92.1 has lost its whistle

[Terry]

92.1 almost sounds like a real radio station now.

[David]

It seems strange to me that there's still no mention of the 92.1 frequency on KALL's web site. These days, most AM stations that have an FM translator or simulcast on a full power FM station emphasize their FM frequency in their logo & on their website. Some stations like KNRS and KNX don't even mention their AM frequency at all, except during the TOH legal ID. I think it's remiss for radio stations to ignore their AM frequency, especially a station like KALL which has such a powerful AM signal. However, that's a topic for another thread. 😀

[CAwasinNJ]

(amanuensis' post moved to talkingutahradio.proboards.com/thread/2356/bloomberg-on-570 )

There wasn't a mention of it on air a little while ago either. Up until now there was no reason to identify the FM signal. One of the main advantages of FM in today's world is the better fidelity. That didn't apply here since it literally sounded like AM.

There are three ways I can see things going from here. One would be nothing else changes at all and the station stays on 92.1 and still only identifies as ESPN 700. Two, now that there's a higher fidelity signal on FM they incorporate it into the station's identity somehow. Three, this is a preparation for 92.1 to flip. Yeah, I've played that last song before and I haven't been right yet. Having it and not acknowledging it still doesn't make sense to me. We'll have to see.

Side note: It is however true that there's a precedent in broadcasting for a consumer to know that to get X you have to look at Y. Cable TV is a perfect example where Comcast viewers know that CW30 is on 15. To have that applied to ESPN 700 is a little different since I don't know how many listeners to the AM would even know about the FM. If I had to guess I would say not many.

[oldiesfunhouse]

As of about midnight last night, it sounded to me like the signal on 92.1 is still being obtained from the actual AM 700 signal rather than through a direct line from the board. My guess would be that the "radio" they're using to get the signal was moved to a location either closer to the AM700 transmitter or somewhere where there was less interference. Didn't one of you say that 92.1 is owned by Doug Barton/Sanpete/Mid Utah Radio? Perhaps they'll simulcast 96.7 or 1400. Since 1400 is going to become KIXR, if they got those same call letters on 96.7, they could get with the Cache Valley folks and make Kix 96 into that super station we were talking about and have what is now KQMB be a simulcast of KKEX. They could simulcast on 92.1 as well to cover the dead spots in the Salt Lake area. That probably wouldn't make a ton of sense though since Salt Lake already has three FM country stations. It will definitely be interesting to see what happens. The fact that KOOL (KUDD HD2) still has a full air staff makes me think that placement for them on an "analog" FM signal is still in the works.

[David]

The FCC records for 92.1 K221GK lists Sanpete County Broadcasting as the owner, so apparently Broadway Media is just leasing it.

[CAwasinNJ]

I thought it sounded better on Wednesday but now I think I know what happened. I apologize and retract what I just said, though the three options are still the three options it has. I'm also going to give up making any further speculations on 92.1 until at least the first of January.

[Terry]

92.1 did loose the whistle, but now I notice that they continue to have background artifacts that make me think that they are still feeding the translator via an AM receiver.

Still not ready for prime time.