The New KRSN Newsblog

Here is the survey of the proposed school site. In the area between North Mesa Road and our site is the school's building trade site.
The antenna would be 170' tall and located in the center of the circle. It will be surrounded by 50'x50' fence. It will have 3 guywires anchored 144' from the base of antenna. Each of those will be fenced for safety. The rest of the area will remain open space grasslands as it is now.

The land will be rented creating a steady stream of income to Los Alamos Public Schools.

STOP BY OUR OFFICE AT 145 CENTRAL PARK SQUARE AND SIGN THE PETITION SUPPORTING US.

Here is a picture of the proposed site. It is taken from the Middle School Parking lot looking west.

DAVE AND I HAVE OWNED KRSN SINCE 2005. WE BOUGHT IT OUT OF BANKRUPTCY . HAVING LIVED HERE MOST OF OUR LIVES WE GREW UP WITH AM 1490. WE FELT IT WAS TOO IMPORTANT AN ASSET FOR THIS COMMUNITY TO LOOSE. WE STILL FEEL THIS WAY.
KRSN AM 1490 HAS BEEN A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY SINCE 1947. ORIGINALLY IT WAS CREATED BY THE MANHATTAN PROJECT SCIENTISTS FOR ENTERTAINMENT IN THE EVENINGS AFTER WORK.

OVER TIME IT GREW AND BECAME A VOICE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LOS ALAMOS WHICH IS WHAT IT IS TODAY. AND NOW WE ALSO SIMULCAST ON THE WEB SO YOU CAN HEAR LOS ALAMOS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. THAT MEANS YOU CAN STREAM IT ON YOUR HOME COMPUTER.

LET’S STOP AND THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MINUTE. WHAT DOES THAT INCLUDE?

IT CAN BRING YOU BREAKING NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. FOR EXAMPLE DURING THE RECENT EMERGENCY AT THE QUEMAZON MONTESSORI SCHOOL, KRSN BROADCAST WHERE THE CHILDREN HAD BEEN MOVED TO SO THE PARENTS COULD PICK THEM UP. WE ALSO BROADCAST THE Quemazon ROAD CLOSURE. WE BROADCAST OTHER ROAD CLOSURES AND ACCIDENTS. WE BROADCAST CONSTRUCTION DELAYS.

WE BROADCAST SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND DELAYS.

WE CAN BRING YOU ALL THOSE LOCAL ISSUES. STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT. WILL A SANTA FE RADIO STATION INTERVIEW THE LOS ALAMOS COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATES AS A PUBLIC SERVICE FOR OUR VOTING COMMUNITY?

KRSN BRINGS YOU LOS ALAMOS HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS. THERE IS NO OTHER RADIO STATION THAT WILL BRING YOU LOS ALAMOS HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS. BROADCASTING HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS PROMOTES OUR LOCAL YOUTH. IT TELLS THEM THE COMMUNITY CARES. IT TELLS THE REST OF THE WORLD WE CARE. LOS ALAMOS TAKES THIS FOR GRANTED BUT IT IS A REAL PRIVILEGE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE THEIR SPORTS GAMES BROADCAST ON THE RADIO. AND ONCE AGAIN IT IS SIMULCAST ON THE NET SO IF YOU ARE ON TRAVEL YOU CAN HEAR YOUR HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS FOOTBALL GAME AND SO CAN GRANDMA OR THE COLLEGE SCOUTS.

IT MEANS BROADCASTING WHITE ROCK COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS. I FEEL PART OF BEING THE COMMUNITY RADIO STATION IS KEEPING THE PUBLIC INFORMED.

WE INTERVIEW LOCAL PEOPLE ABOUT LOCAL ISSUES AND EVENTS. WE INTERVIEW COUNTY COUNCILORS, PROJECT MANAGERS, LAB EMPLOYEES, CHARITY FUNDRAISING CAPTAINS, VISITING SCIENTISTS, HISTORIANS, POLITICIANS, AND OTHERS WHO ARE PROMOTING LOS ALAMOS ISSUES.

IF KRSN AM 1490 CEASES TO EXIST, THE AVAILABILITY OF ALL THESE SERVICES AND PRIVILEGES WILL BE LOST.. WHENEVER A LOCAL MEDIA SOURCE IS LOST, YOUR ABILITY TO KNOW LOCAL IS DILUTED AND MINIMIZED. THE MORE REGIONAL THE BROADCAST THE LESS LOCAL IT IS. THE LESS LIKELY YOUR VOICE IS TO BE HEARD. I FIND IT APPALLING THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN. I THINK YOU SHOULD BE APPALLED TOO.
WE ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER OF LOOSING KRSN AM 1490 FOREVER. AND WITH THAT STATEMENT LET ME DO A QUICK HISTORY LESSON.

