Out with the Old, In with the New

Tue, Sep 18, 2007

We’ve completed the first part of our transmitter upgrade project. Our old transmitter is being moved out and new ones moved in. We’re temporarily operating at low power as gear is positioned and tested in its final setup.

We’re still expecting KSKA’s signal to go back up to full power by the end of September, possibly sooner.

In the mean time, you might be interested to learn more about the new technology we’re bringing online soon: HD Radio. You can read more about HD Radio right here on our site — we have a quick overview and some FAQs related to our installation.

Thanks again for sticking around with KSKA during this transition. You are the best.

Bede

KSKA still at reduced power

Mon, Sep 17, 2007

There was progress made over the weekend with KSKA’s analog and HD installation. We are working on putting high powered equipment in place today, but still have to operate at reduced power for safety reasons. Electrical and interconnect systems will be worked on today. I know this is hard. We are on track to increase power at the end of the month.

Thanks for staying with KSKA.

Bede

Weekend Update - KSKA Sound

Fri, Sep 14, 2007

KSKA has a planned outage on Saturday for a couple of hours to replace old equipment with new digital and analog systems. The engineering crew anticipates KSKA will be off the air in Anchorage on Saturday (9/15) from 10:00 p.m. to midnight.

This is a big installation for KSKA so we may be at reduced power until the end of the month. Thank you for your emails, your patience and your support.

Bede

Sound On KSKA

Thu, Sep 13, 2007

KSKA is stronger today than yesterday, but you have told us that there are still areas with “muddy” or no sound at all. Thanks for your emails . HD Installation is not done yet, but we hope to be stronger tomorrow. No outages planned for this evening. Thanks again for listening and for your support.

Bede

KSKA’s HD installation continues

Wed, Sep 12, 2007

KSKA continues to operate at low power (for safety reasons) with occasional bursts of static this week as we continue HD and analog transmitter installations at Goose Bay.

We hope to increase transmitting power by the end of this week. Hopefully KSKA’s signal will be back on your radios or you should hear a marked improvement by then. Radios without antennae have been particulary affected during this transition which is why your car radio may not have been affected.

KSKA may also have to go off the air tonight (Wed-Thu 9/12-13), so set your clock radio to “alarm” rather than to KSKA.

Stay “tuned” to KSKA’s web site for updates as we move ahead. Thanks for listening and for supporting KSKA.

–Bede

KSKA at Low Power

Tue, Sep 11, 2007

Installation of KSKA’s transmitter equipment for analog and HD Radio continues at Goose Bay this week affecting KSKA’s signal. FM 91.1 will be at reduced power until the installation is complete. You may find that some radios are affected and others are not. Crews are working to replace two analog transmitters the station uses and add another antenna capable of transmitting HD Radio.

By the end of this week, transmissions will increase in power, but will still operate below half of their normal levels. Full-power transmissions are scheduled to resume by the end of the month.

We apologize for the reduction in power for KSKA during this important installation, but it is necessary to ensure a safe installation. Thank you for letting us know how important KSKA is to you and for your support.

–Bede

Technical and Transmitter Improvements

Fri, Sep 7, 2007

Engineering staff will be working on the KSKA transmitter at our Goose Bay site north of Anchorage over the weeknd. In order for this important work to be done safely and efficiently, KSKA’s signal will go off the air Sunday evening and overnight to Monday morning.

KSKA should be back on the air with Morning Editon on Monday, September 10.

Thank you for your patience. For the record, this technical work is part of our upgrade to HD Radio service, slated to go on air in early 2008.

KSKA off the air in non-Anchorage areas today

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

KSKA’s signal to our translated areas — Seward, Girdwood, Unalaska and Prudhoe Bay — will be off the air today from 11:00 a.m. until about 5:00 p.m. for technical and transmitter work to improve the quality and reliability of the broadcast signal. Broadcasting in the Anchorage area will not be affected. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

Satellite services restored

Tue, Aug 21, 2007

The satellite distribution outage that took KSKA off the air in Girdwood, Seward, Unalaska and Prudhoe Bay has been resolved. Our signal should be restored in these areas.

Additionally, the repair of the “ARCS” system should restore distribution of KAKM’s Alaska Weather to the remote parts of the state as well as restore broadcast TV services in many bush parts of the state.

Here’s the message we received from APBI technical support at 3:47 p.m. today:

Satellite delivery for ARCS, Alaska One, 360 North (Gavel to Gavel) and UATV has resumed. Engineers and technicians in Fairbanks were able to identify and solve the path interruption. From the monitor point in Anchorage, all video and audio services in the multiplex appear to be working correctly. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

For any new signal outages, please feel free to call us at 907-550-8400 anytime of day or night.

Satellite outage alert

Mon, Aug 20, 2007

The state-operated satellite service carrying KSKA’s signal to Girdwood, Seward, Prudhoe Bay and Unalaska started having technical difficulties this past weekend — sometime on Saturday. This puts KSKA off the air in these communities (we’re still on the air from our primary transmitter north of Anchorage).

Communities that receive TV signals from the “ARCS” system are similarly affected.

Technicians are working to fix the satellite problem. We’ve asked for an estimated time for repairs but haven’t received one as yet. We’re hoping the signals can be restored soon.

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