, because it had a significant signal. Traveling east from the U District, I heard it 30 minutes away from my home. When it did run audio, it rebroadcast KWAO with a clear signal. The signal of KDXB-LP is similar here, although I'm not sure how far it travels eastward compared to the pirate of a few years back (not that it matters, just a curiosity.)
Incidentally, Val, I was hoping you were right and that my speculation was wrong. I'd rather see a legitimate LPFM on the air than a pirate who cared so little about its content that it transmitted hum and an off-tuned signal for maybe nine months a few years ago.
But remembering that, open carrier for ten months didn't seem all that different than hum for nine. Incidentally, not sure why KDXB-LP chose to run open carrier for ten months instead of testing the transmitter, signing off, then turning on the transmitter when they could feed it with audio.

 

[valvashon]

LPFM Roundup, July 2020 edition

This roundup will be limited to a couple of signals that seem to have been abandoned.

95.3 KDXB-LP: soldiers on with dead air from their Capitol Hill location. It's been this way since December of 2019. My guess is it costs at least a few thousand dollars to put a station of any sort on the air; I'm sure that's a low estimate. As you might be able to tell, letting it sit in silence for months and months on more than one occasion is incomprehensible to me. Either somebody will pull the plug if they aren't paying rent or the transmitter will fail, although at such a low power level the transmitter probably isn't working up much of a sweat.

106.5 KQWZ-LP: Ran an errand down to Tacoma last week and thought I heard this station along I-5 with dead air, but as the signal got stronger and the picket fencing faded away, I did notice some audio waaaay in the background. If I turned the radio way up I could make out a word or two. Sounded like their political and social justice programming, but only at about 5% modulation/deviation at most. I suppose, if they are running ID's at the top of the hour it's technically legal depending on the FCC regulations about % of modulation, if they exist. Heard it during two different hours so it wasn't just one program. I'll listen again next week when I finish my errand down there but it appears to be another case of a zombie and quite possibly abandoned LPFM (like above), except it's running a loop of programming that nobody can listen to because you can't really hear it. Again, lots of money spent to no end. Rent fail or transmitter fail will take care of this one too.

90.1 KUPS: While not actually an LPFM this station suffers from the KQWZ problem, although not to the same extent. Once in Tacoma I tuned in my favorite college station and found it to be running automated (considering it's summer and in the middle of a pandemic, not surprising) but only modulating at about 20% or so on the absolute peaks. Abandoned for now but UPS is a going concern and somebody at some point will get back on top of this.

Val

 

[fordranger797]

You can also throw an unidentified 101.1 in Tacoma into the mix. There is currently a station on that frequency somewhere in that region transmitting strange electrical feedback of some kind. I initially wrote this off as some sort of anomaly, but as you drive south on I-5 from Tacoma, though Lakewood and Tillicum, you can clearly hear a "wooshing" noice that takes over the frequency.

 

[valvashon]

You can also throw an unidentified 101.1 in Tacoma into the mix. There is currently a station on that frequency somewhere in that region transmitting strange electrical feedback of some kind. I initially wrote this off as some sort of anomaly, but as you drive south on I-5 from Tacoma, though Lakewood and Tillicum, you can clearly hear a "wooshing" noice that takes over the frequency.

Wait- I think I heard that one too now that you mention it. I'll try to remember to bring my SDR and laptop with me when I go back down.

Val

 

[fordranger797]

Wait- I think I heard that one too now that you mention it. I'll try to remember to bring my SDR and laptop with me when I go back down.

Val

Keep us in the loop, Val. Whatever it may be, it is unidentified. My only real guess is that it is a pirate considering there are no legal IDs.