KRKO changes antenna proposal

By Steve Powell

Herald Writer

Andy Skotdal runs a talk-radio station, but he also knows how to listen.

That’s why he’s agreed to three concessions if the expansion of Everett radio station KRKO is approved by the county hearing examiner.

The concessions are an effort to address major complaints of opponents. Residents in the south Snohomish area are concerned about wildlife, radio interference, views and property values, safety with nearby Harvey Airfield and more.

KRKO had proposed one tower at 425 feet and seven others at 199 feet at a rural location at 11304 132nd St. SE. The towers would give the station a broadcast ability 10 times greater than its current 5,000 watts, enabling it to be heard from the Canadian border to Olympia.

The concessions include:

  • Electrical interference: KRKO will provide reasonable remedy to problems caused by radio interference to nearby residents. There would also be a two-year window, rather than one, to resolve interference complaints.

  • Only four towers would be built initially: One tower 425-feet tall and three 199-feet tall would be built. The other four would be deferred.

  • AM radio only would be allowed on the towers: The county could prohibit paging, cellular and other transmissions on the towers.

    "To lease out space was never our intention," Skotdal said. "We want to make a better radio station, not profit off of other services."

    At a hearing in front of deputy hearing examiner Peter T. Donahue this past week, Skotdal has been supported by 17 nonprofit groups, 21 school districts, many local officials, seven emergency medical services groups and many local businesses.

    Roger Serra, director of Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management, said he supports the towers so more people can be reached in case of a disaster.

    "We need to have a broader broadcast," he said, adding some areas of the north county can’t pick up KRKO.

    As it is now, schools, fire and police departments have to be notified, "but that doesn’t get the word out to all the citizens."

    Augustus Sharkey, who lives up the hill from KRKO’s current towers in Lowell, said the station was very helpful when he had problems with radio transmission on his phone.

    "They put two filters on the line, and it obliterated the situation," Sharkey said.

    He also said he wears hearing aids, and they were never a problem, another concern some opponents had.

    Robert Lever lives across the valley from where the towers would be built, and he said he has no problem with them.

    He said most opposed to the project are "environmental extremists."

    "Nothing else counts," he said. "We should all go away, I imagine."

    He said he was involved in radar for years, and when it first started there was "scare talk" that it would make him sterile.

    "But I fathered 10 children," he said.

    One of the complaints Skotdal could not change is the location for the proposed towers. He wants KRKO to become a full-powered AM station like KIRO, KOMO and KJR in Seattle.

    "There’s a limited area to make that happen" because of county and Federal Trade Commission codes, he said.

    But he did say the new towers at 50,000 watts will only affect 450 homes, compared with the 5,000-watt station that is now affecting 604 homes in Lowell.

    Another complaint is KRKO will cease to be local.

    "That’s not true at all," Skotdal said, adding local news and traffic is what gives KRKO its advantage over Seattle stations.

    As for concerns about wildlife at two natural parks nearby, Skotdal said that’s been addressed by not using guy wires on the towers. He said self-supporting towers increased the project cost significantly, but it was done so birds wouldn’t die.

    He said residents also shouldn’t be concerned about walkie-talkies and computers being affected by electrical interference from the towers.

    "We use them at the site itself," he said.

    Donahue is expected to make a decision in a few weeks. The hearing is regarding appeals by Kandace Harvey of Harvey Airfield and the Citizens to Preserve the Upper Snohomish River Valley/Pilchuck Audubon Society.

    You can call Herald Writer Steve Powell at 425-339-3427

    or send e-mail to powell@heraldnet.com.

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