Seems that outside of CC's 620, 970, and 1250, there are few great AM signals in the market. I suppose 820, as well, but Mega only owns two or three stations in the market. How much of a role does the saltwater actually play in carrying appearingly horrible signals like WTAN, WRMD, WRXB, and so forth, seeing that they appear to be transmitting from very close to the bay?
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AM signals
- Thread starter ajhenderson
- Start date
F
FloridaBear1776
Guest
> Seems that outside of CC's 620, 970, and 1250, there are few
> great AM signals in the market. I suppose 820, as well, but
> Mega only owns two or three stations in the market. How much
> of a role does the saltwater actually play in carrying
> appearingly horrible signals like WTAN, WRMD, WRXB, and so
> forth, seeing that they appear to be transmitting from very
> close to the bay?
>
Unfortunately, since WTAN's stick is on Clearwater Harbor, the signal goes
out into the Gulf and lands on the coast near Tallahassee, giving fits to a station there on 1330. They really should be on Tampa Bay, probably at the
location of the original WSUN/WFLA 620 directional antenna, which would be
Gulf to Bay and McMullen Booth Road. But I understand that may be problematic with 1330 in Lakeland.
WRMD gets out surprisingly well, and their 590 or so watts on 680 goes farther north during the day than 970, 1040 or 1250. The nighttime power doesn't carry as far as it did when they were on a half-wave stick that was knocked down in the year 2000 by a chopper crash. But it's still audible in much of St. Pete and Tampa after dark.
WRXB's bay advantage is mostly south over Manatee and east into Hillsborough. It actually suffers in north Pinellas because its signal has to go over dry, non-conductive land, and a small part of the county is outside it's 0.5 mv/m
contour.
I would think a closer to the bay location would help stations like 1040 and 1470 cover Tampa at night.
> great AM signals in the market. I suppose 820, as well, but
> Mega only owns two or three stations in the market. How much
> of a role does the saltwater actually play in carrying
> appearingly horrible signals like WTAN, WRMD, WRXB, and so
> forth, seeing that they appear to be transmitting from very
> close to the bay?
>
Unfortunately, since WTAN's stick is on Clearwater Harbor, the signal goes
out into the Gulf and lands on the coast near Tallahassee, giving fits to a station there on 1330. They really should be on Tampa Bay, probably at the
location of the original WSUN/WFLA 620 directional antenna, which would be
Gulf to Bay and McMullen Booth Road. But I understand that may be problematic with 1330 in Lakeland.
WRMD gets out surprisingly well, and their 590 or so watts on 680 goes farther north during the day than 970, 1040 or 1250. The nighttime power doesn't carry as far as it did when they were on a half-wave stick that was knocked down in the year 2000 by a chopper crash. But it's still audible in much of St. Pete and Tampa after dark.
WRXB's bay advantage is mostly south over Manatee and east into Hillsborough. It actually suffers in north Pinellas because its signal has to go over dry, non-conductive land, and a small part of the county is outside it's 0.5 mv/m
contour.
I would think a closer to the bay location would help stations like 1040 and 1470 cover Tampa at night.
T
TampaTV
Guest
Speaking of AM signals, I went by the housing development off Lake Seminole, the transmitters for WXYB 1520 AM and WWBA 1040 and located in the middle of a new subdivision with $750,000+ homes being built. I ask the real estate agent on duty about the radio towers. She said, that's the first question everybody ask. She said, the towers are being torn down and are no longer in use. There's an old radio studio and what appears to be a transmitter building. She said it was being torn down to make room for two new homes. Of course, it is amazing to me that anyone would have a home with a AM tower in the backyard and I'm not suprised they are relocating the site. I also know these towers are certainly still in operation, they have a portable generator sitting outside the xmitter building, they wouldn't leave that there if the site was "dead." If it is true the towers are being re-located (and I'd sure want that in writing if I was buying a million dollar house), where would these stations relocate too? Seems property in Pinellas for a new AM site would be tough to find. Is WWBA moving closer to Tampa Bay?
That's exactly what I was thinking about that site. That property is golden to the real estate market. A few years ago before WWBA moved to Tampa, the real estate office was actually in the other half of that transmitter/studio building you speak of. If you think WWBA is still joke at times you should have seen that operation then... ha ha ha. I'm positive the towers are still in operation because if WWBA had moved I'm sure we'd certinly here about it on this board. By the way, speaking of that area... does anyone know if the Channel 32 translater Channel 63 is still in operation on the old 97.9 tower a few blocks over on Starkey? That's more valuable property in that same area. Last I heard Channel 63 was the only thing on there but I don't think it's broadcasting anymore. I think WMOR shut if off. Anyone know?
> Speaking of AM signals, I went by the housing development
> off Lake Seminole, the transmitters for WXYB 1520 AM and
> WWBA 1040 and located in the middle of a new subdivision
> with $750,000+ homes being built. I ask the real estate
> agent on duty about the radio towers. She said, that's the
> first question everybody ask. She said, the towers are
> being torn down and are no longer in use. There's an old
> radio studio and what appears to be a transmitter building.
> She said it was being torn down to make room for two new
> homes. Of course, it is amazing to me that anyone would
> have a home with a AM tower in the backyard and I'm not
> suprised they are relocating the site. I also know these
> towers are certainly still in operation, they have a
> portable generator sitting outside the xmitter building,
> they wouldn't leave that there if the site was "dead." If
> it is true the towers are being re-located (and I'd sure
> want that in writing if I was buying a million dollar
> house), where would these stations relocate too? Seems
> property in Pinellas for a new AM site would be tough to
> find. Is WWBA moving closer to Tampa Bay?
>
> Speaking of AM signals, I went by the housing development
> off Lake Seminole, the transmitters for WXYB 1520 AM and
> WWBA 1040 and located in the middle of a new subdivision
> with $750,000+ homes being built. I ask the real estate
> agent on duty about the radio towers. She said, that's the
> first question everybody ask. She said, the towers are
> being torn down and are no longer in use. There's an old
> radio studio and what appears to be a transmitter building.
> She said it was being torn down to make room for two new
> homes. Of course, it is amazing to me that anyone would
> have a home with a AM tower in the backyard and I'm not
> suprised they are relocating the site. I also know these
> towers are certainly still in operation, they have a
> portable generator sitting outside the xmitter building,
> they wouldn't leave that there if the site was "dead." If
> it is true the towers are being re-located (and I'd sure
> want that in writing if I was buying a million dollar
> house), where would these stations relocate too? Seems
> property in Pinellas for a new AM site would be tough to
> find. Is WWBA moving closer to Tampa Bay?
>
A
altsped
Guest
Real Estate agents often lie and say towers are being torn down to make a sale, when in fact they are not. I once had an agent tell me MY tower was being torn down, and of course it was not.
Last time I was there -- about two months ago -- the towers were still in use at least for 1040, as confirmed by a nice 2080 kHz harmonic on my portable. I cannot imagine buying a house in the middle of an RF field like that. The guy wires literally terminate in front yards and sidewalks. No need for microwaves in these kitchens.
820's daytime power/pattern gets out well past the FL/GA line, in fact I know someone in the Atlanta area who can pull pieces of the signal up there.
> That's exactly what I was thinking about that site. That
> property is golden to the real estate market. A few years
> ago before WWBA moved to Tampa, the real estate office was
> actually in the other half of that transmitter/studio
> building you speak of. If you think WWBA is still joke at
> times you should have seen that operation then... ha ha ha.
> I'm positive the towers are still in operation because if
> WWBA had moved I'm sure we'd certinly here about it on this
> board. By the way, speaking of that area... does anyone
> know if the Channel 32 translater Channel 63 is still in
> operation on the old 97.9 tower a few blocks over on
> Starkey? That's more valuable property in that same area.
> Last I heard Channel 63 was the only thing on there but I
> don't think it's broadcasting anymore. I think WMOR shut if
> off. Anyone know?
>
> > Speaking of AM signals, I went by the housing development
> > off Lake Seminole, the transmitters for WXYB 1520 AM and
> > WWBA 1040 and located in the middle of a new subdivision
> > with $750,000+ homes being built. I ask the real estate
> > agent on duty about the radio towers. She said, that's
> the
> > first question everybody ask. She said, the towers are
> > being torn down and are no longer in use. There's an old
> > radio studio and what appears to be a transmitter
> building.
> > She said it was being torn down to make room for two new
> > homes. Of course, it is amazing to me that anyone would
> > have a home with a AM tower in the backyard and I'm not
> > suprised they are relocating the site. I also know these
> > towers are certainly still in operation, they have a
> > portable generator sitting outside the xmitter building,
> > they wouldn't leave that there if the site was "dead." If
>
> > it is true the towers are being re-located (and I'd sure
> > want that in writing if I was buying a million dollar
> > house), where would these stations relocate too? Seems
> > property in Pinellas for a new AM site would be tough to
> > find. Is WWBA moving closer to Tampa Bay?
