Just out of curiosity, I ran a search on the FCC database and see there are multitudes of LPFM applications in the Tampa Bay-Sarasota area. Just curious, how many are on the air? I suspect most are religious groups (local churches), or at least the applications lead me to this conclusion. I also realize, not all applications will be granted. BUT--- it appears the FCC, in allowing these Class D stations, is cluttering up the band, more than anything else. Anyone with first-hand knowledge want to add their 2-cents worth?
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Low Power FM's
- Thread starter David Sharp
- Start date
One of my biggest complaints is translators all over the dial. Most of them religious (Calvary Chapel, etc) most from Twin Falls Idaho. These stations take up spaces that could go to high quality low power stations that really provide different service or good local service to their community. Also if you notice in Tampa area now, you can hear far fewer stations on FM because HD radio is obliterating what you used to hear on adjacent channels. With an FM receiver, the HD noise just mutes the receiver. A classic case is here in Sarasota. New College has a LPFM on 96.3. There is a translator in Bradenton also on 96.3. They trash each other. In fact, you normally cannot hear the New College LPFM on the New College campus since the LPFM transmitter is in east Sarasota. What a mess these translators are.
Hey David...there is one in Zephyrhills on 96.7 FM. Calls are WZPH and they are calling themselves "The Zephyr" they are playing oldies from the 50s 60s and some 70s. Sounds pretty clean and they are even using jingles!
They seem to have a radius of about 7 miles which pretty much puts the signal into Zephyrhills and as far west as Wesley Chapel. It really does not get into Dade City.
Hope you are doing well.
Your former WDCF/WZHR collegue,
Tim
They seem to have a radius of about 7 miles which pretty much puts the signal into Zephyrhills and as far west as Wesley Chapel. It really does not get into Dade City.
Hope you are doing well.
Your former WDCF/WZHR collegue,
Tim
Hi Tim,
Nice to hear from someone, who remembers when I was at WDCF/WZHR. Don't remember who left first, you or me?
Good points in this discussion, though we need to differentiate: LPFM Class D's (from an FCC perspective) are different than the translators. LPFM's are meant to originate local content (or so I thought).
Also, here's a thought: wouldn't it be more efficient, if for example, the FCC allowed WJIS upgrading their signal to properly cover Hillsborogh and Pinellas on 88.1, instead of having a dozen translators scattered everywhere? I wonder, how much spectrum a simple upgrade would save, for actual LPFM's or other stations?
Nice to hear from someone, who remembers when I was at WDCF/WZHR. Don't remember who left first, you or me?
Good points in this discussion, though we need to differentiate: LPFM Class D's (from an FCC perspective) are different than the translators. LPFM's are meant to originate local content (or so I thought).
Also, here's a thought: wouldn't it be more efficient, if for example, the FCC allowed WJIS upgrading their signal to properly cover Hillsborogh and Pinellas on 88.1, instead of having a dozen translators scattered everywhere? I wonder, how much spectrum a simple upgrade would save, for actual LPFM's or other stations?
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