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North Shore 104.9 signal upgrade..
- Thread starter Mattcatlover456
- Start date
2:30 am and BOQ has an unmodulated carrier...tech. work or problem between studios and trans/antenna?
Also at this hr RKO completely off. Sports stations from Chi at 670 and Montreal as 690 coming in
and the 680 seems to be music from Binghamton.
Also at this hr RKO completely off. Sports stations from Chi at 670 and Montreal as 690 coming in
and the 680 seems to be music from Binghamton.
mgpt6 said:
I'll venture a guess that an HD signal on WZBC would be spotty at best around Northeastern.
raccoonradio said:
Or, the automation computer could have crashed.
BOQ's signal in the Concord/Hudson/Marlboro area is greatly improved--Smart move on their part!
If the second/third adjacent rules finally get changed, there's no reason WRBB could not eventually move to 106.1.
Any interference WRBB would cause would not even touch the ground. They are so close to WROR that the ratios are in WROR's favor all the way.
Haven't sat down to do the real math on it, but there's no reason with a 1/2 wave spaced antenna or similar with minimal downward radiation, and perhaps a slight power reduction, it couldn't be made to easily work.
I have many a translator on in that fashion. Including one second adjacent to two NYC FM's. The "interference" doesn't reach the ground.
They could relocate being a "displaced" class D. WBOQ's owners would be wise to talk to WRBB about this, it would do them more good in the city than any other upgrade they could do now. Get a good attorney and good consultant to really examine the situation.
Both stations would win. 104.9 would be clearer for WBOQ and WRBB wouldn't get beat up two miles from their transmitter.
Any interference WRBB would cause would not even touch the ground. They are so close to WROR that the ratios are in WROR's favor all the way.
Haven't sat down to do the real math on it, but there's no reason with a 1/2 wave spaced antenna or similar with minimal downward radiation, and perhaps a slight power reduction, it couldn't be made to easily work.
I have many a translator on in that fashion. Including one second adjacent to two NYC FM's. The "interference" doesn't reach the ground.
They could relocate being a "displaced" class D. WBOQ's owners would be wise to talk to WRBB about this, it would do them more good in the city than any other upgrade they could do now. Get a good attorney and good consultant to really examine the situation.
Both stations would win. 104.9 would be clearer for WBOQ and WRBB wouldn't get beat up two miles from their transmitter.
WNTIRadio said:
It could work if/when the rules are changed to allow it, but the FCC would have to shut down "Touch".
No problem, as they do break the law--as did "Datz Hits" who interfered not only with WCRB but
Logan Aircraft radio. I still think there should be some kind of set-aside AM (most likely) or FM
(if there's room; not here most likely) in big cities and a community group could get it and give or sell time to aspiring broadcasters, the type who run these pirate stations, and be legit about it. Or they could try to get on small stations, or college stations, or streamcast if they can.
Logan Aircraft radio. I still think there should be some kind of set-aside AM (most likely) or FM
(if there's room; not here most likely) in big cities and a community group could get it and give or sell time to aspiring broadcasters, the type who run these pirate stations, and be legit about it. Or they could try to get on small stations, or college stations, or streamcast if they can.
What about 101.3? Is that still usable in Boston? The pirate here does really well..
Eli Polonsky said:
Whatever the reason, it happened right about midnite: End of song, then just dead air!
VoiceofWayne said:
101.3 was never usable in Boston with the one exception of the former ten-watt WFNX repeater, only because WFNX permitted their own repeater to be second-adjacent to their main signal.
The restrictions for 101.3 may change with the new upcoming LPFM regulations, we don't know yet, but the FCC would have shut down the pirate "Big City".
106.1 won't work for WRBB because of the blanketing interference from the Pru. There are NO frequencies that will work well for them to move to...not without a huge increase in power (at least 500 to 1000 watts from their current height) and there is no way that can be accomplished on any frequency.
FWIW, there are certain assumptions in play here: first is that as "college radio" formatted station staffed entirely by students, the signal must cover the campus thoroughly to be considered a success by the students, faculty/administration, and most potential fiscal supporters. No Class D-level station is going to do that, not where NEU is located (so close to the Pru).
