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Earth FM to move to 95.5

I’m getting 95.5 in HD in Laurens county, but tropo from adjacent 95.7 WXRC in Hickory is stomping all over it. 103.3 is still a better signal here despite being adjacent to the C3 103.5 WZSN which has a very strong signal here.
 
95.5 this morning had a listenable signal all the way up to i-26/85 intersection in West Spartanburg. After that heading north, faded in and out until around the Cowpens area, although I did hear it at times through the static. But what does it matter there, that is where 103.3 is supposed to cover 😁 haven't checked areas toward Greenville yet but hopefully will soon.
 
Lots of Interference on 95.5 around parts of Greenville. Looks like WMXP is also broadcasting and making 95.5 unlistenable near the Haywood Mall and most of Greenville. But I was able to confirm Earth FM is currently on all 3 frequencies (95.5 / 95.9 / 103.3)
 
Driving around Laurens and Gray Court areas up to Simpsonville today I noticed 95.5 was strong in some areas but unreliable in others including a lot of interference in areas. It “wobbled” a LOT.

In Laurens 103.3 was stronger, louder and more reliable although there’s some interference at times due to 103.5 WZSN. 95.5 seems to have a lower noise floor right now which didn’t help the signal but it had a lot of interference from something I couldn’t make out although my radio tried to lock HD several times. I’m guessing 95.5’s processing hasn’t completely been set up yet so a louder signal should help. Gray Court up to the 14/385 merge 103.3 is pretty clear but 95.5 was still somewhat weak. By Simpsonville 103.3 was crystal clear as usual, 95.5 was a little shaky but decent. 103.3 has way more punch. I wonder if they’re broadcasting 95.5 at full power?

If so just reinforces what I said a while back, 103.3 will still be the main frequency for the simulcast with the most listeners in Greenville county outside of the areas around the White Horse Rd/Augusta Rd corridors, 95.9 moving to 95.5 will mainly help in Piedmont, Powdersville and Easley.
 
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Yesterday I heard another broadcast (low audio) also on 95.5 in parts of SE Greenville, near Pleasantburg Drive, and Haywood / Woodruff Road. It was coming in over Earth FM, so there are still some areas where 95.5 is an issue, perhaps WMXP hasn't turned their station off. 95.9 was barely listenable but detectable in the same area.

In Downtown Greenville near West End I found a spot where all 3 Earth FMs came in well at the same time, 103.3 still being the strongest.
 
i wonder how using 95.9 and 95.5 at the same time is legal in this case but it usually is not legal to operate on your licensed channel and your cp channel at the same time
 
SomeRadioGuy said:
i wonder how using 95.9 and 95.5 at the same time is legal in this case but it usually is not legal to operate on your licensed channel and your cp channel at the same time
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Brief testing should be ok but not for a long time, but since they're both on for now, I wonder about coverage in the Anderson area, it should be just as good on both channels there...Not sure the, as I'm not in that area.
 
I was able to get 95.5, 95.9 and 103.3 all at once and sort of wondered the same thing. I even got an HD message on 95.5 that said “EARTH FM / COMING SOON” on the HD data. It was on for most of yesterday…I also found it a bit odd they were using regular programming to test it. I’ve heard stations just run an ID loop or something while testing.

I’d be curious about this gray area - I’d assume WMXP-LP can still broadcast since 95.5 is still under a CP and not officially licensed to Powdersville yet, but what if they interfere with WLTE, a class A protected facility’s testing? I haven’t seen anything from WMXP online about a final air date or anything so guess they’re just riding it out as long as they can.

ETA: the interference I’m getting in Laurens County is WSBB-FM occasionally trying to break in. Very weak but enough to interfere with 95.5’s fairly weak signal here.
 
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101tm said:
I was able to get 95.5, 95.9 and 103.3 all at once and sort of wondered the same thing. I even got an HD message on 95.5 that said “EARTH FM / COMING SOON” on the HD data. It was on for most of yesterday…I also found it a bit odd they were using regular programming to test it. I’ve heard stations just run an ID loop or something while testing.

