KSKQ back on airwaves after outage
89.5 FM frequency was lost after power source for antenna interrupted Community radio station KSKQ has reestablished power to its FM antenna on Table Mountain near Hyatt Lake and is back on the air. The station's 89.5 FM frequency came back to life at about 2 p.m. Wednesday, after volunteers restarted the propane-powered generator providing electricity to the antenna on the snow-laden hilltop.
Community radio station KSKQ has re-established power to its FM antenna on Table Mountain near Hyatt Lake and is back on the air.
The station’s 89.5 FM frequency came back to life at about 2 p.m. Wednesday after volunteers restarted the propane-powered generator providing electricity to the antenna on the snow-laden hilltop. “It’s absolutely fantastic,” said Connie Saldaña, treasurer for the radio station and its operator, the Multicultural Association of Southern Oregon. “We were feeling pretty desperate when we were off the air.”
Listeners still could hear KSKQ through online streaming at www.KSKQ.org.
Efforts to refuel the generator failed Friday after the gas truck got stuck in the snow. Two truck drivers from Ferrellgas of Central Point were able to ease a propane truck up the slick, rutted road on Tuesday to refill KSKQ’s 200-gallon tank there.
“They had to chain up all four tires,” Saldaña said. “They really stuck their neck out for us, and we’re so grateful for that.”
She said the company will not be making another trip up the mountain this year.
“Now, the clock has been reset,” said Saldaña. “We have three weeks.”
That’s how long it takes for the tank to run dry, she said.
From now until then, representatives at the radio station will try to forge a deal with U.S. Cellular, which owns an antenna and transformer on the same mountain. KSKQ has requested permission to connect its antenna to the transformer for power.
If the propane runs out before a deal is made, the station might lose power to its antenna again. Saldaña said the station likely would rent a snowmobile or Sno-cat to transport propane to the summit if it has to.
“This bought us a little more time to enter into a serious conversation with U.S. Cellular,” said Saldaña. “There is some dialogue going on now “… we’ll just have to see how it goes.”
The station is hosting an open house and emergency fundraiser from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at 330 E. Hersey St., Lot 2, to try to fund the cost of hooking up to the transformer. The station needs at least $2,000 as soon as possible, Saldaña said.