WKNR's major announcement

[OhioMediaWatch]

When did "back then", as you put it, end and the bad modern days with a lot more noise begin?

The noise on the AM band is well documented, and it's caused by anything from computers to fluorescent lights to other noisemakers that didn't exist when you were a kid.

It's the primary reason a lot of AM stations moved to increase power wherever possible, so they could break through the noise on the AM band.

As far as I know, 1540 as WWGK is operating with the same daytime technical parameters as WABQ did. Any post-sunset power that came around at some point is miniscule...I believe the late Chris Quinn told me that it's around 21 watts. I've heard that signal, in Parma in recent years, and it sounded like the signal was coming from the moon.

When that signal signs off, greater Cleveland is now treated to an unlistenable fight between KXEL in Iowa, and CHIN in Toronto.

 

[Rusty Muck]

When did "back then", as you put it, end and the bad modern days with a lot more noise begin?

The noise on the AM band is well documented, and it's caused by anything from computers to fluorescent lights to other noisemakers that didn't exist when you were a kid.

It's the primary reason a lot of AM stations moved to increase power wherever possible, so they could break through the noise on the AM band.

As far as I know, 1540 as WWGK is operating with the same daytime technical parameters as WABQ did. Any post-sunset power that came around at some point is miniscule...I believe the late Chris Quinn told me that it's around 21 watts. I've heard that signal, in Parma in recent years, and it sounded like the signal was coming from the moon.

When that signal signs off, greater Cleveland is now treated to an unlistenable fight between KXEL in Iowa, and CHIN in Toronto.

I think they still are using the same tower that WABQ used back in the 60s - heck, it's probably the same one WJMO built in 1947! It's still next to the former WABQ/1540 studios.

The night power may be 21 watts... I thought it was 18 watts. Not exactly sure. Would be interesting to see a coverage map, if such things exist. (Plus I'm presuming that if WWGK ever went through with the upgrade, the post-sunset power would be lost.)

I've caught the post-sunset authority signal driving out of Downtown Cleveland at least twice. It immediately loses strength west of West 9th, and has the moon effect for a while. And like Parma, we're talking about the inner-ring suburbs. I don't think I've ever picked up the post-sunset power in Avon.

I know people on here aren't Munch fans (I like him best as an update anchor and as a supporting player - his stint on Lanigan proved that well). But quite frankly, to move him around like this is just demeaning. Who in the hell in the building thought up the idea of a local morning show that no one is able to listen to? At least relaying "Zakk & Jack" or "Mike & Mike" make sense.

Funny thing is, even with CBE/1550 soon to sign off for good, no US stations will ever be able to take advantage. The NARBA treaty keeps that clear-channel frequency reserved to Windsor in perpetuity.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

The 1540 transmitter site I saw fairly recently was a modest, temporary facility with a trailer, right next to a relatively new drug store. There were remnants of a church there, I think WABQ's original home.

And we're both right, according to this item I posted with help from the late Chris Quinn in 2006:

http://ohiomediawatch.wordpress.com/2006/08/29/some-loose-ends/

As we suspected, WABQ’s minimal post-sunset authority power level is small – anywhere from 18 to 21 watts.

 

[SonoSational18]

WWGK is still operating with 1kw. They have a CP to increase to 3kw days, but only 1.5kw durig critical hours. They will also have a directional array. They will gain coverage in northern Summit and Medina Counties but will still have no nighttime signal... not even 18 or 21 watts.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Does a station lose a PSSA or PSRA with such a construction permit/facility change?

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Found the WWGK PSRA and PSSA here:
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/corrp_list.pl?Facility_id=70659

PSRA (pre-sunrise, PDF file):
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=5755
WWGK has just one month of 10 watts pre-sunrise authority, at 6 AM in April.

PSSA (post-sunset, PDF file):
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=3466
WWGK has anywhere from 39 to 49 watts all year, as late as 9:45 PM (June and July) and ending as early as 5:30 PM (December).

 

[johnbasalla]

Why is it ok for them to be 41 watts most of the time, but in September they can be 49 watts, as an example?

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Why is it ok for them to be 41 watts most of the time, but in September they can be 49 watts, as an example?

Good question...and I don't know the answer. These PSRAs and PSSAs used to not be attached to the online FCC records.

39, 41 or 49 watts, it's just a puny step above being off the air in a market the size of Cleveland. That probably just barely makes it downtown!

 

[techie2]

The online PSRA and PSSA letters aren't representative of what's actually being used.

Those were generated as a part of a mass recalculation of PSRA/PSSA values that the FCC did...however, the values that came out were really wacky in some cases, such as stations with existing flea power night authorizations being given PSSA values that were lower than the authorized nighttime power. After some protests, the FCC quickly rescinded those values and sent everyone back to their previous PSRA/PSSA authorizations, which aren't online.

Supposedly they have fixed the issues in the program that does the PSRA/PSSA calculations and are generating new ones which will come out at some point.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Either way, I presume the transmitter is automatically set to run at 18-21 watts during PSSA out of habit. And again in speaking from experience, WWGK during PSSA hours fades into near oblivion beyond West 9th Street.

