Sonoma’s Community Radio Station Boosts Its Signal with a New Radio Antenna & “KSVY Connects!” Campaign

Sonoma, California, November 15, 2021 – KSVY 93.1 FM & Sonoma TV are pleased to announce a major milestone in the station’s development. In response to Sonoma County and the City of Sonoma's expansion of emergency communications and preparedness, KSVY Sonoma 91.3 FM has acquired and installed a new antenna, 850ft above sea level, overlooking Stage Gulch and Sonoma Valley.

With Construction, installation and testing complete, and official FCC licensing received, KSVY activated the new device. The new range is robust and greatly exceeds the coverage area at over 450 terrestrial square miles. The significant achievement coincides with the station's website redesign, www.ksvy.org and end-of-year fundraising, "KSVY Connects!", a month-long campaign that begins Tuesday, November 30th, 2021 8 AM live on the FM airwaves. Listeners who tune-in that day can expect to hear their favorite volunteer host’s shows and more about KSVY’s new antennae and the value local independent media brings to the region, along with appeals for public support.

KSVY 91.3 FM’s General Manager, Bob Taylor, says the new signal's range covers approximately 450 square terrestrial miles, a significant increase from the previous configuration's six to ten-mile shadowed signal. The upgrade bolsters KSVY 91.3 FM's broadcast for all of Sonoma Valley and reaches potential new listeners in southern Sonoma County, Petaluma and Rohnert Park and as far as St. Helena and American Canyon in Napa County.

The former omni-directional transmitter site was not ideal. Located near residential areas, the configuration created "shadows," where objects and buildings obstructed the signal at low elevation. The location’s increased exposure to wildfires, along with frequent power outages are also concerning disadvantages. Initially, the location was good for the set frequency and accessibility by the station's small staff. However, the opportunities and challenges for the local community and region have outgrown the site's usability.

The new antenna is a directional, panel-type antenna with a very focused signal within a specific frequency pocket with a more extensive range and far fewer shadows and dead spots. The new site also requires less power, and benefits from the significantly higher elevation in the rural hillsides southwest of Sonoma. However, the former site and antenna are not obsolete and act as a backup transmitter, offering more resilience to the station's emergency communications plan.

KSVY 91.3 FM is a non-commercial community radio station. A fundraising plan kicked off by Simon and Kimberly Blattner led to an incredible response. Grants from Sonoma Valley Fund, Community Foundation of Sonoma County and a burgeoning partnership with Sonoma County helped to fund the antenna upgrade. A final push from the “Signal Booster Society” , a listener and volunteer fueled fundraiser, also contributed to the antenna upgrade.

KSVY 91.3 FM Sonoma broadcasts radio at 91.3 FM, live-streams at ksvy.org. For Smart Devices, just say, “Play K-S-V-Y” to listen live.

More About KSVY Sonoma 93.1 FM

KSVY is a non-commercial community radio station for the benefit of the Sonoma Valley, operated by Sonoma Valley Community Communications which is a registered 501c-3 nonprofit organization funded entirely by listener contributions, grants, and sponsor underwriting. KSVY receives no support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and is not affiliated with NPR.

For more information, images, or interview requests, please contact Ronny Joe Grooms at rjgrooms@ksvy.org or (415) 335-5062

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