CBS SELLS W.P.B. CLUSTER

[cd637299]

I wonder if anything is in the works about 103.1 possibly upgrading.

There is already a 50 kW 103.1 in Plantation Key; however, there are allocations for a 93.5 in Islamorada (never mind there is one in Key West already!) & 107.1 in Key Largo (although it's supposed to be a WURN 1020 relay, as I understand) - maybe the Indiantown 103.1 can work out something.

If not, and Sunny is at 103.1---a DXer's dilemma fro those out of town---there will be a "Sunny" 103.1 AND a "Sun FM" 103.1 (the Plantation Key one). The difference is the format. Sun FM is classic rock.

[So it would be possible that the translators on 93.5 in Mia-FtL would have to move.]

cd

 

[ScottBurns]

CD, while I know next to nothing about engineering, I'd imagine that given the relative proximity of Indiantown and Plantation Key (well, over 100 miles, but still...) and the fact that Sun 103.1 runs at 50kW, WPBZ is somewhat limited in terms of a power increase.

If Goodman wants more coverage for Sunny, I think he is best off moving Sunny to 102.3 and moving X to 103.1...

 

[cd637299]

CD, while I know next to nothing about engineering, I'd imagine that given the relative proximity of Indiantown and Plantation Key (well, over 100 miles, but still...) and the fact that Sun 103.1 runs at 50kW, WPBZ is somewhat limited in terms of a power increase.

If Goodman wants more coverage for Sunny, I think he is best off moving Sunny to 102.3 and moving X to 103.1...

What I meant was that maybe the Sunny people would try to get Sun-FM to move off of 103.1 to one of those other frequencies in the upper Keys to clear the way for a stronger signal for Sunny.

cd

 

[MarkW]

The strategy as described makes sense. The "Sunny" brand heritage sticks around and will serve as a flanker to an emboldened WRMF.

104.3 gets monetized at a pretty penny thanks to relocation possibilities, and assuming 104.3 does indeed become a Miami / Ft. Lauderdale move-in, a player for PB / TC ad dollars gets taken out of the picture -- thereby giving Goodman an even greater competitive advantage!

 

[FLjack2]

Wow. If so, there just might be something new and interesting on the horizon for 104.3. With Coast, Lite, & Easy here, if 104.3 wants to make inroads in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, I'd think they would try something different.

[All these stations in the thread can ditch the HD, so the DXer in me will be happy. ]

cd

They would not keep the format. Remember, "Sunny" would move to 103.1. Also remember that, in Miami, 104.3 would be (more-or-less) a totally NEW signal. Other than parts of Broward, no one in the Miami market knows about 104.3. They would be starting nearly the same as putting a totally new station on the air.

BTW, format determination will depend on who buys the station, but I'm guessing a big player with only a few stations in the market will purchase it. Beasley, Cox, SBS or Univision. Lincoln Financial will not be a player - the really don't want to be in the radio business. Clear Channel probably has too many stations. SBS or Univision could even spin off one of their lower power stations.

Maybe James Crystal will buy it or the other CBS WPB FM that's being spun off. LOL!

 

[ScottBurns]

Then let the speculation begin about a possible format for 104.3 in the Miami market. It will, of course, depend on the eventual owner. What do you all think the possibilities are?

 

[FLjack2]

Some type of Rock format (except classic)
Talk**especially if Cox picks it up.
A hybrid of Rock/Hot talk (music nights and weekends)

Personally, I think it would be cool to go all sports on FM, grab the big teams and best talent -- and put 560, 790, 940 and 640 out of their misery.

 

[DDV49]

Here is a thought for a format for WPBZ...They certainly aren't doing well with their current format soooo what about a format like WDUV and WFEZ. Easy does quite well in Palm Beach, and with the 103.1 signal covering the Treasure Coast with a lot of retired persons..it might work...WRMF with Hot AC and 103.1 with a soft AC format. WPBZ--Palm Beach eaZy.....

 

[jmtillery]

WEAT-FM 104.3 could move into Miami as a full class C if it were not for the fact a new class C2 on 104.5 has been assigned to Islamorada in the Keys. As it stands now, WEAT 104.3 is locked into Palm Beach as is and cannot move any further South without a drastic class downgrade which defeats the whole purpose behind moving to Miami - Dade in the first place.

