Wednesday, September 24th, 2008...5:14 am
Broadcast News: KFI’s New Tower is UP! Power On Party Thursday!
On March 21, 2008 I reported about radio station KFI’s (640 AM) two tower failures. The first was on morning of Sunday, December 19, 2004 when a private pilot and his passenger struck the tower on what was reported as their approach to Fullerton Airport. Both the pilot and passenger perished in the crash, which also caused KFI’s 760 ft tower to collapse.
A long and drawn out process then ensued for Capstar and Clear Channel, KFI’s owner to clear the proper legal hurdles to begin replacing the tower. Finally all of the powers that be gave KFI the green light to begin reconstruction with some serious modifications which would make the tower visible both day and night.
On March 17th, 2008 the new tower started construction three years and three months from the crash at the La Mirada site. The tower was to top out at 684 ft above ground when they finished. In order to increase it’s length and maintain its power the new tower was to incorporate a 50′ diameter top hat assembly. Everything was going swimmingly. A large number of Broadcast Engineers, radio junkies and tower folks were keeping tabs on the construction. Basically because you rarely see a tower of this type and size being constructed especially in a metropolitan area.
When about 2:30PM on March 18th, 2008 as the tower had reached approx. 300 ft a single point failure caused the tower to fall. There was damage to the surrounding warehouse and a couple trucks. Lucky for everyone involved there were no major injuries. Thanks to Dino K6RIX for his pictures and up to date info’.
It appeared that KFI was never going to get the darn thing built….
Fast forward to July 28, 2008 when the crew from Seacomm Erectors (Tower Builder to the Stars,) arrived with the new parts and pieces for the NEWEST KFI tower at the La Miranda site. In a period of 14 days the crew safely built the new and beefier tower which was completed on August 14th, 2008.
Finally after a four-year delay, the newest KFI tower is a huge broad tower with a 50-foot top (capacitive) hat for top loading and which will once again boom the 50,000 watt clear-channel station back into full power on the airwaves. The tower is unique in that it is lit on two levels with High Intensity Strobe Lighting which will be on day and night. Should you want to take a drive out to see it– drive down the I-5 or across the 91 Freeway near Knotts Ave, exit Artesia Blvd. (The tower’s on the North side of the freeway.) The guys are telling Dr. Doug and I that it is worth a drive down to see it! I’ll be heading down on Thursday to check it out. Only regret is that I didn’t get an invitation Correction: I did get an invitation to the KFI’s private Power on the Tower Party on Thursday night to see Bill Handel pull the switch to fire it up in person.
I will be there to see the new tower fire off… and will be bringing you pictures of the new tower in it’s first night of operation! Thanks Neil!
Guess KFI forgot those of us who report on Broadcasting News. Oh well.
Nevertheless– Congratulations to Seacomm and the folks at Clearchannel for getting the BIG KFI back on the air at full strength.
Tags: KFI, KFI Tower, 640AM, Broadcast News, Radio Tower, Clearchannel, Bill Handel
