100.3 translator finally on the air?

[Rrrrzzzz419]

yes and yes (and yes). i guess my point (and some of the earlier points of this post) is a large argument was said that translators and LPFM stations "eat away" at the coverage (and revenue) of full power FM stations. Those are two good examples up here in North Alabama where it is true - - and earlier in the post, examples where it is true in Mobile (where i went to college). Haven't listened to much WDRM but thought it made it at least to Warrior....maybe not.

But yes, WQLT used to certainly make it to Birmingham - IF you were on higher terrain.

Mrjay, I agree 100% with your point that LPFMs and Translators eat away Full Power FM coverage. Yes, In my experience WDRM can make it to Warrior, but almost unlistenable after Dodge City/ Good Hope. And WQLT I at least thought could make it to Dodge city/ Good hope but almost unlistenable after Cullman. Do you think WQLT used to make it to Anniston. I heard that you could pick up almost to Anniston before Bham Mountain Radio got 107.3, I also heard WRSA now Mix 96.9 also used to could make it almost to Anniston as well. Didn't KZ 106.5 used to make to it Huntsville before 106.5 KISS FM launched also? I also heard Z 98.5 out of Tupelo MS possibly got picked up in Huntsville once but I don't know if that is true or not?

 

[tomservo]

The crazy thing about all this is all of these translators are operating as a secondary service to the full power FMs. And even though they're all outside the so-called "protected contour" (60dBu here) they could all be shut down if enough people were to complain about losing access to some full power station. Precedent has apparently been set now that even outside a station's primary coverage area or metro, they are entitled to protection. This happened a few years ago in Detroit, if I remember correctly. Someone put on a translator in the suburbs of Detroit and people complained they couldn't hear a co-channel station from Toledo, despite the fact that the Toledo station did not come close to putting a primary protected contour signal into the area where the complaints were. So the translator was forced to shut down.

 

[Rrrrzzzz419]

The crazy thing about all this is all of these translators are operating as a secondary service to the full power FMs. And even though they're all outside the so-called "protected contour" (60dBu here) they could all be shut down if enough people were to complain about losing access to some full power station. Precedent has apparently been set now that even outside a station's primary coverage area or metro, they are entitled to protection. This happened a few years ago in Detroit, if I remember correctly. Someone put on a translator in the suburbs of Detroit and people complained they couldn't hear a co-channel station from Toledo, despite the fact that the Toledo station did not come close to putting a primary protected contour signal into the area where the complaints were. So the translator was forced to shut down.

Mrjay, I have wondered ever since you launched Live 95.5 In Cullman what effect it had on 95.7 Jamz' signal in that area. Can the HD still be picked up? Does Jamz come in at all in Cullman Anymore?

 

[mrjay]

honestly i've never had any interest in jamz so i've done little more than just flip around a bit to see if there was any bleedover from 95.5 ; i believe 95.7 still comes in good pretty much in this whole area. on the south of town 95.3 comes in pretty good from oneonta (also a translator). i happened to be in blountsville yesterday and although very staticy i was able to hear live 95.5 when parked at just the right location (often like being parked at a red light and moving just a bit to clear up a distant FM station).

i have an HD radio so i'll see what it does or doesn't do when i get a chance and report back - i know 97.3's HD comes in the best of any of them and it's still pretty weak in a lot of areas.

 

[Rrrrzzzz419]

honestly i've never had any interest in jamz so i've done little more than just flip around a bit to see if there was any bleedover from 95.5 ; i believe 95.7 still comes in good pretty much in this whole area. on the south of town 95.3 comes in pretty good from oneonta (also a translator). i happened to be in blountsville yesterday and although very staticy i was able to hear live 95.5 when parked at just the right location (often like being parked at a red light and moving just a bit to clear up a distant FM station).

i have an HD radio so i'll see what it does or doesn't do when i get a chance and report back - i know 97.3's HD comes in the best of any of them and it's still pretty weak in a lot of areas.

The last time I was in Birmingham 102.5's HD signal came in best, from Hartselle all the way to Birmingham, Followed By 93.7. 103.7 and 97.3 's were probably next best but didn't come in till around Cullman. 101.1's HD Signal Can be heard in Athens, but by the time you hit Birmingham, it's completely gone, but they also broadcast on 93.7 HD 3 so you could still here their HD signal on the channel.

 

[tomservo]

I may have asked this before, but what HD radios are you guys using? All I have at my disposal is the previous-gen Insignia portable. Due to how easily it can be overloaded it doesn't work well in the car in urban areas. Every time I've used it in Birmingham I pretty much lose the ability to decode HD anywhere within eyesight of the downtown transmitters. That includes Homewood, Shades Mountain, etc. And of course with the headphone cable acting as the antenna, it's greatly attenuated in the car so rural HD reception is nigh on impossible. I appreciate the reception reports from those with better radios. Sounds like the system works a bit better with a good car radio than what I have. I'd like to swap out my car's headunit for an HD unit but I would also have to replace the amplified antenna first, which would require me to drop the headline. It's one piece and has to come out the back hatch, and frankly it's just not worth the effort for how little I listen to radio anymore.

