98.7

[firepoint525]

Earlier this week, I was in town, and I just happened to catch the Bott Radio Network broadcasting on 98.7 FM. I knew that they had acquired that frequency when they bought WAMB, but for some reason, I thought they were only using it at night, the way WAMB did. It seems to me that if WCRT simulcasts on FM, then that would give them an advantage over WNQM, WENO, WYFN, and WNAH.

Meanwhile, I'm noticing that WAMB seems to be adding more talk programming, particularly health-related talk shows, to their lineup. Are they slowly drifting away from their music programming? I am noticing that they are still simulcasting on 99.3, as has been discussed here, earlier, but the signal is not as strong as 98.7.

Interestingly enough, neither WAMB nor WCRT makes any mention of their FM frequencies when airing their legal IDs, nor is there any mention of those frequencies on their respective websites. Are these FM frequencies just translators, and nothing more?

I should mention that I was in the MetroCenter area when I picked up Bott on 98.7. Later that evening, while listening from Bellevue, I heard the Hopkinsville station on that same frequency. (It was very clear, too, I might add.) I am guessing that WANT in Lebanon, and WRFN-LP in Pasquo limit Bott's ability to power up that 98.7 signal.

And the only usable WAY-FM signal I'm hearing is coming from 88.3. Not sure where that one is originating from. (I'm listening from way out here in the boonies in Pegram! ;D)

 

[scottwmro]

At the top of the hour, daytime, WAMB does I.D. the FM on 99.3. As you know WAMB is "daytime only" on 1200 and there is a
Mighty big push at the FCC to allow AM stations to use FM translators. My thoughts are the FCC is not going to be fair about it and some daytime (Class D) stations will be left out in the cold without one. The NAB mention this in an article yesterday, and it made me think the NAB is just pushing this for political reasons and not ALL LITTLE AM STATIONS will be assigned a translator.

Yes, I'm a TAB member, and I don't think it's fair that Bart Walker at WGNS got an STA for 2 FM channels to rebroadcast WGNS. One of those should have gone to WMGC on 810, but Bart played politics to get what he got. WGNS-AM on 1450 alone covers the county quite well at night with 1000 watts, unlimited, while WMGC only has 6 watts at night.

In my comments to the FCC on this matter, I brought this up, but lord and behold, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is such a political jerk, he only takes care of the big boys first before me, or the smaller stations to get anything at all!

WCRT got 98.7 from the deal with Bill Barry. They do i.d. that translator. When it was first set up, it was for WAMB to use "nighttime only" when Bill owned 1160. Since then, I think there has been a STA for Bott to operate 98.7 full time. 98.7 does not have to protect WRFN, but it must protect WANT in Lebanon. Being that Bill Barry owned part of WANT, he was able to convince the FCC to let him have 98.7 and WANT would accept the interferance from that translator, which the power is so low from Bott's 98.7, in reality, there is no interference at all.

As far as WAY-FM's programming, it comes from here in Nashville, right at Cool Springs in Williamson County, and is distributed via satellite to thier Owned and Operated stations and affiliates. Jon Garrison is Chief Engineer of the Nashville Division, while Jim "Turbo" Turvaville is now National Chief Engineer for the whole WAY-FM operation in Colorado Spring, CO. Corporate offices for WAY-FM are in Denver, CO.

 

[w9wi]

Interestingly enough, neither WAMB nor WCRT makes any mention of their FM frequencies when airing their legal IDs, nor is there any mention of those frequencies on their respective websites. Are these FM frequencies just translators, and nothing more?

The 98.7 is a Special "Temporary" Authority. Call letters I suppose would be WCRT-FM-1. (it was WAMB-FM-1 when WAMB owned 1160; I haven't checked since Bott bought the AM station) Authorized because a powerful Cuban station was beating up on 1160 at night some 20 years ago. The Cuban interference is gone (Chicago is the main source of nighttime interference to 1160 these days) but the FM station survives.

I've heard nothing about the FM getting daytime authority. (since Cuba was only interfering at night, the FM was only supposed to be operated at night. My understanding is that the transmitter was left on all the time but switched to a dummy load during the day. I did occasionally hear it during the day when driving really close to the towers.) But with Special Temporary Authorities, sometimes things get changed without much public notice.

