Next move for W292DV, 106.3 Translator

[Barry]

I found a local example of how well a 10 watt translator can get out, given a good location.
W268AN, owned by the same outfit that is applying to move the translator in Long Island City to Glen Oaks, rebroadcasts WLIX from the Plainview LI area, on 101.5. I heard it quite clearly and without interference along I95, from Stamford CT, through eastern Westchester County, into the Bronx, where it succumbed to interference from NJ 101.5.
BTW, the FCC dismissed an application made last October to move W268AN to a spot near Lake Success. That is very close to the proposed Glen Oaks location for W292DV.

 

[GSP163]

I have been able to hear 101.5 W268AN in parts of Bergen County NJ along with areas of Rockland County NY......However the big dogs like WKXW & WPDH are still the two stations that fight each other the most around the area.

 

[Barry]

F.C.C. records indicate that Press Communications, owner of Thunder Country 106.3/106.5, has recently filed a Petition to Deny, against the application to relocate W292DV to Glen Oaks, Queens, from Long Island City (where it is currently silent).
If the translator is given authorization to test from that location, it will be interesting to find out how well it would reach the areas in southeastern Queens and southwestern Nassau County, where Thunder can be heard reasonably clearly.
And of course listeners of Kicks Country on 106.3 may also file objections to interference in northern Queens, northern Nassau County, and southern Westchester County.
Wouldn't the owners of the translator be better off applying for another frequency (ie 104.7 or 105.5), even if it would take longer to approve? Clearly Thunder Country's owner is very serious about not tolerating interference within its coverage area.

 

[XCountry285]

104.7 you have to deal with K104 in Pougkeepsie & 105.5 you have to deal with DHA & Kicks 105.5 or even 105.7 the Hawk in Ocean County. Why not have it on 101.5, 95.1, 107.9, 94.3, 92.7, 95.9, 97.5 (but of those closer to LI & CT move it into NJ into Newark or Paterson have several little translators have one in the city itself make it a mini coverage of one station on several frequencies?

 

[nd2023]

I have been able to hear 101.5 W268AN in parts of Bergen County NJ along with areas of Rockland County NY......However the big dogs like WKXW & WPDH are still the two stations that fight each other the most around the area.

I've been able to hear Party 101.5 in Sandy Hook multiple times, even when there was no general tropo.

 

[badjef]

I have been able to hear 101.5 W268AN in parts of Bergen County NJ along with areas of Rockland County NY......However the big dogs like WKXW & WPDH are still the two stations that fight each other the most around the area.

I've been able to hear Party 101.5 in Sandy Hook multiple times, even when there was no general tropo.

The FCC's computer doesn't take the propagation of the Atlantic Ocean or
And into consideration - just mileage.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[Barry]

With W292DV silent since last May, the owners of the 106.3 translator have just applied for special temporary authority to operate at 4 watts from a new location, 1 Court Sq., in Long Island City. The signal, a rebroadcast of WVIP FM, wouldreach only a tiny area nearby.
They indicate this is a temporary move to "save the station." The application contains the news that there has been a dispute with the owners of the building in Glen Oaks that they had hoped to operate from (pending an FCC decision on the complaints from Thunder Country), and as a result, "The licensed site is not usable at this time." The application acknowledges they could otherwise face "automatic license cancellation."
It certainly can be tough introducing a new signal into this crowded market.

FCC Application for W292DV temporary location: https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/w...t=25&appn=101541671&formid=911&fac_num=155888

 

[nd2023]

I wonder if Thunder 106 will complain about a measly 4 watt station.

 

[ansky212]

I wonder if Thunder 106 will complain about a measly 4 watt station.

They could, but the game has changed. People in the city are no longer going to go to great lengths to pick up Thunder now that Nash FM is on the air. My guess is there won't be too many people filling out the petition this time.

 

[Barry]

I donot expect anyone will be terribly upset about a 4 watt directional signal, aimed east, away from Thunder Country.
However, it seems clear that the owners consider this a temporary installation. They most likely will try to reach a considerably wider area, and apply again for a more powerful signal.
Aside from Thunder, WFME is also now on 106.3. When Cumulus had WDVY on the frequency, they evidently did not care much about the translator, as they may have expected to sell the station. But Family Radio only has 106.3 to reach this area. Their listeners may object to any significant signal from the translator, as WFME 106.3 has a passable signal in parts of Queens.

 

[nd2023]

They can't move 106.3 more east because 106.1 BLI is there. They could try to move it to 104.7 some how, then let Clear Channel lease it again and hope K104 doesn't complain, which they shouldn't because the 104.7 pirate in the Bronx will do more damage to K104

 

[Barry]

I wonder if Thunder 106 will complain about a measly 4 watt station.

Press Communications, owner of Thunder Country, filed a Petition to Deny the W292DV 106.3 translator from receiving Special Temporary Authority from the FCC to operate from Long Island City. Though only 4 watts, the map enclosed with the application indicates it would cover much of Manhattan.
For those following this saga, I believe the delay in deciding W292DV's application this objection will create may scuttle the translator for good. As it has been silent for almost a year, if the STA to operate the translator from a new location is not granted soon, it will have been silent for an entire year. Then the owner would likely face automatic cancellation of the W292DV license.

This may be the basis for Thunder Country's objection to the W292DV translator moving to Long Island City: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://tr...q=106.3&contour=60&city=NEW_YORK&state=NY.kml

 

[luperm]

That's quite a signal for 4 watts.

 

[Barry]

That's quite a signal for 4 watts.

The proposed location for the translator is atop the 50 story Citi Building, which has a height of almost 700 feet. That is the same site used by WNYZ 88.7.
With all the tall buildings in Manhattan, I doubt the translator's signal would really be as good there as indicated by the map linked on my previous post.