KIPA Hilo HI 620 verification
Yesterday the first QSL for several weeks arrived in my inbox.
KIPA is one of the many Hawaiian stations I managed to pick up
during the KONG13 DXpedition in October last year, but in fact I
didn't realize that I had heard it until I began listening to some
of my recordings. It faded up for a short moment while I thought I
was listening to KGTL Homer AK. KIPA gave an identification, and
away it went again. Big surprise; it was one of the Hawaiians I
had not expected to hear - just because of KGTL.
Station owner Tom Troland responded to my e-mail follow-up
yesterday, and I have decided to include some of his reply in this
blog entry.
"Thanks for your message. YES. you have heard KIPA and others
apparently with similar formats! You have clearly captured the
"liner" it sounded like several other signals together oddly all airing ABC Radio Networks "Stardust" format.
KIPA is a odd arrangement of 3 transmitter sites, designed to work together to cover the Big Island of Hawaii. It is interesting as at the moment we have only one "high" power transmitter in operation.
This signal you have captured is from KIPA, Kalaoa, Hawaii on the west coast of the Island of Hawaii or the Big Island. This site is employing a PAREN antenna or "Perimeter Current" antenna. It consist of 4 '90 foot towers spaced 90 feet with a "box' of top loaded wire at the top strapping the towers together. It is one of 2 designs currently on air in the USA.
We are using a Harris "Gates 5" solid state AM transmitter. The site is located just 6 miles north of Kaila-Kona, HI just one mile east of Keahole (International) Airport.
It seems so odd that you can hear us in Norway as our local coverage is not that great! The volcanic rock of the island has poor conductivity and hampers local signal performance.
We operate 3 stations here our main "products" are KKOA "Country"
and KBGX "Oldies" radio. These are both FM and operate from Mauna Kea volcano."
