AM Frequency of the week: 720

[davideduardo]

They'd have gladly run 50 kW from up there, too, but the configuration of the towers and the needed protections to not only WGN but also several signals on 710 forced the limitation to 7500 watts at night.

But 50 kw now is not the same as when KDWN came on... the #1 station was KENO on 1460 with night power that was about the same as a tower beacon.

So advertisers were shown all that extra selling power, and it worked for a little while except that the station was not well rated and did not sell. And then FM happened.

It's been a long time since AM power was a selling point.

 

[cyberdad]

As has been previously stated, a lot of these downgrades seem to make sense from the standpoint of eliminating "surplus" coverage without impacting the target listening area. That said, some of of the drops seem draconian. At least at first glance. One that comes to mind is WEAQ, 790 in Eau Claire, WI, about 85 miles east of the Twin Cities. Used to be 5kw fulltime, directional northeast-southwest at night. Now still 5kw days, but 123 watts non-directional at night. Yet even with that, it's still easily able to service its core small metro area during hours of darkness.

 

[asugeorge1]

As has been previously stated, a lot of these downgrades seem to make sense from the standpoint of eliminating "surplus" coverage without impacting the target listening area. That said, some of of the drops seem draconian. At least at first glance. One that comes to mind is WEAQ, 790 in Eau Claire, WI, about 85 miles east of the Twin Cities. Used to be 5kw fulltime, directional northeast-southwest at night. Now still 5kw days, but 123 watts non-directional at night. Yet even with that, it's still easily able to service its core small metro area during hours of darkness.

I think the main point of these drop in night-time power authorizations is that radio stations are realizing that people don’t really listen to the radio at night (or that those that do listen in the overnight hours don’t matter from an advertising and ratings standpoint). I’m surprised that we haven’t seen some stations go back to how things were in the 1980’s and before where certain stations would sign-off for the night or on Sunday nights like WMAQ used to do in Chicago. I would think that some radio stations would look at saving money by turning off their expensive 50,000 watt transmitters at night, especially if the few listeners during those hours don’t move the advertising meter.

 

[formula72]

When did KDWN reduce power? I thought they were at 10KW nights, and 50KW days

When did they change transmitter locations?

The reason for the questions is, they seem weaker than they were just a year or so ago, even though they moved roughly 15 miles closer to me.

 

[cyberdad]

I think the main point of these drop in night-time power authorizations is that radio stations are realizing that people don’t really listen to the radio at night (or that those that do listen in the overnight hours don’t matter from an advertising and ratings standpoint).

IMHO, that's probably a good point. I've thought the same thing myself. Although I think the electric bill is the reason as much as anything. I never thought about bringing back the midnight signoffs (or similar). I guess now that I think of it, it is a little surprising that we're not seeing more of that. At least not yet.

 

[WahooWah]

720 is a great frequency for radio listening, not DXing, in west central Georgia. During the day I can listen to local WVCC Hogansville GA news/talk (7970D). At night, WGN Chicago is one of the strongest 50K signals I can hear, almost like listening to a local station. Have occasionally heard WGCR Pisgah Forest NC (50000D/10000C) and WRZN Hernando FL (10000/250) both religious stations during critical hours.

 

[Steve Green NEPA]

Through the middays here, I've logged WWII Shiremanstown PA. They're essentially a Harrisburg station. Lately they've been religion WHYF. 2000 watts day only, omni.

Radio-Locator.com

Radio Station Search Engine

radio-locator.com

The den here is 7 miles due north of Pottsville. That city is on the map about on the 45 degree line from WHYF's stick.

Nighttimes it's WGN, although CHTN has been logged from time to time.

A buddy of mine once sent me an untelescoped KDWN cassette, back when they played the Standards. Wow, I wish KDWN could plan a DX test some night when WGN was off.

Btw: What is a 'trophy point' here ? Is 38 a good score ? I have something like 11,000,000,000 bonus points at the local Speedway. Do I get a free coffee once I get over a certain number of radiodiscussion trophy points ?

 

[Route66Fan]

From Carrollton, MO:
Daytime: Nothing, except a weak WGN, Chicago, IL, in wintertime.
Nighttime: WGN.