• 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

680 issues?

O

Onesimus

Guest
I was listening to AM 680 over the weekend and noticed what appeared to be transmitter issues. Anyone hear of anything? I noticed it a lot both Saturday and Sunday. The station would frequently go of for 2-3 seconds at a time.
 
I also noticed the issues with 680 over the weekend. Came at a bad time because the Derby coverage would keep cutting out. Speaking of Derby coverage, I didn't see WHAS listed as a Horse Racing Network affiliate. How were they able to broadcast it?
 
radiofan502 said:
I also noticed the issues with 680 over the weekend. Came at a bad time because the Derby coverage would keep cutting out. Speaking of Derby coverage, I didn't see WHAS listed as a Horse Racing Network affiliate. How were they able to broadcast it?
Click to expand...

They are WHAS, they can do what ever the hell they want to....or so they think.
 
I seriously doubt Clear Channel is infringing on a network's programming without permission. My guess is the station probably has some sort of "grandfathered" relationship through Churchill Downs.
 
We had an issue with tower 2 over the weekend. The transmitter would shut down every time it got up to 600 watts. We'll run at a reduced power until we can figure out what's wrong.
 
I'm down here in the Mississippi Delta in a bass boat, in hip waders, dodging swimming snakes and checking out transmitter, tower, and studio damage due to the flooding.

It is beyond horrible, folks...to those who have Pike and Fischer's FCC data service on line, get ready for a "flood" of STA's, emergency notices of station interruptions/cessation of operations, studio and transmitter relocations, and the like from down this way. About an hour ago, I sailed by the Tunica, MS casinos...dead quiet with no activity, when we got word of two guyed towers collapsing into the backwaters bayou on tne TN/MS border. Oh, joy...

Anyway, I heard a bit of the WHBE/680 problems before I got the call to action here. It sounded like not only was the transmitter PA not ramping up to daytime power, but the phasor was having trouble switching patterns, too. What make/model/age transmitter(s) do they have over on Mud Lane...and has this phasor's components (inductive, capacitive, resistive elements, coaxial switching, dummy load if installed, etc.) been checked and calibrated?

It sounds to me like the transmitter is looking at a fault in the transmission system and not letting itself go to full TPO as a self-protective measure. Just a suggestion...seen it before.
 
The last couple of nights during the Reds games, there were numerous times where the audio would go off and on. Last night there was an attempted steal by the Dodgers and Marty was saying ''Here comes the throw and he is...'' The audio went out! :)
 
Someone today asked me why Newburg, KY is the city of license for WHBE-AM 680. Well, when Argie Dale (dba Dale's Broadcasting Co.) filed the initial FCC Form 301 in 1986 to build the station, he chose Newburg...a newly incorporated 4th-class city in Jefferson County...to be the recipient of its first radio service. The CP was granted, but was sold by Dale when his money problems go so bad that he had to shut down his other property, WDGS-AM 1290 in New Albany, IN.

Anyway, Newburg dissolved its incorporation in the mid 1990's, but it still exists as a Census Designated Place by the US Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. FCC rules allow CDPs to be cities of license for broadcast facilities. Holders of the CP and later the license wisely chose not to change what didn't need to change-the city of license.

(And I still think that one bad critical component within or maybe an entire leg of the phasor is causing WHBE's signal problems. A re-proof of performance should be conducted.)
 
From South Florida----curious---if 680 is only 25 years old or so, how did it ever get approved, with all the night 680s in the US buzzing around it? Isn't reception in LKY horrible on 680 at night (heck, even in the day)? Aren't there "voices" underneath?

[BTW an aside---I miss Joe Donovan's show on WHAS.]

cd
 
cd637299 said:
From South Florida----curious---if 680 is only 25 years old or so, how did it ever get approved, with all the night 680s in the US buzzing around it? Isn't reception in LKY horrible on 680 at night (heck, even in the day)? Aren't there "voices" underneath?

[BTW an aside---I miss Joe Donovan's show on WHAS.]

cd
Click to expand...
680 has a great daytime signal. I think it's one of the best in Louisville. At night it's also good except for the recent problem of it going off and on.
 
As of last evening (21 June 2011), the WHBE nighttime signal sounds to be back at regular power and pattern with no signal cut-in/out due to any problems. Dynamic range is back, too. There was a bit of co-channel interference while they were temporarily at lower nighttime power for repairs, but that's gone now with the return to full nighttime facilities.

I believe the situation at 680 kHz in this part of the country wasn't as busy in the mid-'80s as it is now, and WBBE (the original CP working calls) only had to worry about adjacent channel WMAQ, Chicago at 670 (now WSCR) and the Birmingham, AL Class II co-channel at 680 (the call letters escape me...I'll look them up). I don't think there was an issue with a station at 690 kHz.

And heck, YES...I miss Joe Donovan's all-night Rock and Roll shows! An example of an excellent air personality doing exceptional radio with priceless music.
 
Was listening at 2322 EDT last night (8-30) when WHBE-AM 680 lost program to the transmitter...the carrier's still there. As of 1036 the following morning, they're still silent. Wonder what's up...is their T-1 STL link giving them problems?
 
secondchoice said:
Isn't a working "silence sensor" required for all "remote" transmitters?
Click to expand...

Short answer. No. Dead air is of no concern to the FCC just as long as you pay your regulatory fees on time.
 
I'm bringing back this old thread :). I've noticed that 680 has'nt been sounding very good lately. Sounds like they are on low power. Wonder what's wrong?
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom