New WLFJ translators

[MarkSC]

1440 has had some transmitter issues, but right now they're getting out pretty well on my radios. Enjoying the ESPN programming.

 

[fmradionuts]

Wonder if LFJ's plan it to grab every freq in the market then resale when donations are low? Hear LFJ on 16 freqs in one place...amazing!!

 

[carolinaradio]

WLFJ's beg-a-thons are almost a scam they waste so much money operating those things. Sure, they're needed in some areas, but I bet over half of them are a waste. Religious broadcasters seem to love those things. I don't see how they could sell a translator...who else around here needs those that isn't getting the market covered?

I like ESPN too, it was long needed. I like to listen to it when I'm in town and get it.

 

[Radi0Engineer]

Let's debunk some of this...

1. It's directional -- toward the NORTH ... What is north of G'ville? HENDERSON County, NC.
2. It's about 1000' above everything on Paris Mountain ... it will get out.
3. MONO - MONO - MONO ... it really helps. Your radio only has to grab 1/2 the signal!
Source#1: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?list=0&facid=156233
Source#2: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=W225AZ&service=FX&status=C&hours=U


LPFM is limited to 100 watts at 100 feet above avgerage terrain. There is a LPFM on Paris Mountain. It is 1 watt ERP. Translators have different rules on power and height.
Source: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?list=0&facid=131869


WLFJ does not own the translator. They LEASE it.
Source: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?list=0&facid=156233


WLFJ does not own the translator that WDRF is using. They LEASE it.
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?list=0&facid=156218


The FCC has stated that using multiple translators to rebroadcast an AM will not be allowed. (but the rules don't specifically exclude it...)


A translator a GA market was recently sold for $250,000. (no, it was not Atlanta)

 

[Z-100]

Hey Ted....who do you think you are fooling? It still isn't legal. Oh..sorry, Trey.

 

[fmradionuts]

The maps DON'T look directional- 250w omni. Let me guess, a translator with 18 bays???

 

[fmradionuts]

250w directional toward north don't boom in Mauldin.

 

[artsutton]

The maps DON'T look directional- 250w omni. Let me guess, a translator with 18 bays???

First of all...Ted McCall and WLFJ do things by the book. They are not among the few radio station operators who will fudge on FCC matters. To accuse them otherwise is borderline slanderous. One needs to know what they are talking about before they make accusations based on perception of signal strength.

Secondly, 96.7 does have 700 watts but it's nearly 200 feet lower than this translator plus 96.7 is nulled toward WOXL in Asheville and it also is nulled to the northwest to protect Franklin, NC's 96.7.

There is not a huge difference in coverage between a 250 watt station and a 700 watt station if everything else is equal. In this case, it's not, the translator is another 200 feet in the air and isn't directional.

Another factor is that 92.9 is a more "open" channel than 96.7. Granted there is a station on 92.9 in Abbeville but it's tower site is around 600 feet above sea level. The Greenville area is around 1000 feet above sea level so Abbeville sits in a 400 ft hole toward Greenville. If you head west, north or east, 92.9 is wide open. The Dillon FM is too far away to be a factor in the Greenville area.

When you climb the Saluda grade on I-26, the average terrain around Henderson is over 2000 feet above sea level. You are looking down toward Greenville and I am sure there are spots you can hear the translator in Henderson County. In Highlands, I can hear a translator in Elberton GA which is also 250 watts and is on top of only a 150 ft AM tower. There is nothing in the path of the FM signal and FM will keep going til it hits terrain or another signal on the same frequency.

Finally, FM translators are much easier to locate than full power FM stations . They can receive interference from full power stations but they can not deliver interference based on contour maps. That being said it is a known fact that actual FM signals in this area travel further than contour maps show going south east and west of Greenville. In the mountains the signal doesn't go as far as the contour maps show due to terrain.

In addition to AM stations being able to use FM translators to repeat their programming, as long as the 60 dBu of the translator doesn't extend beyond the AM station's daytime 2 mVm contour or 25 miles, which ever is less...the FCC also ruled that FM stations can broadcast the programming of their HD channels over FM translators. They also ruled that another operator can lease a translator from someone not associated with the translator and FM stations can also lease out their HD channels.

Finally, it should be noted that while the 50,000 daytime non directional signal of WLFJ(AM) is tremendous, the station must operate with a three tower directional 10,000 watt signal two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset (Critical Hours). This signal is beamed southwest from Greenville and effectively eliminates Spartanburg County from the signal. Also, the station operates 500 watts directional from 6 a.m. til sunrise through a special agreement worked out between then WESC(AM) and the dominant AM on 660 in America during nighttime hours, now WFAN, formerly WNBC. The early owner of WESC was New York advertising agency operator who had a close friendship with some of the big wigs at NBC. You can read more about this in Wally Mullinax's book on the history of WESC.

 

[carolinaradio]

Informative info as always, Art. I checked it out today....it has a good signal but doesn't "carry" like 96.7. When it starts dying, it dies very quickly. That's to be expected, though. 96.7 is often criticized for their signal....try going south with it, it goes a long way, especially on the way to Greenwood. 96.7 is lucky that they get out better to the south than the north anyway, that's where most of the market is. They are held back by S'burg though, where the signal isn't always strong.


FWIW, 94.1 in Cross Hill is back on the air now carrying His Radio programming.

 

[Gatekeeper007]

Reading the different comments it sounds like a translator with a normal thin signal but a whole lot of height, far above the normal 600 foot limit due to greater mountain height.

 

[Z-100]

"Reading the different comments it sounds like a translator with a normal thin signal but a whole lot of height, far above the normal 600 foot limit due to greater mountain height."


Right on, defying the real purpose of a translator!