• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

1530/1660 - when will one go off

O

otherradioboy

Guest
If I'm not mistaken, 1660AM was licensed so that 1530, a strict daytimer, could get nighttime coverage. Wasn't the original rule that one of the stations needed to go dark in 5 years? It's LOOOONG past that time.

I thought the expanded band, 1610-1700, was designed mainly so daytimers and other stations with nighttime power/pattern problems could "upgrade." ??? The stipulation was that one (presumably the daytimer) would have to shut down in 5 years.

Anyone know what the story is?
 
> If I'm not mistaken, 1660AM was licensed so that 1530, a
> strict daytimer, could get nighttime coverage. Wasn't the
> original rule that one of the stations needed to go dark in
> 5 years? It's LOOOONG past that time.
>
> I thought the expanded band, 1610-1700, was designed mainly
> so daytimers and other stations with nighttime power/pattern
> problems could "upgrade." ??? The stipulation was that one
> (presumably the daytimer) would have to shut down in 5
> years.
>
> Anyone know what the story is?

I think the 1530 in Elizabeth got an exemption from this rule, but it still holds for the other stations involved with the expanded band. If memory serves WHWH is supposed to shut down next year.
 
> I think the 1530 in Elizabeth got an exemption from this
> rule, but it still holds for the other stations involved
> with the expanded band. If memory serves WHWH is supposed to
> shut down next year.

This is correct. 1660 WJDM/WBAH/WWRU was the very first Expanded Band station -- in fact, the entire concept of the Expanded Band was originally proposed as a way for the owners of 1530 WJDM to gain a full-time signal, to serve the people of Elizabeth, NJ. This became the "100,000 rule": any city with a population of at least 100,000 residents and no full-time radio station can get an Expanded Band station put on the air. (This was also used by daytimer 1190 KDIA (now KDYA) in Vallejo, CA to get 1640 KDIA put on the air.)

Of course, as soon as 1660 got on the air, they no longer had any interest in serving the people of Elizabeth, and instead tried to become a "New York City" radio station. Now, 1660 is licensed to Jersey City, and they even have a full-time 10,000-watt directional signal, aimed towards NYC. So once again, Elizabeth is left with a 1000-watt daytimer as their only radio station. And it'll stay that way, because 1530 WJDM is not required to go off the air. At this point, they really have nothing to do with 1660. They don't even use the same transmitter site anymore (1660 is diplexed from 1380 WKDM's transmitter site).

Other Expanded Band stations are required to take the "parent" station off the air five years after the Expanded Band station's license was granted. That's why 1350 WHWH in Princeton will be going "dark" in 2006 -- since they are the "parent" station of 1680 WTTM.

<P ID="signature">______________
noiboc.jpg
</P>
 
Actually, EITHER the original station OR the ex-band station can go silent. Why the ex-er would is beyond me, but it's possible.

I also think that the ex-band was already gearing up when the special population rule was passed by Congress. Can anyone confirm? Mr Fybush?
 
> I also think that the ex-band was already gearing up when
> the special population rule was passed by Congress. Can
> anyone confirm? Mr Fybush?

No, WJDM was pushing for an Expanded Band signal as early as 1988. Although the frequencies were allocated for broadcasting in 1979 (IIRC), the FCC didn't officially launch the Expanded Band until 1994, and 1660 WJDM became the first Expanded Band station on the air in the fall on 1995 (with automated Oldies music and liners promoting their pioneering Expanded Band status).
<P ID="signature">______________
noiboc.jpg
</P>
 
I rememberhearing WJDM 1660 before I moved here from RI. Being the only x-bander on, they were heard coast to coast and internationally too.


Dave Gardiner

WVCH 740

Chester/Philadelphia
 
>>That's why 1350 WHWH in Princeton will be going "dark" in 2006 -- since they are the "parent" station of 1680 WTTM.<<

Instead of the frequency going "dark", can't 1350 (or any others affected by this rule) be sold to keep the original frequency active?
 
Not according to the restriction On the Present licenses or the New CP.
It still states that One will have to go off the air..

> >>That's why 1350 WHWH in Princeton will be going "dark" in
> 2006 -- since they are the "parent" station of 1680 WTTM.
>
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom