| Draft Environmental Impact Statement Shorts School Road Am Antenna Structures 3 S-R Broadcasting Co., Inc. explored potential sites for relocation of its transmission facilities for several years. Effective siting of the proposal is dictated largely by the nature of AM radio broadcasting. AM radio requires low, wet ground with high mineral content to propagate a signal, typically farm soil. Both the current KRKO site, and the site of KWYZ Radio are located in the Snohomish River Valley. The signal propagation characteristics of a shoreline environment are KRKO�s primary reason for choosing the Snohomish River Valley as the location for the new transmitter site. KRKO�s secondary reason for choosing this location is also peculiar to radio broadcasting. FCC regulations heavily restrict the movement of radio stations, particularly when they attempt to increase power. Locations in southern Snohomish County are the only areas of the County that will allow KRKO to meet the distance and spacing requirements mandated by the FCC to protect other stations and still be able to cover the maximum possible amount of southern Snohomish County (as well as Island and Skagit Counties at night). In addition, the proposed area of location has a lower population density than surrounding areas, helping to minimize conflicts with other land uses. In summary, KRKO can only upgrade its broadcast service by constructing a new transmitter site, to increase the KRKO signal output, and prepare for the transition to upcoming digital In- Band On Channel (IBOC) transmission. KRKO radio provides commercial and emergency broadcast services to the surrounding communities. The proposed site location was selected due to the location�s favorable radio engineering criteria, availability, size, and, the medium wave (MW) transmission spacing and distance requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). |