KTOK on FM? Proposed new translators for OKC

Over 800 applications were submitted during the most recent filing window for AM stations to find their FM soulmate. Lance Venta over at RadioInsight.com did a great job breaking down all of them.

Of note in Oklahoma City, iHeartMedia is applying for a translator to relay heritage News/Talk KTOK. One could argue that this move is long overdue as KTOK’s night pattern limits its signal and its competitor, Tyler’s KOKC is relayed by 95.3 K237GE.

The proposed signal would be at 106.1 and would cover Edmond and northwest Oklahoma City farely well. The signal wouldn’t be heard as well in southern and eastern parts of the metro.

Proposed 106.1 translator coverage area. SOURCE: fccdata.org

 

Regional Mexican KZUE El Reno has also applied for a translator at 97.7. The highly-directional signal would cover parts of southwest Oklahoma City and Will Rogers World Airport. I can’t tell if the coverage map looks like Frosty the Snowman’s head with a squished hat or maybe a 5-year-old’s drawing of Casper the Friendly Ghost.

KZUE currently holds a license for a translator, also at 97.7, rebroadcasting the station in El Reno.

 

Proposed 97.7 translator coverage area. SOURCE: fccdata.org

 

 

Ice storm knocks off stations

Last week’s ice storm caused power outages in northwest Oklahoma and in the Oklahoma City metro as well. Several area radio stations were affected as well.

Most notably, Cumulus’ KYIS (98-9 KISS FM) was knocked off the air Saturday night. The station was off the air Sunday and into Monday evening. The timing wasn’t great for the station since last week it was announced that longtime morning team “Jack and Ron” were moving to KQOB starting Dec. 4. A handful of KYIS listeners were puzzled by the outage, perhaps thinking the duo’s move and the outage were related.

KQOB (currently stunting with All-Christmas music), has had dead air since Monday, due to technical issues at its Crescent, Okla. transmitter site.

Most of the stations affected are move-in stations that target the Oklahoma City metro from sites in rural northern and western Oklahoma. KINB (105.3 The Pro), KNAH (99.7 Hank FM), KVSP (Power 103.5), KZTH (88.5 The House FM) all spent time off the air due to the storm.