105.7 signal

[raedizzle2008]

Hope this hasn't been beaten-to-death on another thread awhile back by another member(s), but I'm wondering how many of you feel that the signal of WMKS (105.7, the still sorta "new" R&B station in the Triad) is just not as strong and wide-reaching as compared to the old country signal from Statesville, on same dial spot (WFMX)? Since the format switch about this time two years ago on 105.7, the doggone signal, at least to me, really doesn't sound any stronger in most of the Triad (esp. Greensboro), as compared to when it was 'FMX. Heck, it seems to even sound *weaker*, despite the X-mitter move to Sauratown Mountain (closer to the Triad) from Iredell county! I can actually hear it without so much trouble still, but it just doesn't sound as "loud" or whatever, as it used to. (If I had a signal-strength o-meter, that would really put it to the test hehe) I know it also reduced its ERP from 100kw to I think 34 kw..is it trying to protect a co-channel somewhere? I know there's a 105.7 (still country) along the Outer Banks, but I seriously doubt there would be interference being so far apart. I remember riding with someone some years back, around Danville VA.- and I heard 'FMX pretty well, for being far away from it. However, when I went up around there after turning to R&B, 105.7 is virtually non-existant. Just wondering what others' experiences with 105.7 have been...

 

[eacalhoun1]

I hope CC is suffering due to a poor 105.7 signal -- should've never moved 105.7 from Statesville and killed WFMX. (But, I'm not bitter ;D) I was thinking last week that's it's now been 2 years since WFMX passed away.

Eric

 

[carlosswicegood]

Hope this hasn't been beaten-to-death on another thread awhile back by another member(s), but I'm wondering how many of you feel that the signal of WMKS (105.7, the still sorta "new" R&B station in the Triad) is just not as strong and wide-reaching as compared to the old country signal from Statesville, on same dial spot (WFMX)? Since the format switch about this time two years ago on 105.7, the doggone signal, at least to me, really doesn't sound any stronger in most of the Triad (esp. Greensboro), as compared to when it was 'FMX. Heck, it seems to even sound *weaker*, despite the X-mitter move to Sauratown Mountain (closer to the Triad) from Iredell county! I can actually hear it without so much trouble still, but it just doesn't sound as "loud" or whatever, as it used to. (If I had a signal-strength o-meter, that would really put it to the test hehe) I know it also reduced its ERP from 100kw to I think 34 kw..is it trying to protect a co-channel somewhere? I know there's a 105.7 (still country) along the Outer Banks, but I seriously doubt there would be interference being so far apart. I remember riding with someone some years back, around Danville VA.- and I heard 'FMX pretty well, for being far away from it. However, when I went up around there after turning to R&B, 105.7 is virtually non-existant. Just wondering what others' experiences with 105.7 have been...

105.7 is a definate no go for anywhere north or east of Danville VA...very very faint and its only a light "fuzzy" sound when you do hear it. i agree...another signal that CC killed, WMKS is doomed as an R&B. 'QMG has a hold that will be nearly impossibly to take away..

 

[raedizzle2008]

Yup, I know that 'QMG has had (and still does haha) the "stronghold" on the Piedmont Triad R&B radio scene for quite awhile, and 105.7 will just have to live (or die) with that..LOL! Anyways, kinda reminds me of when 94.5 WGBT had tried being "The Beat" to compete with Entercom's urban powerhouse WJMH (102 Jamz). It didn't work and Clear Channel decided, out of desperation, to flip it to "La Preciosa"..which appears to make sense given the growing Hispanic population in the Piedmont. That's at least a format (esp. on FM) not already replicated on another 100kw signal in the market. So, given CC's flop at putting up a station against a well-established Entercom station (94.5 against 102.1), why are they doing it again with 105.7 against 97.1..esp. with a weaker signal to boot? Didn't they learn anything? Guess not ;D

 

[vchimpanzee]

I have no trouble with it. I did when they first moved, but that helped Mix 106.1. That station isn't worth hearing now.

Sometimes I hear some good stuff on Kiss.

 

[RoundMound]

Raedizzle, keep in mind that there is a lot more strategy behind format flips today than just taken' a stab at a new format. 94.5 The Beat turned out to be a successful station ratings wise but the billing didn't catch up with it in time... The best book it had came out a few weeks after the flip to La Preciosa and was extremely good in their 18-34 target demo. I seriously doubt anyone "realistically" at GBT thought they were ever going to overtake Jamz heritage ratings in the short amount of time they were on the air but it's always the goal, realistic or not to deeply cut into or "beat" their billing. It didn't happen quick enough and the timing so happened to coincide with CC's push into the Latino market. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but didn't GBT beat Jamz in a few dayparts 18-34 in their final book? They flipped to La Preciosa in Feb '06 I believe. That didn't turn out to be such a bad move for CC.

