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1180 makes its debut

If I'm not mistaken the 1180 AM in Cuba is Radio Rebelde or something like that. I've heard that it has run up to 200,000 watts. I'm not sure if it still does, but that was what I heard from someone at WJNT in Jackson. WJNT AM cuts to 500 watts directional and can barely be picked up in Brandon which is only a couple miles from the WJNT transmitter due to the Cubans. The FM is also 500 watts and covers most of Jackson at night. The only time the FM has been on the air during the day is when the AM station is off the air for repairs.
 
Zach said:
Isn't the WJNT-FM thing the only one of its kind in the US? It's certainly the only case of a FM nighttime only STA that I know of.
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There is one other one, the one here in Nashville Michael mentioned. (authorized for the same reason, Cuban interference)

It may show up in the FCC DB as just 50 kW but something tells me they're running a lot more power.
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Don't remember where I read it but my information is Radio Marti is 100kw.
 
I am trying to figure out why this is such a hot topic. After all, who listens to AM radio anymore except 65+ personns.

AM is DOA, FM is not far behind and Pandora is rocking the house.

AM might be viable in bucksnort, tn where no other signals get into the valley, but geez.

I don't think radio jobs are coming back, corporate is still searching for ways to cut more people. Ask the folks at Cumulus.
 
jharmon said:
I am trying to figure out why this is such a hot topic. After all, who listens to AM radio anymore except 65+ personns.

AM is DOA, FM is not far behind and Pandora is rocking the house.

AM might be viable in bucksnort, tn where no other signals get into the valley, but geez.

I don't think radio jobs are coming back, corporate is still searching for ways to cut more people. Ask the folks at Cumulus.
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Not exactly. Memphis has two AM stations in the Top 10, both with 5-7 shares over the past few years. One, WDIA, has several format compeititors on FM.
 
radiosaur said:
jharmon said:
I am trying to figure out why this is such a hot topic. After all, who listens to AM radio anymore except 65+ personns.

AM is DOA, FM is not far behind and Pandora is rocking the house.

AM might be viable in bucksnort, tn where no other signals get into the valley, but geez.

I don't think radio jobs are coming back, corporate is still searching for ways to cut more people. Ask the folks at Cumulus.
Click to expand...


Not exactly. Memphis has two AM stations in the Top 10, both with 5-7 shares over the past few years. One, WDIA, has several format compeititors on FM.
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I know the 12+ numbers are technically meaningless (which is why they're given out for free) but hasn't WDIA been #1 12+ off and on a few times in the last few years?
 
jharmon said:
I am trying to figure out why this is such a hot topic. After all, who listens to AM radio anymore except 65+ personns.

AM is DOA, FM is not far behind and Pandora is rocking the house.

AM might be viable in bucksnort, tn where no other signals get into the valley, but geez.

I don't think radio jobs are coming back, corporate is still searching for ways to cut more people. Ask the folks at Cumulus.
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That is GREAT news! Hey, if someone wants to give me one of their worthless AM stations to goof around with, that no one is listening to anyway... Bring it on baby!
 
Good luck with the tower maintenance, power bills, transmitter maintenance, FCC fees and a few other little obstacles to financial survival.
 
And good luck to you, too, JB!
 
Well, I can answer one of the questions put forth on this thread…

8 PM tonight, just north of Arlington WPLX was fully quieting my truck radio with only a small bit of chatter in the background.

...with 26 watts and a null to the northeast? from Arkansas?

Um…..yeah. Sure.
 
It's call a [post sunset authority) former daytimers were granted these licenses starting back in the 80's ...here in Jonesboro for example, KNEA-AM (970) is 100 watts daytime and at local sunset goes to a whopping 47 watts! I tried picking up their signal in the middle of downtown one night and I could hardly hear it at all.
 
thatonegirl said:
What exactly happens if it isnt on 26 watts? I never really understood the reason AM radio stations turn down the wattage at night.
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Long story short, if an AM station is required to reduce power at night and doesn't, it can inflict interference on other stations in other parts of the country.

The reason for this is signals in the AM band travel further at night than they do in the day because of changes in the Earth's ionosphere. This is why a station like WSM in Nashville may only cover the central part of Tennessee during the day, but can cover half the country at night.

Some stations like WSM are "clear channels" (not related to the company of the same name) that have a protected status and very few other stations on those frequencies remain on air all night. The rest of them — the vast majority — have to lower power like 1180 does.

The lower power levels are calculated in some way, but that's beyond my little bit of knowledge. I'm sure someone else here can explain all that technical stuff. :)
 
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