And has been reported elsewhere, and confirmed by Craig himself, the station will not proceed with a construction permit of any sort to upgrade WWGK. The existing CP will lapse outright, likely around August.

So WWGK will continue to be an East Side-only signal, if or when Craig just doesn't shut it down and play KNR2 off as an internet-only station. He might as well, after specifically citing the proliferation of mobile devices for streaming internet audio that made the upgrade unnecessary (Translation: the fight between North Royalton officials over building the additional towers just wasn't worth it).

 

[gabigley1]

So WWGK will continue to be an East Side-only signal, if or when Craig just doesn't shut it down and play KNR2 off as an internet-only station. He might as well, after specifically citing the proliferation of mobile devices for streaming internet audio that made the upgrade unnecessary (Translation: the fight between North Royalton officials over building the additional towers just wasn't worth it).

North Royalton officials refuse to zone the construction of it's new towers so KNR2 can expand its coverage area into greater Cleveland. In this case,
why don't they(WKNR) just dismiss the KNR2 CP instead of letting it expire with the FCC?

The bottom line is they would have built the new towers if the North Royalton officials wouldn't have put up a fight over zoning of the new towers?

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Yes, they would have built the thing with OK from North Royalton.

But a lot of time has passed, and the CP is nearly up. There's no need to make it go away prematurely when it'll expire on its own in August. What's the point?

If he's at all interested in any broadcast upgrade, CK needs to spend his money on an FM. But we've already gone through the reasons that's not going to happen, and CK all but said on the air during that "Ask the Owner" show that FM was too expensive for his blood in a market the size of Cleveland. "Eventually we might have the assets" for such a move, he said, but not now.

Compared to that, throwing money into a daytime AM signal upgrade - remember, Craig gets no nights out of 1540, period, aside from the flea power PSSA, no matter what - is throwing money down a hole.

And yes, that PSSA, be it 18, 21, 39, 41 or 49 watts, is barely above being off the air for an hour or two at night.

 

[Capulet]

If he's at all interested in any broadcast upgrade, CK needs to spend his money on an FM. But we've already gone through the reasons that's not going to happen, and CK all but said on the air during that "Ask the Owner" show that FM was too expensive for his blood in a market the size of Cleveland. "Eventually we might have the assets" for such a move, he said, but not now.

Daddy won't let him.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Daddy won't let him.

I know that's a popular thought, but do we have evidence that Craig got the money from Mel?

He mentioned Tuesday about the station's debt...and there are some that believe Aaron Goldhammer's rich, Denver lawyer father has tossed some money in there, too.

I haven't seen evidence of any of it.

 

[Capulet]

Daddy won't let him.

I know that's a popular thought, but do we have evidence that Craig got the money from Mel?

Why yes your honor! Same last name,close relatives. One is much smarter than the other.
Evidence? Try common sense.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Daddy won't let him.

I know that's a popular thought, but do we have evidence that Craig got the money from Mel?

Why yes your honor! Same last name,close relatives. One is much smarter than the other.

ANYONE who had the smarts to get out of CBS Radio when he did AND steal their top-ranked and highest-rated air talent at the same time is automatically smarter. So that was never a contest. Think "pea shooter vs. bazooka."

Evidence? Try common sense.

I have no doubt that Mel likely gave Craig seed money to found Good Karma. But NONE OF US KNOW that he did. And if it was seed money, Mel had every right in the world to do so.

But there's no way in hell I can say that Mel is subsidizing Good Karma. It's all heresy. I need proof and documents. Common sense just can't go on it's own here. If Good Karma really is failing internally, Mel's hand isn't and shouldn't be involved in it.

The Goldhammer family, on the other hand... well, I've always had a really bad vibe about him and them since day one. But I won't let it go further than that... for now.

 

[Dave Sarnoff]

But there's no way in hell I can say that Mel is subsidizing Good Karma. It's all heresy.

All this talk about heresy is just hearsay.

 

[Capulet]

The Goldhammer family, on the other hand... well, I've always had a really bad vibe about him and them since day one. But I won't let it go further than that... for now.
[/quote]

Creepy vibe for sure.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I'm with Nathan on this - I think it's fair to assume that Craig got some of the seed money for Good Karma, when he started in Beaver Dam, from his father.

I don't think it's fair to assume that Mel has been involved to any major extent since then.

 

[Capulet]

I'm with Nathan on this - I think it's fair to assume that Craig got some of the seed money for Good Karma, when he started in Beaver Dam, from his father.

I don't think it's fair to assume that Mel has been involved to any major extent since then.

I think the kid got ALL the money from the old man. Reminds me of when my dad set me up in business. He got me the permit, the sight, the table , the advertising, the cups and the lemonade. After that he said " you're on your own kid! Sell that lemonade ". I did pretty well for a five year old while dad did like you said. He stayed out of the way.