THE LAST OWNERS OF KRSN AM 1490 LOST THE ANTENNA ON NORTH MESA BACK IN 1999. IT WAS LOCATED WHERE SUBDIVISION TITLED HAWKS LANDING STANDS NOW. THE ANTENNA IS NOW LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF STATE ROAD 4 AND PAJARITO ROAD. I AM A TENNANT NOT AN OWNER. THIS LOCATION IS NOT IN FCC COMPLIANCE DUE TO CITY OF LICENSE COVERAGE ISSUES. I AM LOCATED THERE LEGALLY BECAUSE OF STA’S WHICH ARE ISSUED BY THE FCC FOR 6 MONTH PERIODS. EVERY 6 MONTHS I REAPPLY FOR ANOTHER EXTENSION. THE APPLICATIONS NEED TO INCLUDE PROOF OF PROGRESS TO RESOLVE THE NONCOMPLIANT ISSUE.

NOW LET’S ADD A REAL SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF HOW AN FM ANTENNA WORKS. THIS IS HOW CELL PHONES, AND TV WORKS ALSO. THEY ARE LINE OF SIGHT WAVES. YOU PUT THE ANTENNA AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE LIKE THE SKI HILL, THE TOP OF SANDIA CREST . AND EVERYONE ONE WHO CAN SEE IT CAN GAIN RECEPTION.

THIS IS HOW AN AM ANTENNA WORKS. AN AM ANTENNA WORKS ON A GROUND WAVE. IT NEEDS TO BE AT THE SAME ELEVATION AS THE CONSTITUENTS IT IS SERVING. NOW IF YOU ARE IN KANSAS THAT GIVES YOU LOTS OF CHOICES BUT HERE IN LOS ALAMOS NOT SO MANY.

AN AM ANTENNA NEEDS TO BE A QUARTER WAVELENGTH OF THE BROADCASTING FREQUENCY .ONE HALF ABOVE GROUND AND ONE HALF UNDERGROUND. SO KRSN NEEDS AN ANTENNA WITH 180 UNDERGROUND COPPER RADIALS. IT NEEDS TO BE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF 2.2 ACRES. THAT MAKES IT MORE CHALLENGING IN A LAND LOCKED COUNTY SUCH AS LOS ALAMOS. THE LOCATION YOU CHOOSE ALSO NEEDS TO HAVE ELECTRICITY AVAILABLE AND THE CLOSER TO LEVEL GROUND THE BETTER.

LET’S ADD A FEW MORE FACTS TO THE PUZZLE. THE LOS ALAMOS COUNTY AIRPORT IS UNDER FAA JURISDICTION. WHEN IT WAS OWNED BY THE DOE IT WAS NOT.

THE DOE AND LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY ALSO HAVE PREFERENCES OF WHERE YOU CAN PUT ANTENNAS DUE THE NATURE OF THEIR SCIENCE.

THE FCC HAS REQUIREMENTS AND CONTOUR STUDIES REQUIRED OF RADIO STATIONS AS TO HOW THEIR SIGNAL COVERS A BROADCAST AREA SO AS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH OTHER STATIONS AND ALSO REGULATED IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE CITY OF LICENSE. THE FCC DOES NOT CONSIDER WHITE ROCK PART OF LOS ALAMOS . DON’T ASK WHY ? I DON’T KNOW.

HOW MANY INITIALS I HAVE TO SATISFY IN ORDER TO FIND AN ACCEPTABLE ANTENNA SITE. FCC, FAA, DOE, LANL, NNSA, AND THE CITIZENS OF LOS ALAMOS.

THE DOE AND LANL DOES NOT WANT IT ON DP ROAD OR SOUTH OF IT. THE FAA HAD REFUSED TO ALLOW IT ON NORTH MESA EAST OF THE HAWKS WATER TOWER. THE FCC NEEDS IT TO BE AT THE SAME ELEVATION AS LOS ALAMOS TO FULFILL THE COVERAGE AREA REQUIREMENTS OF ITS CITY OF LICENSE WHICH IS LOS ALAMOS

THAT LIST OF REQUIREMENTS MADE THE ONLY ENTITY WHICH OWNED ENOUGH LAND TO PUT AN ANTENNA ON IT THE COUNTY OF LOS ALAMOS.

THE COUNTY OF LOS ALAMOS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY CHALLENGING TO WORK WITH. EACH COUNTY DEPARTMENT CAN INDIVIDUALLY MIRE A PROJECT FOR MONTHS . THERE IS A LOT OF PARALYSIS BY ANALYSIS. I STILL HAVE NO ANTENNA SITE. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY SINCE LAST AUGUST FOR A SPOT ON THE GOLF COURSE NEAR THE ELEVENTH HOLE APPROXIMATELY WHERE THE OLD GREEN WATER TANK IS. .

THERE HAVE BEEN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FOR US TO RENT 2.2 ACRES OF LAND. WE HIRED PRECISION SURVEYS TO SURVEY THE REQUESTED ACRES AND WE HAVE MOSIAC ARCHITECTURE SOLUTIONS READY TO PLACE THE SITE PLAN ON THE SURVEY BUT A SNAG HAS BEEN HIT .

WE DID USE THE NEGOTIATIONS AS PROOF WE ARE WORKING ON OUR NONCOMPLIANCE ISSUES SO THE FCC RENEWED OUR STA UNTIL AUGUST 3. THEY ALSO FOOTNOTED THE RENEWAL WITH THE STATEMENT THEY EXPECT TO SEE A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT REQUEST BEFORE AUGUST 3. AFTER I GET PERMISSION TO BUILD THE ANTENNA FROM THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES, I MUST ALSO RECEIVE A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FROM THE FCC.

