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Where do the broadcasters in Aberdeen broadcast from?

F

fordranger797

I happened to drive by the KSWW 102.1 building the other day and had a few thoughts come to mind. I know the JODESHA FM stations (along with the other FM stations in the city) use some antenna farm on the south hills of Aberdeen [I wonder how that particular spot was selected]. What hill are those towers located on?

Also, do the broadcasters run their AM facilities right at their building? I would assume they don't use microwave relay.
 
It's somewhere along 101 as you head south toward Artic and Raymond. 102.1 is white noise in Raymond due to hills, so the 101.1 KSWW translator was established for that reason. But being in Marysville today, KSWW sounded like a local (some Aberdeen pipeline up in the Marysville/SR-9 hills?)

-crainbebo
 
In Marysville, you were probably picking up the translator at Camano Island, I believe, for a Mt Vernon AM station on 102.1 . I think I read recently that they got authorized for an upgrade to its signal, but don't know if that's happened yet. At least last time I tuned by in Skagit County, it didn't sound like it was coming off a low grade phone feed, as it did last year.
But the south sound stations from Olympia and Elma really do get a boost up along the coastal areas north of Seattle, where the "full powered" ones y come in as strong as any other stations, and usually clearer than most Seattle FMs, which get shadowed and distorted by the sloping terrain a mile inland.
 
Goldilocks94941 said:
In Marysville, you were probably picking up the translator at Camano Island, I believe, for a Mt Vernon AM station on 102.1 . I think I read recently that they got authorized for an upgrade to its signal, but don't know if that's happened yet. At least last time I tuned by in Skagit County, it didn't sound like it was coming off a low grade phone feed, as it did last year.
But the south sound stations from Olympia and Elma really do get a boost up along the coastal areas north of Seattle, where the "full powered" ones y come in as strong as any other stations, and usually clearer than most Seattle FMs, which get shadowed and distorted by the sloping terrain a mile inland.
Click to expand...

If it were it would be noticeable. 102.1 now simulcasts KAPS.
 
Any chance you were picking up KPQ 102.1 from Ellensburg? If I drive around with 102.1 on around the Gig Harbour area, I typically get KSWW fighting for the frequency with KPQ.
 
That KAPS translator was dogfighting with KSWW at times, with KSWW surprisingly winning. I could listen to the morning show at times with few fades.

KPQ doesn't make it to Marysville, but there is a pipeline around I-405 at Exit 26 (228th SE) where KPQ comes in for about a mile with few fades. Also a pipeline near Woodinville, and several more little pockets here (including Hood Canal, 130 mi out) where KPQ comes in.

-crainbebo
 
crainbebo - Have you noticed any differences in reception of KSWW since they moved their COL to Ocean Shores?

Their old coverage map when they used to be 21,000 watts (?) from a tower near Montesano
https://maps.google.com/?q=http://w...KSWW&freq=102.1&contour=60&city=ELMA&state=WA

Their new coverage map now that they have switched their COL, downgraded to 14,000 watts, and moved to the unknown location (of which I am trying to figure out)
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KSWW&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

I dont know about you guys.. but I personally think their old signal looked more effective.
 
Looks like the xmitter moved up a little ways toward the south side of Aberdeen. KSWW is still in and out and at times comes in like a local in Marysville. Nada in Monroe because it's usually a very very weak KAPS xlator from Camano Island. KDUX does better than KSWW, and usually is like a local.

-crainbebo
 
I am very surprised you are able to pick up KSWW all of the way up there! That is better then I do here south of Seattle. Do you have any shot at KXXK 95.3 up there? Or does CKZZ always kill it? KXXK seems to be the only other Aberdeen station I can pick up reliably, despite them being at 3,000 watts.

I believe all of the Grays Harbour stations are now coming from the same site on Cosmopolis hill, which you mentioned earlier. It looks to me its easier to send more power out to the Ocean Shores and Pacific Beach area. Perhaps if Bill W. reads this he could clarify for us ??? :'(
 
KSWW used to be multipathed in Pacific Beach. Without a radio like the Grundigs I have, KXPB-LP was about the only thing that came in. (89.1)

KXXK is killed in Marysville by a strong CKZZ Vancouver. KANY is killed by CJJR, but it BARELY made it over once. KJET is also killed by CBU. I do get KLWA 101.3 with those 1,200 watts very often up in Marysville, since 101.3 is open (on my DSP-chip Grundig G8, which really helps with KPLZ)

-crainbebo
 
I assume that the Grays Harbour stations who have always been located on Cosmopolis Hill have historically had decent coverage out Ocean Shores, and all of the way up SR 109 to Taholah. Or, at least radio locator leads me to believe that. I wonder how greatly the coverage on KSWW has been weakened since they moved westward to cover the coast.

