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Cox Media Applies to Upgrade W258CN "Hot 99.5" Jacksonville Florida

O

olmjax

Finally, Cox Media is addressing the signal issues of their FM translator W258CN throughout the Jacksonville metro, especially as it relates to the poor coverage on the Northside of Jacksonville. As you know, I've been an outspoken critic of Cox Media's decision to move the successful Urban AC-formatted station from the stronger, full power signal of 106.5 to the much weaker, highly directional signal of 99.5, which led to a great majority of people throughout the metro area losing their favorite radio station. According to the coverage map of the proposed W258CN (pending FCC approval), the signal will be upgraded from 210. watts to 250 watts and the null to the southeast of the transmitter will be eliminated, which is now possible because the translator in St. Augustine, FL previously on 99.5 FM has moved to 103.9 FM. As a result of the proposed upgrade, the station's 60dBU contour signal will encompasses more of these the Northside of Jacksonville, especially the predominantly African-American neighborhoods of Northwest Jacksonville. However, there is still a null around the northeastern part of Jacksonville around the Oceanway neighborhood in order to protect co-channel FM translator W258AT in St. Mary's, GA.
 
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After almost a year since the FCC approved the upgrade of W258CN "Hot 99.5 FM", it appears the new transmitter is currently broadcasting. While I was on the Southside, I noticed the signal has improved dramatically in areas where it was previously weak. I haven't been on the Northside yet to test the new signal yet to see if it is significantly better than before.
 
I see atop the old 47 tower the two panel antennas have been removed in favor of a two bay setup. This must be the upgrade.
 
Since the last time I wrote this post since the upgrade of W258CN on April 30, 2017, I've tested the signal in the predominantly African-American Northwest Jacksonville. Based on my observation, the signal is much better now than it was before. Moreover, the signal is better in the predominantly African-American Dunn Ave./Highlands neighborhood in North Jacksonville than before, which is quite an improvement over the very poor signal they had previously. As I stated earlier, there is still a null east of the Jacksonville International Airport in the Oceanway neighborhood in North Jacksonville to protect Satilla Broadcasting Properties-owned W258AT in St. Mary's, GA, degrading the signal in that area. Furthermore, the upgrade of Cox Media's W258CN 99.5 FM will cause more interference with the St. Mary's translator. In order to eliminate the null of W258CN 99.5 FM and decrease interference with W258AT St. Mary's, GA in that section of town, W258AT 99.5 FM will need to move to another available, vacant frequency while retaining their current coverage pattern so they can continue to serve the Kingsland/St. Mary's, GÀ area. After this happens, then Cox Media can finally use a non-directional transmitter for W258CN 99.5, giving the station the best possible coverage for ALL of Metro Jacksonville. ( Of course, in order for this to happen, it would require FCC approval and a mutual agreement between Satilla Broadcasting Properties and Cox Media.)
 
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