And the only usable WAY-FM signal I'm hearing is coming from 88.3. Not sure where that one is originating from. (I'm listening from way out here in the boonies in Pegram! ;D)

The 88.3 Way FM transmitter is on the 102.5 tower in extreme northeastern Dickson Co., not all that far from you. (indeed, 102.5 is now licensed to Pegram...) Call letters are WAYQ, it's a 14kw full-license station licensed to Clarksville. If you listen carefully (if you can get 88.7 well enough!) you might find it's not 100% parallel to 88.7.

 

[romer979fm]

WGNS-AM on 1450 alone covers the county quite well at night with 1000 watts, unlimited,

only on paper do they cover the county well: 1450 isn't called a "graveyard" frequency for nothing.
as for the two FM translators...doesn't each cover a different part or Rutherford county...or am I mistaken?

 

[w9wi]

only on paper do they cover the county well: 1450 isn't called a "graveyard" frequency for nothing.
as for the two FM translators...doesn't each cover a different part or Rutherford county...or am I mistaken?

You're mistaken

Both translators are on the AM tower. Their coverage areas aren't exactly identical but they're real close:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FX253861.html
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FX254172.html

Both translators predate the FCC decision to allow them to relay AM stations. They filed for licenses-to-cover in 1997. I know one of them was carrying WANT 98.9 - don't remember about the other one.

Really I think those translator coverage maps wouldn't be all that far off the mark as coverage maps for the *AM*. The non-enforcement of Part 15 has done bad things to AM coverage...

 

[scottwmro]

only on paper do they cover the county well: 1450 isn't called a "graveyard" frequency for nothing.
as for the two FM translators...doesn't each cover a different part or Rutherford county...or am I mistaken?

You're mistaken

Both translators are on the AM tower. Their coverage areas aren't exactly identical but they're real close:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FX253861.html
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FX254172.html

Both translators predate the FCC decision to allow them to relay AM stations. They filed for licenses-to-cover in 1997. I know one of them was carrying WANT 98.9 - don't remember about the other one.

Really I think those translator coverage maps wouldn't be all that far off the mark as coverage maps for the *AM*. The non-enforcement of Part 15 has done bad things to AM coverage...

Hi Doug,

First, it's good to hear from you! I wonder what happened to you! I'm trying to keep ole Dale straight, or it might be the other way around! ;D

I knew there was some history on those 2 translators, and now that you have mention it, I do recall WANT being on one of them. But my understanding from a TAB Newsletter (I don't know if you get it or not, but you should), I thought Jill Green said that Bart was leasing both translators under an STA.

This morning in my email box, (I don't know if you or Dale Howard gets it) but I get the Radio World "radio bytes" weekly email. It mentioned that the NAB has made a statemnet that daytime only and and daytimers with "flea power" would get the the chance at FM translators first. It mention there are over 1,300 of us Class "D" AM station in the US, and we were more of a need of one than say a Class C with 1 KW day & night, or a Class A or B station.

As far as part 15 AM goes, I have come to my own conclusion that the FCC doesn't care as long as the operator isn't bothering anybody. They won't do anything unless they see fit to do so, and it has to be a complaint from a broadcaster on that channel putting up with interference from the part 15 operator. Part 15 FM is another ballgame. The FCC will shut them down in a "New York Minute", thanks to all the corporate lobbyist in DC.

I figured the FCC had to let the part 15 stations go somewhere, so they are letting them have the upper portion of the AM band (unofficially), 1610 to 1700, as long as they behave themselves. There are so many of them out there, it's unreal!

 

[firepoint525]

Interestingly enough, neither WAMB nor WCRT makes any mention of their FM frequencies when airing their legal IDs, nor is there any mention of those frequencies on their respective websites. Are these FM frequencies just translators, and nothing more?

The 98.7 is a Special "Temporary" Authority. Call letters I suppose would be WCRT-FM-1. (it was WAMB-FM-1 when WAMB owned 1160; I haven't checked since Bott bought the AM station) Authorized because a powerful Cuban station was beating up on 1160 at night some 20 years ago. The Cuban interference is gone (Chicago is the main source of nighttime interference to 1160 these days) but the FM station survives.

I've heard nothing about the FM getting daytime authority. (since Cuba was only interfering at night, the FM was only supposed to be operated at night. My understanding is that the transmitter was left on all the time but switched to a dummy load during the day. I did occasionally hear it during the day when driving really close to the towers.) But with Special Temporary Authorities, sometimes things get changed without much public notice.

