K259BG Chehalis sold to Bustos, for KZGI channel move and power boost.

[speer360]

K259BG In Chehalis which is currently relaying KNWN(fmr KOMO) has been sold to Bustos for $30k

But it’s with a twist. It wants the frequency for KZGI with a power boost.

“WHEREAS, Seller is the licensee of Centralia / Chehalis Translator K259BG (FM) and owner of associated equipment (“K259BG”), which the parties agree has a market value of $30,000;

B. WHEREAS, Buyer is the licensee of Radio Station KZGI (FM), Callsign KZGI, Facility Identification Number 191536 (“KZGI”), which currently operates on frequency 105.7 with an effective radiating power (“ERP”) of 800 watts;

C. WHEREAS, Buyer desires to buy, and Seller desires to sell, Seller’s interest in K259BG in exchange for Buyer’s modification of KZGI’s frequency from 105.7 to 96.9;

D. WHEREAS, also in consideration of Buyer’s modification of KZGI’s frequency from 105.7 to 96.9, Seller agrees to assist in the upgrade of KZGI’s ERP from 800 watts to 1,150 watts, and to make other modifications to KZGI’s facilities as described in further detail below.”

It’s been for sale for a while, so this is a interesting sale.

 

[fordranger797]

Maybe I’m lost on this one, but I was under the impression that KZGI was located in Skagit County. Is this a different station than the one I’m thinking of? If this is indeed the Skagit valley station, both 105.7 and 96.9 are not very advantageous frequencies.

 

[speer360]

Maybe I’m lost on this one, but I was under the impression that KZGI was located in Skagit County. Is this a different station than the one I’m thinking of? If this is indeed the Skagit valley station, both 105.7 and 96.9 are not very advantageous frequencies.

Nope. You are exactly right. It’s odd.

 

[Red Plume]

This is strange! I think there's something we don't know about yet that is part of this frequency shuffle.

My purely speculative guess is that 106.5 in Raymond is going to move closer to the Belfair/Union/Potlatch region as a back-fill so another unnamed station can move closer into the Seattle-Tacoma metro, that the 105.7 move on the north side would make possible.

The Raymond station is owned by the same folks as K259BG in Chehalis. The unknown station is probably in the Mason County area, and we can only speculate what it may be.

Disclaimer: frequency shuffle speculations are my jam.

 

[Red Plume]

so another unnamed station can move closer into the Seattle-Tacoma metro

Adding to say it could also be a power increase.

But with all that said, I think I'm still missing something, as I see some weaknesses in my theory.

 

[speer360]

I don’t fully get it, weird way to transfer assets.

Why they involve a station on the south end for a move and upgrade for a north end unrelated frequency. Just odd.

 

[fordranger797]

Not to mention, it’s hard to improve coverage when you’re fighting off extremely strong stations on the same frequencies that you’re trying to use. There’s no upgrade that can stop the blowtorch of CBU from cutting into your coverage.

 

[Red Plume]

Why they involve a station on the south end for a move and upgrade for a north end unrelated frequency. Just odd.

My thought is that the 106.5 CP in Raymond (co-owned with K259BG) is the chess piece at play here.

And there's another chess move that we are currently unaware of that the 105.7 move on the north side would open up.

 

[crainbebo]

Do they not realize that the FM band is so packed it's about to explode? 105.7 covers up what was a strong CBU in Skagit County. 96.9 would cover up what would be a strong CKLG. Canadian stations have listeners in Whatcom and Skagit, you know.

Bongwater would probably know...WHICH Canadian FM has the most audience in Bellingham? I assume Zed 95.3? Or JRFM? Maybe CKKQ?

 

[Red Plume]

Do they not realize that the FM band is so packed it's about to explode? 105.7 covers up what was a strong CBU in Skagit County. 96.9 would cover up what would be a strong CKLG.

You could argue that 96.9 is a much, much worse frequency for KZGI, as CJAX (ex-CKLG) uses HD. If the 96.9 in Skagit County doesn't use HD, most newer cars will select the CJAX sideband digital signal over the analog KZGI signal.

 

[fordranger797]

Do they not realize that the FM band is so packed it's about to explode? 105.7 covers up what was a strong CBU in Skagit County. 96.9 would cover up what would be a strong CKLG. Canadian stations have listeners in Whatcom and Skagit, you know.

Bongwater would probably know...WHICH Canadian FM has the most audience in Bellingham? I assume Zed 95.3? Or JRFM? Maybe CKKQ?