> >
>
820's daytime power/pattern gets out well past the FL/GA line, in fact I know someone in the Atlanta area who can pull pieces of the signal up there.
> That's exactly what I was thinking about that site. That
> property is golden to the real estate market. A few years
> ago before WWBA moved to Tampa, the real estate office was
> actually in the other half of that transmitter/studio
> building you speak of. If you think WWBA is still joke at
> times you should have seen that operation then... ha ha ha.
> I'm positive the towers are still in operation because if
> WWBA had moved I'm sure we'd certinly here about it on this
> board. By the way, speaking of that area... does anyone
> know if the Channel 32 translater Channel 63 is still in
> operation on the old 97.9 tower a few blocks over on
> Starkey? That's more valuable property in that same area.
> Last I heard Channel 63 was the only thing on there but I
> don't think it's broadcasting anymore. I think WMOR shut if
> off. Anyone know?
>
> > Speaking of AM signals, I went by the housing development
> > off Lake Seminole, the transmitters for WXYB 1520 AM and
> > WWBA 1040 and located in the middle of a new subdivision
> > with $750,000+ homes being built. I ask the real estate
> > agent on duty about the radio towers. She said, that's
> the
> > first question everybody ask. She said, the towers are
> > being torn down and are no longer in use. There's an old
> > radio studio and what appears to be a transmitter
> building.
> > She said it was being torn down to make room for two new
> > homes. Of course, it is amazing to me that anyone would
> > have a home with a AM tower in the backyard and I'm not
> > suprised they are relocating the site. I also know these
> > towers are certainly still in operation, they have a
> > portable generator sitting outside the xmitter building,
> > they wouldn't leave that there if the site was "dead." If
>
> > it is true the towers are being re-located (and I'd sure
> > want that in writing if I was buying a million dollar
> > house), where would these stations relocate too? Seems
> > property in Pinellas for a new AM site would be tough to
> > find. Is WWBA moving closer to Tampa Bay?
> >
>
The worst site for buildings by the towers is the 860 site in Safety Harbor. It's in the middle of an industrial park and one of the towers is in a small factory parking lot, one is next to a small factory, and the other is in the middle of the retention pond.
> Last time I was there -- about two months ago -- the towers
> were still in use at least for 1040, as confirmed by a nice
> 2080 kHz harmonic on my portable. I cannot imagine buying a
> house in the middle of an RF field like that. The guy wires
> literally terminate in front yards and sidewalks. No need
> for microwaves in these kitchens.
>
> 820's daytime power/pattern gets out well past the FL/GA
> line, in fact I know someone in the Atlanta area who can
> pull pieces of the signal up there.
>
> > That's exactly what I was thinking about that site. That
> > property is golden to the real estate market. A few years
>
> > ago before WWBA moved to Tampa, the real estate office was
>
> > actually in the other half of that transmitter/studio
> > building you speak of. If you think WWBA is still joke at
>
> > times you should have seen that operation then... ha ha
> ha.
> > I'm positive the towers are still in operation because if
> > WWBA had moved I'm sure we'd certinly here about it on
> this
> > board. By the way, speaking of that area... does anyone
> > know if the Channel 32 translater Channel 63 is still in
> > operation on the old 97.9 tower a few blocks over on
> > Starkey? That's more valuable property in that same area.
>
> > Last I heard Channel 63 was the only thing on there but I
> > don't think it's broadcasting anymore. I think WMOR shut
> if
> > off. Anyone know?
> >
> > > Speaking of AM signals, I went by the housing
> development
> > > off Lake Seminole, the transmitters for WXYB 1520 AM and
>
> > > WWBA 1040 and located in the middle of a new subdivision
>
> > > with $750,000+ homes being built. I ask the real estate
>
> > > agent on duty about the radio towers. She said, that's
> > the
> > > first question everybody ask. She said, the towers are
> > > being torn down and are no longer in use. There's an
> old
> > > radio studio and what appears to be a transmitter
> > building.
> > > She said it was being torn down to make room for two new
>
> > > homes. Of course, it is amazing to me that anyone would
>
> > > have a home with a AM tower in the backyard and I'm not
> > > suprised they are relocating the site. I also know
> these
> > > towers are certainly still in operation, they have a
> > > portable generator sitting outside the xmitter building,
>
> > > they wouldn't leave that there if the site was "dead."
