KLJY-FM engineer points to lower bills, sophisticated technology as superior benefits

KLJY-FM, a Christian music station serving the St. Louis area, is now transmitting crystal-clear sound to its vast listening audience from a new Imagine® HPX® tube transmitter, while also lowering operational costs.

The high-power HPX40 (40kW) transmitter hits the power level required, with a compact footprint that significantly lowers installation costs. Its operational efficiency is also reducing monthly bills for the station, commonly known to listeners as 99.1 JOY FM.

“The HPX40 was the only transmitter in this power range that fit in our space without very expensive changes to our facility,” said Dave Obergoenner, director of engineering, 99.1 JOY FM. “The HPX40 has an exceptionally high factory-rated efficiency that translates to the real world. It draws considerably less power than our old main transmitter, and puts out quite a bit less heat — heat that we would need to air-condition away at this site.”

The station’s impressive power output means that a tube transmitter was a far more cost-efficient choice than a solid-state model. Obergoenner notes that the HPX design offers sophistication in line with the top solid-state transmitters on the market, from intuitive web-based monitoring to redundant power supplies that safeguard its operation.

“The HPX line takes the advantages found in very expensive solid-state boxes of most other brands and implements them in a tube-type transmitter,” he said. “It’s a thoroughly modern, sophisticated design. The web interface has enabled me to connect from hundreds of miles away, and see faults at the St. Louis community tower that left other engineers scratching their heads. This is the most amazing transmitter I’ve installed – and I’ve installed many.”

JOY FM broadcasts in analog-only today, but Obergoenner expects that the station will launch an HD Radio™ broadcast service should the budget allow in the future. He notes that Imagine tube transmitters are “considerably ahead of the pack” when it comes to HD Radio field upgradeability.

Obergoenner also points to exceptional audio quality since installing the transmitter, with a nod to the Imagine® Digit® CD exciter that generates the signal.

“I’ve installed a lot of Digit exciters over the years — some even driving other transmitters — and they present a fantastic sound,” he said. “The Digit line has always delivered some of my favorite-sounding exciters. There is something huge, yet crystal-clear about the sound they produce. The Digit CD is no exception.”

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About Imagine Communications
Imagine Communications offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions for broadcast, cable, satellite and out-of-home networks. The Imagine ONE™ solution brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that enable advanced media workflows for emerging content delivery business models. Additional information about Imagine Communications is available at www.imaginecommunications.com.