Pittsburgh public media acquires WAMO

[DavidZ]

Pittsburgh Public Media Acquires 660 WAMO; Hip Hop Format To Remain On Audacy Operated Translator - RadioInsight

After Audacy acquired the intellectual property of Hip Hop/R&B "WAMO 107.3" 660 WAMO Wilkinsburg/W297BU Pittsburgh earlier this year, Martz Communications Group is donating the AM signal to the Chuck Leavens led Pittsburgh Public Media. Martz will receive a tax credit for an amount determined...

radioinsight.com

 

[PTBoardOp94]

WAMO and WZUM share a transmit site in Braddock, so one acquiring the other makes a certain amount of sense.

 

[PHIL Z]

If Audacy is Keeping 107.1 with the WAMO Calls is 660 going to get new Call Letters. ie 660 WIXY.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

If Audacy is Keeping 107.1 with the WAMO Calls is 660 going to get new Call Letters. ie 660 WIXY.

@PHIL Z 107.3 is a translator .. so it doesnt get traditional 4 letter calls, its W297BU. they can call it WAMO all they want on air as long as they properly ID.. wether by audio at the top of the hour, or via silent FSK . .frequency shift keying ....

 

[Greg Goodfellow]

@PHIL Z 107.3 is a translator .. so it doesnt get traditional 4 letter calls, its W297BU. they can call it WAMO all they want on air as long as they properly ID.. wether by audio at the top of the hour, or via silent FSK . .frequency shift keying ....

We have a local AM with two translators that are never properly identified, just Wxxx-FM.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

We have a local AM with two translators that are never properly identified, just Wxxx-FM.

Which is fine. Translators have special ID rules. It is permissible to audibly say "92.7 W224AL South Park" , but not required. The alternative, used by most licensees, is identifying by Morse code. From FCC Rules 73.1283:

By transmitting the call sign in International Morse Code at least once each hour. Transmitters of FM broadcast translator stations of more than 1 watt transmitter output power must be equipped with an automatic keying device that will transmit the call sign at least once each hour, unless there is in effect a firm agreement with the translator's primary station as provided in § 74.1283(c)(1) of this section.

 

[AceBiscuits]

If Audacy is Keeping 107.1 with the WAMO Calls is 660 going to get new Call Letters. ie 660 WIXY.

@PHIL Z 107.3 is a translator .. so it doesnt get traditional 4 letter calls, its W297BU. they can call it WAMO all they want on air as long as they properly ID.. wether by audio at the top of the hour, or via silent FSK . .frequency shift keying ....

They own the trademark on WAMO as well, so while someone can go apply for the WAMO callsign, they can't brand the station as WAMO. The actual application of the call letters mean little since they own the brand.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

Which is fine. Translators have special ID rules. It is permissible to audibly say "92.7 W224AL South Park" , but not required. The alternative, used by most licensees, is identifying by Morse code. From FCC Rules 73.1283:

By transmitting the call sign in International Morse Code at least once each hour. Transmitters of FM broadcast translator stations of more than 1 watt transmitter output power must be equipped with an automatic keying device that will transmit the call sign at least once each hour, unless there is in effect a firm agreement with the translator's primary station as provided in § 74.1283(c)(1) of this section.

actually many translators use FSK to ID, which isnt morse code and is inaudible to the human ear

 

[gr8oldies]

For translators that have to ID by voice, that is only required 3 times a day at specified times

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

For translators that have to ID by voice, that is only required 3 times a day at specified times

no translators HAVE to ID by voice anymore.

 

[gr8oldies]

no translators HAVE to ID by voice anymore.

If they don't have FSK capabilities, they don't have to ID the translators at all?

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

If they don't have FSK capabilities, they don't have to ID the translators at all?

Almost all translators have that ability now, any transmtiter made in the last 10-15 years does, and i worked on a translator that had a little FSK ID'er add on.

 

[PHIL Z]

WAMO AM is listed in the new Ratings as 15 nothing for the FM Translator Or HD Channel.

 

[AceBiscuits]

WAMO AM is listed in the new Ratings as 15 nothing for the FM Translator Or HD Channel.

Since WAMO-AM is the primary originator of the format, that’s what the FM translator and WDSY-HD2 encode as. There is no differentiation between the signals from a PPM perspective. One would reasonably assume that the 1.6 that the station has in 6+ is entirely from listeners on 107.3.

When the AM gets donated, the FM translator and WDSY-HD2 will continue to encode the same, and will be listed in the PPM ratings as WDSY-HD2. That’s what I assume you are referring to.