KTXK activates backup transmitter after fire knocks out its main one

The damage from a recent fire is seen on a component from the main KTXK transmitter. The safety features confined the damage to the immediate area, shielding the rest of the transmitter. It is unknown at this time when the transmitter will be back to full power. (Submitted photo)
The damage from a recent fire is seen on a component from the main KTXK transmitter. The safety features confined the damage to the immediate area, shielding the rest of the transmitter. It is unknown at this time when the transmitter will be back to full power. (Submitted photo)

TEXARKANA, Texas - Local NPR affiliate KTXK is operating at reduced power on its backup transmitter after a fire Tuesday morning knocked out its main transmitter at the Texarkana College campus.

"The fire occurred in the transmitter at 5:47 a.m. that morning," said Steve Mitchell, general manager of the radio station that has been broadcasting under his charge from the TC campus since the 1980s. "The electrical fire took place in the main high voltage cavity, where the incoming electricity is converted to the 100,000 watts used for the high power transmission."

The backup transmitter broadcasts at 10,000 watts.

Mitchell says he will be talking to his engineers soon. At this time, he does not know when the station will be back up to full power.

"The transmitter is 20 years old, so it is likely the parts in question will be a challenge to replace, which will take time," Mitchell said.

In the meantime, KTXK continues their usual operations with coverage of both local and national news and affairs as well as cultural programming. They can be heard on 91.5 FM, despite being on reduced power. Also, they can be found online at KTXK.org.

This is not the first loss of transmitter power due to fire. One year ago, the main transmitter was disabled by a lightning strike, taking out a different set of components in the transmitter. After that incident, the station also operated on its backup transmitter.

"Those sorts of incidents are not uncommon," he said. "Both broadcast TV and radio, having a tall antenna sticking up into the sky, have to contend with such possibilities. Any such entity runs that risk."

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