KDRK, Citadel Spokane - Montanavision Media Inc.

Montanavision Media Inc.
Client since 1993.

Citadel Communications Corporation
Citadel Broadcasting Company

KDRK Cat Country 93.7
In 2004, we installed a new transmitter, coaxial switch, bandpass filter, dummy load, remote control, and lots of plumbing, at the Mica Peak site.

The Mica Peak Electronic Site is actually several sites on neighboring peaks. In this view from the south, the FM broadcast facilities are in the center of the frame, July 2004.

This view from the northwest shows all four FM towers at the site. From left, KPBX, KISC, KDRK, and KMBI-FM.
Mica Peak

On the north peak are radars and microwave links for U. S. government facilities.
KDRK Tower

KDRK uses a six-bay Shively antenna with radomes. On this project, Joe Harrington replaced the line section between the fourth and fifth bays.
Mica Peak

KPBX is housed in the green building on the left. KDRK and KISC are located in an underground bunker below. The two round vent columns are for supply and return air to the bunker, July 2004.
Mica Peak

Another view of the above-ground facilities shows a generator for KPBX, and the entrance to the bunker stairway. The slots in the door allow the positive pressure in the bunker to keep the stairwell clear of snow in the winter.
KDRK

This composite image shows the dual combined CSI 12 kW transmitters. These were apparently installed by Bill Gott in 1975.
KDRK

While we disconnected the transmitter and removed the hybrid combiner, Chief Engineer Dave Ratener and the crane contractor went over the specs on the transmitter to be sure they had the right equipment and enough manpower.
KDRK

The first time this CSI transmitter saw the light of day in almost 30 years.
KDRK

With one-half of the CSI pair out of the way, the new Shively bandpass filter is lowered into the stairwell and brought in through the blast doors into the bunker.
KDRK

This project involved changing the electrical distribution to all the KDRK equipment at the site. This is Tom from Canter Electric of Spokane.
KDRK

As soon as the electrical contractor finished his work, it was time for us to begin plumbing the KDRK transmitters, dummy load, bandpass filter, and coaxial switch.
KDRK

The CSI center rack still holds the monitor meters for the remaining transmitter. Next down are the backup and primary analog STL receivers. The Dielectric coaxial switch is controlled from this panel in the rack, which also switches interlocks for the dummy load and bandpass filter blowers. The BE FX-30 exciter has been in use, driving the CSI transmitters, since the early 1990's.
KDRK

In this view, the Sine Systems remote control has been replaced with a Burk VRC-2500 remote control. We handled all the wiring and configuration. Below that is the Harris Aurora radio link to the studio, and the demultiplexer.
KDRK

The new Harris HT25CD transmitter is on the air!
KDRK

Dave shows Dustin how the coaxial switch controller automatically mutes transmitters as it switches one on the air and the other into the dummy load.
KDRK

Citadel Director of Engineering Martin Stabbert and Clear Channel Spokane Chief Engineer Kent Abendroth discuss joint site use issues, July 2004.
KISC

Z20CD transmitter in use by KISC, Clear Channel Radio, at the Mica Peak site.

Finally, this view of the Mica Peak site from the Montanavision archives, taken in August, 1997, shows how the site has changed over the years.

	September, 1996 to August, 1997. We handled the day-to-day engineering duties and assisted with a major construction project for KGA and KJRB.
	Summer, 2000. Consolidation and studio build-out, Phase I.
	Summer, 2002. Studio build-out, Phase II.
	Summer, 2004. KDRK transmitter project.
	KZBD/KAEP Page.
	Spokane Main Page.
	Citadel Main Page.
	Montanavision, Inc. Home Page.

This page updated 14-Mar-2016.