Seattle LPFM roundup

[Kelly A]

I don't know why you choose to start something with me but I prefer to deal with positive subjects that can yield something. I see nothing positive from your posts aimed at me.

I'm not trying to pick a fight with you, but more understand how you can find the time to write the volumes of (what could be considered) rose-colored glasses views, which essentially promotes food being taken out of your, and who signs your paycheck- mouth, while doing something right now that is REALLY hard.

During the last recession in 2018, traditional broadcast took a huge hit, losing a ton of value and support from investors and lenders. Now here we are during a friggin' pandemic, and recession. From an LPFM standpoint, you have people mortgaging their homes to build something that has less than a restaurant chance of succeeding, if that's even possible.

If you were trying to actually be textually philanthropic by encouraging people interested in getting into radio as a business, then I would hope that you would pass along the pro's and con's, rather than encouraging readers to do something reckless or promote the further devaluation of your chosen profession.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

I'm not trying to pick a fight with you, but more understand how you can find the time to write the volumes of (what could be considered) rose-colored glasses views, which essentially promotes food being taken out of your, and who signs your paycheck- mouth, while doing something right now that is REALLY hard.

During the last recession in 2018, traditional broadcast took a huge hit, losing a ton of value and support from investors and lenders. Now here we are during a friggin' pandemic, and recession. From an LPFM standpoint, you have people mortgaging their homes to build something that has less than a restaurant chance of succeeding, if that's even possible.

If you were trying to actually be textually philanthropic by encouraging people interested in getting into radio as a business, then I would hope that you would pass along the pro's and con's, rather than encouraging readers to do something reckless or promote the further devaluation of your chosen profession.

Bill is somewhat textually philanthropic but also realistic. He and I have had many private conversations where we've talked about bad ideas, what wont work. You're clearly picking at bill and trying to attack him. If you have an issue with him, and you clearly do.. message him private or find his employer, Steve Eberhart on Facebook.. both are approachable guys./. and discuss your concerns.

For what its worth, WHO are you? I dont think you've ever clearly identified yourself, your background or knowledge..... Bill has, I have from time to time.... where do you get off attacking Bill?

and Yes, I will defend a friend and I consider Bill a friend even if we dont talk to often. He's been a reference on my list when applying for jobs in the past.

 

[joebtsflk1]

Between spending 7-8 hours a day out on the street selling, then another 8+ hours monitoring Radio-Discussions, you must not sleep or eat much. I've seen your posts just as much on the weekend, as during the weekdays. So, given this situation, do you find yourself concentrating just on renewals, or actually trying to drum-up new business?

On one hand, I find it ironic that Kelly was himself posting on this subject at 4:21 AM (Mountain time) on Monday morning, as well as other posts from Sunday.

On the other, I have to agree that starting a new radio station in 2020 is just too risky.

I was an LPFM permittee in the last round. Given today's radio business, even pre-pandemic, I'm thankful I cancelled the permit.

 

[Kelly A]

On one hand, I find it ironic that Kelly was himself posting on this subject at 4:21 AM (Mountain time) on Monday morning, as well as other posts from Sunday.

How ironic is it that I'm at my home in a different time zone in EDT, than PDT or MT? Not that it's anyone's business, but I have a home on both coasts, and just happen to be East right now. Was checking E-mail and seeing what the latest topic on Radio-Discussion was. And yes, I was checking the site Sunday too. Again, fail to see the irony.

I was an LPFM permittee in the last round. Given today's radio business, even pre-pandemic, I'm thankful I cancelled the permit.

Smart man.

 

[Kelly A]

Bill is somewhat textually philanthropic but also realistic. He and I have had many private conversations where we've talked about bad ideas, what wont work. You're clearly picking at bill and trying to attack him. If you have an issue with him, and you clearly do.. message him private or find his employer, Steve Eberhart on Facebook.. both are approachable guys./. and discuss your concerns.

For what its worth, WHO are you? I dont think you've ever clearly identified yourself, your background or knowledge..... Bill has, I have from time to time.... where do you get off attacking Bill?

and Yes, I will defend a friend and I consider Bill a friend even if we dont talk to often. He's been a reference on my list when applying for jobs in the past.

