Residents on the west side of Hawai?i island can now receive a clearer and more reliable signal when tuning in to Hawai?i Public Radio’s news magazine and classical music station. The new HPR-1 signal began broadcasting on May 10 on K239BV Waimea, 95.7 FM, from an antenna on Kaloko Mountain, 5000 feet above Kailua-Kona.
Prior to this installation, HPR-1 was only available to West Hawai?i via KKUA 90.7, which also serves Maui, Moloka?i, and L?na?i. That transmitter site at Ulupalakua Ranch on Maui is about 95 miles to the north of Kailua-Kona.
“The upgraded K239BV transmitter delivers a far superior terrestrial signal to the 40,000 souls from Kawaihae to Captain Cook,” said Michael Titterton, HPR president and general manager. “It’s now on par with the quality of KHPH 88.7, our HPR-2 stream already transmitting from Kailua-Kona. For their daily dose of Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and nationally and locally produced classical music programs on HPR-1, we're encouraging our West Hawai?i listeners to re-set their dial to 95.7 FM."
Titterton adds, "We were granted the Kaloko site in January of this year and, having already secured the license and frequency, it would have been remiss of us not to take advantage of this opportunity to provide better HPR-1 service to our West Hawai?i listeners. East Hawai?i residents, who have been patiently waiting for their HPR-2 service, can expect the same delivery of a grade-A signal once lease negotiations for the Kulani Cone transmitter location are completed."
Pictured below: The 95.7 FM antenna on Kaloko Mountain, Keahole Point in distance. Photo credit: Don Mussell.
