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Sound improvement at KHYI

C

CTaylor

One of my main missions since becoming PD at KHYI last May has been to improve the quality of the audio. To that end, as some of you know, I have worked hard to have various things improved, including but not limited to correcting the low fidelity of the signal. Many of you have complained that it sounded like a "bad AM" station, and I took that to heart looking for a way to improve the sound. Last week I found what I believe to be the solution. As I have mentioned on here before, the audio signal is sent via Barix box from the Greenville Ave studios to the Allen studios where before being sent via Marti STL to the Transmitter. Now this is not unusual as many stations use Barix to do this, however the sound has never been quite as "full" as it should have been. After doing extensive research on the Barix process and consulting both with some engineers who've worked with Barix and Barix itself, the problem was discovered and as of 5:30 this past Friday morning corrected. I would ask those of you who've voiced your opinion of the low quality of the sound, to honestly listen to the change and let me know if you can hear the difference as I can. Thank you so much for your help. I always take criticism constructively and your critiques of the sound quality have pushed me to finding this solution.

Chuck
 
Co-channel, Rim-shot, tower height restrictions........all limitations. Considering the challenges, The Range isn't doing bad at all! And what's more, it is STILL the only place in Dallas/Ft.Worth/North Texas/South Oklahoma you can hear the likes of Texas Country alternative music all the time. KHYI.com is the answer for you if your receiver is not up to the challenges. And it's true stereo too!
 
I'm far away from home (in Olympia, WA right now) but I'll be back this weekend and let ya know what I think. My fingers are crossed!
 
I hadn't listened in months because the audio sounded like AM to me. Tuned in yesterday on my way home. Sounds a MILLION times better! I put it back into my presets.. Nice job, Chuck!
 
to quote Phil Robertson, life is good... color tv... a commode that flushes... and The Range finally sounds more like an FM station :) I'd still tweak it a bit but it's a massive improvement.
 
Thanks guys. The issue was in the encoding on the Barix. It is now encoding properly. I told you last year when I started that I would work to fix the sound no matter how long it took. At the time there were some who thought it was lip-service, because that is what they were used to. Hopefully, you now know that when I say I'm going to attack the problems, I mean it. There are some things, that I can't fix like coverage area (that's FCC), but if it's something I can effect change on I will work tirelessly to make that change. By the way, I have also had iOS and android apps developed for the station so if you are in a fringe area. You can get our stream on your smartphone or tablet. Thanks again for being patient with me as I work for a better KHYI.

Chuck
 
Since you're making improvements, how about more live jocks & less voice tracking?
I'm kidding, but not really.
 
Chuck, Thanks for the update. I'll tune into Allan Peck's show later.
 
I'm also pleased with the improvement. It doesn't die in downtown Dallas anymore on my car radio.
What's left of my hearing tells me that it needs just a little more compression. It would even out the spots in the stop set and the live mic.
Music sounds fine the way it is.
 
Update: Should notice more change in the quality of the sound and the reach of the station as the tower height was extended and a new antenna with more bays added. Reach of the station is markedly farther now.
 
CTaylor said:
Update: Should notice more change in the quality of the sound and the reach of the station as the tower height was extended and a new antenna with more bays added. Reach of the station is markedly farther now.



======================================================

Chuck, what was the previous height and what is the current new height?

======================================================
Click to expand...
 
I'd have to say without a CP, I doubt it was a major height change.
That being said, good work!
Now fix the pitiful mess that is KXEZ.
 
Antenna height [transmission bays] elevated nearly 100'. Monitor reports from Sulphur Springs, Paris, Hillsboro, Ardmore, Atoka, and Bowie all indicate marked signal improvement. Downtown Dallas and Ft.Worth, as well as South Arlington also report solid signals now. We welcome DX reports .......... always.
 
Sorry but those claims sound greatly exaggerated. 100 foot really wouldn't make that much difference.

In any event such an "upgrade," as mentioned above, would most certainly have required an application and the grant of a construction permit. There's nothing to be found about one in the FCC database, so does anyone there want to tell us the real story?
 
Ahhh.. y'all beat me to looking at the database.

But if there were any unauthorized, non-permitted construction or modifications, doing it and then advertising it publicly during a license renewal period would be hugely funny. And that wouldn't surprise me given this licensee.

Before you go putting up bays and changing your radiation center (RC-AGL), perhaps a review of audio plant quality basics would be in order, to which I provide the following assistance:

ftp://ftp.orban.com/Audio_Quality/Maintaining_Audio_Quality_in_the_Broadcast_Facility_2008.pdf

If you are still using turntables and cart machines, again not surprising for this licensee, the earlier 1980's version of the same document would serve you as a better reference.
 
You may feel free to be a non-believer, however the listener's reports are un-biased. The antenna modifications were all restored following multiple storm damage over time. And yes, it's all approved. As to KXEZ, the 6kw is at it's limit, protecting Commanche Peak Glen Rose 92.1.
 
Oh No, I know KXEZ is stuck, I'm talking about how poorly the format is executed.
It seems at the moment the Automation isn't running as it should.
The IDs are barely audible and run into songs.
(The Songs being WAY louder than the ID)
Plus it seems to me the Dial Global Classic Country Format is slipping.
I think KXEZ could shine given a locally programmed Classic Country format.
Or hell, sell it to the folks at KGVL. They could use a full power FM to simulcast 1400.
 
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