I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN TRYING TO PUT AN ANTENNA ON COUNTY LAND FOR 41/2 YEARS AND THIS IS MY THIRD ATTEMPT. THIS IS ALL QUITE DISCOURAGING.

REMEMBER THE FAA HAD REFUSED TO ALLOW AN ANTENNA ON NORTH MESA EAST OF THE HAWKS WATER TOWER. WELL ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO WE APPLIED FOR AN ANTENNA SITE NEXT TO THE BUILDING TRADES COMPLEX ACROSS FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL . IT IS EAST OF THE HAWKS WATER TOWER BUT ONLY BY A MARGINAL AMOUNT OF A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET. WELL, THE REQUEST WAS TURNED DOWN AND WE APPEALED FOR MORE STUDY. AND RECEIVED NO ANSWER. WE CALLED AND THE FAA REPRESENTATIVE VERBALLY TOLD DAVE NO BUT SENT NO PAPERWORK. APRIL 6 WE RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM A LADY SAYING SHE WAS THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FAA SOUTHWEST DISTRICT. SHE FOUND OUR APPEAL UNDER UNFINISHED BUSINESS ON THE COMPUTER AND SHE WAS GOING TO FINISH IT.

TO OUR AMAZEMENT SHE APPROVED OUR ANTENNA SITE NEXT TO THE BUILDING TRADES SITE ON SCHOOL LAND.

WE HAD APPROACHED THE SCHOOLS ABOUT USING THAT AREA BUT HAD NOT PURSUED IT BECAUSE THE FAA SAID NO. WE APPROACHED THE SCHOOLS AGAIN AND THEY ARE STILL INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH US. WE WOULD PROVIDE THEM A STEADY STREAM OF RENTAL INCOME BASED ON THE APPRAISED WORTH OF THE PROPERTY. ALSO BECAUSE THIS ANTENNA IS A 60,000 TO 80,000 THOUSAND DOLLARS INVESTMENT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD CO LOCATORS TO IT. THE SCHOOLS IN TURN WOULD RECEIVE MORE MONEY BECAUSE OF THEM.

THIS PROPOSED SITE IS BETTER THAN THE GOLF COURSE. IT IS ON THE MESA TOP. IT IS LEVEL. IT IS NOT BEING USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE.
WE HAVE ASKED THE COUNTY TO TABLE THE GOLF COURSE SITE WITHOUT REMOVING IT FROM OUR CONSIDERATION WHILE WE INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITIES WITH THE SCHOOLS. THEY HAVE AGREED.

WE NEED A SURVEY, A SITE PLAN , AND AN APPRAISAL. PRECISION SURVEYS IS WORKING ON THE SURVEY. THE SITE PLAN IS READY TO PLACE ON A SURVEY. THEN AN APPRAISAL CAN BE MADE. A CONTRACT HAS TO BEEN APPROVED. WE ARE HOPING THE NEGOTIATING EXPERIENCE WE HAVE GAINED WITH THE COUNTY WILL EXPEDITE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH SCHOOLS. THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS TO APPROVE IT. THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD HAS TO APPROVE IT. AND WE ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING THE LIST OF WHO ELSE HAS TO APPROVE IT.

WE NEVER BELIEVED WE WOULD HAVE AN FAA DECISION REVERSED. IT IS A TOTAL FLUKE THAT IT HAPPENED. WE HOPE IT IS AN INDICATION THAT THE BARRIERS THAT HAVE PREVENTED US FROM HAVING AN NEW ANTENNA IN FCC COMPLIANCE WILL BE RESOLVED. WE FEEL THAT AN ANTENNA

ON THE MESA CLOSE TO ITS LAST LOCATION, WHICH IS ON LEVEL UNUSED LAND, THAT WILL ALSO GIVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT A STEADY INCOME STREAM IS AS CLOSE TO A WIN WIN SITUATION AS WE CAN FIND.

SO IN CONCLUSION LOS ALAMOS’ RADIO STATION IS ABOUT TO BE TAKEN AWAY BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO SOLVE THE ANTENNA PROBLEM . I NEED A LOCATION TO BUILD AN ANTENNA BEFORE AUGUST 3^RD. I NEED YOUR SUPPORT. YOUR SUPPORT COMES FROM YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, A BIT OF YOUR CHECK BOOK BY BUYING MY ADVERTISING SERVICES, AND BY TELLING ALL COUNTY AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS THAT WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE OUR LOCAL RADIO STATION. BE INSISTENT THAT KRSN IS OUR COMMUNITY VOICE AND WE DO NOT WANT TO LOOSE IT. IT WILL BE UP TO OUR GOVERNING AGENCIES AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A LOCATION BECOMES REALITY.

April 15, 2010
The FAA has issued KRSN AM 1490 a report of no hazard to put an antenna near the middle school. It is a reversal of an initial decision made 7 months ago and is a reply to appeal we sent in 5 months ago. Apparently staffing changes at the FAA caused the delay of the review.