It looks like KDUX 104.7 covers the most territory out there
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KDUX&service=FM&status=C&hours=U

I'm camping out that way soon, I will pack my Grundig radio to see what I can pick up from the coast.
 
First, what Grundig do you have? A G8? G6?

Second, I'd try 96.7, 100.7 and 102.7. KCRF, KPPT and KYTE, all from the Newport-Lincoln City area, sometimes come in like locals at Pacific Beach, 150 mi away. Also, if tropo gets up, I'd try 94.5, 99.1 and 93.3. KKNU loves to pick fights with KUBE at Ocean Shores, over 200 miles away. I'd even try for stuff like KDCQ Coos Bay on 92.9, and KTEE 94.9. But you'd probably get KQCB on there anyways...

-crainbebo
 
Well first off, the radio I use is a Grundig S350DL (though I might take my GE superadio instead)

At this particular spot, I have had great luck picking up stations from Newport OR. Specifically 100.7 KPPT, which is perhaps the most reliable station I pick up. There also is another station on 98.5 (or 98.1)... I know that it is a country station and I think it is booming in from the central Oregon coast somewhere. From my past experiences, I have been able to pick up SOME Seattle FM stations once I got to the coast, however if you are at all inland the signal is toast.

I am not quite sure what I will get on the Aberdeen stations, but I will find out when I get there. I know in the car, there is usually a certain point (Elma) where you begin to loose strong reception on the Seattle stations, but gain the ability to pick up a clear signal on the Aberdeen stations. I would imagine this is where a lot of typical radio listeners from Seattle elect to change the channel or turn off the radio, unless they care enough to put up with the flutters.

The best part about being on the coast at night is seeing what is available on the AM dial ;)
 
fordranger797 said:
I assume that the Grays Harbour stations who have always been located on Cosmopolis Hill have historically had decent coverage out Ocean Shores, and all of the way up SR 109 to Taholah. ....
It looks like KDUX 104.7 covers the most territory out there
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KDUX&service=FM&status=C&hours=U
Click to expand...

Originally, (late-'70s), the only two FM stations were on Cosi hill... KGHO-FM was in a building, owned by the local telephone answering service. KDUX was nearby, located with some State Patrol gear. I don't recall who owned that building. Later, KBKW moved their AM transmitter from their old studio building and combined that with a new FM they'd just received a CP for. I don't remember where that was though, but elevation-wise, it didn't seem to be as good an FM site as the other stations had.
 
98.1 KCYS Seaside. Now it's on 96.5, but still serving Seaside. KJAQ should be no problem.

I've also gotten KSHL 97.5 Gleneden Beach over the KOMO slop before at Ocean Shores, and once got the 88.1 KQAC relayer from that area as well, 90.5 KLCO Newport is weak but I can hear it as well.

-crainbebo
 
I am defiantly going to try and pick up all of the coastal Oregon stations. I made a list of the ones you picked up on your trip out west, I want to see if I can do the same ;D I also would like to pick up the FM stations from Vancouver, but I don't know if I will have much luck.. however having the Seattle stations blocked might help. Radio locator says the stations are over a hundred miles away, but I have picked up some life on a few of the stations before. Have you had any luck?

Unfortunately I do have sad news.. it appears my Grundig radio will no longer support my use of the AM band :'(
 
[/quote]

Originally, (late-'70s), the only two FM stations were on Cosi hill... KGHO-FM was in a building, owned by the local telephone answering service. KDUX was nearby, located with some State Patrol gear. I don't recall who owned that building. Later, KBKW moved their AM transmitter from their old studio building and combined that with a new FM they'd just received a CP for. I don't remember where that was though, but elevation-wise, it didn't seem to be as good an FM site as the other stations had.
[/quote]

Thank you for the information by the way! Grays Harbour really has a rich history of radio. Unfortunately, not many of us who are not from that area know much about it!
 
Seattle stations come in and out. Sometimes KLCK comes in really well, ditto KBKS. But sometimes they are very weak.

If you are going toward Westport etc. you should try for CHQM 103.5 and KAFE 104.1. Last time I was there, it came in like a local.

-crainbebo
 
Unfortunately I have some rather sad news, my Grundig radio was effectively useless as it quit working on me once I got out to the coast. From the weak back up radio I brought with me, I could only pick up the locals in Aberdeen. Thankfully I hope to be heading out there again in a week, and this time I have my trusty GE Superadio. Hopefully I will be able to catch everything I hoped to catch the first time.

Here is a question for you... Do you have any idea if KANY 93.7 is on the air on south mountain yet? Here in the Gig Harbour/Tacoma area, all I am getting is KGHP LP on 93.7. I am waiting to hear country wiping out that frequency, though I will be sad I cannot try to pick up CJJR 93.7 anymore..
 
KANY is not on South Mountain atm, I don't think.

-crainbebo
 
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