New 6 bay FM Transmitter halfway up the Cox FM tower

[upstate29651]

Just noticed it today. Any ideas who it's for? Hoping...praying...it will be for a new station that will play rock!

G

 

[olmjax]

I believe it is for W258CN 99.5, a Cox-owned translator rebroadcasting WOKV 104.5 FM HD2, better known as the Urban AC-formatted "Hot 99.5". The reason why I believe this is because it is the only Cox station with a pending construction permit to upgrade the FM translator slightly from 210 watts to 250 watts. With the signal increase, the null currently on the southeastern part of the coverage pattern will be eliminated, improving coverage in areas such as the Mandarin neighborhood in southeastern Duval County (Jacksonville FL), and northern St. John's County. Moreover, the null to the north of the transmitter will be reduced, improving coverage in Northwest Jacksonville (the area with the largest population of African-Americans in Duval County and is the primary target audience for an Urban AC station).

 

[davideduardo]

I believe it is for W258CN 99.5, a Cox-owned translator rebroadcasting WOKV 104.5 FM HD2, better known as the Urban AC-formatted "Hot 99.5". The reason why I believe this is because it is the only Cox station with a pending construction permit to upgrade the FM translator slightly from 210 watts to 250 watts. With the signal increase, the null currently on the southeastern part of the coverage pattern will be eliminated, improving coverage in areas such as the Mandarin neighborhood in southeastern Duval County (Jacksonville FL), and northern St. John's County. Moreover, the null to the north of the transmitter will be reduced, improving coverage in Northwest Jacksonville (the area with the largest population of African-Americans in Duval County and is the primary target audience for an Urban AC station).

That sounds totally logical. However, I don't understand why they would use a 6 bay antenna for 250 watts ERP. It would make much more sense to use a two bay at that power level. They certainly are not worrying about the electric bill.

 

[MediaMan]

That sounds totally logical. However, I don't understand why they would use a 6 bay antenna for 250 watts ERP. It would make much more sense to use a two bay at that power level. They certainly are not worrying about the electric bill.

FM translators can overlap the 60 dBu contour of second and third adjacent full power FM stations if it can be demonstrated that the interfering contour from the translator doesn't reach the ground or if it does, the signal doesn't cover any population, occupied structures or public roadways. In the case of this translator, the large antenna is being used to keep the interfering contour off the ground so there is no interference to WQIK. The more bays on a FM antenna, the more the signal radiations stays above the ground close in to the transmitter site.

 

[upstate29651]

Interesting. On a related note, near the top of the CBS 47 tower is the ENG and two panel antennas. Who do the panels belong to? I presume the four panels towards the bottom belong to 106.5.

 

[Groove1670]

That sounds totally logical. However, I don't understand why they would use a 6 bay antenna for 250 watts ERP. It would make much more sense to use a two bay at that power level. They certainly are not worrying about the electric bill.

Higher gain lower TPO? Still not enough power consumption to make a difference.