It would be more of an issue in Whatcom County than Skagit County (if they were attempting to pull this off closer to the border). It’s exceptionally difficult to pick up many Seattle stations once you cross over the foothills between Skagit and Whatcom counties. On the contrary, Skagit County listeners can still hear most Seattle stations decently well. If they want to put up with a little static, it’s definitely possible to listen. However, once you’re in Bellingham, it’s pretty difficult to pull in anything from Seattle. Likewise, there’s a bit of a dead zone on the south side of the foothills as well.

Given that the foothills shield a good potion of the signal, it may technically be possible to squeeze in another station, but i certainly don’t think it’s advisable. Move too far to the south (away from the foothills) and you’re back in the direct beam.

 

[bobdavcav]

My thought is that the 106.5 CP in Raymond (co-owned with K259BG) is the chess piece at play here.

And there's another chess move that we are currently unaware of that the 105.7 move on the north side would open up.

Bill W has that 105.7 licensed to Union, could he be planning to move that farther north? This move really doesn't make sense. When did KZGI get into the hands of Bustos? I thought that station was owned by the same people programming 93.7. Could 105.7 work from Gold Mountain and still hit Union?

 

[fordranger797]

Bill W has that 105.7 licensed to Union, could he be planning to move that farther north? This move really doesn't make sense. When did KZGI get into the hands of Bustos? I thought that station was owned by the same people programming 93.7. Could 105.7 work from Gold Mountain and still hit Union?

I think there could be another issue with Gold Mountain, as it would be too close to CBU 105.7 and could potentially cause interference. KZGI appears to have a directional contour (with a good amount of mountainous land to the north side of their tower site). I guess there's no policy issue with them operating this way, considering that there's no chance of interference on the Canadian side.

 

[Red Plume]

Bill W has that 105.7 licensed to Union, could he be planning to move that farther north? This move really doesn't make sense. When did KZGI get into the hands of Bustos? I thought that station was owned by the same people programming 93.7. Could 105.7 work from Gold Mountain and still hit Union?

The obvious things limiting that move would be 105.3 KCMS and 106.1 KBKS. They could however move to Olympia, in the neighborhood of 96.1 and 102.9, and increase power with 105.7 on the northside removed.

I don't think 105.7 would need to cover Union if they were back-filling. And Gold Mountain is too close to 105.3 and 106.1.

I didn't do a full study, but that's just back-of-napkin engineering.

 

[fordranger797]

The obvious things limiting that move would be 105.3 KCMS and 106.1 KBKS. They could however move to Olympia, in the neighborhood of 96.1 and 102.9, and increase power with 105.7 on the northside removed.

I don't think 105.7 would need to cover Union if they were back-filling. And Gold Mountain is too close to 105.3 and 106.1.

I didn't do a full study, but that's just back-of-napkin engineering.

Good points about 106.1 and 105.3. Capitol Peak and South Mountain are pretty decent sites. Though 105.7 is already on South Mountain, if I recall. No real reason to move it when it's already there.

 

[Red Plume]

Good points about 106.1 and 105.3. Capitol Peak and South Mountain are pretty decent sites. Though 105.7 is already on South Mountain, if I recall. No real reason to move it when it's already there.

Could also be something delicately orchestrated like: 106.5 from Raymond to Ocean Shores; 102.1 from Ocean Shores to Union; 105.7 from Union to [unknown].

The "[unknown]" in that scenario would be something that requires a move of 105.7 in Sedro-Wooley.

 

[Kelly A]

I think there could be another issue with Gold Mountain, as it would be too close to CBU 105.7 and could potentially cause interference. KZGI appears to have a directional contour (with a good amount of mountainous land to the north side of their tower site). I guess there's no policy issue with them operating this way, considering that there's no chance of interference on the Canadian side.

I haven't looked at the potential contours involved, but you need to remember the Canadian border isn't the line where a signal crosses or not, depending on the potential adjacent or co-channel interference. There is a negotiated interference line on both sides that stations are not allowed to cross. It's called "Line A" for U.S stations below 470Mhz, and "Line B" for Canadian stations:

"For bands below 470 MHz, the areas which are involved lie between Lines A and B and between Lines C and D, which are described as follows:"


"Line A - Begins at Aberdeen, Wash., running by great circle arc to the intersection of 48 degrees N., 120 degrees W., thence along parallel 48 degrees N., to the intersection of 95 degrees W., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Duluth, Minn., thence by great circle arc to 45 degrees N., 85 degrees W., thence southward along meridian 85 degrees W., to its intersection with parallel 41 degrees N., thence along parallel 41 degrees N., to its intersection with meridian 82 degrees W., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Bangor, Maine, thence by great circle arc through the southern-most point of Searsport, Maine, at which point it terminates; and"





"Line B - Begins at Tofino, B.C., running by great circle arc to the intersection of 50 degrees N., 125 degrees W., thence along parallel 50 degrees N., to the intersection of 90 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 45 degrees N., 79 degrees 30 W., thence by great circle arc through the northernmost point of Drummondville, Quebec (lat: 45 degrees 52 N., long: 72 degrees 30 W.), thence by great circle arc to 48 degrees 30 N., 70 degrees W., thence by great circle arc through the northernmost point of Campbellton, N.B., thence by great circle arc through the northernmost point of Liverpool, N.S., at which point it terminates."