This gives KRSN a chance to return the antenna to the area very close to where it used to be.

Negations have begun with Los Alamos Public Schools to rent the land allowing us to build a new antenna and creating a new revenue stream for the schools.

We hope to create a win win situation for us and the schools. And then you can hear us all over the townsite.

Feel free to express your support to the Los Alamos Schools administration. If you want to know more stop by our studios.

10-09 through 4-10
We have been unsuccessfully been in negotiations for a piece of land by the old water tank on the Los Alamos County golf course. Although County officials suggested this piece of land because they don't want us to appeal the Loma Linda P&Z hearing, they are slowly but surely killing us. Everytime we are think we are close to accomplishing their list to proceed to a site plan to take to P&Z, they change the list.

Los Alamos today doesn't really know what it's like to have a radio station as an integral part of life in the community because several years ago, the previous owner ceased to use the antenna located in the town site and rented space on an antenna in White Rock. In so doing, the radio station could no longer be heard by most of it's listening area (and fell out of compliance with the FCC). If you can't be heard you can't serve your public, you can't sell advertising and your programming becomes limited.

For this station, the antenna must return to the town site in order to regain and retain it's assigned broadcast area. It can't go back to the original location as that would now violate FAA airspace. If an antenna cannot be relocated in town, in the next year, we may very well lose our locally owned, operated and dedicated station forever as other stations may be allowed to encroach on the airspace that had been assigned to KRSN since the Manhattan Project.

Please take a moment to zip through the flyer below and see how you, your organizations and more would benefit if KRSN could be heard by it's entire broadcast area which would allow for much more programming and news that meets our community's interests and needs. Let the County know we cannot let this incredibly important asset slip away.

Thanks so much for your time
southwest public relations associates

Here is the official explanation as to why planning and zoning could deny KRSN a special use permit. The point of interest is Mr. Max Baker, County Administrator, and Mr. Rick Bohn, Community Development Director told, us to pursue the special use permit before taking the land in question out of Ordinance 254. We followed directions and now we cannot use the parcel of land because it is in Ordinance 254. Do you hear catch 22?

KRSN AM 1490 Points of Information Regarding an Antenna
created by southwest public relations associates

KRSN AM 1490 has served Los Alamos since the Manhattan Project in the 1940s. For years its antenna was located on North Mesa. Los Alamos, White Rock, Pojoaque, Espanola and Santa Fe had clear daytime reception. The FCC requires stations to have day and night reception in ‘the city of license’. Los Alamos is KRSN’s city of license and because it had clear day and night reception, KRSN was in compliance with FCC regulations.

Through a series of events, KRSN’s North Mesa antenna came down and an antenna was established in White Rock, greatly reducing coverage including Los Alamos town site’s nighttime reception. This dropped KRSN out of compliance with FCC regulations. New owners David and Gillian Sutton invested in a new transmitter and private audio line from the studio to the antenna. Both improved broadcast quality but not nighttime coverage. (FYI, the FCC was apparently unaware of the antenna change and subsequent loss of coverage when the Suttons purchased the station). The FCC granted a temporary license which will eventually go away unless an appropriate antenna is installed.

If KRSN cannot relocate an antenna in the town site, the radio station will never be in compliance with FCC regulations and the community will lose its local station forever.

· An FM antenna is a sight wave which is why FM antennas are placed on mountain tops. The more area it can ‘see’, the more coverage it offers. AM radio waves, however, are ground waves which need to be at approximately the same elevation as the public served by the station.

· Sand and rock are not conductive - AM waves do not roll uphill effectively so an antenna in White Rock, or in a canyon, does not allow full coverage to Los Alamos. Land west of North Road is too close to the mountains.

· An antenna cannot be located east of the Hawks water tower. FAA regulations deem it too close to airport airspace, eliminating fields between the middle school and ball fields.

· LANL has said the antenna cannot be placed anywhere on the property it occupies.

· There is no privately-owned land available that complies with regulations noted above.

· Traditional grounding fields are 180 copper wires buried under 6-8” of dirt in a clear and level field. There are no clear fields available; the golf course and recreation fields have underground irrigation systems which limit the areas of usable land.

· AM needs a grounding field approximately ¼ wavelength of its frequency. KRSN’s frequency is 1490 - it needs a grounding field of a 186-foot radius circle. This is 2.2 acres but only a small portion will be disturbed for construction and ongoing antenna use. The antenna is an unpainted triangular – 18-inch per side – steel structure, 170’ high – (same height as nearby water tower), stabilized with 3 sets of guide wires. A light at the top, in accordance with federal regulations, is designed to shine horizontally for air traffic, not pointed at the ground or sky and no more invasive than the water tower light.

· KRSN has chosen a six-wire, above-ground grounding system. It is newer technology using six #6 wires, 178 feet long, placed 15 feet above the ground on 4-6” diameter utility poles. This allows usage of the open field under the wires. Wires are less obvious and safer than overhead utility lines. The antenna base must be fenced according to FCC regulations, meaning a 22-foot radius circle of chain link fence, 7 feet high.

