WCCR - AM 1260 today

[johnbasalla]

In their "Upon This Rock" winter 2024 publication, the station shared a number of interesting items. Over the next several months, personalities from EWTN and Ave Maria radio will be visiting the Cleveland area. One of WCCR's best programs, "Catholic Answers Live", (Monday-Friday 6pm - 8opm) will have Joe Heschmeyer as one of the keynote speakers at the March 2nd "Catholic Men's Fellowship of Northeast Ohio Annual Men's Conference".
Also in March, tickets to see Raymond Arroyo address the "Bringing America Back To Life Convention" are now available. AM 1260 "The Rock" will have a booth at the event which will occur March 8th and 9th.

Jumping up to April 20th, Tim Staples from "Catholic Answers Live", and his wife, Valerie, will be a part of the annual "Marriage Enrichment Day".

Father Nathan Cromley, CSJ will speak at the "First Friday Club of Cleveland" luncheon on Thursday, June 6th.
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WCCR-AM's Executive Director, Bernadette Boguski, writes that "we are growing in numbers of listeners and donations" based on "the new donors during our pledge drives, and the increasing numbers in our database. St. Peter The Rock Media and the staff at WCCR-AM revised their Strategic Plan for the next 3 years. In 2023, WCCR-AM added "A Moment For Your Marriage" (from "Marriages of Grace"), reflections from the 2nd graders at St. Mary-Chardon, about First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Also added were additional versions of the afternoon children's rosary from local Catholic school and more content on the "Wisdom From The Rock" podcast.
__________________________________
FROM THE PHYSICAL PLANT PART OF THINGS... Improvements were made to their soundproofing in the studio. Studio computers, which control
WCCR's programming, were replaced along with the EAS system. So, WCCR-AM 1260 completed the Ohio Association of Broadcasters Inspection Program. Ms. Boguski said, about this: "Thanks to your generous support, we have been able to do all of this!

 

[skiwest]

Weren't they also doing some tower maintenance a while back? Has that been completed? Did it improve their signal at all?

 

[johnbasalla]

Weren't they also doing some tower maintenance a while back? Has that been completed? Did it improve their signal at all?

You are correct. They might not have mentioned it in this latest edition of "Upon This Rock" newsletter because (likely, imo), the tower maintenance has not been completed (Funding issues?) and whatever was done, if anything, has not improved the signal.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Weren't they also doing some tower maintenance a while back? Has that been completed? Did it improve their signal at all?

1260's signal is permanently compromised because it has to accommodate WRIE in Erie, which also broadcasts on the same frequency. They'd have to buy WRIE from iHeart, shut it down, and hand in the license.

This map best illustrates why not even moving WWCR's transmitter north from their current Brecksville site would help. Of course it doesn't include adjacent channels on 1270 in Detroit and Marysville, Ohio, or 1250 in Pittsburgh.

 

[johnbasalla]

Yes, the signal is compromised ... squeezed might be a better word ... but, at night, it shouldn't be unlistenable in the Berea and Strongsville area.

 

[RadioFixerCLE]

You are correct. They might not have mentioned it in this latest edition of "Upon This Rock" newsletter because (likely, imo), the tower maintenance has not been completed (Funding issues?) and whatever was done, if anything, has not improved the signal.

Seems like the tower work is an upcoming project. Having been involved in similar projects, it's a slow and deliberate process before you can even start digging.

 

[radiofollower]

Between increased noise and interference from all kinds of new technologies as well as increased engine and modern auto infrastructure interference, unless you are listening to a 50K non-directional class "A" or you live within a few miles of the station's transmitter, AM radio is useless.

 

[RadioFixerCLE]

In their "Upon This Rock" winter 2024 publication, the station shared a number of interesting items. Over the next several months, personalities from EWTN and Ave Maria radio will be visiting the Cleveland area. One of WCCR's best programs, "Catholic Answers Live", (Monday-Friday 6pm - 8opm) will have Joe Heschmeyer as one of the keynote speakers at the March 2nd "Catholic Men's Fellowship of Northeast Ohio Annual Men's Conference".
Also in March, tickets to see Raymond Arroyo address the "Bringing America Back To Life Convention" are now available. AM 1260 "The Rock" will have a booth at the event which will occur March 8th and 9th.

Jumping up to April 20th, Tim Staples from "Catholic Answers Live", and his wife, Valerie, will be a part of the annual "Marriage Enrichment Day".

Father Nathan Cromley, CSJ will speak at the "First Friday Club of Cleveland" luncheon on Thursday, June 6th.
___________________________________
WCCR-AM's Executive Director, Bernadette Boguski, writes that "we are growing in numbers of listeners and donations" based on "the new donors during our pledge drives, and the increasing numbers in our database. St. Peter The Rock Media and the staff at WCCR-AM revised their Strategic Plan for the next 3 years. In 2023, WCCR-AM added "A Moment For Your Marriage" (from "Marriages of Grace"), reflections from the 2nd graders at St. Mary-Chardon, about First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Also added were additional versions of the afternoon children's rosary from local Catholic school and more content on the "Wisdom From The Rock" podcast.
__________________________________
FROM THE PHYSICAL PLANT PART OF THINGS... Improvements were made to their soundproofing in the studio. Studio computers, which control
WCCR's programming, were replaced along with the EAS system. So, WCCR-AM 1260 completed the Ohio Association of Broadcasters Inspection Program. Ms. Boguski said, about this: "Thanks to your generous support, we have been able to do all of this!

While I miss the first hour of Kresta's show, the new Deacon Harold show is quite excellent.