Possibly but I doubt it. WZBC is only 1000 watts which means a theoretical maximum of 100 watts HD (-10dBc), probably morel like ~10 to 40 watts. (roughly -20 to -14dBc) Granted HD signals are far more efficient, but WZBC still has pretty low height. It's workable for 1000 watts of analog but I would expect the HD to not travel very far....especially with Aspinwall and Fisher Hills inbetween.
Not to mention that it would be a very expensive proposition since HD Radio receiver penetration is so low, that WRBB would have to buy an awful lot of radios to distribute or re-sell (at a hefty discount) to their campus community.
Honestly the dynamics of listener demographics are becoming very polarized when it comes to "college radio". The utter destruction of the internet on the monopoly radio used to have on both music content and quick-distribution of information means that you really have to fight for every listener. The old paradigm that most college radio stations still cling to is essentially unchanged from the 1980's, yet that paradigm has zero relevance in the modern age. To be fair, it has near-zero relevance for most radio stations (even public radio, although I'd argue we're better suited than most to make the transition) but most commercial stations have big enough signals that they can still attract a constantly-aging demo that grew up with radio and is still willing to listen...largely because for Class B and bigger FM stations, radio still has unparalleled simplicity when compared to a smartphone, especially in the car. Turn key, push button, turn knob, get content.
That simplicity dynamic doesn't work for most AM stations, save for the huge Class A "clear" channeled stations like WBZ, because the audio fidelity is inferior to FM/MP3. And it doesn't work for most below-Class-B-level stations because the signal's too small to reliable receive everywhere the listener goes (home, work, commute).
It's doubly true for college campuses where a dwindling number of 18-24 yr olds even OWN a radio, outside of their cars. And they don't listen in the car, either.
That's a long way of saying that realistically, WRBB really ought to go big or go web. If they really want to serve a listening audience, they need to purchase a Class B FM or maybe one of the better Class B AM's. (yes, I'm well aware of what that entails) If they just want to be a fun student activity (which is perfectly fine, btw) then they'd be better off selling the license for whatever they can get and plowing the cash into expanding their web offering. It'll reach more of their target audience and it removes the headache of FCC regulations. There is no inbetween those options: anything else is just a waste of time and resources.
FWIW, there are certain assumptions in play here: first is that as "college radio" formatted station staffed entirely by students, the signal must cover the campus thoroughly to be considered a success by the students, faculty/administration, and most potential fiscal supporters. No Class D-level station is going to do that, not where NEU is located (so close to the Pru).
Possibly but I doubt it. WZBC is only 1000 watts which means a theoretical maximum of 100 watts HD (-10dBc), probably morel like ~10 to 40 watts. (roughly -20 to -14dBc) Granted HD signals are far more efficient, but WZBC still has pretty low height. It's workable for 1000 watts of analog but I would expect the HD to not travel very far....especially with Aspinwall and Fisher Hills inbetween.
Not to mention that it would be a very expensive proposition since HD Radio receiver penetration is so low, that WRBB would have to buy an awful lot of radios to distribute or re-sell (at a hefty discount) to their campus community.
Honestly the dynamics of listener demographics are becoming very polarized when it comes to "college radio". The utter destruction of the internet on the monopoly radio used to have on both music content and quick-distribution of information means that you really have to fight for every listener. The old paradigm that most college radio stations still cling to is essentially unchanged from the 1980's, yet that paradigm has zero relevance in the modern age. To be fair, it has near-zero relevance for most radio stations (even public radio, although I'd argue we're better suited than most to make the transition) but most commercial stations have big enough signals that they can still attract a constantly-aging demo that grew up with radio and is still willing to listen...largely because for Class B and bigger FM stations, radio still has unparalleled simplicity when compared to a smartphone, especially in the car. Turn key, push button, turn knob, get content.
That simplicity dynamic doesn't work for most AM stations, save for the huge Class A "clear" channeled stations like WBZ, because the audio fidelity is inferior to FM/MP3. And it doesn't work for most below-Class-B-level stations because the signal's too small to reliable receive everywhere the listener goes (home, work, commute).