· Land at the base of the antenna will be cleared but the rest of the grounding field will remain largely undisturbed. Native scrub oak, grass, wildflowers, rocks and animal life will continue to populate the site. Trees can be trimmed around the wire.

· Radio frequency (RF) radiation is dependant on frequency. AM radio waves are a lower frequency than TV and FM signals. According to established standards used by the FCC, one meter (39.3 inches) is a safe distance from a 1,000 watt antenna. RF is not an issue for either Loma Linda residents or people who use the park. The Suttons offer an example of Seattle Washington’s KCIS 630 AM 5,000-watt radio station (KRSN is 1,000 watts) whose above ground grounding field/antenna is located next to a school. Please note that KRSN’s antenna would look nothing like the KCIS antenna.

· KRSN leases space on but does not own or operate the antenna it now uses in White Rock and is seeking a smaller antenna.

Loma Linda Park was not a randomly picked site for an antenna. Since purchasing KRSN three and one half years ago, the Suttons have explored every possible piece of land in the area and measured every vacant lot in the town site in an attempt to place the antenna in the least obstructive manner. They found a small section of Loma Linda Park to be ideal.

Loma Linda Park holds a special land preservation status for parks, recreation and other public facilities, falling under Section 1 of Los Alamos County Ordinance 254, passed by Council in May, 1980. However, Section 2 of that ordinance cannot be conveniently ignored. It states, “Every five (5) years the public lands listed in Section 1 shall be reviewed for their continued inclusion within the special land preservation status designation.” Clearly Council understood there may be a time when that designation for a particular tract of land might better serve the community if it were modified. It is unknown if any land in that designation has ever been reviewed.

On June 10, 2009, KRSN received a unanimous endorsement of the antenna project by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

On July 15, 2009, KRSN went before the Planning & Zoning Board (P&Z) to request a special use permit. One board member recused herself because she’d spoken in favor of the antenna at the Parks & Rec Board public meeting. It’s debatable whether that constituted a substantial reason for recusal. The P&Z Board member who lives in Loma Linda subdivision, who voted NO, did not recuse herself. Another board member left in the middle of the hearing. The vote was a 3/3 tie which defeated the application. In other words, 3 members of a 9-member board defeated the application. Members did not explained their votes.

Residents of Loma Linda subdivision expressed concern about property values, safety, the park’s preservation status and granting a variance to a for-profit organization. P&Z is charged to use five criteria in determining approval, conditional approval or denial of the application (Sec. 16-156).

Criteria 2, 3 and 4 address parking, traffic issues, setbacks and the structure. No one works at the antenna and there is already a road into the park which would serve for infrequent antenna visits. The antenna is an 18-inch per side triangle - same height as the nearby water tower which, in fact, is actually closer to the perimeter of the Loma Linda subdivision. It would appear, then, that the antenna fits “the general character of development in the vicinity of the use applied for”.

Criteria 5 addresses landscaping. Except for the small section where the antenna will actually sit and the guide wire anchoring spots, there is no need to disturb existing native landscaping, vegetation or critter population. Fencing will comply with County requirements. Additional plantings can be done if deemed desirable.

This leaves Criteria 1 which calls for substantial conformation to the comprehensive plan, and that the use applied for will not be detrimental to the health, safety, peace, comfort or general welfare of people in the vicinity of the proposed use, or detrimental to the property or property value in the vicinity, or to the general welfare of the County.

a) Two local Realtors® responded to emailed property value inquires, one of them joined a third Realtor® to testify at the P&Z hearing. They all noted that given the characteristics of the Los Alamos housing market, it is highly unlikely the antenna would damage Loma Linda property values.

b) KRSN’s engineer provided documentation and at least one audience member spoke to the safety to homes and park visitors of locating the antenna in the Park. Based on data from the FCC, low frequency AM radio waves from KRSN’s proposed antenna will pose no threat to the health or safety of those living near or utilizing the park.

Documentation and testimony by professionals have shown the antenna will not harm property values, create a health or safety hazard to those living near or using the park, and operates in a manner that will not disturb the peace. ‘Comfort’ is a highly subjective construct and should be viewed in that light. While the antenna may be visible from some homes in Loma Linda and will be a fixture in one area of the park, it won’t dominate the feeling of the park and certainly will have no impact on daily life for Loma Linda residents. The community should not loose local radio because an antenna is an antenna - generally not considered an aesthetic asset but whose impact can be mitigated. As for ‘general welfare’ - the loss of a locally-based radio station would be to the significant detriment and general welfare of the County, including residents of Loma Linda.

Finally, although KRSN is a for-profit business, a local radio station for a rural community is a far different issue than a waiver sought for most for-profit businesses or services. This is hardly the start of a slippery slope transforming all our preserved land into retail outlets and parking lots.

The Suttons have appealed the P&Z decision. County Council will review that decision at a date yet to be determined.

