I was scanning the dial and noticed that WDBO is now simulcasting with a 7-second delay on 102.5 FM, which is a Cox frequency from Tampa. The signal strength is also loud and clear like never before in Orlando. Can someone please explain? Did they blow up 102.5 The Bone (Bubba, Cowhead) in Tampa? Or perhaps they reduced their signal strength in Tampa to utilize the same frequency for Orlando to simulcast WDBO? I think they will give WTKS a run for their money! And possibly knock out WFLF-AM and WORL-AM.
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580 WDBO now simulcasting on 102.5?
- Thread starter Radruss
- Start date
What you are hearing is FM translator W274AX-FM 102.7 Groveland which is currently operating under the authority of a construction permit to change its frequency to 102.5 with 250 watts ERP at 771 feet. This is why 102.5 can be heard clear, depending on your location within the city. It's city of license is also being changed to Orlando. WHPT-FM 102.5 Sarasota (Tampa Bay) is unchanged and remains The Bone.
jmtillery said:
Yup, moving to the 2 tower farm in Winter Garden. WXXL and WLOQ are on there, who else?
ThatGuyOnTheRadio said:
The short tower, which is now Tower One and not much shorter than the newer Tower Two, is the former WMFE-TV 24 tower. In fact in the 60s channel 24's studios were originally located in the bunker at the based of Tower One and remained there until moving to its present studio site on East Colonial Drive. WLBE-FM 106.7 Leesburg, as WHLY (now WXXL) moved its transmitter site from the present WLBE-AM two-tower directional tower site near Tavares to Tower One in Winter Garden and re-located its studios to the bunker in 1976.
I have to say that for 250 watts, their signal gets out further than I expected; of course the antenna height of approximately 700 feet doesn't hurt either; I was very surprised to pick them up in extreme eastern Hernando county (about 8 miles w.s.w. of Webster).
This is on a Sangean PR-D5 and granted I have to position the antenna just right to pick up the WDBO translator, in most positions I receive WHPT or sometimes a blend of WHPT and some bleed over from the country music station at 102.3 WTRS-Dunnellon.
If I recall from the FCC site, the translator is slightly directional with slight lobes toward the n.e. and w.s.w.; this is the trend and I just surprised that none of the Tampa Bay area don't have a translator yet. (other than WRXB's translator at 96.5 with antenna just north of Palmetto). But I would think a translator could go a long way in filling in coverage gaps for one of the talk stations; especially at night when other than 620, reception can be spotty even in parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
drt,
st. petersburg
This is on a Sangean PR-D5 and granted I have to position the antenna just right to pick up the WDBO translator, in most positions I receive WHPT or sometimes a blend of WHPT and some bleed over from the country music station at 102.3 WTRS-Dunnellon.
If I recall from the FCC site, the translator is slightly directional with slight lobes toward the n.e. and w.s.w.; this is the trend and I just surprised that none of the Tampa Bay area don't have a translator yet. (other than WRXB's translator at 96.5 with antenna just north of Palmetto). But I would think a translator could go a long way in filling in coverage gaps for one of the talk stations; especially at night when other than 620, reception can be spotty even in parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
drt,
st. petersburg
Speaking about Co Channels look at WWRM 94.9 in Tampa and WRLE-LP 94.9 in Dunnellon. The signal of Magic 94.9 extends into Dunnellon with a very weak 40dBu signal. However you also have WRLE out of Rainbow Estates. So I make it just over the River North on 41 when the signal of 94.9 C Tampa transitions to WRLE.
If the station is very low power or a translator I'm guessing a Co-Channel can appear on the 40 dBU Fringes or just right outside of a full-power stations coverage area.
If the station is very low power or a translator I'm guessing a Co-Channel can appear on the 40 dBU Fringes or just right outside of a full-power stations coverage area.
When do they run the legal id on the translater? I listened at the top of this hour and only heard the AM 580 one. Also there's no mention of the FM translater on their website, not to mention their 96.5 HD2 simulcast which has been around for awhile. If they want to attract listeners to either FM station their on, how about promoting it. At least WFLF & WYGM say the WTKS HD(2&3) during their id's.
From the FCC...
Identification of Translator and Booster Stations
Translator stations must be identified by the licensee by the following means:
By arranging with the primary station whose signal is being rebroadcast to identify the translator by call sign and location. The identification must occur 3 times daily: once between 7 AM and 9 AM, once between 12:55 PM and 1:05 PM, and once between 4 PM and 6 PM. Stations which do not begin operating before 9 AM must provide the identification at the beginning of the broadcast day. The licensee of the translator station must arrange for the primary station to keep in the primary FM station's file (and to make available to FCC personnel), the call sign and location of the translator station. This record must include the name, address, and telephone number of the translator licensee or his service representative to be contacted in the case of a malfunction of the translator. See 47 CFR Section 74.1283(c)(1).
OR
by transmitting the call sign in Morse Code at least once hour. See 47 CFR Section 74.1283(c)(2) for additional requirements for transmission of the call sign in this manner.
Identification of Translator and Booster Stations
Translator stations must be identified by the licensee by the following means:
By arranging with the primary station whose signal is being rebroadcast to identify the translator by call sign and location. The identification must occur 3 times daily: once between 7 AM and 9 AM, once between 12:55 PM and 1:05 PM, and once between 4 PM and 6 PM. Stations which do not begin operating before 9 AM must provide the identification at the beginning of the broadcast day. The licensee of the translator station must arrange for the primary station to keep in the primary FM station's file (and to make available to FCC personnel), the call sign and location of the translator station. This record must include the name, address, and telephone number of the translator licensee or his service representative to be contacted in the case of a malfunction of the translator. See 47 CFR Section 74.1283(c)(1).
OR
by transmitting the call sign in Morse Code at least once hour. See 47 CFR Section 74.1283(c)(2) for additional requirements for transmission of the call sign in this manner.
Deano said:
Thank you Deano. I'll take it that's what their doing, although personally I would want to let all the listeners know about the two FM over the air options WDBO has has besides AM 580 at least once an hour. How hard would it be to say the three call signs and numbers during the top of the hour?
Cox Media Group has added an FM simulcast for News/Talk 580 WDBO Orlando via 102.5 W274AX Groveland, FL. The translator is rebroadcasting WDBO’s format to the west side of the Orlando market via 96.5 WHTQ-HD2. Cox has an additional CP to rebroadcast WDBO on 95.9 W239BS Mount Dora, FL.
Bob
www.cflradio.net
Bob
www.cflradio.net
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