What's 104.5 up to lately?

[Timmy]

Haven't heard much in a couple weeks. Still testing? Still simulcasting? How's signal from Enumscratch?

-TImmy

[FMSteve]

Still Blazin' Seattle's New Hip-Hop and R & B. 

[Stephen_TheMCO]

You'll have to be more specific next time, as to which 104.5 you're referring to.  From the sounds of it, you don't sound like you're in the area.... But i'll tell you... 

Right now it seems that KMCQ's move to Cougar Mountain has been halted, by the fact that the CRTC in Canada opened up the 104.1 frequency in Vancouver, BC for applications.  The same frequency that KAFE was going to apply for in Bellingham, not so far away, so that KMCQ could move their 104.5 transmitter up to Cougar Mountain, which still is not on the air yet.  First Broadcasting would rather be starting out on Cougar Mountain in Issaquah, than on Radio Hill in Enumclaw, so that they can sell off the station right away for the highest amount of $$$$$.  It appears right now that ain't going to happen, if 104.1 goes to Vancouver, BC.  If someone up there grabs up that frequency, KMCQ will be stuck on Radio Hill, or some other 2nd class transmitter site, unless some international agreement can be reached, so that the 104.1 allocation in Vancouver can be moved to 104.3, and Bellingham can have 104.1, for KAFE (who's on 104.3 right now).

KMCQ about a month and a half ago completed their transmitter testing.  They scored some kind of agreement with KMIH (The Mercer Island High School station), to rebroadcast their signal on KMCQ during the testing phase, while KMIH turned their transmitter off at night during the testing periods.  KMIH also did some testing of their own, at their soon-to-be new frequency, at 88.9 FM.  For a short time though during KMCQ's transmitter testing, KMIH X-104 was getting some bonus coverage all over the central and south Puget Sound area, courtesy of KMCQ.  At the top of the hour, KMCQ would break in with their own station ID.

Right now, 104.5 in most areas is nothing but static, unless you're in Seattle, Bellevue, or Mercer Island, where you can hear KMIH on that frequency.   Nobody has moved just yet.  Meanwhile, the new station on 104.5 in The Dalles, OR that took over KMCQ's frequency in that area, can be heard in the eastern part of Enumclaw and some other areas along the slopes of the Cascades south of Enumclaw.

[semoochie]

I believe you will find that KMCQ is still on the air in The Dalles, even though they may be testing elsewhere.  I can't imagine a construction permit being assigned for one station while the other station is still licensed and operating under a CP in another location. 

[FMSteve]

To clarify, there are two applications for 104.1 Mhz in Canada. The first one is filed by the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Service) to repeat their station in Victoria, B.C. into Naniamo, BC. First Broadcasting, owner of KMCQ, will not want to go up against the CBC. The CBC has endless resources, more money and government influence than First Broadcasting could ever muster. Put another way, First will get squashed like a little bug.

The other application is for Vancouver city proper, with antenna coordinates on Mt Seymore for the same frequency. There's a large group from the other side of Canada, Aborginal Voices Radio (AVR), that has for years wanted a station in Vancouver. I believe (but not certain), that AVR is the applicant for Vancouver, my research indicates.

And of course, KAFE filed a few months ago to switch from 104.3 to 104.1 Mhz. So now all three are MX, mutually-exclusive to each other. We think that the Naniamo app could be flipped around to 104.3 and operate in the newly-vacated wake of KAFE. The Vancouver app, however, may not be able to be moved to 104.3 as that encroaches into CKVX 104.9 territory, also on Mt. Seymore. AVR could move antenna sites 20 or 30 kilometers away and accept some presumed "interference" from CKVX, but then they would not be covering Vancouver, so what's the point if you can't cover your COL. There herein lies the conundrum and conflict as it is currently presented.

[ilovebeer]

The first one is filed by the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Service) to repeat their station in Victoria, B.C. into Naniamo, BC.

Those silly Canucks. Confusing their C's and S's.

[Stephen_TheMCO]

I believe you will find that KMCQ is still on the air in The Dalles, even though they may be testing elsewhere.  I can't imagine a construction permit being assigned for one station while the other station is still licensed and operating under a CP in another location. 

