[IRCA] KXEL Updates

["Les Rayburn" <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Had an enjoyable conversation this afternoon with Mark Schumacher, who
is the Chief Engineer at KXEL-AM 1540 in Waterloo, Iowa. He was kind enough
to discuss KXEL's recent outage during one of the worst ice storms to hit the region
in decades. 

According to Mr. Schumacher, KXEL's outage was due to 1 and 1/4 inch of ice coating
everything for miles around their transmitter site, which is approximately 24 miles
from town. Several power poles along the last mile of the route actually collapsed
during the storm, which also contained high winds. 

KXEL is not equipped with backup power generation, having undergone a series of
expensive upgrades in recent years. The budget simply wouldn't allow for it prior to
this event, but it is being considered by the owners now. He also could not estimate
the amount of revenue lost due to the outage. 

Mr. Schumacher said that KXEL lost power only a few hours into the storm, and that at 
one point every station in the market was off the air. Their sister station, KWLO 1330 
dropped off the air only for a few minutes until it's backup power generator kicked in. 

KWLO is a 5kw station that has "decent coverage" according to Mr. Schumacher. Along with 
two FM stations in the area, KWLO assumed the role as the principal conduit of information
and advisory messages during the incident which crippled much of the region for nearly
a week. 

At one point on the first day, the generator failed to operate at KWLO, but the station remained
on the air due a bank of backup batteries, though it operated at reduced power levels. Mr. Schumacher
and his wife were able to obtain parts for the generator at an in-laws hardware store and effected 
repairs late that afternoon, returning the station to full power. 

As of this afternoon, March 7th, two of the Radio Group's FM stations remained off the air,
and one studio suffered major roof damage during the storm. Schumacher was still very
busy with repairs but took time out to provide some insight into the outage. 

He had a very positive view of DX'ers and expressed that he might be willing to include
sweep tones and Morse code during future maintenance tests. 

He also mentioned the web site www.fybush.com , which he really enjoys. He was concerned
about a picture of their transmitter site at: http://www.fybush.com/site-010822.html. The photo
was taken awhile ago, before their recent improvements to both the transmitter and the
building. He felt that the photo reflected poorly on the station and wanted to know if we
could help get it replaced with a new photo he could provide once the Spring came. 

(Who says broadcaster's don't care about their image with the hobby?) 

He's also going to send along some photos taken at the transmitter sites during the ice storm,
which I'll pass along to the clubs for publication. 

I think the Waterloo market owes the Schumacher's a debt of gratitude for their hard work and
courage, braving the weather to keep KWLO on the air during the event. 

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF
NRC/IRCA Broadcast Test Coordinator
Please call anytime 24/7 if your transmitter
will be off the air for maintenance. 
(205) 253-4867

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