Whereas I appreciate the defense of your friend, I'm sure he's old enough to defend his opinions.

I don't feel obliged to give SomeRadioGuy on a discussion board my history in this business. If you actually read my post, you would see that I'm not trying to attack 'Bill', but asked simple question about how he's able to manage time as an AE weekdays, especially given these difficult times, and write voluminous posts about LPFM and small market radio several times per day.

I also challenged his opinion that LPFM enhancements are a good thing. My opinion, based on over 30 years in this business, is doing so would effectively cannibalize existing stations. That includes the station(s) both of you work for. If he feels otherwise, then he has the ability to provide a counter argument by himself, or simply not answer me at all.

 

[b-turner]

I have no time to defend myself from some person when thinks negatively and knows me not. My opinion of you is not too high right now. My mind gathers you attempt to tear down versus build up. I'm sue you have some redeeming aspects I have yet to learn.

 

[bobdavcav]

Between spending 7-8 hours a day out on the street selling, then another 8+ hours monitoring Radio-Discussions, you must not sleep or eat much. I've seen your posts just as much on the weekend, as during the weekdays. So, given this situation, do you find yourself concentrating just on renewals, or actually trying to drum-up new business?



There are a lot of rural stations on the market or in the process of filing for bankruptcy. If someone was serious, this is a buyers market for any station. They could probably find a full-class station who's existing owner would carry the paper just to get out from under it.



To use that comparison; both are forms of transportation. Most all learn how to ride a bicycle before driving a car. I've known of no, non-religious LPFM licensees who have transitioned to full-class stations. The track record so far, is keeping their heads above water, to sinking, to never even getting on the air. My point is: If they want to actually get into the radio business, then get funds or funding together, and buy an actual commercial station. Stop expecting the Government to give you one.

If I still owned small market stations, I would be uber-pissed if the FCC passed rules that allowed someone that hasn't assumed the same level of financial commitment and risk that I had to secure funding to purchase one or more stations. That, and giving amateur operators the ability to fast-track into full Class A stations, would not only create even more band congestion, but would devalue existing stations. Not that radio properties needs more devaluing. Ask your owner's of KGAF on how they would feel about LPFM's being granted Class A status. I'm sure they would be thrilled.

I can think of one station, WIOE, now at 101.1 as a Fort Wayne rimshot, started out as an LP. The owner of the 101.1 frequency, then known as WMYQ, died and the owners of the LP bought it. That company has now bought two additional AM stations from Adams.

 

[valvashon]

Back to the topic of abandoned LPFM's...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2i-EwUSdmo&feature=youtu.be

This is KQWZ this afternoon. My SDR USB device recorded hiss although I did hear the faint audio before hitting record. The audio was extremely faint, like 1% modulation or so. I did hear the KQWZ call letters at one point so it's their programming. They were operating properly at one point so obviously something has failed, although it sounds like an extreme case of out of phase two channel mono feeding the transmitter. They also are a picket fencing nightmare even very close to the school (Highline College) where they are located so a transmitter failure might be to blame. It also might be because I had the volume way up to hear what was going on.

I'm debating actually contacting them to see if they care or know about this problem. As an experienced engineer I could probably fix this problem but I suspect it's the kind of place where the problems are endless and I don't really have time for that, although I do appreciate the progressive bent to their programming.

The unidentified signal at 101.1 in Tacoma was heard today but my SDR USB device was not a good enough tuner to pull it in so no recording was made. And KUPS has fixed their audio; a fellow employee at my regular job has a contact their and was going to reach out to them.

Val

 

[fordranger797]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2i-EwUSdmo&feature=youtu.be

This is KQWZ this afternoon. My SDR USB device recorded hiss although I did hear the faint audio before hitting record. The audio was extremely faint, like 1% modulation or so. I did hear the KQWZ call letters at one point so it's their programming. They were operating properly at one point so obviously something has failed, although it sounds like an extreme case of out of phase two channel mono feeding the transmitter. They also are a picket fencing nightmare even very close to the school (Highline College) where they are located so a transmitter failure might be to blame. It also might be because I had the volume way up to hear what was going on.

I'm debating actually contacting them to see if they care or know about this problem. As an experienced engineer I could probably fix this problem but I suspect it's the kind of place where the problems are endless and I don't really have time for that, although I do appreciate the progressive bent to their programming.

The unidentified signal at 101.1 in Tacoma was heard today but my SDR USB device was not a good enough tuner to pull it in so no recording was made. And KUPS has fixed their audio; a fellow employee at my regular job has a contact their and was going to reach out to them.

Val

Thank you for your report. It sounds like there are quite a few issues at foot over there at KQWZ. At this point, I wonder if they will eventually end up pulling the plug.

 

[valvashon]

LPFM roundup, Jan 2022 edition. This will cover selected LPFM stations.

Seattle area-

95.3 KDXB-LP: Continues to be off the air after transmitter failure or somebody at the office tower they were on pullied the plug. The non-profit that once operated this station no longer exists and the only thing left is for the FCC to delete the license which expires in less than a month on February 1.

96.9 KODX-LP: Back on the air just in time as their silent STA was about to expire. Currently transmitting from a temporary site on the UW campus with a temporary antenna. Coverage is similar but slightly reduced. Audio is fine, the mostly Pacifica network programming continues.


South Sound:

92.9 KNLI-LP: Apparently licensed and silent since October of 2020. While driving through that area I did find two classic rock stations fighting it out on 92.9, one of them being KISM. KNLI did propose a temporary site after losing their original one but supposedly they are still off the air.

95.3 KTQA-LP: Continues on with an endless loop of old radio dramas. Good coverage and good sounding audio. Maybe this is their end game with programming- I believe it's all in the Public Domain.

101.9 KTAH-LP: Heard some public affairs programming with watery sounding, "streaming" audio. Topical issue (COVID-19 discussion from an overseas doctor) and good coverage. This one at least sounds like it's trying to fill a niche.

106.5 KQWZ-LP: Based in Sea-Tac, this one has bounced back from earlier technical and programming troubles. Have heard it briefly on a couple of trips down south and had a chance to listen longer this time. Playing mostly '50s and '60s standards(?); think "The Four Seasons" style. Heard a well produced liner with a bunch of kids shouting out K-Q-W-Z when prompted. This isn't the public affairs programming they started out with so maybe this is just a placeholder to keep the thing alive?


Not really an LPFM, but...

90.1 KUPS-FM: Seemed to be a poorly modulated music loop of some sort. Automation failure? Processing failure? When I lived in T-Town my radio rarely left 90.1 so hearing the mess it frequently has become makes me sad. In December I was in T-Town for an evening and was driving around; I heard a full half hour of PSA's before I finally couldn't stand it anymore. WTF UPS?

 

[bobdavcav]

I'm sure many on this board would love the endless radio dramas on 95.3. I'll have to check out KQWZ next time I'm in that area. With any luck, that'll be in October, or at least that's when I might spend some significant time in Seatac. I hope to be back up that way a couple other times this year. Any word on the mysterious 101.1?

 

[crainbebo]

92.9 classic rock OTHER than KISM would be 'Oly's Classic Rock,' K225DC Shelton (// either KRXY HD2 or HD3). Unless it changed, Radio-Locator and Wikipedia are BOTH wrong. Noted on a scan late Aug 2020 on top of the viewpoint building at 5,850 ft. Thorp Mountain near Kachess Lake. This is where I also heard the godawful noise that was KGTK's 101.1 station, and 101.9 KYA (a fun station with tons of classic IDs!)

 

[Roxanne]

92.9 classic rock OTHER than KISM would be 'Oly's Classic Rock,' K225DC Shelton (// either KRXY HD2 or HD3). Unless it changed, Radio-Locator and Wikipedia are BOTH wrong. Noted on a scan late Aug 2020 on top of the viewpoint building at 5,850 ft. Thorp Mountain near Kachess Lake. This is where I also heard the godawful noise that was KGTK's 101.1 station, and 101.9 KYA (a fun station with tons of classic IDs!)

92.9 is Brian Spencer's (NW R&R Preservation) translator. Far as I can tell, it originates its own programming from Capitol Peak. It is definitely not rebroadcasting KRXY HD ANYTHING. It's apparently ignoring the FCC prohibition of full time translator program origination. It is destined for obliteration when the folks who won the bid build their C3 station at Napavine/Centralia on 92.9. Unless the FCC makes them turn it off for transgressions against the sacred FCC code before that.