Thanks for clarifying that.  I just saw that on the FCC website.   I looked around online and looks like they came back on the air temporarially as "Mix 104.5" in The Dalles, but it is the same KMCQ that's moving here to the Seattle area.  I think they did shut down operations for a few days down there, hoping to be on the air over here soon afterwards, but of course that never materialized.  I think "Mix" down there is just a temporary, fully automated/satellite-fed, jockless, promotion-less station (correct me if i'm wrong), that's just around to make a few more bucks, while waiting to go on the air here in the Seattle area, and to keep the FCC happy, since I think the rules say they have to keep 104.5-The Dalles operating until moving day....whenever that comes around.

Hopefully that clears up the issue with why there's 2 KMCQs.  I think we need to clarify which station we're talking about for now on.  104.5-Mercer Island, 104.5-The Dalles, or 104.5-Covington.

[e-dawg]

And of course, KAFE filed a few months ago to switch from 104.3 to 104.1 Mhz. So now all three are MX, mutually-exclusive to each other. We think that the Naniamo app could be flipped around to 104.3 and operate in the newly-vacated wake of KAFE. The Vancouver app, however, may not be able to be moved to 104.3 as that encroaches into CKVX 104.9 territory, also on Mt. Seymore.

Steve,   104.3 can be operatable for Vancouver with 104.9.   CTRC within the last few years accepted 3rd adjacent co-channel.  Look at 93.7 JR-FM and RED 93.1.  They are 3rd adjacent channel apart from each other.   Also,  104.1 will be accepted for KAFE, while CRTC will move 104.1 to 104.3.

The rules in Canada for application is different from the US.  In Canada,  CTRC will accept the applicant, but it can denied the frequency choice or choose to modify power/frequency. 

For example the original AVR Vancovuer was accepted, it applied for 92.3 frequency, but the CTRC rejected the 92.3 frequency and apply for 106.3 frequency.

[Kelly]

Not to take a trip in the way-back machine, but if KMCQ was unable to get the Cougar Mt. plan to work, I wonder if they could amend their CP to relocate from Enumclaw, to Three Sisters Mt. where KMTT used to be?  Not a West Tiger or Cougar for sure, but would still qualify for Covington coverage and has great height, (maybe too much).  Whereas lacking field strength to downtown Seattle as compared to Cougar, and one would need to generate their own prime power, the site would be more marketable than one their proposed to be on now.

[FMSteve]

And of course, KAFE filed a few months ago to switch from 104.3 to 104.1 Mhz. So now all three are MX, mutually-exclusive to each other. We think that the Naniamo app could be flipped around to 104.3 and operate in the newly-vacated wake of KAFE. The Vancouver app, however, may not be able to be moved to 104.3 as that encroaches into CKVX 104.9 territory, also on Mt. Seymore.

Steve,   104.3 can be operatable for Vancouver with 104.9.   CTRC within the last few years accepted 3rd adjacent co-channel.  Look at 93.7 JR-FM and RED 93.1.  They are 3rd adjacent channel apart from each other.   Also,  104.1 will be accepted for KAFE, while CRTC will move 104.1 to 104.3.

The rules in Canada for application is different from the US.  In Canada,  CTRC will accept the applicant, but it can denied the frequency choice or choose to modify power/frequency. 

For example the original AVR Vancovuer was accepted, it applied for 92.3 frequency, but the CTRC rejected the 92.3 frequency and apply for 106.3 frequency.

Mr. Dawg, it's very interesting that you say that Canada has relaxed the 3rd adjacency within the inter-border area (KJR-FM & Red 93.1), but I seriously wonder if 3rd adjacency would work in the same location up in Vancouver at Mt. Seymore. Our rules down here prohibit the new stations' 60 dbu service contour at 104.3 to cross into CKVX's 100 dbu contour, which they would and cause objectionable interference in the city of Vancouver, or at least North Vancouver. But I guess you never know how Industry Canada will react. My guess is that radios do not descriminate between locations on earth and that the 60/100 dbu rule applies in Canada, as well.

BTW, E-Dawg, what happened to 106.3 for AVR? Did somebody take that? Maybe that station in Lynden (106.5)caused a ruckus on that end. I seem to remember that Crista, licensee of 106.5, spoke very loudly some years ago about that proposed 106.3 allocation, just 200 khz away.

Here's a letter from the CBC in regards to finding a good channel for Aboriginal Voices Radio:

http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/submissions/crtc/2005/CRTC_2005-118_2005-1468-9_090105_e.pdf