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Where is everyone?

B

bobdavcav

Hey, hasno one noticed KMCQ actually has stereo audio now and KXXO is weak again? I really don't understand why they cannot keep their high powered transmitter on. I've also noticed lately that KOMO-FM has had the stereo generator on lately what's up with that?
 
bobdavcav said:
Hey, hasno one noticed KMCQ actually has stereo audio now and KXXO is weak again? I really don't understand why they cannot keep their high powered transmitter on. I've also noticed lately that KOMO-FM has had the stereo generator on lately what's up with that?
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Having the stereo generator on is beneficial in the fact that many older analog tuning radios (and most still are) have FM stereo LED lights. And having that light up gives the visual impression to many listeners that a station is properly being tuned in. Whether it is in actual stereo or not is irrelevant. A plain mono signal sans generator is more likely to be skipped over.
 
KXXO must be broadcasting from the Tenino transmitter. I used to hear them weak to fair here in Yakima and on the hills but I haven't noticed the signal in several days. When I was in Monroe/Bellevue, when KXXO barely put out any signal, I knew they were from Tenino. Is Rooster Rock snowed in or frozen solid again?

For a weird reason (knife edge reception?) I never hear KOMO 97.7 here in Yakima. But in Wapato (maybe 8-10 miles), KOMO FM booms in solid - doesn't matter what conditions. I've even tried up on the Cowiche Canyon Uplands and I still don't hear KOMO - but a weak KMPS/KBKS in and out at times.

-crainbebo
 
Does anyone listen to KMCQ? Jay Kelly is still programming it like he was back at WIBW in Topeka
 
You've got questions, we've got answers...

1. KMCQ may have the stereo pilot lit but the audio is clearly monaural. Guess that's what happens when your station is running on a shoestring budget.
2. KXXO is on their backup site, same as every winter when the crappy power feed to RR craps out. Don't expect the South Mountain move to happen soon - if at all.
3. KOMO-FM is also on their backup site and that's why their stereo pilot is lit.
4. Mono stations are LESS likely to be "skipped over" because it takes less RF to reach a given S/N that it does in stereo. Ask KIRO-FM about it.
 
Mike,
1. No it's not, have you listened at all in the past 3 weeks? They've got it fixed now.
2. Does this seriously happen every winter? I've only noticed it the last two since the Capital Peak CP was granted. I really don't understand what's holding up that move anyway although now would not be a good time to start construction if they haven't.
 
Yep. KOMO-FM was coming in good in Wapato today as usual - the knife edge DX bouncing off Mt. Adams sure helps.

-crainbebo
 
I drive everywhere from W Seattle to Sammamish and far north as Mill Creek on a regular basis. I can say without a doubt that I do not every get a clear signal with KOMO-FM. Obviously, no issues with KOMO-AM within this area.
Aside from this, I wondering why KUOW seems to have static anywhere I am driving? I check other stations while listening to this and do not hear the static, so I know its not my speakers. Aside from that, the sound seems to be of lower quality.
As far as KMCQ, it does not sound any different than a year ago.
One thing I am surprised not to hear any comment on is the programming/clips on KOMO radio is using after 8 like "Something you should know" and in the evening overnight as well, "24/7 news" with an outside KOMO radio voice. It appears the 24/7 news is coming from Total Traffic and the the "Something you should know" coming from some guy Mike Carruthers. Anyone know if they are adding more of this type of programming during the day too?
 
If you travel too far north, KOMO 97.7 will turn into Francophone CBUF (can someone clarify an exact location where the hand-off occurs?). As for KUOW, that signal is awful. Here in Tacoma, its anything but clear when you are driving around. Not that I care to listen anyway..
 
