Charleston signal issues & a missed opportunity

[upstate29651]

No, I won't rant on how Charleston is over "urbaned". But it is.

Now that we're moving into the warmer, more humid months, I've noticed the DX opportunities are starting up, and with that is the likelihood that some lower powered locals will get "stepped on" by more distant signals. Case in point: 98X.

50k from far southern Chas Co in the summertime can render their signal almost unlistenable once you get north of the Neck, primarily in the morning. A lower powered signal, but located closer in town, 94.3 suffers a similar fate (why they're still in stereo is beyond me, but whatever).

As 98X is currently the only real rock station in town (104.5 doesn't really cut it & 101.7? Please.), it seems to me they'd want as much stable signal over as much of the populace as possible. What's the viability of them moving closer to town, even if at lower power?

Missed opportunity: Apex could have effectively hurt 98X by flipping 95.9 to a rock format (and no, I'm not advocating a return to 96Wave..even though that would have put a hurting on both 98X & 105.5), but an in-town C2 stick would provide a more stable, listenable signal over what 98X is currently providing. Instead, they'd rather cannibalize themselves & eat away at their own ratings on 101.7.

G

 

[carolinaradio]

I agree that Charleston could use another rock outlet. However, Apex was smart with 95.9 I think. Yeah, there are cannibalizing issues between 95.9 and 101.7, and I don't really have a solution to that. But the classic hits will probably do very well once it gets established, if it is executed properly.

IMO, in the long run 95.9 will be more viable than Chuck FM. 95.9 is a brand new station and will take time to grow and already is. When WXLY was oldies, they were regularly top 5 IIRC. Chuck is more of a niche format. I think Apex made their opinion of the rock format known when they flipped 96. What was the reasoning again?

94.3 in stereo is a joke. 106.3 in Greenville has been like that for ages. Mono works wonders for the signals.

 

[DudeFan]

Now that it is warming up, the Class A's in Columbia have the same problem. WDOG comes on top of WARQ when the sun comes up in the Garner's Ferry area. Once the atmosphere warms up around 10a, it clears up.

 

[Radio-X]

Lets look at 98X's biggest issue:

- Signal: It seems grossly undermodulated...like somebody at the transmitter shack just didn't bother using any signal processor. This isn't a problem with the reception, it just seems waaaay too quiet (which can be easily mistaken if you can't hear the music over the background static...which is OK if you're a classical or smooth jazz station. Bad if you're the only rocker in town. Someone needs to make the processing more aggressive and sound like the station's got a pair!

The actual reception you're talking about has been going on for the last couple of days. It ain't just Charleston getting hammered. I was only picking up only half the Savannah locals due to crazy tropo from FL the last few days.

What's interesting is that Apex dumped alt rock, and CC picked up the format at 100.5. Apparently that was not enough of a money maker to put on CC's current properties except as a HD2. And I wouldn't blame them!

So if CC and Apex have pretty much given up on the format, who's gonna revive it? I would imagine that would be no one! All the while LM is cleaning up on both sides of the rock spectrum just by being the last to blink!

My guess is the most logical way alt. rock will return to Charleston is that one of the two companies (CC or Apex) will put an HD2 on a translator somewhere. With the new rules, you can run 250watts from pretty much any height! Put that on a 600' tower and you could probably get a solid 15-20 mile signal...enough to put a squeeze on the X and for super cheap. Cumulus did just this in Kansas City on a 1000' tower and probably spent less than $80k for the station (and that includes the sale and move)


Perhaps Apex will give up on Chuck and do something else with the station. It would be kind of a loss of face to return Wave or any other rock format to a full station, so I think the chance of seeing CHR on 101.7 is better than rock. And I think Citadel would rather have a #2 country station now than what might become a #1 rock station with time.

I'm not saying it's over, but count your blessings! Savannah is devoid of a AAA station, but we have two rock stations...I'd rather have one rocker and a AAA like Charleston!

Radio-X

 

[RadioOCD]

I remember many days WDOG would outnumber WARQ all the way to South Congaree. Same thing for WXBT 100.1 (100.1 in Savannah coming through), WHXT 103.9 (picking up 103.9 in Savannah instead).

I hope Charleston gets an alternative format back. I used to envy their radio market, but it seems their stations have become just as stale as Columbia's. The only thing Columbia has going for it is WXRY. I wish that Glory would sell 95.3 to them reasonably so they can let their greatness be heard by more people! I know, wishful thinking and probaly way out in left field.

 

[Silkie]

I agree that Charleston could use another rock outlet. However, Apex was smart with 95.9 I think. Yeah, there are cannibalizing issues between 95.9 and 101.7, and I don't really have a solution to that. But the classic hits will probably do very well once it gets established, if it is executed properly.

IMO, in the long run 95.9 will be more viable than Chuck FM. 95.9 is a brand new station and will take time to grow and already is. When WXLY was oldies, they were regularly top 5 IIRC. Chuck is more of a niche format. I think Apex made their opinion of the rock format known when they flipped 96. What was the reasoning again?

94.3 in stereo is a joke. 106.3 in Greenville has been like that for ages. Mono works wonders for the signals.

They have a first rate lineup all the way around, that is for sure. I would say that it is sufficiently good that a person who is into the music - and many many many are - could just sit and listen to some of the good programming they have on that channel.