For analog only, the Insignia really works about as good as the OEM stereo did when the antenna was functional.

 

[Rrrrzzzz419]

I may have asked this before, but what HD radios are you guys using? All I have at my disposal is the previous-gen Insignia portable. Due to how easily it can be overloaded it doesn't work well in the car in urban areas. Every time I've used it in Birmingham I pretty much lose the ability to decode HD anywhere within eyesight of the downtown transmitters. That includes Homewood, Shades Mountain, etc. And of course with the headphone cable acting as the antenna, it's greatly attenuated in the car so rural HD reception is nigh on impossible. I appreciate the reception reports from those with better radios. Sounds like the system works a bit better with a good car radio than what I have. I'd like to swap out my car's headunit for an HD unit but I would also have to replace the amplified antenna first, which would require me to drop the headline. It's one piece and has to come out the back hatch, and frankly it's just not worth the effort for how little I listen to radio anymore.

For analog only, the Insignia really works about as good as the OEM stereo did when the antenna was functional.

I am using an insignia Walkman. I don't know if yours is the Walkman, Tabletop, Or What, Mine works pretty well with HD but not as good with analog. Also, the one I was using ( I have two different models) has the antenna built into it.

 

[Rrrrzzzz419]

I may have asked this before, but what HD radios are you guys using? All I have at my disposal is the previous-gen Insignia portable. Due to how easily it can be overloaded it doesn't work well in the car in urban areas. Every time I've used it in Birmingham I pretty much lose the ability to decode HD anywhere within eyesight of the downtown transmitters. That includes Homewood, Shades Mountain, etc. And of course with the headphone cable acting as the antenna, it's greatly attenuated in the car so rural HD reception is nigh on impossible. I appreciate the reception reports from those with better radios. Sounds like the system works a bit better with a good car radio than what I have. I'd like to swap out my car's headunit for an HD unit but I would also have to replace the amplified antenna first, which would require me to drop the headline. It's one piece and has to come out the back hatch, and frankly it's just not worth the effort for how little I listen to radio anymore.

For analog only, the Insignia really works about as good as the OEM stereo did when the antenna was functional.

I'm using an Insignia Walkman. I have a radio question. A year or two back I heard Christian music on 91.3 in Memphis TN it was really bad and I thought it was WFIX out of Florence AL could this be true?

 

[tomservo]

I am using an insignia Walkman. I don't know if yours is the Walkman, Tabletop, Or What, Mine works pretty well with HD but not as good with analog. Also, the one I was using ( I have two different models) has the antenna built into it.

It's the Walkman/portable. I have two of the older models, with the black body and gray buttons. The oldest model I bought in Memphis and it was defective out of the box. The analog was just completely wiped out by even moderately strong RF, but it's a real barn burner on HD and will stay locked to signals that the newer model can't even detect. I reckon it was sent out of the factory a wee bit too hot, but it works great for HD. The second model has a newer software version and works superbly on analog but the HD is tricky.

There's obviously some major differences in the software between the two because the old 'hot' model will decode my local WDLT-FM on 104.1 with no problem, while the newer one says it's locked but never actually decodes the digital. The RDS also works better on the old model. The new one blanks the screen between data bits, rendering the ability to read scrolling text almost impossible.

I'm using an Insignia Walkman. I have a radio question. A year or two back I heard Christian music on 91.3 in Memphis TN it was really bad and I thought it was WFIX out of Florence AL could this be true?

It's certainly possible, it's the closest station, geographically to Memphis. There's another 100 kW station on 91.3 just outside of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, too, though that's also religious programming. So it could have been either one, I suppose. Either way it was a catch since Memphis has its public radio station on 91.1!

If I had to guess I'd go with the Poplar Bluff station. The flat Mississippi river delta really lets AM and FM signals travel and all the big Memphis stations are strong well up into the bootheel.

 

[Rrrrzzzz419]

It's the Walkman/portable. I have two of the older models, with the black body and gray buttons. The oldest model I bought in Memphis and it was defective out of the box. The analog was just completely wiped out by even moderately strong RF, but it's a real barn burner on HD and will stay locked to signals that the newer model can't even detect. I reckon it was sent out of the factory a wee bit too hot, but it works great for HD. The second model has a newer software version and works superbly on analog but the HD is tricky.

There's obviously some major differences in the software between the two because the old 'hot' model will decode my local WDLT-FM on 104.1 with no problem, while the newer one says it's locked but never actually decodes the digital. The RDS also works better on the old model. The new one blanks the screen between data bits, rendering the ability to read scrolling text almost impossible.



It's certainly possible, it's the closest station, geographically to Memphis. There's another 100 kW station on 91.3 just outside of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, too, though that's also religious programming. So it could have been either one, I suppose. Either way it was a catch since Memphis has its public radio station on 91.1!

If I had to guess I'd go with the Poplar Bluff station. The flat Mississippi river delta really lets AM and FM signals travel and all the big Memphis stations are strong well up into the bootheel.