Line C - Begins at the intersection of 70 degrees N., 144 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 60 degrees N., 143 degrees W., thence by great circle arc so as to include all of the Alaskan Panhandle; and


Line D - Begins at the intersection of 70 degrees N., 138 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 61 degrees 20 N., 139 degrees W., (Burwash Landing), thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 60 degrees 45 N., 135 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 56 degrees N., 128 degrees W., thence south along 128 degrees meridian to Lat. 55 degrees N., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 54 degrees N., 130 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to Port Clements, thence to the Pacific Ocean where it ends.
More here: Frequency Coordination with Canada Below 470 MHz

 

[Red Plume]

I haven't looked at the potential contours involved, but you need to remember the Canadian border isn't the line where a signal crosses or not. There is a negotiated interference line on both sides that stations are not allowed to cross. It's called "Line A" for U.S stations below 470Mhz, and "Line B" for Canadian stations:

Does that apply for Part 73 & 74 stations? I can think of many instances where co-channel interference from US stations is way beyond Line A.

 

[fybush]

I haven't looked at the potential contours involved, but you need to remember the Canadian border isn't the line where a signal crosses or not, depending on the potential adjacent or co-channel interference. There is a negotiated interference line on both sides that stations are not allowed to cross. It's called "Line A" for U.S stations below 470Mhz, and "Line B" for Canadian stations:
View attachment 5436
"For bands below 470 MHz, the areas which are involved lie between Lines A and B and between Lines C and D, which are described as follows:"


"Line A - Begins at Aberdeen, Wash., running by great circle arc to the intersection of 48 degrees N., 120 degrees W., thence along parallel 48 degrees N., to the intersection of 95 degrees W., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Duluth, Minn., thence by great circle arc to 45 degrees N., 85 degrees W., thence southward along meridian 85 degrees W., to its intersection with parallel 41 degrees N., thence along parallel 41 degrees N., to its intersection with meridian 82 degrees W., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Bangor, Maine, thence by great circle arc through the southern-most point of Searsport, Maine, at which point it terminates; and"





"Line B - Begins at Tofino, B.C., running by great circle arc to the intersection of 50 degrees N., 125 degrees W., thence along parallel 50 degrees N., to the intersection of 90 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 45 degrees N., 79 degrees 30 W., thence by great circle arc through the northernmost point of Drummondville, Quebec (lat: 45 degrees 52 N., long: 72 degrees 30 W.), thence by great circle arc to 48 degrees 30 N., 70 degrees W., thence by great circle arc through the northernmost point of Campbellton, N.B., thence by great circle arc through the northernmost point of Liverpool, N.S., at which point it terminates."


Line C - Begins at the intersection of 70 degrees N., 144 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 60 degrees N., 143 degrees W., thence by great circle arc so as to include all of the Alaskan Panhandle; and


Line D - Begins at the intersection of 70 degrees N., 138 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 61 degrees 20 N., 139 degrees W., (Burwash Landing), thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 60 degrees 45 N., 135 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 56 degrees N., 128 degrees W., thence south along 128 degrees meridian to Lat. 55 degrees N., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 54 degrees N., 130 degrees W., thence by great circle arc to Port Clements, thence to the Pacific Ocean where it ends.
More here: Frequency Coordination with Canada Below 470 MHz

Those lines apply for services licensed through ULS, not for Part 73 and 74 broadcast services. For those services, the protection is at the border and there are specific rules unique to Canada and Mexico, plus a whole host of allocation-specific protections.

 

[crainbebo]

The obvious things limiting that move would be 105.3 KCMS and 106.1 KBKS. They could however move to Olympia, in the neighborhood of 96.1 and 102.9, and increase power with 105.7 on the northside removed.

I don't think 105.7 would need to cover Union if they were back-filling. And Gold Mountain is too close to 105.3 and 106.1.

I didn't do a full study, but that's just back-of-napkin engineering.

Then you have KFBW-105.9 and KUKN-105.5 on the back end, south, 1st adjacent.