 

[nfladxer]

WEAT-FM 104.3 could move into Miami as a full class C if it were not for the fact a new class C2 on 104.5 has been assigned to Islamorada in the Keys. As it stands now, WEAT 104.3 is locked into Palm Beach as is and cannot move any further South without a drastic class downgrade which defeats the whole purpose behind moving to Miami - Dade in the first place.

Dr. Tillery, as usual, your knowledge and research comes to the rescue. But with all due respect, even if the new class C2 in the Keys was not a factor, it would appear there's no way to move WEAT-FM 104.3 to the Broward/Miami-Dade antenna farm as a FULL CLASS C, under any circumstance. Maybe you could confirm, or clear this up, since, from what I can determine, the tallest Miami market FM antennas are only 984 to 1007 feet above average terrain. I was under the impression that a full class C FM is required to be at least 1200 to 1300 above average terrain, in order to retain that full class C status. IMHO, I would conclude, that even if it WAS possible, moving 104.3 to Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, would result in the facility being downgraded to a C0 or C1. Of course, this is, most likely, moot, since your info prevents such a move with the current Islamorada assignment in place.

 

[Kent]

WEAT-FM 104.3 could move into Miami as a full class C if it were not for the fact a new class C2 on 104.5 has been assigned to Islamorada in the Keys. As it stands now, WEAT 104.3 is locked into Palm Beach as is and cannot move any further South without a drastic class downgrade which defeats the whole purpose behind moving to Miami - Dade in the first place.

My understanding is that the C2 on 104.5 in Islamorada is not happening. I was under the impression it would be signing on at 93.5 instead, and WKEY-FM will be moving to 93.7 to accommodate the Islamorada station.

 

[cd637299]

^ I did not read about WKEY moving, to accommodate Islamorada, but yeah it would make sense. Actually from what I have seen (another member here getting info from FCC), originally the allocation was for 107.1 for Islamorada, not 104.5. (That might have necessitated a move for WIIS 107.1 Key West despite using much less power; also there are *two* 104.5's in the Bahamas, although one may have been knocked off the air by Hurricane Irene.)

As I was growing up, there were only two FM stations in all the Keys! Musta been a DXer's paradise back then (70s). Oh well.

EDIT: Oh yeah! There's an LPFM near Key Largo already on 104.3 WORZ-LP ( www.keysfm.com )....they surely would have to move, if what's now Sunny moves tower; it's already a co channel mess there in Key Largo. (The LP serves only the Ocean Reef Yacht Club, of which I'd love to DX from....but I don't drive a Mercedes or own a yacht....)

cd

 

[WDAE-FM101]

A class C needs to have a HAAT of at least 450 meters (1476') - which is the maximum height of a C-0 A C1 is limited to 300 meters or 984' which is the approximate height of the stations on the antenna farm in North Dade.

 

[radiosanchez]

I don't think this has been brought up yet, but it is my understanding that Gannett is at capacity in terms of stations. This may be why WEDR is on a separate antenna from the others, being the last to move there.

How about the Candelabra?? There is already an FM licensed to a city in Palm Beach County (WKIS) on there, making any move for 104.3 shorter.

 

[nfladxer]

A class C needs to have a HAAT of at least 450 meters (1476') - which is the maximum height of a C-0 A C1 is limited to 300 meters or 984' which is the approximate height of the stations on the antenna farm in North Dade.

Thank you for the clarification. According to the FCC website, WEAT-FM 104.3, is listed as a Class C, with antenna at (388 meters) or 1273 feet above average terrain. So, technically, it would seem, WEAT-FM is currently below the minimum height for a full class C. (Although radio-locator is showing an expired construction permit for WEAT-FM to go to (459 meters) 1506 feet, which would have satisfied the height requirement for a full class C). So why is WEAT-FM still listed as a full class C if the construction permit was never built out?