1. Today’s world relies increasingly on electronic media for timely news and information as well as entertainment.

2. Los Alamos has few options for sharing community information, particularly in real time.

KRSN AM 1490 supports local charities, schools, high school athletics, local businesses, UNM-LA, the County and LANL. In case of breaking news or an emergency, one phone call to KRSN can quickly relay the message to the world. KRSN donates air time to charities, web casts its programming, offers a wide variety of music including classic rock, jazz, country, classical, blues, oldies, Broadway tunes and big band. It’s an important emergency resource, provides non-partisan political coverage, promotes local events and activities, broadcasts local sports, produce live shows with local personalities and offers distinct programming that specializes in Los Alamos' unique culture and interests

The Suttons and KRSN supporters are confident the station can once again, and increasingly, be an integral part of the community. The Suttons want this resource to remain local and responsive to the community it serves. For so many reasons, it is truly in the community’s best interest to assure the future of KRSN in Los Alamos.

Want to Help?

Educate your friends, co-workers and community decision-makers. Send emails. Write letters to the Editor. PLEASE, don’t wait for someone else to take action. If we are to keep our local station and have the opportunity to have it serve the area in the best possible ways, we need your tangible support and we need it now! In this day and age of electronic communication, we need our radio station!

7/13/09 KRSN 1490 won four Excellence in Broadcasting awards. The New Mexico Broadcasters Association hosted judges from around the Country to review entries. KRSN submitted the best of what had been produced in 2008 and won in competition against other NM radio stations serving populations of 10,000 – 20,0000.

The Suttons own a Class C ratio license and will not be able to increase the 1,000 watts to a stronger power in the future. The FCC completely regulates the radio wave dial so KRSN does not have a choice of becoming an FM station.

Here is the explanation from Los Alamos County about the water tower. We cannot use it for our antenna.

Here is the letter from the NNSA turning down our request for at antenna site on laboratory land. The lab said no.

We attended the New Mexico Broadcaster's Convention at the Albuquerque Marriott this weekend. We received four awards.We were competing against other radio stations in New Mexico serving areas with populations of 10,000-20,000.

Public Service Announcement KRSN-AM
Northern NM United Way Youth Campaign David Sutton, Production Manager/COO

Public Service Campaign KRSN-AM
United Way Campaign David Sutton, Production Manager/COO

DJ Personality Aircheck KRSN-AM
Rosalie Hellers Excursions in Classical Music David Sutton, Production Manager/COO

:30 Commercial KRSN-AM
Get on the Bus: Atomic City Transit David Sutton, Production Manager/COO

We also attended seminars on how to serve you better with more local unique programming.

HOW CAN LOS ALAMOS RESIDENTS/VISITORS GET REAL-TIME INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AND ABOUT TOWN: BREAKING NEWS - LOCAL ACTIVITIES – NEWS – WEATHER – LAHS SPORTS – INTERVIEWS - CHARITY PROMOTIONS - EMERGENCY ALERTS AND MORE?

But KRSN can’t reach everybody in town – a previous owner moved the antenna, leaving many of our listeners out of range AND dropping KRSN out of FCC compliance!!! In order to continue operations, KRSN MUST FIND 2 ACRES OF LAND AT THE LOS ALAMOS TOWN SITE ELEVATION FOR ITS ANTENNA:

KRSN is the heritage Radio Station for Los Alamos, born as part of the Manhattan Project in 1945. Today's world relies increasingly on electronic media for news, information and entertainment. Besides its broadcasts, KRSN’s web site provides up to date, timely information as well as webcasts of programming. KRSN’s service to the community will grow exponentially with an antenna that allows the station to be heard throughout the area.

IF KRSN CANNOT GET THE ANTENNA IT NEEDS, THE FCC WILL NOT ALLOW THE STATION TO OPERATE INDEFINITELY AND LOS ALAMOS WILL LOSE ITS STATION FOREVER!

DON’T HOPE SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE A VOICE OF SUPPORT. IT’S IN OUR BEST INTEREST TO HAVE A STATION THAT IS RESPONSIVE & RESPONSIBLE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WRITE TO THE NEWSPAPER, TALK & EMAIL COUNTY EMPLOYEES - EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS - NOW!

http://www.cybercollege.com/frtv/frtv017.htm This is a great sight to learn the basics of how AM radio works and why KRSN AM 1490 needs the piece of land we are asking to use. One of the last things Senator Domenici did while he was in office was ask Los Alamos National Laboratory to look for a piece of land for us to put out antenna on. His request and the NNSA's letter stating there was no land available is at our studio located at 145 Central Park Square. Please come by and see it if you want. WE HAVE NOT MADE THIS DECISION LIGHTLY. WE HAVE WORKED ON IT FOR THREE YEARS. Please let us use the land in the corner of Loma Linda Park. The model of the antenna layout is still there for you to go check out. We are minimizing our footprint to the environment. THE RADIO STATION WILL BE GONE FOREVER BY DECEMBER 2010 IF WE CANNOT FIND A SPOT WHICH SATISFIES THE FCC, FAA, NNSA, AND OUR LISTENING PUBLIC.

