About the rain: Do Engineers Need. . .

[DJ Jim Wayne]

To be concerned with anything in partucular. I am aware that all this liquid enhances AM ground signals, but is there any down-side?

 

[KML0224]

Isn't it salt water that helps enhance AM radio signals? Anyways, has this flooding caused any problems with any of our broadcasters? I've been reading about the Yantic River in Norwich reaching record levels. Are any of the Norwich/New London stations located anywhere near there? Also, who's transmitter is that when you're heading to Mohegan Sun Casino on CT Route 2A? I'm guessing it's WCTY-FM 97.7, since they're my strongest signal on my Panasonic CD "Walkman" heading in or out.

 

[jlehmann]

Isn't it salt water that helps enhance AM radio signals?

I believe any kind of water will increase the ground conductivity, and enhance signals.

 

[reelyreal]

Also, who's transmitter is that when you're heading to Mohegan Sun Casino on CT Route 2A? I'm guessing it's WCTY-FM 97.7, since they're my strongest signal on my Panasonic CD "Walkman" heading in or out.

That sounds about right, 'CTY is on Cook Road, just off Route 32 in Montville.

 

[Bill-in-CT]

I believe any kind of water will increase the ground conductivity, and enhance signals.

I'm not an engineer, so this is only a guess on my part. WWCO 1240 has a good signal, and I always thought it was because its tower is next to the Naugatuck River in Waterbury. Of course WICC, with it's towers on Long Island Sound in Bridgeport, has an excellent signal.

 

[Tom Gary]

The main concern for AM stations would be flooding of low lying tower bases (water rises above the base insulator). Flooding of transmitter sites and ATU houses is another. Roof leaks are also a concern. WICC has a low frequency (600 KHz) which enjoys better propagation for a given power than a higher frequency station. WWCO has a 5/8 wave tower which produces a higher field than a shorter counterpart.

 

[WCWalker]

Isn't it salt water that helps enhance AM radio signals?

I believe any kind of water will increase the ground conductivity, and enhance signals.

Correct. And certain minerals and metals in the ground will also enhance grounding. The salt found in the ground in some areas like central NY helps AM signals ground propagate. Gold, Silver and Copper are also excellent metals for improving AM grounding. But clearly it is not cost effective to create a ground system out of gold or silver especially if you want it to remain on site.

 

[ThomasCarten]

When I was at WICC centuries ago, we had a hurricane that reached the tower bases. Shortly after, someone from Florida sent a reception report.