> If
> >
> > > it is true the towers are being re-located (and I'd sure
>
> > > want that in writing if I was buying a million dollar
> > > house), where would these stations relocate too? Seems
> > > property in Pinellas for a new AM site would be tough to
>
> > > find. Is WWBA moving closer to Tampa Bay?
> > >
> >
>
> Last time I was there -- about two months ago -- the towers
> were still in use at least for 1040, as confirmed by a nice
> 2080 kHz harmonic on my portable. I cannot imagine buying a
> house in the middle of an RF field like that. The guy wires
> literally terminate in front yards and sidewalks. No need
> for microwaves in these kitchens.
>
> 820's daytime power/pattern gets out well past the FL/GA
> line, in fact I know someone in the Atlanta area who can
> pull pieces of the signal up there.
>
> > That's exactly what I was thinking about that site. That
> > property is golden to the real estate market. A few years
>
> > ago before WWBA moved to Tampa, the real estate office was
>
> > actually in the other half of that transmitter/studio
> > building you speak of. If you think WWBA is still joke at
>
> > times you should have seen that operation then... ha ha
> ha.
> > I'm positive the towers are still in operation because if
> > WWBA had moved I'm sure we'd certinly here about it on
> this
> > board. By the way, speaking of that area... does anyone
> > know if the Channel 32 translater Channel 63 is still in
> > operation on the old 97.9 tower a few blocks over on
> > Starkey? That's more valuable property in that same area.
>
> > Last I heard Channel 63 was the only thing on there but I
> > don't think it's broadcasting anymore. I think WMOR shut
> if
> > off. Anyone know?
> >
> > > Speaking of AM signals, I went by the housing
> development
> > > off Lake Seminole, the transmitters for WXYB 1520 AM and
>
> > > WWBA 1040 and located in the middle of a new subdivision
>
> > > with $750,000+ homes being built. I ask the real estate
>
> > > agent on duty about the radio towers. She said, that's
> > the
> > > first question everybody ask. She said, the towers are
> > > being torn down and are no longer in use. There's an
> old
> > > radio studio and what appears to be a transmitter
> > building.
> > > She said it was being torn down to make room for two new
>
> > > homes. Of course, it is amazing to me that anyone would
>
> > > have a home with a AM tower in the backyard and I'm not
> > > suprised they are relocating the site. I also know
> these
> > > towers are certainly still in operation, they have a
> > > portable generator sitting outside the xmitter building,
>
> > > they wouldn't leave that there if the site was "dead."
> If
> >
> > > it is true the towers are being re-located (and I'd sure
>
> > > want that in writing if I was buying a million dollar
> > > house), where would these stations relocate too? Seems
> > > property in Pinellas for a new AM site would be tough to
>
> > > find. Is WWBA moving closer to Tampa Bay?
> > >
> >
>
Speaking of 820, how far does their 1kW get considering its 1/7th the power?
Doesnt even cover Tampa Bay at nite due to the Primary Class A clearchannel station WBAP in Texas just banging in on top of them most nites. They cant send much signal towards Texas so most of what they do have goes south at nite. Ive been noticing WHO DesMoines pounding WWBA here in Sarasota most nites too. Same with WJR Detroit trashing the 760 in Tampa.
> Speaking of 820, how far does their 1kW get considering its
> 1/7th the power?
>
> Speaking of 820, how far does their 1kW get considering its
> 1/7th the power?
>
> Doesnt even cover Tampa Bay at nite due to the Primary Class
> A clearchannel station WBAP in Texas just banging in on top
> of them most nites. They cant send much signal towards
> Texas so most of what they do have goes south at nite. Ive
> been noticing WHO DesMoines pounding WWBA here in Sarasota
> most nites too. Same with WJR Detroit trashing the 760 in
> Tampa.
Good point; I somehow forgot about 'BAP even though they come in loud in clear in Phoenix at night. Hey, at least when a hurricane hits, they can run 50kW at night. Basically, CC owns the only two good AM signals (970, 620) and one of the few decent ones (1250).
On a somewhat similar note, isn't Tampa in WPCV's CP primary contour?
> A clearchannel station WBAP in Texas just banging in on top
> of them most nites. They cant send much signal towards
> Texas so most of what they do have goes south at nite. Ive
> been noticing WHO DesMoines pounding WWBA here in Sarasota
> most nites too. Same with WJR Detroit trashing the 760 in
> Tampa.
