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Notes on BOB FM in Lafayette
- Thread starter Lafayette Unplugged
- Start date
G
gmradio
Guest
Don't blame the engineering department there it not an engineer I know that doesn't care about fidelity, on air up time, tower maintance, etc. Uncle Art needs to fund the equipment to fix problems. The fly on the wall knows that the engineers at AMP have purchased much of the equipment on thier own and if they ever left I don't think there would be a station that would be able to be on air in any AMP market because much of the running equipment does not even belong to AMP. I bet you would see more broken equipment than working equipment in Lafayette. It still needs to be depreciated for the 3rd time before anything new is purchased. Besides Uncle Art needs to fund a big Hall of Fame party for all of his supporters. Priorities baby its all in the priorities and if you get no cash then you are not a priority.
All well-founded points, gm.
Again, the word "shame" keeps coming to mind in regard to BOB.
Based on the latest numbers, they are actually ON to something this time and they are going to blow it because it sounds like somebody is running the station out of their garage using fishing line and tin cans.
Sounds like AMP is hanging on to their engineers for dear life and paying them a ton of money because they know where the bodies...er...transmitter parts are buried, right? What a (wait for it....) SHAME.
They aren't down yet to kick, wiener. But they'll get there! Start polishing those jack boots!
Again, the word "shame" keeps coming to mind in regard to BOB.
Based on the latest numbers, they are actually ON to something this time and they are going to blow it because it sounds like somebody is running the station out of their garage using fishing line and tin cans.
Sounds like AMP is hanging on to their engineers for dear life and paying them a ton of money because they know where the bodies...er...transmitter parts are buried, right? What a (wait for it....) SHAME.
They aren't down yet to kick, wiener. But they'll get there! Start polishing those jack boots!
K
kentuckymedia
Guest
LafayetteUnplugged-
Do you have a sneak peak at the numbers, I can only pull up the Eastlan numbers, which I would be more than happy to share with ya.
Do you have a sneak peak at the numbers, I can only pull up the Eastlan numbers, which I would be more than happy to share with ya.
I have NEVER excused poor audio [and NEVER transmitted it—it’s downright emasculating]... If the sat service [that I would NEVER sign a contract with] was on “L-Band”, and a typical Indiana thunderstorm washed it out—there MUST be a prob with the installation – NOT beyond imagination considering the “bush-league” AMP!
The greater question is – “WHY?”... Oh, so many avenues to traverse; but with affordable automation, program scheduling, and no-lack of "free" or low-impact music polling - WHY sign a “death-warrant” with a sat-spider? ’Seems so much more productive to load the terabyte H.D. with great tunes – find someone who understands programming, then point ‘n click... ‘Then pay Bob-On-The-Job to make your Optimod sound awesome... It's really VERY SIMPLE! ...'An M.B.A.-or-three seems to have cloulded that sensible thinking :
AMP seems to violate ALL conventional wisdom [witness the failure of 102.3/97.7 - South Bend]. Are they trying to defeat themselves? STUPID QUESTION! I’m not surprised [nor impressed] with their results [or LACK there-of]. ‘Remember the “former” U-93 ???
The greater question is – “WHY?”... Oh, so many avenues to traverse; but with affordable automation, program scheduling, and no-lack of "free" or low-impact music polling - WHY sign a “death-warrant” with a sat-spider? ’Seems so much more productive to load the terabyte H.D. with great tunes – find someone who understands programming, then point ‘n click... ‘Then pay Bob-On-The-Job to make your Optimod sound awesome... It's really VERY SIMPLE! ...'An M.B.A.-or-three seems to have cloulded that sensible thinking :
AMP seems to violate ALL conventional wisdom [witness the failure of 102.3/97.7 - South Bend]. Are they trying to defeat themselves? STUPID QUESTION! I’m not surprised [nor impressed] with their results [or LACK there-of]. ‘Remember the “former” U-93 ???
G
gmradio
Guest
Lafayette Unplugged said:
I think what is a bigger shame is the little money they pay the engineer yet the loyality he gives them.
Engineers are a VITAL part of a successful broadcast operation. I always felt “warm ‘n fuzzy” when a competent radio engineer within his infamous coffee-clutch with like labeled me as “a good guy to work for”... I accepted a bit of pride in that!
You CANNOT present a competitive and successful radio station without “due-diligence” in signal and sound quality. There are volumes of demure Class-A FMs and 1kW AMs that "kick to the next level" and testify to this because of technical investment... 'And there are TOO-many slackers at higher power levels that "skate by" yet disappoint the listener.
