103.1 Birmingham lives once again

[Poledo]

My favorite radio station of all time was Radio 1-2-3, WTKX 1230 AM Pensacola (circa 1990). They were a 1000 watt graveyard free-form punk rock station with DJs live in the studio 24-7. They'd play anything you requested, even a whole CD (or cassette). So I've listened to quite a bit of Alternative Rock on AM radio... no problems... it's the music that matters, not the signal. Like what you hear, go to the show or buy the CD.

I'm also somewhat familiar with KUOM and a couple other college [daytimer] AM's playing mostly alternative music... but those are college stations... good but not the same.

What's weird is Alabama now has Alternative on rather powerful commercial AMs in both Montgomery and Birmingham. If Radio-Locator can be believed, the combined signals cover most of the state... of Alabama! What's next, WOOF-AM in Dothan flipping to Alternative? Maybe WSB, WWL, WLW, or one of the "X" stations will follow... AM's come full circle, put Alternative on the right signals and it would make nighttime AM DX fun again! It's the music that matters, not the signal!

 

[Hotseat]

Are the calls still WERC?

 

[R.D.P.]

Yes AM 960 is still WERC. Just checked it out, yesterday on Mr. Zach's Web Site.

I believe Alternative Rock would work very well in Tuscaloosa. All that needs to be done now is switch one of these stations over to that format and make sure they have an FM counterpart, to help assist their night signal. 1150 AM and/or 1420 AM.

Once the switch took place then use this moniker: WTDE "The Tide" Tuscaloosa's New Rock Alternative and get that voiceover guy from the Gump in Montgomery to do the ID's. He sounds so cool, awesome and very professional.

Personally I would switch 1150 AM over to that format. It has a stronger daytime signal and would stand a better chance of making it, since they have several FM counterparts in T-Town already.

R.D.P. <><

 

[tomservo]

1150 drives the translators in Tuscaloosa so whatever the AM carries, the FMs also have to carry.

Whatever desire there is for alternative in Tuscaloosa is probably met by the college radio station.

 

[Charles1]

So this ends nearly 29 years of news-talk on WERC-AM. The only station that has been in the same format on the same frequency in Birmingham any longer than that is WZZK (ca. 1978, IIRC). Are there any other stations in Alabama who have had the same format for a longer timeframe? Come to think about it, wonder how many current stations anywhere that have had the same format 30+ years? WAMZ in Louisville comes to mind (they went country in '77).

And how many people remember who was the morning host on WERC when they flipped in May '82?

 

[ALRocker]

I think WDJC 93.7 has them beat. I know they've been doing some type of religious programming for a long time. I also think WJLD has been doing black programming for a long time also. Someone may chime in with the dates.

 

[Charles1]

How could I forget 'DJC or 'JLD? And even WATV? The only points I might make about 'JLD and 'ATV is that they have both segued from current R & B to classic R & B.

 

[ALRocker]

I forgot about ATV, too. Another thing, even though they want to be known as a FM station, it would be cool to go back to the 96-ERC slogan.

 

[passtheword]

I think WDJC 93.7 has them beat. I know they've been doing some type of religious programming for a long time. I also think WJLD has been doing black programming for a long time also. Someone may chime in with the dates.

WDJC has been on the air since 1968 so it would most likely be the longest running format on Birmingham radio, although the Christian programming has changed over the years. Don't forget WBHM in that list of stations with long format histories. They have been public radio since '76...I think.

I forgot about ATV, too. Another thing, even though they want to be known as a FM station, it would be cool to go back to the 96-ERC slogan.

hey, just tell CC to scrap "Magic" and move WERC-FM down to 96.5 and...there ya go... "96-ERC",
Or put the talk back on 960 and 96.5 and bill them together as "96-ERC".

Which leads to the next question: Does anyone think that WERC-AM will continue simulcasting with the FM, or will they eventually bring in a new format for 960? Yeah, they have to rebroadcast one of the stations in order to keep the 103.1 translator within the rules (of not being allowed to originate programming). CC could still use WQEN HD2 to originate "The Vulcan" and rebroadcast it on 103.1. Anyone know if WQEN HD2 is still simulcating with 960 and 103.1 or have they parted ways since the "Vulcan" debuted?

