The Dec. 22 issue of Radio World features our Buyer’s Guide for antennas, RF support and power products. Buyer’s Guide features application stories like this one.
Northern Community Radio is an independent non-profit organization that operates two full-service FM radio stations and one translator that serve north central and northeastern Minnesota.
NCR built a full-service Class C2 FM station, KBXE, licensed to Bagley, Minn., in 2012. KBXE has a 488-foot guyed tower and directional Rototiller FM antenna made and installed by ERI. The station rebroadcasts KAXE and airs local programming from studios in Bemidji.
In 2019 NCR was granted a CP to increase KAXE’s height above average terrain from 459 to 673 feet while maintaining 100 kW effective radiated power. These new facilities required a taller 499-foot tower.
Chief Engineer Dan Houg proposed a new tower, antenna, transmission line and installation services, and ERI won the contract. Shown is KAXE’s 10-Bay High-Power Model SHPX-10AC Rototiller FM Antenna. ERI also was awarded a contract that included destacking the existing 315-foot tower after the new system was operational.
David Baes, executive director of Northern Community Radio, told ERI, “Now, with the new, improved signal, we are reaching out further than ever and bringing in a new group of listeners into the KAXE/KBXE family. I am excited about the future, to see where it leads us next.”
When the construction and commissioning of the new transmission facilities, were complete, the station website announced, “After YEARS of fundraising and planning, the construction of the KAXE tower and transmitter is complete. Finally, the 91.7 signal is back bigger and stronger than ever before.”
Info: eriinc.com, 812-925-6000 or email [email protected]