Mound

 

[raedizzle2008]

Thanks Mound, for your insight. I figured that "The Beat" wouldn't overtake well-grounded (ratings-wise, for the young adult demo) 102, but I guess taking away even a little bit of the juggernaut's power is better than not trying at all. And you're right, seemed to be around early '06 when CC flipped 94.5 to the current Latino format...personally, I think I understand 94.5 better now than I did when they were playing a lot of crummy watered-down "gangsta" rap songs, LOL! (I speak some, not fluent, Spanish)

 

[vchimpanzee]

Raedizzle, keep in mind that there is a lot more strategy behind format flips today than just taken' a stab at a new format. 94.5 The Beat turned out to be a successful station ratings wise but the billing didn't catch up with it in time... The best book it had came out a few weeks after the flip to La Preciosa and was extremely good in their 18-34 target demo.

I can't believe people 18-34 listen to what I've been hearing on Spanish stations. I know we don't have enough Spanish speakers to support a Top 40 station, but this sounds like old people's music. Sometimes it sounds good.

I especially like when they play tubas.

 

[RoundMound]

I was actually referring to successful "Beat" 18-34's but regardless you are correct that La Preciosa's core seems to fall in the same demo. You are right, it's certainly not the music.... The last I heard, the Triad is roughly 6-8% Latino with the large majority between 18-34 years old. Even though the music targets the older Latino market, even the younger demos tune in because it's the only FM choice...

 

[spacetrucker]

Well they did go from 100,000 watts to 34,000 and moved to a tower on Sauratown Mountain. So depending on where you are the signal probably really sucks.

 

[MisterDaisy]

The signal coverage map can be found here: http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WMKS&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

I'm new to the area, but I'd imagine going from 100kw to 34kw is the main reason for your issues - the other could be differences in sound processing between the new format and the old format... crappy sound processing can make radio sound like its delivered via strings connected to tin cans...

 

[sportsradio12]

Funny this pops up right about 2 year mark of FMX going away.

Your answers to the signal move can be answered by looking at the zip codes within the city grade coverage and the stats of what kind of person lives there. They tried to think it out, unfortunately for them in my opinion, they cut themselves a little short.

 

[berlin201]

Well they did go from 100,000 watts to 34,000 and moved to a tower on Sauratown Mountain. So depending on where you are the signal probably really sucks.

The signal does suck... And, as for any possible interference with the country 105.7 in the Outer Banks, WMKS's signal gets drowned out around here by the K-Love translator on 105.5 out of Wake Forest, much the same way WPAW's 99kW signal fades away the deeper into Raleigh you go (because of WERO Bob 93.3).

 

[JimA]

Why didn't CC just leave WFMX alone in Stateville ? Like the TRIAD really needed them in here

 

[XTalker]

Its all about protecting products in both Greensboro and Charlotte. It was pretty common knowledge that CC had to do one of two things with FMX - sell it or move it! They had too many stations in Charlotte and didn't want to sell it to someone who might be a strong competitor to their other stations. They had room to move it to Greensboro and by killing the country format could protect WTQR. Pretty simple deal in reality.

 

[RoundMound]

chipping away...

QMG Fa '07: 7.5 (12+)
QMG Wi '08: 5.7 (12+)

I'm not saying MKS was directly responsible for this pothole (and evidently not the recipient of these missing listeners), but you have to acknowledge their (MKS's) similarity in format have to give them some credit for this decline.... I'm sure if you dig in, you'll see areas where MKS is chipping away at QMG. MKS Signal may stink but it must cover the necessary HDBA's.

 

[EncSpy]

it also dosen't help that QMG's signal is not-that-great in winston salem because of 97.3..i heard it was worse when their tower was out on east wendover

 

[raedizzle2008]

it also dosen't help that QMG's signal is not-that-great in winston salem because of 97.3..i heard it was worse when their tower was out on east wendover

I remember when 'QMG's tower was out on East Wendover, by their old studios (before they moved out to around PTI). Of course, their signal now is not only kinda hampered to the west by 97.3 but also toward Charlotte (maybe around Lexington?), given there's a 96.9 (country) in Queen City.