Dear listener,
Extremely cold weather with ice and snow always presents a unique challenge for our regional network (and for most broadcasters in the South). We rely on large satellite dishes, spread over hundreds of miles, to bring our programming to you over the air. If/when these dishes fill up with ice and snow, it blocks our signal. In these cases, we will go to back-up audio. Since the satellite also carries our HD signal, it is also possible that you will receive analog programming only rather than HD.
Also, if our broadcast antennas at the various transmitter sites ice up, this reflects our signal back into our transmitters which then lower power output to protect themselves. This could definitely affect our ability to broadcast even our backup signal. These antennas are a thousand feet up and there could be ice up there that isn’t visible at ground level. In these cases, there is little we can do until it thaws.
If you are unable to receive us over the air, we suggest listening to our 3 channels via the internet. Our website, both desktop and mobile, has a player near the top of the page that can play using most browsers. The direct stream addresses are also available on our website should you need them. It’s possible that power outages could affect internet throughout our region, but we have backup power at the studios that will help us keep broadcasting.
We will do everything we can to remain on the air for you but also wanted you to be aware of the coming challenges. In the meanwhile, we hope you are, and will remain, safe and warm. Thank you to all of you for your understanding and support. You may write to us at redriverradiomail@gmail.com or call and leave a message at 800-552-8502 should you need additional assistance.
Regards,
Kermit Poling,
General Manager