New station in Lubbock - KPGA 91.9

[EggsOverEasy87]

So, I was scanning my radio after class today and it stopped on 91.9.

So, when I got home, I searched FCC.gov and looks like this brand new signal is licensed to the city of Morton under the call letters KPGA. The bad news is, it's yet again, another Air 1 station. But this time it is different...because this isn't just a low power signal stuck in the middle of the city. This is 100,000 watts of power.

Coverage map is here: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1260831.html

I would give you a coverage map via Radio-locator because I think their coverage maps are more accurate, but radio-locator still lists this station as "off the air" and no coverage map has been provided yet. From how West this tower is, it would not surprise me if this station could be heard a lot further into Eastern New Mexico then most Lubbock stations.

Now, my question is: Since now they have a full power signal covering Lubbock, are the low power signals on 94.1 and 99.1 going to go away? And could there be some changes to 107.3, despite it's poor signal, as well?

Or are we just going to be stuck with four Air 1 stations in this town? (And I thought three was too much!)

[rbrucecarter5]

Coverage map is here: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1260831.html

Air 1 is actually one of the better Christian networks.  But I agree four outlets is overkill.  Perhaps they could sell the other three - maybe to the disenfranchised KTXT staff.  If that thing were on a taller stick, it would really get out.  Only a little bit taller, and it might make it over the edge of the caprock for a really interesting coverage pattern.

[Garrett]

So, I was scanning my radio after class today and it stopped on 91.9.

So, when I got home, I searched FCC.gov and looks like this brand new signal is licensed to the city of Morton under the call letters KPGA. The bad news is, it's yet again, another Air 1 station. But this time it is different...because this isn't just a low power signal stuck in the middle of the city. This is 100,000 watts of power.

Coverage map is here: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1260831.html

I would give you a coverage map via Radio-locator because I think their coverage maps are more accurate, but radio-locator still lists this station as "off the air" and no coverage map has been provided yet. From how West this tower is, it would not surprise me if this station could be heard a lot further into Eastern New Mexico then most Lubbock stations.

Now, my question is: Since now they have a full power signal covering Lubbock, are the low power signals on 94.1 and 99.1 going to go away? And could there be some changes to 107.3, despite it's poor signal, as well?

Or are we just going to be stuck with four Air 1 stations in this town? (And I thought three was too much!)

It's overkill.
I guess they think radio is the medium by which they "spread the word."
This is what they do, they go all over the country and hog all the available bandwidth whether they need it or not. They'll continue to do it until a group a people band together to stop them. The trouble is, the majority of all Americans are Christian, and how do you prevent people from using their freedom of speech to practice their religious belief?

You don't. And unless you can argue that those of us who aren't members of the faith are in some way being offended, I don't know what can be done.  The only thing I can think of is that the FCC revists putting limits on ownership and brings back the fairness doctrine. Yeah, you'll be wating a long time before any of that happens. The RKO General cases were actually just settled a few years ago and those dragged on for 30 years!

Sorry to hear about the "Air-Pollution"

[rbrucecarter5]

And unless you can argue that those of us who aren't members of the faith are in some way being offended, I don't know what can be done. 

I am sorry you are offended by the presence of Christian radio.  Given the incompetant nature of most Christian radio and churches, I can't say I blame you for rejecting the faith. 

As for Air 1, I agree that four stations in a market of 200,000 is overkill.  I'd love for them to open up ONE here in Dallas, but four even here would be ridiculous.  I am hoping that the can be persuaded to sell or donate the frequencies to other groups, and not just park on them so nobody else can.  I've often thought the Christian faith has nothing to fear from other ideas, unless they don't believe their own message.

I still vote for one of the Air 1 frequencies going to the former KTXT.

[Garrett]

Um, reject the faith? No.
I was born and raised one religion that I believe in. Nobody has the right to tell me that what I believe is wrong.
But that is not what bother's me with Air1. Its the same reason I don't care for Spanish language stations, its a station specifically targeted for a group I am not a member of. Ok, that's fine, but guess what then? You get one or maybe two. You don't get to have 6, because that's unfair.

Let's suppose a Jewish group bought up 4 or 5 stations and all ran the same format, say round the clock Torah readings? I don't think people around here would be too happy about that...

So I don't fear the Christian faith, for the most part.
I agree with on your thoughts though.

[EggsOverEasy87]

I don't think Garrett is necessarily offended by the presence of Christian radio.

It just gets on our nerves on all the frequencies they like to hog. It's getting ridiculous.

Air 1 will now be on 107.3, 94.1, 99.1, and 91.9. (Certainly, they will sell 107.3. It would just be a waste of money to keep around.)

The madness doesn't end there! Many do not know this, but K-Love has a nice low-power signal in SW Lubbock County on 100.7. The station can't even be heard in all the city. Why have a K-Love station on 100.7 when you have a full power station on 90.9?

So you see, it's not that we hate what they broadcast...it's the fact they are taking over all these open frequencies that other people can use.

I'm hoping they will sell 107.3 to someone else...because four Air 1 stations in Lubbock is just downright ridiculous. Especially if they are going to be broadcasting on 100,000 watts on 91.9. I think there is only one other Christian station in Lubbock that has 100,000 watts...and that station would be 92.7 KJAK

[crow]

I understand what is be said about sitting on channels etc... However, are there radio companies that are banging on the door for channels here in Lubbock and are being told that they can't becuz they are taken??? I would think that IF that was the case... we would have heard about that. However, once again, I understand what you are saying but I believe becuz of the market etc... something like this can and will happen becuz there is not alot of people fighting for channels. I mean, it's Lubbock. Besides, I would be willing to bet that the majority of people would not even know that there were that many stations that were religious stations on the dial and would probably not even care.

[fredcantu]

My problem with the channel hogs-- secular or not-- is that they deny others their place on the dial without increases the program choices available to the listeners.

[Garrett]

I understand what is be said about sitting on channels etc... However, are there radio companies that are banging on the door for channels here in Lubbock and are being told that they can't becuz they are taken??? I would think that IF that was the case... we would have heard about that. However, once again, I understand what you are saying but I believe becuz of the market etc... something like this can and will happen becuz there is not alot of people fighting for channels. I mean, it's Lubbock. Besides, I would be willing to bet that the majority of people would not even know that there were that many stations that were religious stations on the dial and would probably not even care.

Fred's right.
I mean you make a good case Crow. The trouble is, we'll never know if anyone's "banging on the door," because those frequencies are taken. It's hard to project this because there's a recession, but it might not always be that way.

97.3, 105.3 and 104.9 all came along within the last 7 years, yet all of them were rimshots until recently. 

[rbrucecarter5]

My problem with the channel hogs-- secular or not-- is that they deny others their place on the dial without increases the program choices available to the listeners.

NPR comes to mind.  Frequency glut from 88.1 to 91.9 in some places.