And the only usable WAY-FM signal I'm hearing is coming from 88.3. Not sure where that one is originating from. (I'm listening from way out here in the boonies in Pegram! ;D)

The 88.3 Way FM transmitter is on the 102.5 tower in extreme northeastern Dickson Co., not all that far from you. (indeed, 102.5 is now licensed to Pegram...) Call letters are WAYQ, it's a 14kw full-license station licensed to Clarksville. If you listen carefully (if you can get 88.7 well enough!) you might find it's not 100% parallel to 88.7.

So 88.3 is licensed to Clarksville and their stick is in what, Charlotte? I believe someone told me that is where 102.5's tower is. And their call letters are WAYQ? This would mean that they are a full-fledged station, and not just a repeater, right? (I just knew that I was not receiving them on the 88.5 frequency that they promote for Nashville.)

As for the old WAMB-FM, I remember them giving their ID as "WAMB-FM 1." I remember asking around about that, but no one seemed to know what it meant.

 

[w9wi]

This morning in my email box, (I don't know if you or Dale Howard gets it) but I get the Radio World "radio bytes" weekly email. It mentioned that the NAB has made a statemnet that daytime only and and daytimers with "flea power" would get the the chance at FM translators first. It mention there are over 1,300 of us Class "D" AM station in the US, and we were more of a need of one than say a Class C with 1 KW day & night, or a Class A or B station.

I don't. Tried it but as I recall it uses a proprietary protocol & creates some rather large files. I'm broadband-challenged up here. (Charter is the only option & they charge accordingly)

I think Class C stations got the STAs first because it bypassed the issue of which coverage should be replicated.

On FM, if a translator belongs to the primary station being relayed, the translator may not have predicted coverage that extends beyond the predicted coverage of the primary. If WMRO-FM has a predicted coverage radius of 30 miles, and you own a translator with a predicted radius of one mile, that translator must be located within 29 miles of the WMRO-FM transmitter - otherwise the translator's coverage would extend that of the primary.

Of course, FM stations' coverage is the same all the time. They aren't required to reduce power at sunset, change DA patterns, or go off the air. So it's easy to figure where any fill-in translators may be located and how much power they can run.

It's a lot harder for AM. If your station is allowed a FM translator whose coverage doesn't exceed that of the daytime AM facility, then that coverage is going to *greatly* exceed the *nighttime* AM facility. If you're allowed a translator that doesn't exceed the *nighttime* AM coverage - well, there's going to be a huge chunk of *daytime* audience that isn't served. (and for AM stations whose directional patterns differ day and night, it's not difficult to see a situation where a translator that doesn't exceed the *nighttime* AM coverage serves a large area that isn't served during the *day*, even without accounting for skywave.) Or should the translator be required to reduce power at sunset just like the AM station? (imagine having to have two FM antennas, switching to a directional one at sunset!)

Class C AMs are the exception. Virtually all Class C stations have the same (theoretical) coverage day and night. You don't have to worry about which coverage area to allow the translator(s) to replicate, as there's only one.

 

[w9wi]

So 88.3 is licensed to Clarksville and their stick is in what, Charlotte? I believe someone told me that is where 102.5's tower is. And their call letters are WAYQ? This would mean that they are a full-fledged station, and not just a repeater, right? (I just knew that I was not receiving them on the 88.5 frequency that they promote for Nashville.)

Yes, it's licensed to Clarksville. Tower is a bit north of Charlotte, the closest "town" is Cumberland Furnace. It's a bit east of Highway 48. Maybe a half-mile or so.

And yes, it's a full-fledged station, not a repeater. Though of course with modern automation I suspect all they have in the city of Clarksville is a public file in the corner of a library somewhere, I'd bet the whole thing is run out of the same Brentwood facility that runs the Nashville transmitter.

(incidentially, the Nashville transmitter is 88.7, licensed to Columbia but with a permit to move to channel 2's DTV tower in Brentwood and change the city of license to Spring Hill.)

As for the old WAMB-FM, I remember them giving their ID as "WAMB-FM 1." I remember asking around about that, but no one seemed to know what it meant.

I just double-checked and it's indeed changed to WCRT-FM1. (nothing between "FM" and "1") I suspect nobody knew what it meant because it's almost unique. There's only one other similar station, in Jackson, Mississippi relaying the 1180 station in Pearl.

 

[anotherguyTN]

I was in the Dickson area in October and WAY-FM on 88.7 was using Spring Hill as their city of license at that time. I'm not sure when they started.

 

[firepoint525]

I meant to say 88.7 in my earlier message, but just typed 88.5 by mistake.