7/23/09

KRSN WENT BEFORE PLANNING AND ZONING WEDNESDAY THE 15^TH TO REQUEST A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO USE THE CORNER OF LOMA LINDA PARK FOR A NEW ANTENNA. THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD TURNED DOWN OUR REQUEST. UNLESS WE GET OUR ANTENNA ISSUES RESOLVED IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS, KRSN AM1490 WILL BE CLOSING AND LOS ALAMOS WILL LOSE ITS RADIO STATION FOREVER. OUR LISTENERS HAVE BEEN WRITING THE LOS ALAMOS MONITOR TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE ISSUE. WE WANT TO THANK THEM FOR HELPING US ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. As we read your opinions, we realize that many people do not realize that we have been working on our antenna issues for 3 and half years and the Loma Linda location is left after eliminating many other locations. The FAA HAS DEEMED EVERYTHING east OF THE Hawks water tower too close to the airport. We need almost 2 and half acres of grounding field because of the way AM radio works. If you want to understand it better, google am radio waves. WE DID NOT CONSIDER LOMA LINDA PARK UNTIL THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE LEFT TO CONSIDER. THE HAWK'S WATER TOWER HAS MORE ISSUES THAN JUST POTENTIAL PAINT PEELING INCLUDING INSTALLING THE GROUNDING FIELD THROUGHOUT THE NORTH MESA PICNIC GROUND. PLEASE REALIZE THAT KRSN STAFF AND ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR OVER 3 YEARS. OUR DECISION WAS NOT MADE HASTILY.

7/16/09

It was unfortunate that the full house of KRSN supporters were not allowed to speak because they were not a part of the 5 criteria specified by the county code section 16- 156. KRSN AM 1490 involves the whole community and not just the approximately 20 families of the Loma Linda Subdivision who complained at the Planning and Zoning Meeting. The Loma Linda subdivision has put the future of KRSN in jeopardy. If they are not against the community radio station, they should spend their energy together to find a spot for our antenna. Since we could not find better spot in the last 31/2 years, we challenge them to find a spot for the antenna. It is so easy to say NOT IN MY BACK YARD. So, Find an antenna site for the community radio station.

We will be closing our doors in 18 months if we do not find and build an antenna which will satisfy FCC, FAA, NNSA, and our listening public. It may be sooner. We will be appealing the decision to the Los Alamos County Council.

The New Mexico Broadcasters Association hosted judges from around the country this weekend to judge this year’s Excellence in
Broadcasting entries. We submitted the best of what we had produced in 2008 for this years awards. These are the 4 awards
we won. We were competing against other radio stations in New Mexico serving areas with populations of 10,000-20,000.

Public Service Announcement KRSN-AM
Northern NM United Way Youth Campaign David Sutton, Production Manager/COO

Public Service Campaign KRSN-AM
United Way Campaign David Sutton, Production Manager/COO

DJ Personality Aircheck KRSN-AM
Rosalie Hellers Excursions in Classical Music David Sutton, Production Manager/COO

:30 Commercial KRSN-AM
Get on the Bus: Atomic City Transit David Sutton, Production Manager/COO

7/11/09 This is the final site plan submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission with supporting drawings.

Drawing of above picture. This is on display in real size in the location we plan to use. Stop by and see it.

The following is an example of an above ground grounding field. it is located at KCIS 630 am in Seattle Washington. It is a 5000 watt radio station. (We are only 1000 watt radio station.) This is an arial view of the antenna location. Please notice it is mounted above an urban area next to a school.

Our above ground grounding field uses #6 wire mounted 15 feet above ground on utility poles. KCIS's wires are inconspicuous and blend in to
the environment.

7/7/09

KRSN AM 1490 IS GOING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE LOS ALAMOS COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION ON JULY 15, 5:30 PM IN THE COMMUNITY BUILDING

PLEASE ATTEND AND SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY’S RADIO STATION. IT IS THE NEXT STEP IN OUR ATTEMPT TO LOCATE AN ANTENNA IN THE CORNER OF LOMA LINDA PARK.

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS CAN BE ADDRESSED TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OFFICE AT 662-8120.

KRSN AM 1490 is proposing installing an antenna in the corner of Loma Linda Park. We would like to have an opportunity to show you our plan. Although we are a private business which would like to make a profit, we are doing this so the community radio station can be heard throughout Los Alamos County. Since we cannot be heard everywhere in Los Alamos (our city of license), it causes issues with FCC .

Please do not think we just randomly picked this piece of land. We have literally measured every vacant lot in the Los Alamos town site in an attempt to place this antenna in the least obstructive manner. Unfortunately, everything east of the Hawks water tower (on any mesa) is too close to the airport. I’m sure you can see how this severely limits our choices.

An AM antenna creates a ground wave and needs to be at approximately the same elevation as the public it is going to serve. The ground wave is why we need a grounding field of 2 acres. Our antenna is currently located at state road 4 and Pajarito Road in White Rock. AM radio waves do not roll up hill well so our coverage of the Los Alamos town site is incomplete. Placing the antenna on North Mesa will solve this issue. The AM waves bounce off the Jemez mountains so I cannot tuck myself against the mountains without causing interference issues. An FM antenna is a sight wave which is why FM antennas are placed at the top of mountains. The more area it can “see” the more coverage it offers. Unfortunately, The FCC completely regulates the radio wave dial. I do not have a choice of becoming FM or a nonprofit entity. Either of those could be beneficial but not a choice.

