Generations 102.3 now in Lynchburg. Why?

[nocomradio]

Listening to 102.3 (WZGN) off and on I hear they are now broadcasting to Lynchburg via another translator. I forgot the frequency, but I think its around 100 or 101 Mhz.

Why such a reach? All of their audience and adverts are concentrated on Charlottesville and Lynchburg is 70 miles away. I can understand expanding, but that seems like a far reach to me. Any ideas why?

 

[Radio-X]

Monticello Media could have puchased/LMA'd WIOQ-FM on 100.9 (which has a CP to move from Covington to the WYYD tower in Bedford Co. as a class A).

Mind you, this CP expires December 11th, so the people building this station probably had to get a move on quite quickly.

Another possibility is somehow the old 100.9 translator in Rustburg was re-activated. It has, in the past, rebroadcasted (illegally, I might add) both WZZI/Roanoke during their modern rock days and WICE in Clarksville when they were "Cool Oldies"

Radio-X

 

[nocomradio]

Now it seems they are on 106.5 in Lynchburg. I am not sure what happened to the other frequency.

 

[Radio-X]

WIQO signed off last month from Covington and has since returned on an AM to FM translator.WXCF has also signed off for good as well.

Im guessing that means the new Lynchburg stations will sign on shortly. I still don't know how its possible WZGN can be rebroadcasted down there unless Rustburg/Lynchburg is considered to be an isolated, underserved market like some places out west that can rebroadcast signals 200 miles away.

Radio-X

 

[nocomradio]

I still don't know how its possible WZGN can be rebroadcasted down there unless Rustburg/Lynchburg is considered to be an isolated, underserved market like some places out west that can rebroadcast signals 200 miles away.

Radio-X

That was my thought initially when I posted this. Lynchburg does have a few stations, but honestly I haven't listened over there because I rarely get there anymore. I can only guess that as you said sometime back they are holding onto frequencies or fudging their CP's or something of the like. Given that its 80 miles between Charlottesville (Crozet, actually) where WZGN is located and Lynchburg where the translator is that would be a stretch in terms of service in any capacity. Plus, I've listened to 102.3 for days on end sometimes all day and I've yet to hear even one advert aimed at Lynchburg or anyplace even near it. Its all focused on Charlottesville and a few points North, like Greene County.

 

[memoriesradio]

WZGN is being relayed via translator W265AS from Long Mountain in Rustburg (licensed to Concord). 100.9 AND 103.9 are relaying WKHF from the same site at Rocky Mountain northwest of Lynchburg. No idea what the plans are at this point. W265AS has a very, very weak signal over much of Lynchburg since it is sharing the channel with WBTJ and a Liberty University translator in Roanoke. It is not a benefit for ad sales to Monticello Media since its coverage is so small from this translator - in most cases, 102.3 comes in just as clearly if not better than 106.5.

 

[nocomradio]

It is not a benefit for ad sales to Monticello Media since its coverage is so small from this translator - in most cases, 102.3 comes in just as clearly if not better than 106.5.

Interesting. I wonder if another format flip may be in order in the near future for WZGN.

Incidentally, 40 miles Northeast of Charlottesville, I can sometimes turn my rooftop 10 element Yagi toward Lynchburg and receive a crackly signal from W265AS. I can easily pick up WZGN and the 94.1 translator in Charlottesville.

 

[memoriesradio]

God, I hope they don't flip formats to try and service both Lynchburg AND Charlottesville. Can't be done with that 10-watt pea shooter. You must have a fairly hard time receiving W265AS with WBTJ to your southeast.

 

[nocomradio]

You must have a fairly hard time receiving W265AS with WBTJ to your southeast.

Yep. The planets need to be aligned just right. ;D