 

[skiwest]

Between increased noise and interference from all kinds of new technologies as well as increased engine and modern auto infrastructure interference, unless you are listening to a 50K non-directional class "A" or you live within a few miles of the station's transmitter, AM radio is useless.

At some point in the future, if AM radio still exists, it might be reduced to just the 50kW stations.

 

[snowdog88]

1260's signal is permanently compromised because it has to accommodate WRIE in Erie, which also broadcasts on the same frequency. They'd have to buy WRIE from iHeart, shut it down, and hand in the license.

This map best illustrates why not even moving WWCR's transmitter north from their current Brecksville site would help. Of course it doesn't include adjacent channels on 1270 in Detroit and Marysville, Ohio, or 1250 in Pittsburgh.
View attachment 6613

I think skiwest was referring to transmitter and tower maintenance due to age and deterioration, which is degrading their licensed coverage a bit.

I did a similar analysis a few years ago, and WCCR is essentially stuck where it is at, with no possibility for a power boost. Like you said, not only co-channel WRIE, but the stations on the lower and upper adjacent frequencies would need to be protected as well, so even if WCCR was to rebuild their array, null the signal away from WRIE and boost power, it would likely increase interference on the adjacent frequencies. At this point, their only options are to sign on a FM repeater (unlikely now as all the usable frequencies have been snatched), or come to an agreement with an FM broadcaster and lease out a HD sub.

 

[johnbasalla]

I think skiwest was referring to transmitter and tower maintenance due to age and deterioration, which is degrading their licensed coverage a bit.

I did a similar analysis a few years ago, and WCCR is essentially stuck where it is at, with no possibility for a power boost. Like you said, not only co-channel WRIE, but the stations on the lower and upper adjacent frequencies would need to be protected as well, so even if WCCR was to rebuild their array, null the signal away from WRIE and boost power, it would likely increase interference on the adjacent frequencies. At this point, their only options are to sign on a FM repeater (unlikely now as all the usable frequencies have been snatched), or come to an agreement with an FM broadcaster and lease out a HD sub.

So, the best option is to work to finance, and complete the work on the technical infrastructure to obtain the best signal possible within the legal parameters. An FM repeater is a good idea. Even with the lack of usable frequencies, one never knows what the future might bring. As for all those other affected AM stations on 1250, 1260 and 1270, how many of them are, financially, doing well? WCCR just revised their 3-year plan, so it looks like they're here to stay.

 

[johnbasalla]

While I miss the first hour of Kresta's show, the new Deacon Harold show is quite excellent.

They could pull a WHK and put the first hour of "Kresta In The Afternoon" on at, oh let's say, 10pm. I, too, like Kresta's show. I've purchased a couple of books by authors that he's had on his show. Even if, sometimes, I don't exactly understand what he's talking about, his mode of presentation is always listenable and it's interesting to hear about/from the deep-thinking part of Catholicism.

 

[Rusty Muck]

I think skiwest was referring to transmitter and tower maintenance due to age and deterioration, which is degrading their licensed coverage a bit.

Isn't their site only 35 years old or thereabouts? Aside from WKNR's site in North Royalton, it has to be one of the newest AM sites in the market.

I did a similar analysis a few years ago, and WCCR is essentially stuck where it is at, with no possibility for a power boost. Like you said, not only co-channel WRIE, but the stations on the lower and upper adjacent frequencies would need to be protected as well, so even if WCCR was to rebuild their array, null the signal away from WRIE and boost power, it would likely increase interference on the adjacent frequencies. At this point, their only options are to sign on a FM repeater (unlikely now as all the usable frequencies have been snatched), or come to an agreement with an FM broadcaster and lease out a HD sub.

Pretty much. You can only do so much with what you have, and there's a reason why that frequency has been largely uncompetitive since the old WBBG faded off into the ether.

 

[snowdog88]

Isn't their site only 35 years old or thereabouts? Aside from WKNR's site in North Royalton, it has to be one of the newest AM sites in the market.

From what I've been told, the current Brecksville site dates back to the early 80's when it was originally built as the nighttime transmitter. In the early 90's, ownership moved the daytime site from Seven Hills and combined it with the Brecksville site. This resulted in increasing the daytime power from 5,000 to 10,000 watts, which where it stands today. The Seven Hills site was then decommissioned and the towers removed. In recent years, it has been turned into a small park with walking trails. What is unknown is if that land was retained under the ownership of Divine Mercy (WMIH) or ABC Radio (WWMK) as it remained untouched for over 25 years, other than for maintenance.

I think I recall reading that WCCR did replace their transmitter a year or so ago, but the grounding meshes that radiate from the tower bases need to be replaced, hence the slightly degraded coverage. Reception appears to be the same at my location as it was 20 years ago, at least when I briefly tune in for an analysis.

 

[johnbasalla]

I did receive a call-back courtesy call from WCCR today. I was informed that Al Kresta's "Kresta In The Afternoon" is now available as a one hour program from the network, although he can do a show for a full two hours at his base at Ave Maria Radio in Michigan.
I told WCCR's Executive Director about this site, so maybe someone from the station can chime in on specifics.

 

[snowdog88]

I did receive a call-back courtesy call from WCCR today...I told WCCR's Executive Director about this site, so maybe someone from the station can chime in on specifics.

You got to hand it to WCCR. They are one of only a few stations left that actually publish what's happening behind the scenes, other than personally contacting someone and having them tell you about the details, or eventually finding out for yourself.

 

[CleveRadioInsider]

I like Al Kresta in the afternoon. He has a good informative show. I listen to it online since 1260 only carries the one hour now.