In 2003, amidst encouragement from several funding sources and frustration from
being unable to find a suitable AM station in the Corpus Christi area for purchase, it was decided to seek funding to
purchase and install the industries new HD Radio technology. Broadcasting an HD signal would not only
improve the quality of the KLUX audio but would also open up the possibilities of more then one channel of
programming by way of HD Multicasting.
In June 2006, with funding in place, the Board of Directors authorized station officials
to proceed
One of two transmitter cabinets is unloaded at the KLUX transmitter site.
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with acquisition of equipment and a major upgrade of the KLUX transmitter plant in order to give
the Coastal Bend of Texas it's first HD Radio Station.
Over the next two months the equipment orders were placed and design parameters were
finalized including Power Main redesign, and air conditioning improvements at the Transmitter site. Improvements
were also needed in the station's satellite earth station in order to acquire new programming for the
HD2 channel. The new solid state Transmitter arrived in late August and was put into a temporary storage
area with other system components.
Small Auxiliary Transmitter kept the station on the air during construction change out.
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To make all the required modifications to the air conditioning system and properly install
the new solid state transmitter in the space available, it was necessary to empty the station's transmitter
room and move the stations small auxiliary transmitter to an adjoining space, interconnect it to the antenna
system and operate at reduced power for the three days required to install all of the new equipment in
the transmitter room. On the day after Labor Day 2006 at approximately 9 AM, the switch was made, the
auxiliary transmitter was placed on the air and the race was on to complete the installation of the new system.
After almost 20 years of service the station's old main transmitter, which was not capable of
HD broadcasts,
One of two cabinets for the new solid state transmitter, still in protective wrap,
is prepared to move into place.
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was dismantled, moved out of the room and ultimately sold to a used equipment dealer. The existing dual air
conditioning system was removed and the contractor was given full access to the space to speed up installation
of the new system. Over the next two days, as the station operated at reduced power, the race was on to switch out
all of the ceiling mounted Air conditioning blower units, install new power circuits required for the new
transmitter, move the new transmitter into the room and interconnect the transmitter with the transmission system.
After four days of intense work and operation at reduced power, the new solid state HD transmitter
was commissioned and placed on the air. Initially, the new transmitter only carried the traditional analog signal as
studio equipment required to process the
New digital transmitter shown installed and operating.
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digital transmission still needed to be installed. The major portion of the
work had been accomplished and the station was back to full analog power. The weeks that followed the
transmitter change out saw installation of digital processing equipment and testing of the digital signal.
After weeks of testing the HD1 digital signal for KLUX and the new HD2 digital signal for CCN Radio 89.5-2,
featuring the Relevant Radio Catholic Network was officially launched on November 20, 2006 with special
on-air ceremonies live from the KLUX studios with the blessing of Bishop Edmond Carmody and the
assistance of Corpus Christi Mayor Henry Garrett.
The Digital Era of KLUX was realized. The station was the first radio broadcast
outlet in the Coastal Bend to launch HD Digital Service and the first to
KLUX General Manager, Marty Wind, Bishop Edmond Carmody and Corpus Christi Mayor
Henry Garrett inaugurate HD service at special on-air ceremonies and before studio guests.
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multicast additional channels of new programming for its listeners. KLUX had successfully navigated more
than twenty years of non commercial service to the community and was now pioneering bold new paths
of digital service for the community.
HD Digital Radio on KLUX would not have been possible without the generosity of the John G. and Marie Stella
Kenedy Memorial Foundation, The Ed Rachal Foundation and the many loyal listeners and supporters of the station.
To these great benefactors we say a heartfelt thanks and a sincere appreciation for your continued confidence
and encouragement.
"As long as your there... We will be here".