 

[rtc]

Yes,they are still on the HD_2.

 

[tomservo]

I'm just trying to understand why CC would flip 960 when the HD-2 channel is enough. The 960/105.5 pairing were complimentary to a degree since the FM is so (relatively) weak.

If they honestly believe the AM is a good pairing to the translator to fill in its even weaker signal, then they could have left the HD-2 alone.

When all the signals are originating from just a few miles apart, there is no logical reason for a trimulcast.

 

[Nate Wesley]

I'm just trying to understand why CC would flip 960 when the HD-2 channel is enough. The 960/105.5 pairing were complimentary to a degree since the FM is so (relatively) weak.

By the same logic, I think it makes more sense with the translator @ 103.1 is concerned, right? At least then you could goad the talk radio folks into buying the HD radios.

IMO, the ideal way to promote this sort of translator/AM pairing would be "103.1 in your car, radio 960 at your house".

 

[passtheword]

I'm just trying to understand why CC would flip 960 when the HD-2 channel is enough. The 960/105.5 pairing were complimentary to a degree since the FM is so (relatively) weak.

By the same logic, I think it makes more sense with the translator @ 103.1 is concerned, right? At least then you could goad the talk radio folks into buying the HD radios.

IMO, the ideal way to promote this sort of translator/AM pairing would be "103.1 in your car, radio 960 at your house".

That might not be a bad idea, as the signal already seems to be an issue. There are numerous complaints regarding the FM signal from people joining the station's facebook page, many of which are from people listening outside of Jefferson county. Seems like every 4th or 5th comment has to do with inquiring about the signal strength and whether it can be improved (or just stating the signal is poor where they live).

 

[rtech]

I'm just trying to understand why CC would flip 960 when the HD-2 channel is enough. The 960/105.5 pairing were complimentary to a degree since the FM is so (relatively) weak.

If they honestly believe the AM is a good pairing to the translator to fill in its even weaker signal, then they could have left the HD-2 alone.

When all the signals are originating from just a few miles apart, there is no logical reason for a trimulcast.

It all has to do with the ratings. Arbitron does not list translators. The HD channel of 102.5 will be credited to the main channel of 102.5. They are trying to get 103.1 listed in the book and the only way is to associate with an existing station. In their minds, 960 is no longer needed by 105.5, so it makes perfect sense to use it.

Their is one problem to this. The 60 dbu signal of the translator exceeds 960's 2 mv/m contour at some point. This is in violation of the FCC rules concerning translators and existing stations. The only way to get around this is to use one of their existing HD channels.

The HD channel contour is measured by the main channel contour. since the translator is on the same tower as 102.5, and running only 250 watts, there is no way that it will exceed the contour of the full power 102.5 main channel.

One issue that may come up is that the ratings (and I doubt it will be a large number) may be credited to WERC. They may have to change the call letters of 960 to straighten this mess out.

 

[tomservo]

I don't think that's the case, rtech. There's a dance station up in Baltimore that is on a translator and showed up in the ratings, and it's only on an HD-2. The HD-2 feed got the credit. If the Vulcan shows up, it could be listed as WQEN HD-2.

 

[passtheword]

It all has to do with the ratings. Arbitron does not list translators. The HD channel of 102.5 will be credited to the main channel of 102.5. They are trying to get 103.1 listed in the book and the only way is to associate with an existing station. In their minds, 960 is no longer needed by 105.5, so it makes perfect sense to use it.

I can see why Clear Channel might believe it's ok to scrap the AM from the simulcast, but I question whether that is going to be advantageous for them to do so in the long run. There are some people who were still listening to WERC-AM, even though the programming has been on FM for a couple of years. I would surmise that some of those listeners cannot receive the FM with any regularity. My dad, who is a long time WERC listener, has continued to listen to the AM since WERC-FM debuted. He and I were having a discussion about a week ago about the AM airing the Vulcan format. He travels quite a bit for work, which takes him out of WERC-FM's coverage area, so he usually listens to the AM. Obviously, he wasn't happy with Clear Channel's decision to drop the simulcast with WERC-FM and begin the simulcast with the "Vulcan"...as he puts it, Clear Channel is "ruining the (AM) station and cannibalizing it". I remember seeing a comment a few days ago on al.com from one of the former WERC-AM listeners. He/she had mentioned they were, too, unable to listen to WERC-FM, as they were outside the station's coverage area and had begun listening to WAPI once the plug was pulled on the WERC-AM/FM simulcast. So, the question is...how many of WERC-AM's listeners, those who are unable to receive WERC-FM, will "abandon ship" for WAPI? That, I believe, is one of the negatives that Clear Channel might not have given serious thought when they made the decision to drop the AM simulcast. I know Arbitron previously combined the WERC-AM and FM numbers, so the percentage of those who were AM listeners might have been trivial. Still, it ought to give Clear Channel pause as to what the ramifications of dropping WERC-AM out of the simulcast might be.

One issue that may come up is that the ratings (and I doubt it will be a large number) may be credited to WERC. They may have to change the call letters of 960 to straighten this mess out.

I had thought about that as well, that the AM may eventually have to change the calls, so as to avoid giving credit to WERC-FM. The station could use the previous WVVB calls if they are still available. I doubt the AM ratings will be of any magnitude, as many of the Vulcan listeners either do not know WERC-AM is simulcasting with the Vulcan, or they just don't care to listen to it, given it's AM radio. The ratings as a whole (for all three broadcasts: WERC-AM, W276BQ, and WQEN HD2) might not bare a whole lot of fruit, anyway. The coverage area for the translator is barely getting outside of Jefferson county which will hinder it immensely IMO in trying to compete with the other Birmingham stations. And as far as WQEN HD2, how many listeners are even aware of HD radio, actually own one, or feel its worthwhile to spend money to be able to hear the broadcasts?

 

[Kent]

Their is one problem to this. The 60 dbu signal of the translator exceeds 960's 2 mv/m contour at some point. This is in violation of the FCC rules concerning translators and existing stations. The only way to get around this is to use one of their existing HD channels.

Are you sure about this? I believe that is the case with the nighttime signal, which has a null to the north/northeast, but the daytime signal is a straight circle and should put a primary signal well beyond that of the translator. I seem to remember that FCC rules require the protected contour of the translator to be solely within the daytime signal contour.

 

[Kent]

I can see why Clear Channel might believe it's ok to scrap the AM from the simulcast, but I question whether that is going to be advantageous for them to do so in the long run. There are some people who were still listening to WERC-AM, even though the programming has been on FM for a couple of years. I would surmise that some of those listeners cannot receive the FM with any regularity. My dad, who is a long time WERC listener, has continued to listen to the AM since WERC-FM debuted. He and I were having a discussion about a week ago about the AM airing the Vulcan format. He travels quite a bit for work, which takes him out of WERC-FM's coverage area, so he usually listens to the AM. Obviously, he wasn't happy with Clear Channel's decision to drop the simulcast with WERC-FM and begin the simulcast with the "Vulcan"...as he puts it, Clear Channel is "ruining the (AM) station and cannibalizing it". I remember seeing a comment a few days ago on al.com from one of the former WERC-AM listeners. He/she had mentioned they were, too, unable to listen to WERC-FM, as they were outside the station's coverage area and had begun listening to WAPI once the plug was pulled on the WERC-AM/FM simulcast. So, the question is...how many of WERC-AM's listeners, those who are unable to receive WERC-FM, will "abandon ship" for WAPI? That, I believe, is one of the negatives that Clear Channel might not have given serious thought when they made the decision to drop the AM simulcast. I know Arbitron previously combined the WERC-AM and FM numbers, so the percentage of those who were AM listeners might have been trivial. Still, it ought to give Clear Channel pause as to what the ramifications of dropping WERC-AM out of the simulcast might be.

How old is your dad? I suspect he's 55+, which means Clear Channel probably doesn't care what he thinks. The whole purpose for getting the FM simulcast was so WERC could reach a younger audience. While people my age can remember our parents listening to music on AM, none of us ever really got into the habit of punching the AM button to get much of anything. As a result, we don't think to check there. People my sister's age don't even know AM exists let alone look to it for much of anything, and she's been in the 25-54 age group for a couple of years now.