As for KOMO's equipment, I thought they were using the old KFMY equipment, but according to the FCC database, they changed from 63 kw at 728 meters to 69 kw at 701 meters in October of 2012. As for the automated sound of KOMO, I've noticed this in the evenings too. I really don't quite understand why they sound so automated after 8 if Art Sanders is still there. 24 7 news I thought I read is a Clear Channel product, and it makes sense to run it overnight instead of syndicated talk, but I'm not sure why they're using it so heavily in evenings. As for Something You Should Know, they've run that at various times for years, usually on weekends and now most recently in evenings.
 
bobdavcav said:
As for KOMO's equipment, I thought they were using the old KFMY equipment, but according to the FCC database, they changed from 63 kw at 728 meters to 69 kw at 701 meters in October of 2012. As for the automated sound of KOMO, I've noticed this in the evenings too. I really don't quite understand why they sound so automated after 8 if Art Sanders is still there. 24 7 news I thought I read is a Clear Channel product, and it makes sense to run it overnight instead of syndicated talk, but I'm not sure why they're using it so heavily in evenings. As for Something You Should Know, they've run that at various times for years, usually on weekends and now most recently in evenings.
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To be completely hounest, I really do not understand how KOMO (or any station for that matter) can run 69,000 watts from South Mountain (then again, KDDS runs 64kw). Think about it, the KOMO FM signal directly runs into the CBUF signal. The KANY signal runs (or will run) into the CJJR signal. The KDDS signal runs directly into the CFOX signal. As for KXXO and CHKG, it seems to me that the KXXO transmitter is placed far enough south for the two stations to co-exist. Does anyone know anything about the history of South Mountain, or perhaps how well these stations coexist? I am genuinely curious.

I am certainly no engineer. However, I really do not think there is adequate spacing in between signals. As others have stated, you drive north on I-5 and the station handoff happens all of a sudden (I would still like to know the exact location).
 
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Sounds like the kind of question fybush could answer in a second. Haven't seen him around here since this site came back. Anyone know where he's at these days?
 
Hey RD General Manager,
Could you please look into my problem I posted in the other thread? I still can't post in Ask RD. As for the stereo pilot on KOMO-FM, those that posted in the last couple days saying there was no stereo pilot are right. I just checked with my G8 earlier today. I understand the handoff happens somewhere north of Everett. If I were to guess where you would need to turn the radio on to hear just a bit of both stations, I would guess at the Snohomish River Bridge. KXXO has similar problems iven with the transmitter being further south. With them being on reduced power right now, I'm getting KXXO and CHKG at almost equal strength, sometimes CHKG is stronger.
 
bobdavcav said:
Hey RD General Manager,
Could you please look into my problem I posted in the other thread? I still can't post in Ask RD. As for the stereo pilot on KOMO-FM, those that posted in the last couple days saying there was no stereo pilot are right. I just checked with my G8 earlier today. I understand the handoff happens somewhere north of Everett. If I were to guess where you would need to turn the radio on to hear just a bit of both stations, I would guess at the Snohomish River Bridge. KXXO has similar problems iven with the transmitter being further south. With them being on reduced power right now, I'm getting KXXO and CHKG at almost equal strength, sometimes CHKG is stronger.
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Thanks for the info! I still think that spacing is a little extreme though!
 
As for the South Sound Vs. Vancouver, BC co-channels, let me weigh on this.

Most start being seriously overtaken by the Vancouver stations by the time you get into Marysville on I-5, but clashing begins begins as far south as North Lynnwood hilltops and progrssively gets worse as you get deeper into Everett proper.
 
Bongwater said:
As for the South Sound Vs. Vancouver, BC co-channels, let me weigh on this.

Most start being seriously overtaken by the Vancouver stations by the time you get into Marysville on I-5, but clashing begins begins as far south as North Lynnwood hilltops and progrssively gets worse as you get deeper into Everett proper.
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Interesting! It just goes to show you, its not easy to stop those powerful Seymour signals. They wont give you an inch!
 
Mike Brewer said:
You've got questions, we've got answers...

2. KXXO is on their backup site, same as every winter when the crappy power feed to RR craps out. Don't expect the South Mountain move to happen soon - if at all.
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Not sure I understand why you'd say that, Mike.

Having been up to Capitol Peak numerous times recently, I can tell you that KXXO has made great progress on their new site. As of about 2 weeks ago, their tower and antenna was up, and the roof was completed on their transmitter building. Seems to me that someone has invested far too much money and effort on something that might not get done.
 
Grounded Grid said:
Not sure I understand why you'd say that, Mike.

Having been up to Capitol Peak numerous times recently, I can tell you that KXXO has made great progress on their new site. As of about 2 weeks ago, their tower and antenna was up, and the roof was completed on their transmitter building. Seems to me that someone has invested far too much money and effort on something that might not get done.
Click to expand...

Any idea on when the new site will be fully operational?
 
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