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WBT-99.3FM signal

T

tylerSC

Last week 99.3FM-WBT was off the air for several hours for maintenance and upgrades. Did they change anything to improve the signal? Do they still run the HD Radio signal?
The main signal seems a bit improved in Spartanburg, however there is still interference from WCON in Georgia, which increased their power a few years back, also on 99.3. Looks like they would ask WCON to modify their signal so it would fade out as it reaches Greenville County, because it prevents clear reception from WBT. Both stations are out of market, so I don't know which takes precedent in regard to the FCC, but WBT used to come in clear in Spartanburg and a good portion of Greenville County. Now both stations interfere.
Just curious what improvements were made at WBT and if they are still running HD. You can still also receive WBT on WLNK-107.9HD2.
 
tylerSC said:
Last week 99.3FM-WBT was off the air for several hours for maintenance and upgrades. Did they change anything to improve the signal? Do they still run the HD Radio signal?
The main signal seems a bit improved in Spartanburg, however there is still interference from WCON in Georgia, which increased their power a few years back, also on 99.3. Looks like they would ask WCON to modify their signal so it would fade out as it reaches Greenville County, because it prevents clear reception from WBT. Both stations are out of market, so I don't know which takes precedent in regard to the FCC, but WBT used to come in clear in Spartanburg and a good portion of Greenville County. Now both stations interfere.
Just curious what improvements were made at WBT and if they are still running HD. You can still also receive WBT on WLNK-107.9HD2.
Click to expand...
At the moment, there is marginal tropospheric ducting between WCON and you, causing them to go farther than expected, odd. Sadly, the FCC also doesn't care any longer except for the 50 dbu and 60dbu contours, and WBT only hits your city with a 48 dbu at the moment. I definitely was upset when a translator popped up on a farther away frequency, preventing me from hearing that station 100 miles away (has the best music around, hence why I listened to it despite the distance), but that is just how it seems to be now. The FCC would potentially choose WBT because it is closer to your home (Why is it in Chester instead of Charlotte anyways?), but overall they wouldn't take action here. In the meantime, interference from WCON will eventually go away (and then come back).
 
According to fccdata.org, WCON's last change was an upgrade from 19 to 100kW in 2015. WBT-FM's last signal change was 2003.
WBT-FM dominates in Spartanburg, but tropo or a terrain blockage (hill, metal building) could bring WCON in.

ZantennaG1, WBT-FM was a local Chester station until the mid 90's as WDZK. WBT purchased it to improve their signal in York and Gaston Counties, since 1110 has little night signal to the west. Many years ago, they had an on-channel booster in Shelby for the same reason.
 
tylerSC said:
Is WBT still running the HD Radio signal on 99.3?
Click to expand...
I can not get a Lock on the HD Signal on 3 different Tuners at my place. This includes attempts at using the MD 205 with one of them, so I'm inclined to say they got rid of the HD Signal on 99.3 MHz. Steve.
 
ngriffin said:
According to fccdata.org, WCON's last change was an upgrade from 19 to 100kW in 2015. WBT-FM's last signal change was 2003.
WBT-FM dominates in Spartanburg, but tropo or a terrain blockage (hill, metal building) could bring WCON in.

ZantennaG1, WBT-FM was a local Chester station until the mid 90's as WDZK. WBT purchased it to improve their signal in York and Gaston Counties, since 1110 has little night signal to the west. Many years ago, they had an on-channel booster in Shelby for the same reason.
Click to expand...
Indeed, WDZK was part of a Family-Owned pair of Radio Stations. There was "WBZK" 980 AM (York, SC) and "WDZK" 99.3 FM (Chester, SC). I used to drive by the Transmitter Site for WBZK quite a lot in the 1980's.
 
I have figured out why I can not get a Lock on the WBT-FM HD Signal here in Charlotte, NC. There is another Station on 99.3 MHz - WHIP AM (1350) and (99.3 FM) on the same Frequency. This causes a lot of interference and poor reception (even on Analog FM) when I'm out in the car. There are spots on Highway 16 that this signal even over-powers WBT-FM altogether. This explains why I can't get a HD Lock on 99.3 FM Frequency from my location. Steve.
 
WBT-FM had to replace their antenna. I am not sure what the issue was. It is now a 3 bay ERI. It was a 3 bay Shively. May have been ice damage.

WBT-FM is licensed to cover Chester SC. It is not designed to cover Charlotte or any points north. In addition to W257EJ in Mooresville (WHIP) there is W257EI in Kannapolis (WRKB) and WLRZ (LPFM) Hickory.

T123
 
Steve.Gates said:
I have figured out why I can not get a Lock on the WBT-FM HD Signal here in Charlotte, NC. There is another Station on 99.3 MHz - WHIP AM (1350) and (99.3 FM) on the same Frequency. This causes a lot of interference and poor reception (even on Analog FM) when I'm out in the car. There are spots on Highway 16 that this signal even over-powers WBT-FM altogether. This explains why I can't get a HD Lock on 99.3 FM Frequency from my location. Steve.
Click to expand...

Looks like that station W257EJ from Mooresville is very directional to the east (Im guessing to protect WMAG 99.5 Greensboro) but not directional south towards Charlotte and their signal (I remember) makes it to about I-485 at I-77 north near Huntersville before WBT finally starts to come in....I think that's a little too close for those in the area
 
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