The antenna will be the same height as the water tower. I mentioned needing a grounding field of approximately 2 acres. The grounding field is a newer technology which utilizes six (6) number 6 wires 178 feet long placed on 4-6”diameter utility poles 15 feet above the ground. This allows usage of the open field under the wires. The wire will be less obvious and safer than an overhead utility line. The native scrub oak, grass, wildflowers, rocks, and animal life will remain as they are now after construction. Trees can be trimmed around the wire. The actual antenna will have to be fenced according to FCC regulations. This means a circle of chain link fence 22’ radius.

We hope we saw you at Chamberfest. We had fun!! This is so cool I had to add it. Carla Weiser wrote it.

Top Ten Reasons to Support KRSN - Los Alamos' Community Radio Station

10. Donates Air Time to Charities like United Way's member agencies

9. Listen Live! Link Provides Web Casting

8. Wide Variety of Music (classic rock, jazz, country, classical, blues, rhythm & blues, oldies, Broadway tunes and big band)

7. Historical Icon that has been around for 60 years

6. Important Emergency Resource

5. Nonpartisan Political Coverage

4. Promotes Local Events and Activities

3. Local Sports Events are Broadcasted Live Making Young Local Athletes Celebrities

2. Live Morning Show Interviews Local Personalities

1. Distinct Programming not Duplicated Anywhere Else which Specializes in Los Alamos' Unique Culture and Interests

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!
Thank you for your support this evening by attending the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting. Thank you for your emails and letters of support. We received an unanimous endorsement of our antenna project by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. This was just step one. Next we appear in before the Planning and Zoning Board in July. There will be more but for now. Thank you for your support.

We will be at Chamberfest on Saturday with our antenna plans, a customer survey, free pens, magnets, and schedules. Matt will be there from Venus Transit Authority. Stop by and visit us across from the stage with our 1929 Roadster Truck. We are smiling!

The drawings for the antenna arrived today!!! You are welcome to come by our studio at 145 Central Park Square and check them out. Thank you to everyone who has voiced support for our antenna project.

We will be at Chamberfest on Saturday. Matt and Miro from Venus Transit Authority will be on hand to discuss work radio. Stop by and see us. We will be across from the stage.

KRSN AM 1490 IS GOING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE LOS ALAMOS COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD ON JUNE 11, 5:30 PM AT THE AQUATIC CENTER. PLEASE COME.

Remind our county officials how important local radio is. KRSN AM 1490 cares about our local issues, regional issues, regional solutions, regional economics, high school football, girls and boys basketball, soccer, hockey, construction zones, emergencies, charity events, local news, entertainment, animal shelter, county council, school board, city council, weather, postponements, cancellations, celebrations, lab events, discoveries, bands, dances, closures, delays, accidents, triumphs, music, power outages, water breaks, crime prevention, fire prevention, traffic, social issues, economical development, senior golf, meetings, senior events, national monuments, state parks, etc.

Either email us (Gillian@krsnam1490.com) and we will pass it on or here are the board members of Parks and Recreation to speak with directly

KRSN AM 1490 is attempting to gain county approval to put a broadcasting antenna on North Mesa in the corner above the
roundabout. We have measured all the parcels of vacant land in the Los Alamos town sight. This is the only one that will work and also meet all federal requirements. AM needs a grounding field approximately the size 1/4 wavelength of it's frequency. Our frequency is 1490 thus we need a grounding field of a circle with a radius of 186 feet. This makes a plot of land over 2 acres in size.
A traditional grounding field is 180 copper wires buried beneath 6-8" of dirt in a clear and level field. Also, everything East of the Hawks water tower is too close to the airport to install an antenna according to FAA regulations. (This eliminates the field between the middle school and the ball fields) There are no clear fields available to bury 180 copper wires. (The golf course and recreation fields have underground irrigation systems) This limits the areas of useable land. We have chosen to go with a six wire above the ground grounding system. It is newer technology. The wire are mounted on telephone poles. Native foliage and rock formations remain. Native species are not disturbed. The area has to be fenced. The base of the antenna has to be fenced. The antenna will be the same height as the water tower. It will be steel, unpainted but lit at the top in accordance with federal regulations. it will be stabilized with 3 sets of guide wires. It requires both a local and a FCC building permit. It is not close enough to any houses or the developed part of Loma Linda Park to create any health threats.

An AM antenna creates a ground wave and needs to be at approximately the same elevation as the public it is going to serve. Thus the ski hill is too high for an AM antenna serving Los Alamos. The KRSN AM 1490 antenna used to be located on North Mesa. At that time, Los Alamos, White Rock, Pojoaque, Espanola, and Santa Fe had clear daytime reception. Los Alamos had clear nighttime reception along with a number of other areas. The fact that Los Alamos received nighttime reception made the KRSN radio station in compliance with FCC regulations. The antenna needs to return to the Los Alamos town site to bring us back into FCC compliance. This is called covering the city of license. Los Alamos is our city of license. White Rock is NOT considered part of Los Alamos by the FCC.