And there is an existing station on 99.1 MHz from San Bernardino (that some Long Beach listeners will hear instead of KLBP if they punch into 99.1 FM; the out of town station is car-radio listenable in ELB and may block out KLBP's low power signal in parts of LB.)

However KLBP's 99.1 air signal is expected to be listenable in downtown Long Beach and in nearby areas. It will likely become spotty heading inland (difficult to predict exactly how far) and may be non-existent in a number of Long Beach areas. Coverage beyond downtown will likely depend on factors including the type of radio used (cheap or sensitive), location (elevated or at ground level), whether line of sight to the antenna is obstructed by things like Signal Hill or whether KLBP's low power signal is overridden by the San Bernardino station. [We speculate KLBP may be picked-up eastward along the shore, perhaps as far east as Belmont Shore if not overridden by the San Bernardino signal.]

But those involved with KLBP are over-the-moon enthusiastic...because KLBP will also simulcast on the internet where its programming will be listenable worldwide. Its website -- KLBP.org -- states as of Dec. 6:

[KLBP.org text, Dec. 6] "In a city of half a million, you'll be surprised to find that there’s no radio station dedicated to local issues. Armed with an FCC permit to build a low-power radio station, we’ve set out to change that! 99.1 KLBP will be the city's first radio source to provide a platform for local news, in-depth storytelling, music, and civic discourse." The site seeks contributions "to help offset critical expenses related to meeting KLBP's on-air deadline set by the FCC."

[Scroll down for further.]

KLBP's engineers are scrambling to get the station's antenna up and its transmitter transmitting, because unless KLBP begins on-air operation by Dec. 23, its FCC construction permit will expire and its low power license will vanish.

On Nov. 26, LB's Harbor Commission approved a $300 a month lease letting KLBP use an existing tower in the Port of LB to mount the station's 2-bay transmitting antenna and a small microwave dish (the latter linking to a station studio being built at Shannon's On Pine.) As part of the deal, KLBP agreed to "work with the Port to produce and air public service announcements, Port interviews, and public interest segments on licensee’s station website." KLBP reps spoke briefly at the Harbor Commission meeting, thanking Port staff for moving swiftly to offer the tower site (an FCC allowed improvement over an initially identified site close to Wilmington.)

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Among those involved in KLBP's launch is Long Beach resident David Alpern, who's worked professionally in Los Angeles radio operations. Mr. Alpern tells LBREPORT.com that he stepped forward to help launch the Long Beach station, viewing it as a valuable asset for the community.

Below is an October 2018 photo from KLBP's Facebook page showing its "first wave of radio producers...We can't wait to share all the amazing content they're working on with you!" Among those we recognize in the photo is Steve Propes, now a Beachcomber columnist who for years hosted programs featuring vintage R&R/R&B on CSULB's former KLON (now KKJZ) 88.1.

Source: KLBP Facebook page

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