BROADCAST DX'ING BY ROGER STERCKX, KVT1JH DX, NEWS AND VIEWS OF AM AND FM BROADCASTING

Shifting Format Problem. Sometimes, when one station changes its program for- mat, vibrations go out that affect other sta- tions. As James Kline, of Santa Monica, CA let us know, that's what happened when KKGO-FM (105.1 MHz) dropped its long- standing jazz format and went to a classical music format. The jazz programming was picked up by KKGO-FM's AM outlet, KKJZ (ex-KKGO) on 540 kHz, 25/3 kW from Hesperia. The jazz audience dutifully swit- ched from FM to AM, and the general reac- This "Power 106 FM" bumper sticker is from Los Angeles stationKPWR-FM, 105.9 tion was not all that good. MHz. It was sent in by Kelly Starkey, West Hills, CA. Besides the substantial reduction in audio fidelity when AM is compared to FM, listen- ers immediately began complaining that the system can be contacted at: Mr. George W. signal coverage of the AM outlet was not as Yazell, PE, P.O. Box 8086, Lakeland, FL New FM Call Letters Assigned good as the FM was and some jazz fans were 33802. Forward -looking stations might distinctly unhappy about what they were wish to check in with Mr. Yazell regarding KBEY Garberville, CA KJTX Jefferson, TX able to hear in the way of Charlie Parker and the status and progress of his development. Monte, MO It's really very clever. KOSY La Miles Davis, especially after sunset. To be KRLF Pullman, WA sure, not every listener expressed unhappi- In the meantime, if you recently noticed KWNJ Reno, NV ness, but a sufficient amount of grumbling any improvement in the general sound of KWNL Downs, KS was noted to be recorded in the local press. things on the AM band, it may be because of KWOJ Locust Grove, OK The station acknowledged the problems the FCC's new NRSC-2 emission standard, WGLZ West Liberty, WV and said they were trying to do what they which became effective this June 30th. This WNIJ Rockford, IL could to improve the situation. The station specifies the maximum RF emissions radi- WNZN Lorain, OH noted that the jazz programming is still avail- ated from the transmitter. It is intended to be WRFH Marietta, PA WSUY Charleston, SC able on FM, via a subcarrier on KKGO. List- used in conjunction with NRSC-1 audio WXPZ Milford, DE to the way audio is eners can purchase (from KKGO at cost, standard, which relates WXVU Villanova, PA which is $150) an adapter to receive the jazz processed before entering the transmitter. WXZX Winifield, AL subcarrier in stereo, but probably at a fidelity Used together, the standards are supposed WYBA Lewisburg, PA range less than regular FM. to improve AM fidelity by reducing adjacent WYBD Rural Retreat, VA Noise Free AM Radio? Tim Coucke, channel interference levels and employing WYBF Radnor Twp., PA KE4KE, of Anchor Point, AK passed along pre -emphasis of upper mid -range audio fre- WYBH McConnellsville, OH some interesting information on a "noise quencies. The standards will require sta- WYBJ Greenville, MS free AM radio" technique that utilizes fre- tions to limit both their transmitter audio and quency modulation technology within the the amount of audio pre -emphasis they New AM Call Letters Assigned AM broadcasting band. The concept was employ. KAVR Rosamond, CA developed by retired engineer George Ya- FM Translators. First authorized 20 years KEVT Cortaro, AZ WGZS Dothan, AL zell, and at press time, station WQYK (1010 ago, FM translators are stations that receive WRUB Pittsville, MD kHz, 50 kW) in Tampa, FL was seeking the signals of FM broadcast stations and si- FCC authority to run on -the -air tests of mulcast them on another frequency. Trans- New Shortwave noise free radio (NFR). lators are used to provide FM service to Callsign Assigned From the literature we have seen on this areas and populations that would otherwise KWHR Honolulu, Hl system, it seems to be a viable approach and be unable to receive satisfactory FM signals holds lots of promise. The developer of this due to distance or intervening signal ob - )19C1r,CK pOW7TS 1(' 717 The "Rock 107 Power Hits" bumper sticker represents WRCK-FM, 107.3 MHz, Utica, NY. It was submitted by Gary Hamlin.

60 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / August 1990 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE