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104.1 FM in DC: They must move the transmitter to get better signal coverage

J

Jul

Guest
104.1 FM must move its transmitter to get better signal coverage in the DC area because right now, the current signal is not getting it done. That's the reason WGMS-FM after 60 years folded because of the signal problems on 104.1 FM. See for yourself: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WGMS&service=FM&status=L&hours=U . Bonnieville should have got permisson from the FCC to move the 104.1 stick to somewhere else for better area for signal coverage in the city and the metro area before moving WTOP to FM last year.
 
You make it sound so simple. Classical failed because...it's classical. If Bonneville could move 104.1 further into DC, don't you think they would have done it years ago?
 
I don't think you can classify WGMS as a failure. I would be very surprised if anything Bonneville sticks on that frequency brings in anything close to the ratings that WGMS had.

WGMS was one of the only terrestrial stations I listened to, since going to Sirius several years ago.
 
atlwxman said:
I don't think you can classify WGMS as a failure. I would be very surprised if anything Bonneville sticks on that frequency brings in anything close to the ratings that WGMS had.

WGMS was one of the only terrestrial stations I listened to, since going to Sirius several years ago.
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In my opinion, it failed because of the poor signal on 104.1 FM, if WGMS stayed on 103.5 FM, this whole thing would have not happened.
 
Julius May said:
104.1 FM must move its transmitter to get better signal coverage in the DC area because right now, the current signal is not getting it done. .
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104.1 is where it is probably because it can't be moved any closer to the following:
Baltimore's 104.3,
Harrisburg's 104.1,
Braddock Heights' 103.9, or
Berlin's 103.9

...without interfering with their signals. Them's the rules. One can't just pick up & move transmitters.

Richard in Allentown, pa (ex-Lutherville)
 
Julius May said:
In my opinion, it failed because of the poor signal on 104.1 FM, if WGMS stayed on 103.5 FM, this whole thing would have not happened.
Click to expand...

Incomplete analysis, IMHO. Blame the loss of WGMS on these demographic trends:

1. AM radio overall is dying. Bonneville wanted to improve access to WTOP news and move them to a signal that would be strongly received across the entire DC market.

2. Washington is expanding to the southwest. That's why Bonneville wanted to put its big moneymaker, WTOP, specifically on the 103.5 signal.

3. We classical listeners are getting older. We are a less attractive advertising audience.

4. There are tons of "alternate delivery methods" (webcast, satellite, subscription services) for decent classical music.

Richard in Allentown
 
This argument is moot. Radio One will purchase 104.1 and go Black Gospel. I suggest you all find other signals to move.

Thank you, have a nice day :-X
 
After spending the last few days in and around the District listening to the new "George FM", I'm not entirely sure a xmtr move is needed-as a previous post pointed out they're hemmed in pretty tight and any move would be next to impossible. The 104.1 signal (licensed to, IIRC, Waldorf) was rock-solid for me everywhere I went, even as far out Arlington VA and the Udvar-Hazy museum in full stereo. It does extremely well for a rimshot. BTW, the HD feed sounded great. You guys have excellent HD signals out here.
My question is this...as someone who's seen this kind of thing before, this sounds like it could be a "caretaker" format for Bonneville...no spots or jocks to deal with, and with station prices still high I wonder if Bonneville will be hanging out a "for sale" sign on this stick and its simulcast partner. A previous post mentioned Radio One. Is that speculation or is there anything to it? They pulled the plug on Gospel in Boston very quickly.

In Boston the Classical format went from a full-market, albeit Class A stick to a Lowell MA-licensed rimshotter with mediocre Boston coverage but excellent signal in the affluent North Shore and Southern NH areas. Hasn't seemed to affect its' ratings or billing from what I'm told.
 
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