scwis

Tregonsee writes

I recently followed up on a forum posting from a new Part 15 operation, The Cat. I think many of our visitors will enjoy finding out what I learned…

Tregonsee writes

I recently followed up on a forum posting from a new Part 15 operation, The Cat. I think many of our visitors will enjoy finding out what I learned…

Tregonsee:

You gave the URL for CAT-AM (cat-am.com) in your post of Tue 13Sep05
under the “Antenna Tuner for Part 15 AM Transmitter” topic in the
Part15.US Forums, which is how I found your Web site. Since you are not
on the Part15.US station list, I would like to correct that, but I want
to clarify some things.

1. Judging from the Metal News section and the news entry about the
2005 Monterrey Metal Fest, I assume your format is metal rock, or at
least “rock – heavy on the metal” (sorry, that’s bad but couldn’t
resist). Please confirm or correct.

The Cat

Our primary format is 80’s guitar rock, with a touch of metal and
classic rock. We also air many local bands that provide us with high
quality material.

Tregonsee:

2. The top banner of your Web pages says AM 580, but your latest
news entries say AM 640 in the signature. Did you change your frequency,
or is one the over-the-air frequency and another the carrier current
frequency? If you changed your frequency, when did this happen, and is
640 the correct frequency?

The Cat

We voluntarily vacated 640 due to a licensed station on 1280 nearby
(not sure how I missed it either), 580 is where we have been since January
of this year. If all goes well, we really hope to be on 1090 soon… 🙂

Tregonsee:

3. Your last news entry (Mon 25Apr05) mentions fixing a blown
transmitter. Has this been fixed?

The Cat

Yes, got it fixed again but keep losing power transistors in the LPB.
May be an issue with the tower and static discharge, but I just keep
replacing them.. The SS Tran has never missed a beat, one great
transmitter.

Tregonsee:

4. I understand that the Cat Spring site has been closed (Wed
14Sep05), and that everything from there has been moved to Bellville,
including antennas and transmitters. Exactly what transmitters?

The Cat

Everything has been moved to Bellville as of last week. I will keep a
Radio Systems TR-20 in Cat Springs on carrier current. Bellville is an
SS Tran with an EH antenna.

Tregonsee:

5. Do you still have transmitters on the Monaville and Shelby
towers? If so, I assume these would be over-the-air, but please confirm
this.

The Cat

Monaville is off line until further notice, Shelby will be OTR with an
SS Tran and EH antenna, using wireless broadband to stream the audio to
it from the Internet. I think the SS Tran and EH antenna combo is the
future of legal P15 broadcasting. While the EH is a pain to properly
tune, it allows legal and efficient use of the entire band, rather than
just the upper expanded AM.

Tregonsee:

6. Have you activated the Sealy transmitter? Again, if so, is this
over-the-air or carrier current, and when did it go on?

The Cat

Sealy was never installed, but I have a new location ready for carrier
current right in the middle of town. Need another transmitter to make
this happen though.

Tregonsee:

7. Do you have any over-the-air or carrier current transmitters
other than those mentioned here?

The Cat

The only other transmitter currently active, is a c.crane FM unit that
I
use to monitor the music server. It’s range is extremely limited, lucky
to get 75ft to my house, but it has terrific sound quality. We have a
500 watt Gates in storage, ready to deploy to Monaville if the FCC
grants us the 1090 license.

Tregonsee:

8. What are you using for transmitters (store-bought or home-brew)?
How much power are your carrier current transmitters running?

The Cat

Primarily LPB AM25’s, Radio Systems TR-20’s, and SS Tran 3000’s. I took
some field strength readings from the Cat Spring site back in January,
and 10 watts carrier current was as much as I could run and stay legal.
I tested at 25 watts and it really did not increase the range much, but
the signal was *way* beyond the rules. Usually, I will try both cc and
OTR in a location, and whichever gives the best coverage is what I try
to stick with. Money is always a limiting factor, as you probably know
all too well.

Tregonsee:

9. Which site went on-air first (Cat Spring?) and when?

The Cat

Fired up Cat Spring in November of 2004 for the first time, full time
right after KLOL in Houston went Spanish. On a related note, I also ran
a pirate FM right before the first house fire in early 2004. Using a
broadcast exciter pushing 22 watts into a j-pole mounted on the ground,
it had a solid 10 mile range, listenable to 15 miles. The thing was
awesome, but I was always scared of getting caught, so I shut it down
and sold it all on eBay.

Tregonsee:

By the way, whatever happened regarding Mr. Henderson?

The Cat

We are awaiting a response from the FCC. Our consultant says that *if*
nobody else steps up asking for reassignment of 1090, then we *may*
become the first station to have ever done this. If someone does step
up, then the allocation will go to auction. If that happens we really
do not know what will become of KNUZ. Many petitions and objections were
filed by supporters of our P15 station, and it is all in the commissions
hands now.

Our thanks to Tregonsee and the Cat for this excellent update!