I had thought about that as well, that the AM may eventually have to change the calls, so as to avoid giving credit to WERC-FM. The station could use the previous WVVB calls if they are still available. I doubt the AM ratings will be of any magnitude, as many of the Vulcan listeners either do not know WERC-AM is simulcasting with the Vulcan, or they just don't care to listen to it, given it's AM radio. The ratings as a whole (for all three broadcasts: WERC-AM, W276BQ, and WQEN HD2) might not bare a whole lot of fruit, anyway. The coverage area for the translator is barely getting outside of Jefferson county which will hinder it immensely IMO in trying to compete with the other Birmingham stations. And as far as WQEN HD2, how many listeners are even aware of HD radio, actually own one, or feel its worthwhile to spend money to be able to hear the broadcasts?

If the AM changes calls, it won't matter. Under the diary method, if 960 were to pick up the WVVB calls, mentions of "WERC AM" would still go to 960 for a certain amount of time after the change. Of course, once PPM hits, it won't be an issue at all. I'm not sure what the significance of simulcasting the Vulcan on AM is. It doesn't make much sense to me either.

 

[tomservo]

I can see why Clear Channel might believe it's ok to scrap the AM from the simulcast, but I question whether that is going to be advantageous for them to do so in the long run. There are some people who were still listening to WERC-AM, even though the programming has been on FM for a couple of years. I would surmise that some of those listeners cannot receive the FM with any regularity. My dad, who is a long time WERC listener, has continued to listen to the AM since WERC-FM debuted. He and I were having a discussion about a week ago about the AM airing the Vulcan format. He travels quite a bit for work, which takes him out of WERC-FM's coverage area, so he usually listens to the AM. Obviously, he wasn't happy with Clear Channel's decision to drop the simulcast with WERC-FM and begin the simulcast with the "Vulcan"...as he puts it, Clear Channel is "ruining the (AM) station and cannibalizing it". I remember seeing a comment a few days ago on al.com from one of the former WERC-AM listeners. He/she had mentioned they were, too, unable to listen to WERC-FM, as they were outside the station's coverage area and had begun listening to WAPI once the plug was pulled on the WERC-AM/FM simulcast. So, the question is...how many of WERC-AM's listeners, those who are unable to receive WERC-FM, will "abandon ship" for WAPI? That, I believe, is one of the negatives that Clear Channel might not have given serious thought when they made the decision to drop the AM simulcast. I know Arbitron previously combined the WERC-AM and FM numbers, so the percentage of those who were AM listeners might have been trivial. Still, it ought to give Clear Channel pause as to what the ramifications of dropping WERC-AM out of the simulcast might be.

You're right about no one knowing about HD radio. And if it were up to me, I'd have left the HD-2 feed alone and just flipped WERC-AM. But then after re-reading rtech's post I finally understand what he is saying about the 2mv/m contour, so the HD-2 must be necessary.

As far as losing AM listeners, I can understand why that isn't a concern for Clear Channel. The core audience in the Jefferson-Shelby metro all listen on FM. Fringe listeners to the west can find a similar lineup on another CC station at 105.9 FM. And WAAX 570 in Gadsden is still a CC talk station too if I remember correctly. And WAAX covers a LOT of ground.

The only big loss I can see is from areas north of Warrior like Blountsville and Cullman, where the FM is weak and the Huntsville talkers don't quite make it. Well, WVNN should during the day, but that's not a CC station, WHOS 840 is, with its paltry 1 kW. Also to the south, there's Montgomery and I don't think any of the talk stations down that way are CC-owned and they certainly don't reach Clanton or points north. WMRK is a dog once you hit Chilton County due to 1st adjacent WUHT.

 

[Hotseat]

I listen to a walkman (remember that) driving into B'ham while the wife has the country CD's playing (ick). Once I get past 459 (driving north), I lose 100.5 and 105.5 to interference. To me in town, 960 and 1070 did just fine.