Although there are some successful rimshot signals in various markets, some station managers and sales staff like to "stretch" the truth about actual coverage area. However, the general rule of thumb qualifying a signal as a local marketable signal is:
Can the station in question be heard on an inexpensive clock radio inside a closed building without having to attach an outside antenna or adjust said antenna for better reception?
The average radio listener, for lack of a better term, is too lazy to go to that much effort to hear a radio station unless the station in question is offering desired programming not available on any other signal. Basically only "radio people", DXers, or those interested in radio beyond passive listening will go to that much effort. If the signal passes the "clock radio test", then the signal is local.
Lastly, regarding WMFQ marketing itself in Gainesville, if it were not for the fact that WKTK, WKZY and WYKS already offer a combination Hot Adult Contemporary and CHR programming, respectively, with a local signal [although WKZY also has a rimshot signal, 106.9 has a 60dBu signal over Gainesville compared to WMFQ's 50dBu Gainesville rimshot signal], WMFQ might stand a chance of attracting the Gainesville contemporary music listener. As it stands now, neither WKZY nor WYKS have a marketable nor listenable signal in Ocala. Therefore, by concentrating its efforts on Ocala, WMFQ can own the Ocala contemporary music market with little direct competition.