It's doubly true for college campuses where a dwindling number of 18-24 yr olds even OWN a radio, outside of their cars. And they don't listen in the car, either.
That's a long way of saying that realistically, WRBB really ought to go big or go web. If they really want to serve a listening audience, they need to purchase a Class B FM or maybe one of the better Class B AM's. (yes, I'm well aware of what that entails) If they just want to be a fun student activity (which is perfectly fine, btw) then they'd be better off selling the license for whatever they can get and plowing the cash into expanding their web offering. It'll reach more of their target audience and it removes the headache of FCC regulations. There is no inbetween those options: anything else is just a waste of time and resources.
Driving around the immediate Boston metro since the WBOQ upgrade, I'll say that, due to WBOQ's null toward Boston, WRBB is actually enjoying some newly "enhanced coverage" in areas where WBOQ used to cut them up, or out, before.
On my car stereo (which does a pretty good job of rejecting Pru overload interference), WRBB is now solid throughout Boston proper, Back Bay, the B.U. area, and into Allston. The weakened (in this direction) WBOQ doesn't begin to really cut up WRBB until west of Union Square in Allston heading toward Brighton, it's now a mix there, where WBOQ completely dominated before. WRBB also now has fairly clear reception in some areas in Cambridge and Somerville where WBOQ had cut them out in the past.
On my car stereo (which does a pretty good job of rejecting Pru overload interference), WRBB is now solid throughout Boston proper, Back Bay, the B.U. area, and into Allston. The weakened (in this direction) WBOQ doesn't begin to really cut up WRBB until west of Union Square in Allston heading toward Brighton, it's now a mix there, where WBOQ completely dominated before. WRBB also now has fairly clear reception in some areas in Cambridge and Somerville where WBOQ had cut them out in the past.
Are they still at -10dBc? I thought that was only during the experimental times, and they were supposed to go back down to -14dBc like everyone else for most of the time. (shrugs) I've heard stories that Greater Media has played some games with having higher HD injection than they're supposed to, but one always hears stories so I take it with a grain of salt. Certainly ANY amount of HD injection on 102.5 is a fat pain in my ass (vis a vis WRNI-FM on 102.7) but there's not much I can do about it. :
FWIW, I was at Microcenter in Cambridge tonight and WRBB was present but there was a lot of static. It tended to vary a lot depending on where I was on Memorial Drive...presumably multipath issues common to downtown. And this is on a Kenwood KDC-HD545U which is, generally speaking, an excellent receiver.
I would imagine that WBOQ's weaker reach into Boston is more about no longer having a nice clear path over water (instead of over terrain) than it is about any DA pattern...the actual ERP heading towards Boston is actually greater...but that's undoubtedly a factor, too. How's WRBB's reception on a regular radio on the NEU campus, though? I'll bet it's still pretty questionable.
I also noticed first-hand how that pirate on 100.1 is totally nuking WBRS. What a jerk!
FWIW, I was at Microcenter in Cambridge tonight and WRBB was present but there was a lot of static. It tended to vary a lot depending on where I was on Memorial Drive...presumably multipath issues common to downtown. And this is on a Kenwood KDC-HD545U which is, generally speaking, an excellent receiver.
I would imagine that WBOQ's weaker reach into Boston is more about no longer having a nice clear path over water (instead of over terrain) than it is about any DA pattern...the actual ERP heading towards Boston is actually greater...but that's undoubtedly a factor, too. How's WRBB's reception on a regular radio on the NEU campus, though? I'll bet it's still pretty questionable.
I also noticed first-hand how that pirate on 100.1 is totally nuking WBRS. What a jerk!
I'm heading up to Boston next weekend and I'll be curious to see if I notice any change on 128 from Turnpike exit 14 to Rt. 129 in Lynnfield or on Rt. 1A in Lynn, Swampscott and Revere. WBOQ had no problems at all in any of those areas from its old site.
Could WBOQ work an arrangement out to move WRBB to 89.3?
wcozBoston said:
Nothing licensed has ever been permitted (for long) on 89.3 in the Boston area due to second-adjacents WGBH and WERS. We don't know yet whether upcoming changes to LPFM regulations may change this.
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