Meanwhile at the Northern Dade antenna farm, here are some statistics: WKIS-FM 99.9 is listed in the FCC website with an antenna at (300 meters) with a power of 100,000 watts, 984 feet above average terrain, as a class C0, and licensed to Boca Raton. WFEZ-FM 93.1, has an ERP of 98,000 watts, with an antenna height of (307 meters) 1007 feet above average terrain, as a class C0. WBGG-FM 105.9, has an ERP of 100,000 watts, with an antenna at (314 meters) 1030 feet above average terrain, still a class C0. Surprisingly, one of South Florida's highest rated FM stations, WLYF-FM 101.5 is listed with an ERP of 100,000 watts at an antenna height of (248 meters)814 feet above average terrain, making it a class C1! :

 

[jmtillery]

Dr. Tillery, as usual, your knowledge and research comes to the rescue. But with all due respect, even if the new class C2 in the Keys was not a factor, it would appear there's no way to move WEAT-FM 104.3 to the Broward/Miami-Dade antenna farm as a FULL CLASS C, under any circumstance. Maybe you could confirm, or clear this up, since, from what I can determine, the tallest Miami market FM antennas are only 984 to 1007 feet above average terrain. I was under the impression that a full class C FM is required to be at least 1200 to 1300 above average terrain, in order to retain that full class C status. IMHO, I would conclude, that even if it WAS possible, moving 104.3 to Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, would result in the facility being downgraded to a C0 or C1. Of course, this is, most likely, moot, since your info prevents such a move with the current Islamorada assignment in place.

Assuming the new 104.5 C2 allocation was not a factor, and, provided WEAT was moved to the existing Broward / Dade antenna farm, WEAT may remain a full class C operating from that existing tower site provided: 1) the antenna is at least 984 feet high, and; 2) no other radio facility applies for an upgrade that would require 104.3 to downgrade in class. If WEAT were to be forced to downgrade in class under the second scenario, WEAT would be reclassified as a class C0 since the antenna is 984 feet or higher but shorter than the approximate 1,500 feet. A class C1 has a maximum antenna height of 981 feet at full 100kw ERP.

 

[nfladxer]

Dr. Tillery, as usual, your knowledge and research comes to the rescue. But with all due respect, even if the new class C2 in the Keys was not a factor, it would appear there's no way to move WEAT-FM 104.3 to the Broward/Miami-Dade antenna farm as a FULL CLASS C, under any circumstance. Maybe you could confirm, or clear this up, since, from what I can determine, the tallest Miami market FM antennas are only 984 to 1007 feet above average terrain. I was under the impression that a full class C FM is required to be at least 1200 to 1300 above average terrain, in order to retain that full class C status. IMHO, I would conclude, that even if it WAS possible, moving 104.3 to Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, would result in the facility being downgraded to a C0 or C1. Of course, this is, most likely, moot, since your info prevents such a move with the current Islamorada assignment in place.

Assuming the new 104.5 C2 allocation was not a factor, and, provided WEAT was moved to the existing Broward / Dade antenna farm, WEAT may remain a full class C operating from that existing tower site provided: 1) the antenna is at least 984 feet high, and; 2) no other radio facility applies for an upgrade that would require 104.3 to downgrade in class. If WEAT were to be forced to downgrade in class under the second scenario, WEAT would be reclassified as a class C0 since the antenna is 984 feet or higher but shorter than the approximate 1,500 feet. A class C1 has a maximum antenna height of 981 feet at full 100kw ERP.

Thanks for the reply, Mark! That explains why some of the Miami FM's are still listed as full class C's, even though their antennas are just over 1000 feet above average terrain! Good info!

 

[jmtillery]

I wonder if anything is in the works about 103.1 possibly upgrading.

There is already a 50 kW 103.1 in Plantation Key; however, there are allocations for a 93.5 in Islamorada (never mind there is one in Key West already!) & 107.1 in Key Largo (although it's supposed to be a WURN 1020 relay, as I understand) - maybe the Indiantown 103.1 can work out something.

If not, and Sunny is at 103.1---a DXer's dilemma fro those out of town---there will be a "Sunny" 103.1 AND a "Sun FM" 103.1 (the Plantation Key one). The difference is the format. Sun FM is classic rock.

[So it would be possible that the translators on 93.5 in Mia-FtL would have to move.]

cd

Another hold-up on any upgrades or moves further South for WPBZ is second adjacent WMXJ 102.7.

 

[FLjack2]

Does it REALLY matter? C1, C0? Hell, 50k on a nice stick would be fine here in South Florida

 

[nfladxer]

Does it REALLY matter? C1, C0? Hell, 50k on a nice stick would be fine here in South Florida

LOL! To some degree, it doesn't, but being a class C0, or a full class C FM with 100,000 watts probably guarantees better signal protection and penetration in the metro, where you would want your terrestrial signal to be as seemless as possible!