Posted on: Monday, November 10, 2003
EDITORIAL
FCC, help us boost public radio signals
Since the late Joan Kroc, former owner of the San Diego Padres, left National Public Radio $200 million, Hawai'i Public Radio has gotten calls from listeners asking, "Gee, does that mean I don't have to pay my pledge?"
Unfortunately not. About $175 million of Kroc's bequest is expected to become part of the NPR endowment fund, with $25 million going into its operating reserves.
The windfall will not trickle down to Hawai'i Public Radio or other member stations.
The least we can hope for is that Kroc's generous gift will eventually enable NPR to cut — or at least hold the line on — its programming rates. But no one's holding his breath.
In the meantime, those who can should keep up their support for HPR so we can continue to receive top-notch news, arts and entertainment programming that connects us to the rest of the world.
If only the signal were stronger here in the Islands.
When it comes to radio broadcasting, Hawai'i has some formidable drawbacks — isolation, mountains, high-priced real estate and limited tower and antenna space.
According to a "Technical Update" by HPR general manager Michael Titterton, the station shares the KHPR transmitter and antenna installation atop the Wiliwilinui Ridge with two other stations. The compromises involved resulted in a breakdown of the facility in June.
A redesign of the facility is in the works, and a rebuilding is scheduled to begin in early December.
As for KIPO (89.3), whose transmitter site is in Palehua, it went on the air at 100,000 watts, but the signal was swiftly reduced to 3,000 watts because it interfered with monitoring equipment operated by the FCC and the FAA. To reach all O'ahu residents, KIPO must also be rebuilt and possibly moved. Meanwhile, there's an FCC freeze on construction permits.
Considering our isolation and challenging terrain, we urge the FCC to take pity on Hawai'i and help us establish a public radio infrastructure that reaches all Islanders loud and clear.