Good point; I somehow forgot about 'BAP even though they come in loud in clear in Phoenix at night. Hey, at least when a hurricane hits, they can run 50kW at night. Basically, CC owns the only two good AM signals (970, 620) and one of the few decent ones (1250).
On a somewhat similar note, isn't Tampa in WPCV's CP primary contour?
F
Fake_User_Name
Guest
> Doesnt even cover Tampa Bay at nite due to the Primary Class
> A clearchannel station WBAP in Texas just banging in on top
> of them most nites. They cant send much signal towards
> Texas so most of what they do have goes south at nite. Ive
> been noticing WHO DesMoines pounding WWBA here in Sarasota
> most nites too. Same with WJR Detroit trashing the 760 in
> Tampa.
I forgot about WBAP. While driving over the Memorial Causeway Bridge from Clearwater Beach veerryy early in the morning, I can see the 820 tower lights from the bridge, but the signal is obviously nulled in that direction as it's pretty beat up.
> A clearchannel station WBAP in Texas just banging in on top
> of them most nites. They cant send much signal towards
> Texas so most of what they do have goes south at nite. Ive
> been noticing WHO DesMoines pounding WWBA here in Sarasota
> most nites too. Same with WJR Detroit trashing the 760 in
> Tampa.
I forgot about WBAP. While driving over the Memorial Causeway Bridge from Clearwater Beach veerryy early in the morning, I can see the 820 tower lights from the bridge, but the signal is obviously nulled in that direction as it's pretty beat up.
F
FloridaBear1776
Guest
Re: AM signals -- 540
I always wondered why 540 didn't work something out with 570 and move west into Tampa instead of east into Orlando. If they were on the west coast their null toward Mexico would be over water. From a Pinellas site, the water would have helped them across the bay. From their current site, they throw a null over parts of Lake, Sumter and Polk counties.
I always wondered why 540 didn't work something out with 570 and move west into Tampa instead of east into Orlando. If they were on the west coast their null toward Mexico would be over water. From a Pinellas site, the water would have helped them across the bay. From their current site, they throw a null over parts of Lake, Sumter and Polk counties.
A
altsped
Guest
Re: AM signals -- 540
540 is actually moving closer to Orlando. They are going to diplex on the 740 antenna system
540 is actually moving closer to Orlando. They are going to diplex on the 740 antenna system
Re: AM signals -- 540
They've already made the move. Shortly after The Team moved to 740 and "WFLA" was created on 540 they shut off the old towers on US-27 north of I-4. There were 6 towers that blew 50,000 watts SE during the day and 50K NE at night. You'll notice it doesn't come in anymore around Tampa Bay. It used to be like a local during daytime and in fact was heard clear down to Ft. Myers. 540 was one hell of a signal back in the 70's and 80's and it's a shame it's been squeezed down to what it is now. It also was one of the few AMs in Florida that broadcasted in stereo, something the then engineer at Paxson Orlando ripped out in '95 when it was bought for the sports format. A fact about 540... it's so low on the dial, electricity reaks havoc on it. When thunderstorms pass through Orlando during the summertime, lightning really does a number on it.
> 540 is actually moving closer to Orlando. They are going to
> diplex on the 740 antenna system
>
They've already made the move. Shortly after The Team moved to 740 and "WFLA" was created on 540 they shut off the old towers on US-27 north of I-4. There were 6 towers that blew 50,000 watts SE during the day and 50K NE at night. You'll notice it doesn't come in anymore around Tampa Bay. It used to be like a local during daytime and in fact was heard clear down to Ft. Myers. 540 was one hell of a signal back in the 70's and 80's and it's a shame it's been squeezed down to what it is now. It also was one of the few AMs in Florida that broadcasted in stereo, something the then engineer at Paxson Orlando ripped out in '95 when it was bought for the sports format. A fact about 540... it's so low on the dial, electricity reaks havoc on it. When thunderstorms pass through Orlando during the summertime, lightning really does a number on it.
> 540 is actually moving closer to Orlando. They are going to
> diplex on the 740 antenna system
>
Re: AM signals -- 540
For years, WGTO 540 was the United States most powerful AM station due to its directional signal and low spot on the dial. I remember when the towers were just outside of Cypress Gardens. In fact its city of license was Cypress Gardens. This station is heard almost nightly in europe. Now the two most powerful AM's are WXYT 1270 and WWJ 950 both licensed to Detroit. They really send the power out of their transmitters south of Detroit.
