Question about 90.5's signal

[MarcB]

Admittedly I have trouble getting crystal clear reception of most FM stations where I live in Bristol. The mountain where Aldi's is causes my reception issues. Now I can get a listenable signal from all the stations on Meriden Mountain EXCEPT for 90.5 WNPR. I always have to do funky things with the antenna on my boombox to get a listenable signal. And sometimes when I sit near the radio it makes reception of 90.5 worse. I don't have this problem with any other Meriden Mountain stations. What is it about 90.5's signal?

 

[reelyreal]

WNPR runs separate powers horizontally and vertically, while the rest of the West Peak stations are circularly polarized. WNPR is running 18.5kw horizonal, 13.5kw vertical. As for the rest of the stations:

WKSS runs 16.5kw
WDRC runs 19.5kw
WZMX runs 17kw
WHCN runs 16kw
WMRQ is running 14-ish kw

depending on the orientation of your boombox antenna and its sensitivity, that could be part of the problem.

 

[rcs]

WNPR is also directional with a null in your general direction if memory serves me correctly.

 

[necrat123]

WNPR is also directional with a null in your general direction if memory serves me correctly.

You are very correct. WNPR runs a very directional signal that puts most of the signal west to east.
They are protecting WTCC 90.7A out of Springfield and WWPT 90.3A in Westport.

There are seven stations on West Peak, of which, four are directional (92.5, 93.7 and 102.9 are non D).
The others are 95.7 (Directionally nulled towards 95.9A in Norwalk, and 95.5B New York City),
105.9 (Directionally nulled towards 106.1B in Patchogue),
and 104.1 (Directional against 103.9A Riverhead and White Plains Bronxville, 104.1B Boston, 104.3B New York City.)