A good engineer is you best friend... PAY him [or her] on time!
You CANNOT present a competitive and successful radio station without “due-diligence” in signal and sound quality. There are volumes of demure Class-A FMs and 1kW AMs that "kick to the next level" and testify to this because of technical investment... 'And there are TOO-many slackers at higher power levels that "skate by" yet disappoint the listener.
A good engineer is you best friend... PAY him [or her] on time!
G
gmradio
Guest
if the owner is nearly deaf (due to a war injury--> thank you for serving our country and the sacrifice of the war wound is in no way being slighted here) i am not sure sound quality is a top priority. One major reason you go on WAITT and sat programming to slash costs to keep up cash flow and not have to deal or just get rid of burned out jocks either they came that way or AMP burned them up (you decide). 1tb hard drive costs $, an additional programmer, daily logs, and imaging cost $ BTW I doubt you need a 1tb HD to program the station. However if the equipment is failing all an engineer can do is request new equipment if those requests are denied or delayed there is little they can do. HIPPO you are sounding very idealistic with a bunch of never statements. In the real world life is not so perfect. listen to the new wibc or any fm station that puts Rush on, it sounds terrible. It is tinny and thin yet when i am in indy i listen to him there. The rest of the local programming on wibc doesn't sound like that so I am not sure it is always even the station but the content provider.
This has been a real education for me, folks! I'm glad the emphasis is on "how to improve" and not (yet) another "dogpile" on AMP's history of incompetence in programming and hiring practices.
We can only hope that someone from AMP or AMP's engineering department realizes the jig is up and they aren't fooling anyone with the horrible-sounding product called BOB. Maybe anonymously write them a bunch of letters insisting that they improve the sound of BOB? New fun stuff for their public file!
Sadly, a bigger problem is the only outrage is going to be from people on Radio-Info and NOT from the listeners who don't know and don't care why their new favorite station is so quiet and "weird" sounding, so they take them off their pre-set never to return. And then moan when BOB gets yanked after a brief 2-year run.
Though engineers don't get enough credit for the miracles they perform during emergency rebuilding of a station, most of them are likely not "purist" enough to refuse the retainer fee they get each month whether they do anything or not ("I'm OUTRAGED that you won't give me the tools I need to do my work and make the station sound great! By the way, here's my invoice even though I haven't visited the station in 2 months. Now where's my check?"). Fact of life and earning a living. I only know of one engineer who set the processing exactly how the GM and PD wanted it and then said, "There you go. Now, I quit". Now THAT'S standing by your principles...
MORE BAD NEWS FOR BOB: JEFF 92 is BACK!!!
We can only hope that someone from AMP or AMP's engineering department realizes the jig is up and they aren't fooling anyone with the horrible-sounding product called BOB. Maybe anonymously write them a bunch of letters insisting that they improve the sound of BOB? New fun stuff for their public file!
Sadly, a bigger problem is the only outrage is going to be from people on Radio-Info and NOT from the listeners who don't know and don't care why their new favorite station is so quiet and "weird" sounding, so they take them off their pre-set never to return. And then moan when BOB gets yanked after a brief 2-year run.
Though engineers don't get enough credit for the miracles they perform during emergency rebuilding of a station, most of them are likely not "purist" enough to refuse the retainer fee they get each month whether they do anything or not ("I'm OUTRAGED that you won't give me the tools I need to do my work and make the station sound great! By the way, here's my invoice even though I haven't visited the station in 2 months. Now where's my check?"). Fact of life and earning a living. I only know of one engineer who set the processing exactly how the GM and PD wanted it and then said, "There you go. Now, I quit". Now THAT'S standing by your principles...
MORE BAD NEWS FOR BOB: JEFF 92 is BACK!!!
1
1316wwood
Guest
That hearing problem you mentioned is a very selective. It especially gets worse when you start talking $.
G
gmradio
Guest
Lafayette if everyone was able to live up to those lofty principles then barely anyone would be in any department in Cumulus, CC, Emmis, Oasis, AMP, {insert comany here}etc.
Lots of speculation but the Bob issue is probably as simple as a new final tube. But, that would be about $1,800 for amp.
Honestly, I just think AMP managment doesn't care anymore, because they know that the slow death of radio is already well underway.
