Salt water enhances AM coverage. It does nothing per se for FM, though. The only benefit the bay has on FM is that it is totally flat and has no obstructions to block signals.
No, it won't. The main reason is that such a high percentage of the total market is not non-Hispanic white later generation Americans. Hispanics, Blacks, Asians and immigrants not falling into those categories like Persians, Russians, Armenians and Arabs. What you have left is a small market, hindered by no lifestyle in the market.
There is little or no room for improvement with any local FM stations.
Also, FM coverage is a combination of height and power. Increase power for an existing station and your have to decrease antenna height.
But it can't. First, it is a Class A, and could never, ever be more than 6 kw*. Second, it has to conform with the Class A standard of 6 kw at 100 meters. Increase height, decrease power.
The cost increase of going up a couple of KW in ERP means, with antenna gain, perhaps a 2 kw or 3 kw / hours of additional consumption... maybe $12 a day, depending on local utility rates. At San Francisco ad rates, that is a couple of 30" spots a month to pay the extra power bill. And the station vehicle costs a lot more than the little transmitter needed for such power levels... even if such were possible, which is not the case.
Remember, there are a lot of radio pros here who can answer your questions!
* Unless they change class, and that involves protection to co-channel, adjacent and second adjacent channels.
Last edited:
