LUBBOCK – Texas Tech’s student radio station, KTXT-FM, is off-air due to icing of its antenna.
A winter storm occurring December 30th coated most of the South Plains in a sheen of ice, and subsequent below-freezing temperatures have prevented any thawing during the daytime.
Ice on the antenna causes the broadcast radio signal to be reflected back to the transmitter. This reflected radio energy can cause catastrophic damage to the transmitter, but a sensing circuit lowers the output power of the transmitter to prevent any damage. With the antenna being completely iced-over, the transmitter has shut itself off.
Broadcast transmissions on KTXT-FM will resume once the daytime temperatures rise above freezing, allowing the antenna to thaw. However, current weather forecasts are predicting additional wintry precipitation and near-freezing temperatures the next several days.
Programming on KTXT-FM is still available via its online stream at ktxtfm.org.
Ice on the KTTZ broadcast tower has also forced the closure of much of the west commuter parking lots. This may cause problems with available parking for the Texas Tech basketball games scheduled for this weekend at the United Supermarkets Arena.
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