Commercial Radio will be dead in 10-15 years... especially after the iPod generation graduates from college. iPod's and mp3's are all these kids know. Music has never been so easy to listen to in history.
I remember the summers of going to the neighborhood/city pool and hearing the most popular radio station always being blasted over the p.a. Now you go, and it's either satellite radio or one of the kids has simply hooked up his/her iPod.
The days of great local radio are gone forever. AMP knows it, I know, and even if you don't want to admit it, you know it too.
Commercial Radio will be dead in 10-15 years... especially after the iPod generation graduates from college. iPod's and mp3's are all these kids know. Music has never been so easy to listen to in history.
I remember the summers of going to the neighborhood/city pool and hearing the most popular radio station always being blasted over the p.a. Now you go, and it's either satellite radio or one of the kids has simply hooked up his/her iPod.
The days of great local radio are gone forever. AMP knows it, I know, and even if you don't want to admit it, you know it too.
Mark,
Can you just anonymously hand out Arbitron information like that?
You might be handing that info over to another radio station that doesn't subscribe for all you know resulting in WASK getting a big fine or Arbitron cancelling your contract.
You probably know better than me/most, but I was just curious...
I could care less what happens to you, but it just got my attention what with Arbitron's many warnings about sharing info. Anybody got some insight to that?
I probably just started a new thread!!!
Can you just anonymously hand out Arbitron information like that?
You might be handing that info over to another radio station that doesn't subscribe for all you know resulting in WASK getting a big fine or Arbitron cancelling your contract.
You probably know better than me/most, but I was just curious...
I could care less what happens to you, but it just got my attention what with Arbitron's many warnings about sharing info. Anybody got some insight to that?
I probably just started a new thread!!!
K
kentuckymedia
Guest
Mark wouldn't pass out actual numbers - he is a smart and professional guy, just the ranking order which anyone can do.
I can post the ranking orders of Eastlan
WKOA
WKHY
WAZY
WBPE
WASK
WBAA
WXXB
WSHP
I can post the ranking orders of Eastlan
WKOA
WKHY
WAZY
WBPE
WASK
WBAA
WXXB
WSHP
Lafayette Unplugged said:Mark,
Can you just anonymously hand out Arbitron information like that?
You might be handing that info over to another radio station that doesn't subscribe for all you know resulting in WASK getting a big fine or Arbitron cancelling your contract.
You probably know better than me/most, but I was just curious...
I could care less what happens to you, but it just got my attention what with Arbitron's many warnings about sharing info. Anybody got some insight to that?
I probably just started a new thread!!!
Arbitron posts the 12+ numbers. Even with Lafayette (which is embargoed) you can get the 12+ of the subscribed stations.
You can also get the Eastlan 12+ numbers. They're just harder to find.
Cool.
I thought Kentucky might be needing something with more teeth in it. The 12+ numbers are pretty meaningless. I guess that's why they are posted for free!
I thought Kentucky might be needing something with more teeth in it. The 12+ numbers are pretty meaningless. I guess that's why they are posted for free!
deleated
hipporadio said:
gmradio said:
"Idealistic" is expecting top-tier ARB ratings every book - or sales that always increase year-to-date... I exposed neither... I called for audio competency that was easily-achieved in 1989! Let’s face-it... The technical capabilities of FM transmission equipment have multiplied by MANY factors since 1990... FM exciters are now-pristine and digital procs are nearly de-bugged [THANKS, Mr. Fotti]... THERE IS NO EXCUSE for substandard FM audio... That IS NOT "idealistic"—that is a commonplace achievement!
Boiler*FM said:
There is more that I agree with you, than disagree, Boiler [I'm sorry to admit that]. I have witnessed the same casual reduction in over-the-air listening since about 2000. At first, "they" called-it an ASCAP/BMI problem when radio was presented in the public [at the mall, gym, or pool]... ‘Fact is – it’s MUCH more than that. Dudes by the pool have ALWAYS had the ability tote-in their favorite hits [on cassette and, later, CD mixes], but radio suffered in a minimal fashion... Now-a-days, over-the-air radio is ABSENT from their casual lifestyle... THIS IS PROFOUND AND DANGEROUS to the future health of the medium. It is more about an unfulfilled programming expectation than a simple availability of the Apple iPod! It is more about greedy stock-market-induced TEN-MINUTE commercial stop-sets and dismally-boring programming than the availability of XM at pool-side!
Corporate radio is about to be FIRED... ‘How prophetic
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