Field testing K30AL-D, Iola/Moran Kansas

[comfortably_numb]

I've been wanting to drive down to the Iola area for awhile now and test the LP signal of translator K30AL-D. This station rebroadcasts KTWU PBS out of Topeka. It's only 7.5 kW, and at my house it gets washed out by a 1000 kW station in my area, so I have to drive about 60 miles to be within range.

I drove right up to the tower location. Got a solid signal on my RCA rabbit ears (placed on top of my car).

No channel information is displayed. Seems like there might be an error with their transmitter, so I emailed them.

This town is located in the Joplin/Pittsburg DMA, but I couldn't pick up any of those stations, nor could I receive any stations from Topeka or Kansas City. It appears to be a true "dead zone." That being the case, I wonder if anybody else down there noticed their only OTA station was gone?

Things that make you go "hmmmmmm...."

 

[comfortably_numb]

I have to say I’m impressed at how fast the engineering team got back to me. Sometimes stations don’t respond at all. Good work, KTWU/K30AL!

 

[Mister B]

That is encouraging to see some broadcast engineers still even respond to viewers. I was looking at the map of Kansas and was surprised that area to be a "dead zone" in terms of TV reception. Way back in the analog days I went on an extensive camping trip across Kansas and Nebraska and was able to pick up at least a few TV stations everywhere I went. Of course with analog one had the option of watching a snowy picture which often was better than nothing.

 

[comfortably_numb]

I was looking at the map of Kansas and was surprised that area to be a "dead zone"

Perhaps with a good outdoor antenna mounted high on a roof the results would be different; I only had my mobile DX setup with me. Maybe a better way to put it would be “receptionally challenged” rather than dead zone

 

[Mgsports]

As we need another feed of PBS in KS.

 

[Jason S]

Perhaps with a good outdoor antenna mounted high on a roof the results would be different; I only had my mobile DX setup with me. Maybe a better way to put it would be “receptionally challenged” rather than dead zone

I'm southwest of Iola (Fredonia) and can attest to the lack of reception in the area.

We're in the middle of Joplin, Tulsa, Wichita and Topeka markets but can't really receive any of them. I've experimented with height, position, antenna type, antenna location and had no real results. KOAM & KFJX (real 7 & 13) used to come in somewhat reliably, but haven't had luck with those for a while.

A thread from back when I was working on improving the OTA reception: Suggestions for Extreme Fringe Reception

A thread with photos of the Yagi I built to try to receive UHF channel 30 (K30AL-D): Long distance antenna 60 - 100 miles?

 

[comfortably_numb]

I'm southwest of Iola (Fredonia) and can attest to the lack of reception in the area.

We're in the middle of Joplin, Tulsa, Wichita and Topeka markets but can't really receive any of them. I've experimented with height, position, antenna type, antenna location and had no real results. KOAM & KFJX (real 7 & 13) used to come in somewhat reliably, but haven't had luck with those for a while.

A thread from back when I was working on improving the OTA reception: Suggestions for Extreme Fringe Reception

A thread with photos of the Yagi I built to try to receive UHF channel 30 (K30AL-D): Long distance antenna 60 - 100 miles?

Jason, can you receive K30AL at your location?

I’m down in that area from time to time; we should have lunch sometime

 

[Jim5506]

From beautiful downtown Fredonia you have to get up to 170ft AGL before KOAM becomes 1 edge reception.

Very difficult situation.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Seems that satellite-fed locals are the only solution unless you can live with only PBS

 

[Jason S]

Jason, can you receive K30AL at your location?

I’m down in that area from time to time; we should have lunch sometime

Lunch might be doable.

No luck for K30AL here. TV Fool showed there might be a chance for reception, but it's 2-edge at 46 miles and -10.8 dB.

A few snippings of the coverage area here with a modest 25' antenna height.