I’d be curious about this gray area - I’d assume WMXP-LP can still broadcast since 95.5 is still under a CP and not officially licensed to Powdersville yet, but what if they interfere with WLTE, a class A protected facility’s testing? I haven’t seen anything from WMXP online about a final air date or anything so guess they’re just riding it out as long as they can.

ETA: the interference I’m getting in Laurens County is WSBB-FM occasionally trying to break in. Very weak but enough to interfere with 95.5’s fairly weak signal here.
Click to expand...
101tm said:
I was able to get 95.5, 95.9 and 103.3 all at once and sort of wondered the same thing. I even got an HD message on 95.5 that said “EARTH FM / COMING SOON” on the HD data. It was on for most of yesterday…I also found it a bit odd they were using regular programming to test it. I’ve heard stations just run an ID loop or something while testing.

I’d be curious about this gray area - I’d assume WMXP-LP can still broadcast since 95.5 is still under a CP and not officially licensed to Powdersville yet, but what if they interfere with WLTE, a class A protected facility’s testing? I haven’t seen anything from WMXP online about a final air date or anything so guess they’re just riding it out as long as they can.

ETA: the interference I’m getting in Laurens County is WSBB-FM occasionally trying to break in. Very weak but enough to interfere with 95.5’s fairly weak signal here.
Click to expand...
 
There is assumed Program Test Authority on the new frequency until the FCC issues the license. At that point the license changes from 95.9 to 95.5. The LPFM has 24 hours from a complaint being filed at the FCC to cease operation. The FCC site shows WLTE has filed a complaint.
 
Apparently its all done now, 95.9 has officially made the switch to 95.5. New logo up as well. Hopefully the signal is better now. It was posted on their Facebook about 1 hour ago.

Also, WMXP has posted on their website that they have "moved" as well.
 

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WMXP has had a different webpage for a while. That’s been like that for a couple of years at least.

I’m no longer getting a signal on 95.9 so off the air indeed. In Laurens County 95.5 is still not good, today WIXV from Savannah (always a common DX catch) is all over it. 103.3 has the signal advantage here for sure. 95.5 should accomplish what it needs to though which is to cover the area between downtown Greenville and Anderson.

Not a station I really listen to but the 95.5/103.3 playlist is quite intriguing. I guess adult hits is the best way to describe it. It’s not really classic rock or classic hits.
 
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Yup WMXP still isn't off yet so even tho the switch to 95.5 is official, its still a problem with lots of interference around the area. Perhaps its better for now in the Anderson area.

I posted about it to Craig Debolt,
Looks like he and the team are right on it...
 

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Great 😢
Well it was fun while it lasted,
maybe it can come around again somehow
💔 🌍FM

Perhaps reincarnate Earth 105.7 Spartanburg where it actually started. Or maybe the Block 963/1045/1077 can change course. Maybe 104.9/98.3 Fox Sports could finally try something else.

I'm sure the local talent will find a new home, or something else will fill it's void.

Would love to save some recordings of the station too, its actually been a well-loved favorite. Like my favorite in this area. What a shame.
 
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Well as I said I am sorry to see the end of Earth-FM. Especially just after the signal upgrade on 95.5. I enjoyed their variety hits format, or whatever you prefer to call it.

And while 94.5 has a very strong signal from Paris Mtn, I would prefer some format other than K-Love. Like 98.9, 94.7 reaches into parts of Charlotte, and down toward Columbia and into Georgia.
 
tylerSC said:
Well as I said I am sorry to see the end of Earth-FM. Especially just after the signal upgrade on 95.5. I enjoyed their variety hits format, or whatever you prefer to call it.

And while 94.5 has a very strong signal from Paris Mtn, I would prefer some format other than K-Love. Like 98.9, 94.7 reaches into parts of Charlotte, and down toward Columbia and into Georgia.
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I think you meant 93.7 not 94.7.
 
Looks like the 101.5 translator in Anderson is taking advantage of the 95.9 opening with an application to change frequencies:


The last I heard / saw 101.5 was broadcasting Magic 106.3 via WFBC-HD4 but it looks like this is to broadcast WLFJ-HD4 (His Radio Classics)?

Also, 95.5 W238AW in West View has a CP to modify their frequency from 95.5 to 92.9.

 
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