All posts by Gary Stigall

Local News

XEPRS Reverts to Spanish Language

On August 1, 2024, at midnight, XEPRS 1090 at Rosarito, BCN, Mexico, began its Spanish-language Catholic “Monte Maria” religious programming, apparently ending a contract with BCA. 

The station had operated as “The Mightier 1090” with ESPN radio sports programming that included play-by-play NFL, MLB, and NBA games, local sports talk on the Jim Rome Show, SportsGrid, The Rich Eisen Show, Scott Kaplan, and SportsMap programming.

According to Wikipedia, this ends a run of “border blasting” mostly English programming that began with the Wolfman Jack Show in 1965 using the callsign XERB. Mexican broadcasting of US-originated content is increasingly challenging since the Mexican government requires carrying a substantial load of public service announcements that supersede commercials.

The station was built with a 3-tower array that maximized their 50,000 watt (transmitter output) signal up the Pacific Coast. The station could readily be heard daytime in Los Angeles and at night as far as Oregon.

National

Richard Burden, Veteran Los Angeles Engineer, Dies at 92

Richard Burden, AES photo

Longtime broadcast engineer Richard Burden passed away June 22, 2024 at the age of 92. A post on the SBE Chapter 47 Facebook page said, “It is not often in life that you meet someone who loves his family, friends and profession like Richard Burden. He gave 200% to everything he did with a smile on his face and love in his heart. We are all better people having known him.”

Richard’s notable career started in 1950 with his serving as Chief Engineer at his Lafayette College radio station, then his attendance at the RCA Institutes. He went on to participate in research at technology junctures that included FM stereo, TV stereo, and Traveler’s Information Service. He befriended the likes of Saul Marantz, Avery Fisher, and Rudy Bozak, but always had time for you.

Burden became a charter member of the SBE in 1966 and was still active this past year. He was elected as a Fellow in 1999, then received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

An article in the Radio World magazine has more information. You can read a fascinating transcript of an oral history interview on the Energy and Technology History Wiki website.

Local News

Four Engineers Retire from KPBS

KPBS-TV/FM this year is undergoing a great turnover, with four broadcast engineers leaving to retire. Their professional experience totals over 150 years, 90 of that at KPBS.

Kevin Birch, Broadcast Engineer, left January 31 this year. He had joined the station in 2000 after having worked at KUSI (TV).

Kevin Schrader, Senior Engineering Manager, left January 31 as well. He joined in 2013 after stints at Cox Cable, XETV, and KGTV.

Rockley Curless, RF Engineering Manager, left January 31 after 22 years at KPBS. Unfortunately, he passed away March 14, 2024, only six weeks after retirement.

Leon Messenie, Director of Engineering since 2001, says he’s scheduled to retire June 30, 2024 after 32 years of technical work at KPBS.