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WQTT FM On Air

C

chad43358

I noticed late last week that the 98.7 was being used, but nothing could be heard. I checked numerous times and couldn’t hear anything except the occasional static (even in Marysville, where I could see the tower they’re using in plain view.) I thought maybe it was a station floating in from a long distace.

Last night I tried again and sure enough, it is now rebroadcasting 1270 WQTT. I didn’t notice the static as much, and was impressed that I was able to pick it up all the way to Hilliard.
 
Wow. Thanks for the heads up. Will check the reception next time I am out and about.
Are they using the 1270 towers out off 36?
 
Interesting tidbit here. Everything I've seen online supports that WQTT's FM antenna is located on the 104.3 tower off of route 4 North of Marysville. However, after driving by the AM antenna site on US 36 just East of town today, I noticed one of the AM towers has 2 circular polarized antennas mounted to it. I quickly tuned to 98.7, and then to the adjacent and 2nd adjacent frequencies, and they were all full of 98.7 for about a half mile, telling me that they are actually broadcasting from that location. Surely they wouldn't fib on their broadcasting location, right?
 
chad43358 said:
Interesting tidbit here. Everything I've seen online supports that WQTT's FM antenna is located on the 104.3 tower off of route 4 North of Marysville. However, after driving by the AM antenna site on US 36 just East of town today, I noticed one of the AM towers has 2 circular polarized antennas mounted to it. I quickly tuned to 98.7, and then to the adjacent and 2nd adjacent frequencies, and they were all full of 98.7 for about a half mile, telling me that they are actually broadcasting from that location. Surely they wouldn't fib on their broadcasting location, right?
Click to expand...

I checked and their license still shows the Route 4 tower site of 104.3 - I would hope that's where they are coming from... Unless they really want to make a "donation" to the FCC for operating from a site not licensed.
 
When this translator signed on, I was surprised that it wouldn't be broadcasting from the AM site. I wonder if that's been the case all along?
I am honestly not even sure why they have a translator to begin with. Judging from the patterns I've seen, it doesn't fill in the AM gaps all that much at all, and it's covered almost immediately when you cross into Franklin County by adjacent-channel static. You can still hear 1270 better in most or all of Dublin and Hilliard (and UA) than 98.7.
 
schmave said:
When this translator signed on, I was surprised that it wouldn't be broadcasting from the AM site. I wonder if that's been the case all along?
I am honestly not even sure why they have a translator to begin with. Judging from the patterns I've seen, it doesn't fill in the AM gaps all that much at all, and it's covered almost immediately when you cross into Franklin County by adjacent-channel static. You can still hear 1270 better in most or all of Dublin and Hilliard (and UA) than 98.7.
Click to expand...

The goal of this translator is not really to reach Franklin County but to provide a solid FM signal over Marysville.
 
The next time I drive by I'll try to stop and take picture of the antennas. Like I said, the adjacent and second adjacent's were clobbered as I drove by. Once I reached 33 (maybe a mile away,) 98.3 out of Bellefontaine came back, and 98.9 and 99.1 came back. I haven't had a chance to drive near the Route 4 tower yet to see if there's anything on it.

Schmave brings up a good point as well. Why pay to rent tower space when you have towers 4.34 miles away? Yes, I measured the exact distance on Google Maps. If the idea was to cheat the signal towards Columbus, it certainly didn't work. I'll try to make it to the Route 4 tower site soon...
 
I understand WQTT's aim is not to serve Columbus, but again, I just think a translator is pointless if it doesn't put a good signal into areas the original signal does not serve. I can't imagine Marysville listeners are pining all *that* much for an FM signal when 1270 is heard very well in town. Personally, I think they waited too long and got stuck with a 98.7 signal that is hemmed in by many other signals both co-channel and adjacent.
 
chad43358 said:
The next time I drive by I'll try to stop and take picture of the antennas. Like I said, the adjacent and second adjacent's were clobbered as I drove by. Once I reached 33 (maybe a mile away,) 98.3 out of Bellefontaine came back, and 98.9 and 99.1 came back. I haven't had a chance to drive near the Route 4 tower yet to see if there's anything on it.
Click to expand...


Was up that way the other day - 98.9 The Answer and 98.5 WINF-LP were coming in very clear as I passed the Route 4 tower driving towards Marion.
 
WQTT appears to be testing their pending move to 96.7 with a signal that is actually putting a solid signal into Columbus OH. In Worthington was able to hear them in the car with no static.

Given the interference the local LPFM at 96.7 had with the unlicensed African station that had been camped out on 96.7 I doubt he will put up much if the Marysville translator suddenly puts a signal into Columbus like 92.9 does (heck I’ve heard WDLR’s Translator in the car in Lancaster!) Got to love a cramped FM dial. (Just look at the hassle WSAX-LP at 98.5 has putting signal into Columbus).

The “southern gospel” LPFM originates just off I71 and North Broadway in NE Columbus. He is only on the air from 3pm-3am as he shares the frequency with an not yet built LPFM.

I checked after the LPFM signed on for the day and in NE Columbus signal is fighting with the Marysville translator on what actually you can hear.
 
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