KWIZ Is Clearing Interference Static

Representatives of radio station KWIZ assured the Orange City Council this week that they are addressing community complaints of interference problems caused by signals from the station’s antenna in East Orange.

Last month, after residents complained that they could hear KWIZ’s pop rock through their telephones, televisions and tape decks, the council ordered the station to clear up the complaints by Dec. 1 or risk losing the conditional-use permit that allows it to broadcast from the western slope of Crawford Hills.

At the council’s urging, the station’s owner, Liberman Broadcasting, sent certified letters to 450 residents encouraging them to call KWIZ with any complaints of interference. The station also hired two engineers to make house calls. About 60 residents responded to the letter, and seven complaints had been resolved as of Sept. 14, according to a progress report submitted by the station this week.

KWIZ is spending thousands of dollars “to eliminate all problems,” said Lenard Liberman, the station’s general manager. Most complaints should get a response within a few days, he said.

East Orange residents said they were pleased that KWIZ is taking steps to solve the interference problems.

“I’m willing to do anything at this point,” said Dick Garfield, who lives 200 yards from the antenna. “If they can eliminate the problems, I’d be happy as a clam.”

But some residents said that certain problems persist even after the station responds to complaints.

Resident David Hemmings said that after a visit from a station engineer, KWIZ is no longer heard through his amplifier, but his telephones still play the station loud and clear. KWIZ has offered to pay for telephone replacements.