According to the National Weather Service, accumulating snow is possible Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
A low pressure system is forecast to strengthen as it moves through the Ohio Valley today. On the back side of this weather system, cold air will rush into the region changing rain over to snow tonight. Snow is expected to continue during the overnight hours through Wednesday morning.
Snow accumulations may range from 1 to 4 inches across much of the eastern parts of the WKU Public Radio coverage area. The rest of the region can expect a mix of rain and snow overnight, with little or no snow accumulation.
There have been some equipment problems Sunday at the WKPB 89.5FM transmitter. Our site engineer is at work to sort things out, but you may experience some signal outages while we work to restore full power.
This does not affect our live webstream. Thanks for your patience while this work is underway.
Update Wednesday, 2:30pm C.T.: The power is back on and the transmitter replacement project is now complete!
Original Post: Beginning Tuesday, February 19th, the power supply to the WDCL, 89.7FM transmitter site will be replaced. This will conclude the transmitter replacement project aimed at improving our service to listeners in the region.
Kevin Willis has been named News Director at WKU Public Radio following the recent retirement of Dan Modlin. He previously served as Assistant News Director.
Kevin has worked at WKU Public Radio since 1999, when he graduated from WKU with a degree in broadcast journalism. Prior to his time as assistant news director, Kevin was the station's local Morning Edition host.
Engineer Erik Costa begins dismantling the ductwork.
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
Site engineer Mike Graham disconnecting the power.
Credit WKU Public Radio
Carting the original 1984 transmitter away...
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
Here is the amplifier cabinet being removed from the building by the forklift. This half of the transmitter weighs about 1300 lbs.
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
The engineering team preparing the High Voltage cabinet to be removed. This cabinet weighs over 1600 lbs. The corners of the cabinet are lifted and small pipes are placed underneath to roll the unit toward the door.
Credit WKU Public Radio
Here comes the new transmitter. It needed to be uncrated outside to fit through the doorway. Glad it stopped raining!
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
Ta-da!
Credit WKU Public Radio
Once the transmitter was inside the doorway, it had to be pushed into place. The modules were removed and stacked out of the way in “bucket brigade” fashion. This greatly reduced the weight of the new transmitter, making it easier to push into place.
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
Very carefully through the door
Credit WKU Public Radio
Credit WKU Public Radio
Oops. After the new transmitter was placed in the building, the forklift got stuck. Severe storms passed through earlier in the morning, saturating the ground.
Credit WKU Public Radio
Turning on all the modules and powering up the transmitter.
As of mid-afternoon Thursday, WDCL-FM, 89.7 in Somerset is back on the air following installation of a new transmitter. Thanks for your patience while this work was completed. And thanks to Chief Engineer Don Eastman, plus Erik Costa, John Coe, Roger Hall and Mike Graham for their hard work getting this major project completed ahead of schedule!