I posted this under Memphis and they seemed to think Fix so I think I will go with that one ( my first thought).

 

[Rrrrzzzz419]

It's the Walkman/portable. I have two of the older models, with the black body and gray buttons. The oldest model I bought in Memphis and it was defective out of the box. The analog was just completely wiped out by even moderately strong RF, but it's a real barn burner on HD and will stay locked to signals that the newer model can't even detect. I reckon it was sent out of the factory a wee bit too hot, but it works great for HD. The second model has a newer software version and works superbly on analog but the HD is tricky.

There's obviously some major differences in the software between the two because the old 'hot' model will decode my local WDLT-FM on 104.1 with no problem, while the newer one says it's locked but never actually decodes the digital. The RDS also works better on the old model. The new one blanks the screen between data bits, rendering the ability to read scrolling text almost impossible.



It's certainly possible, it's the closest station, geographically to Memphis. There's another 100 kW station on 91.3 just outside of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, too, though that's also religious programming. So it could have been either one, I suppose. Either way it was a catch since Memphis has its public radio station on 91.1!

If I had to guess I'd go with the Poplar Bluff station. The flat Mississippi river delta really lets AM and FM signals travel and all the big Memphis stations are strong well up into the bootheel.

Also they were playing Christian Contemp. So another reason to go with Fix.

 

[Rrrrzzzz419]

It's the Walkman/portable. I have two of the older models, with the black body and gray buttons. The oldest model I bought in Memphis and it was defective out of the box. The analog was just completely wiped out by even moderately strong RF, but it's a real barn burner on HD and will stay locked to signals that the newer model can't even detect. I reckon it was sent out of the factory a wee bit too hot, but it works great for HD. The second model has a newer software version and works superbly on analog but the HD is tricky.

There's obviously some major differences in the software between the two because the old 'hot' model will decode my local WDLT-FM on 104.1 with no problem, while the newer one says it's locked but never actually decodes the digital. The RDS also works better on the old model. The new one blanks the screen between data bits, rendering the ability to read scrolling text almost impossible.



It's certainly possible, it's the closest station, geographically to Memphis. There's another 100 kW station on 91.3 just outside of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, too, though that's also religious programming. So it could have been either one, I suppose. Either way it was a catch since Memphis has its public radio station on 91.1!

If I had to guess I'd go with the Poplar Bluff station. The flat Mississippi river delta really lets AM and FM signals travel and all the big Memphis stations are strong well up into the bootheel.

Not to be post a lot but it may have ID' as the fix now that I recall but my brain may be messing with me since this happened over two years ago. Impressive since a 91.1 is out of Memphis but it only came in, in one spot so maybe not so much.

 

[tomservo]

Not to be post a lot but it may have ID' as the fix now that I recall but my brain may be messing with me since this happened over two years ago. Impressive since a 91.1 is out of Memphis but it only came in, in one spot so maybe not so much.

Hey, at least somebody is posting in this ghost town.

What really makes a catch like that impressive to me is that most of the Memphis FMs are located on the far east side of town… Up near Wolfchase Galleria and the I-40/240 interchange and points north and south. So you're already at a distance disadvantage for signals coming from the east.

 

[Groove1670]

Is 100.3 back on. It was off a few days last week?

 

[tomservo]

Is 100.3 back on. It was off a few days last week?

Hmm. Looks like it's off. I just checked.

 

[Groove1670]

I usually listen to it when I am traveling back from Livingston. A break from that rock and roll music

 

[Rrrrzzzz419]

I posted some updates for you on the 540 AM page on the Mobile Thread just in case you didn't see you. I also like the idea of a separate page for the Shoals considering Dothan has its on page.
Take a look at the updates if you want and maybe they will be of help to you.

 

[Groove1670]

Back on the air at new site. Format:Fun radio (Beadh radio). Feed was going in and out. Signal was improved with the new site in the city.

 

[tomservo]

I'll have to check it out. Last I heard it was still smooth jazz, and it was on three different HD signals.

The translator is definitely getting out pretty well, I still hear it in Foley, albeit very weakly.

 

[Radio_Alex_1990]

I'll have to check it out. Last I heard it was still smooth jazz, and it was on three different HD signals.

The translator is definitely getting out pretty well, I still hear it in Foley, albeit very weakly.

iHeart HD2 Updates for Mobile are:

WKSJ-FM HD2 - Smooth Jazz
WRKH-FM HD2 - News Talk/WNTM-AM
WMXC-FM HD2 - Uncertain*

*Uncertain because the past few days the format has changed. I thought it was Beach Radio like you said above but it was Slippery When Wet format this morning. yesteday, they were playing Gospel music...so who knows, what's up?!? Maybe they are doing a format shuffle for the time being before they pick out the final one but I know this, the PD of WMXC has confirmed that there will be a new format for WMXC HD2.

If you ask me, I don't understand why they moved Smooth Jazz to 94.9 HD2 and put a new format on 99.9-2? I wonder what they will do with WRGV-FM HD2? Right now, thats a total of TWO Smooth Jazz HD2 channels within the Mobile-Pensacola listening area.