So by channel 2's tower, do you mean the big one near Radnor Lake? It would be interesting to me if they were already there, but yet I still receive a stronger signal from Cumberland Furnace.

 

[w9wi]

So by channel 2's tower, do you mean the big one near Radnor Lake? It would be interesting to me if they were already there, but yet I still receive a stronger signal from Cumberland Furnace.

I get lost when I go to Radnor Lake...

It's just north of Old Hickory Boulevard and about a mile or two west of I-65 on the Nashville-Brentwood border. There are two towers right next to each other. (one is the old one for analog channels 2 & 8, the other one is a new one for their digital channels.)

 

[firepoint525]

So by channel 2's tower, do you mean the big one near Radnor Lake? It would be interesting to me if they were already there, but yet I still receive a stronger signal from Cumberland Furnace.

I get lost when I go to Radnor Lake...

It's just north of Old Hickory Boulevard and about a mile or two west of I-65 on the Nashville-Brentwood border. There are two towers right next to each other. (one is the old one for analog channels 2 & 8, the other one is a new one for their digital channels.)

I believe you and I are referring to the same tower. It can be easily seen from the scenic overlook at Edwin Warner Park. From there, you can see due east along Old Hickory Blvd. toward Brentwood.

 

[Tibbs4]

The two towers are pretty at night as the red/orange like strobey things seem to almost dance together....*

FTLOG, can we get a format change so we can get another post of something significant on here?



*strobey things refers to a North Florida (Panama City Beach) post from a person who called them those
and wanted to know why they weren't different colors. I am not crazy...never mind ,I am. Can't Crumulus
just get real with 97.1 like they did with Q100/99X in Atlanta Friday, so we can talk about radio stations
that most people could even possibly pick up on a normal radio?

 

[romer979fm]

are you dragging rob fwb into this?
could be fun: we need comic relief up here...

wouldn't it be fun if instead of just changing COL on their stations here,
Cumulus actually shuffled formats around, too (like in ATL)...

 

[Tibbs4]

Yeah, I actually wish that they'd realize (like the real world did long ago) that they have virtually nothing to loose with 106.7
(when will it be up to 50kw???) and 97.1 has no pedigree/loyalty either. Maybe, just maybe, they'll realize that being pro-active is a better way to run Nashville. Otherwise, it's about time for 106.7 to become Kicks or Y. Could they ever birth a new psuedo-heritage station here? I just don't see why they settle for average or less. CR --- you guys work hard and all, but even you have to scratch your head at the lack of competiton other than South Central...it's a nice situation to be in.

I do sort of wish robfwb would move to Nashville. I just don't know what signals he could pick up skimming along Percy Priest
with his amazing clock radio. Sorry, to those wonder what the hell that is about, you just have to visit the North Florida
board and scroll down to some of the funniest posts from a guy who really tries to get radio, but has no idea why 100kw stations just can move their signals into his apartment complex. Plus, he manages to get signals from everywhere but the moon with
local full time stations on the air at the same time. Twilight Zone. But exceptionally fun reading and generally stress free.

rob, if you're readin', any thoughts on the Nashville market???

 

[BigTimeEngineer]

Tibbs2: "106.7 (when will it be up to 50kw???)"

The answer is never. WNFN has a CP for a C3, not a C2. The maximum facilities for a C3: 25 kW at 100 meters. WNFN's CP is for a directional station with an output of 2.95 kw (2,950 watts, not twenty-five thousand) at 394 meters. It covers the county and Springfield to the north.

The FCC's predicted 60 dBu (service) contour is at:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1158758.html

 

[Tibbs4]

My fault. Thanks for the correction. It looks pretty promising for the Hendersonville area, not as bright
down South with the hills, etc. When will this upgrade happen?

 

[firepoint525]

Tibbs2: "106.7 (when will it be up to 50kw???)"
The answer is never. WNFN has a CP for a C3, not a C2. The maximum facilities for a C3: 25 kW at 100 meters. WNFN's CP is for a directional station with an output of 2.95 kw (2,950 watts, not twenty-five thousand) at 394 meters. It covers the county and Springfield to the north.
The FCC's predicted 60 dBu (service) contour is at:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1158758.html

No loss there. I haven't listened to them since their 1999 format change. I lived in the Harding Mall area then, but I doubt I could pick them up (with a usable signal, anyway) here in Pegram.

At least V102.5 has an occasional presence here in their "city of license." They do remotes here. At least Pegram means more to them than just a legal ID once an hour.