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1320 in Allentown

J

John-Summers

Guest
I'm outside the Allentown area and haven't followed this market closely, but I just noticed that 1320 is something like 790 watts in the daytime and about 200 at night. This used to be a 5000 watt station. How and when did this abomination happen? Did they lose a leased transmitter site or something and have to reduce power at some other site? From 5kw to barely-past-the-parking-lot power. How pathetic!
 
I think this array used to be where Circuit City(or is it Best Buy) is now. Wasn't it a 4 or 5 tower deal behind where WZZO is now. I think they lease space at WHOL now in Allentown, and they must be Omni because they were directional at 5kW.
 
you are correct. they whacked the towers down about 10-15 years ago and are leasing from whol's 2 tower array on poplar and colorado streets in allentown city limits.
 
Being in my 50's, I remember the 3 top 40 stations like it were yesterday! WAEB 790, WEEX 1230, and WKAP 1320.

Even back then, at nighttime WKAP just about disappeared in the Easton area, but during the day, it had a fantastic signal.

I wonder if there ever was a time when WKAP gave WAEB any serious competition in the ratings.

One time as a kid I happened to call up and make a request and they just went on nighttime power. The DJ asked me if the station was listenable where I used to live in Easton.
 
I don't know about the ratings back in the '60's, but WKAP used to have a big following among my parents and their friends (all would be in their 80's now if they were alive. I remember the radio on in the house, and Dopey and Paul, Sammy, Lester, Joe, and the rest of the gang would be there, playing the songs my parents enjoyed.

Being a youngster back then, I listened to WAEB or WABC when I listened to the radio. WEEX came in as well at our house between Bath and Nazareth. Tom Douglas is a name which comes to mind. There were others, which I can no longer recall, even tho I eventually spent several years working there. Ahhhhh... memories.
 
I was a WABC-WAEB switcher at spot breaks as a kid too.

And to be honest, I'd rather have an efficient 720 watts omni-directional that 5k directional any day. Too much FCC crap, and high electric bills.
 
You bet WKAP beat WAEB in the ratings!
I was there as music director and night guy for several years in the early to mid 70's, and we bested WAEB in most of the books. Funny, I miss the old battles. I miss my old friends from the valley, which was where I grew up.
"Shotgun" Steve Kelly
now Director of Programming & Operations
Clear Channel, Mississippi
 
plooker said:
I think this array used to be where Circuit City(or is it Best Buy) is now. Wasn't it a 4 or 5 tower deal behind where WZZO is now.
Click to expand...

That's Best Buy... I don't remember 5 towers, perhaps 3. It is indeed a dicey signal in South Whitehall after dark. It would be nice if they carried both the Yankees and the Mets instead of just the Yankees.

Richard in Allentown
 
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