> They've already made the move. Shortly after The Team moved
> to 740 and "WFLA" was created on 540 they shut off the old
> towers on US-27 north of I-4. There were 6 towers that blew
> 50,000 watts SE during the day and 50K NE at night. You'll
> notice it doesn't come in anymore around Tampa Bay. It used
> to be like a local during daytime and in fact was heard
> clear down to Ft. Myers. 540 was one hell of a signal back
> in the 70's and 80's and it's a shame it's been squeezed
> down to what it is now. It also was one of the few AMs in
> Florida that broadcasted in stereo, something the then
> engineer at Paxson Orlando ripped out in '95 when it was
> bought for the sports format. A fact about 540... it's so
> low on the dial, electricity reaks havoc on it. When
> thunderstorms pass through Orlando during the summertime,
> lightning really does a number on it.
>
> > 540 is actually moving closer to Orlando. They are going
> to
> > diplex on the 740 antenna system
> >
>
For years, WGTO 540 was the United States most powerful AM station due to its directional signal and low spot on the dial. I remember when the towers were just outside of Cypress Gardens. In fact its city of license was Cypress Gardens. This station is heard almost nightly in europe. Now the two most powerful AM's are WXYT 1270 and WWJ 950 both licensed to Detroit. They really send the power out of their transmitters south of Detroit.
> They've already made the move. Shortly after The Team moved
> to 740 and "WFLA" was created on 540 they shut off the old
> towers on US-27 north of I-4. There were 6 towers that blew
> 50,000 watts SE during the day and 50K NE at night. You'll
> notice it doesn't come in anymore around Tampa Bay. It used
> to be like a local during daytime and in fact was heard
> clear down to Ft. Myers. 540 was one hell of a signal back
> in the 70's and 80's and it's a shame it's been squeezed
> down to what it is now. It also was one of the few AMs in
> Florida that broadcasted in stereo, something the then
> engineer at Paxson Orlando ripped out in '95 when it was
> bought for the sports format. A fact about 540... it's so
> low on the dial, electricity reaks havoc on it. When
> thunderstorms pass through Orlando during the summertime,
> lightning really does a number on it.
>
> > 540 is actually moving closer to Orlando. They are going
> to
> > diplex on the 740 antenna system
> >
>
T
TampaTV
Guest
Re: AM signals -- 540
> For years, WGTO 540 was the United States most powerful AM
> station due to its directional signal and low spot on the
> dial. I remember when the towers were just outside of
> Cypress Gardens. In fact its city of license was Cypress
> Gardens. This station is heard almost nightly in europe.
> Now the two most powerful AM's are WXYT 1270 and WWJ 950
> both licensed to Detroit. They really send the power out of
> their transmitters south of Detroit.
>
>
I heard somewhere that the best AM daytime signal in the country was from WBAP 820 Fort Worth/Dallas. I remember driving through an isolated part of far West Texas when I was a kid, the only station we could pick up on the radio - AM or FM - was 820 out of Fort Worth. The rest of the dial was totally silent. That was strange.
> For years, WGTO 540 was the United States most powerful AM
> station due to its directional signal and low spot on the
> dial. I remember when the towers were just outside of
> Cypress Gardens. In fact its city of license was Cypress
> Gardens. This station is heard almost nightly in europe.
> Now the two most powerful AM's are WXYT 1270 and WWJ 950
> both licensed to Detroit. They really send the power out of
> their transmitters south of Detroit.
>
>
I heard somewhere that the best AM daytime signal in the country was from WBAP 820 Fort Worth/Dallas. I remember driving through an isolated part of far West Texas when I was a kid, the only station we could pick up on the radio - AM or FM - was 820 out of Fort Worth. The rest of the dial was totally silent. That was strange.
Tampa AM sounds great on St. George
A few years back I vacationed on St. George Island, just off Apalachicola. Just about all of the Tampa-area AM stations were audible there, inclding a 10 watt TIS station on 1610. 820 is the strongest (local strength) followed by 620. There were plenty of Central Florida and Louisiana stations as well during the day. The fact that there are no AM stations for at least 45 miles helps.
Unfortunately, as others have posted, that great coastal coverage doesn't do much for local listeners.
A few years back I vacationed on St. George Island, just off Apalachicola. Just about all of the Tampa-area AM stations were audible there, inclding a 10 watt TIS station on 1610. 820 is the strongest (local strength) followed by 620. There were plenty of Central Florida and Louisiana stations as well during the day. The fact that there are no AM stations for at least 45 miles helps.
Unfortunately, as others have posted, that great coastal coverage doesn't do much for local listeners.
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