Oly's Classic Rock is at 100.3 and originates on KRXY HD2. It was never on 92.9.

Thanks for the inclusion of KYA, Boomer Rock & Roll at 101.9 and KRXY HD3. Bebo. That signal moved from 92.9 to 101.9 a few years ago when the FCC allowed the relocation of the 92.9 C3 to effectively, Centralia. The 92.9 translator channel was quickly gobbled up by NWR&R.

The new 92.9 Oly translator is not connected in any way to KYA other than we had dealings with Brian Spencer about 20 years ago.

 

[bobdavcav]

So, what happened to that Feel Good Country format that was at 92.9? Also, isn't Brian Spencer still running KGHO in Aberdene on 99.9, or was that one of the ones that went off recently? If I understand right, 107.9 Ocean Shores and then 101.1 Olympia now apparently 92.9 were fed by the 92.7 translator, which in tern was fed by 99.9 primary.

 

[boombox4]

FWIW, KVSU-LP, Rainier Valley Radio, doesn't appear to be on the air, although their website seems to still be active. I used to be able to hear them quite readably on my Grundig G2 (probably my best FM radio) and over the past few days I hear static and maybe some intermod/splatter. But no signal or programming.

Also, KGNW's translator on 104.1 FM seems to be off. i used to receive it with weak, but clearly audible signals. They don't appear to advertise it anymore, either.

And the KARR translator on 98.5 FM is no longer audible here. I guess it was moved to Redmond from Cougar Mtn.?

I know this thread is about LPFMs, but it seems some stations may be having issues with keeping translators going as well.

 

[The New Chico]

The KARR translator on 98.5 has moved to Capitol Hill and is under a silent STA.
The KGNW translator had the transmitter blow (God's Will, I suppose??) and is out for repair. It is under a silent STA.

 

[crainbebo]

I thought 92.9 was classic rock. I swore I heard an ID for 'Olympia's Classic Rock' on 92.9 mixed with KISM and KDBL at the viewpoint. There were two rock stations at the Thorp Mountain summit. Other Olympia translators were in, even Aberdeen translators were in (the KXRO on 101.7 was very loud). My notes date back to 8/28/20.
The calls at the time were K225BY. Unless the classic rock was a Brian Spencer translator (ala 'KGHO'). I can't keep track!

 

[Frequency1]

Yesterday the FCC released a list of those stations that did not file for renewals.

On October 1, 2021, radio stations in Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Marianas Islands,
Oregon, and Washington were required to file applications for license renewal for terms expiring on
February 1, 2022. The following stations failed to file license renewal applications and their licenses will
expire as of February 1, 2022, provided no renewal application is received by midnight on the date of
expiration:

KDXB-LP SEATTLE, WA KMIH.ORG RADIO BOOSTER CLUB
K207DC TONASKET, OROVILLE &, WA NORTH OKANOGAN CHRISTIAN TRANSLATOR
KYNR TOPPENISH, WA CONFEDERATED TRIBES AND BANDS OF THE YAKAMA NATION
KNLI-LP WALLER, WA 197066 NORTHWEST LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION

 

[Kelly A]

KDXB-LP SEATTLE, WA KMIH.ORG RADIO BOOSTER CLUB
K207DC TONASKET, OROVILLE &, WA NORTH OKANOGAN CHRISTIAN TRANSLATOR
KYNR TOPPENISH, WA CONFEDERATED TRIBES AND BANDS OF THE YAKAMA NATION
KNLI-LP WALLER, WA 197066 NORTHWEST LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION

More reduction in band congestion is always a good thing.

 

[AuxRSS]

Any recent engineering news on KMGP-LP 101.1 ("Space 101.1")? This time last year the signal went out far beyond the map predicted by Radio-Locator, and I could pick it up from the Snoqualmie Valley. This year it's gone, and the KXA translator has semi-claimed the frequency here.

I'll add some news on KXSU-LP 102.1. They have picked up the Seattle University men's basketball games this season, which had previously been on 770 AM. You'd think they'd be having a student calling play-by-play, but instead a pro is working the games.