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Question for Tom Taylor (& Other Techies)

R

RoddyFreeman

As you know, WBTS has an application to move to the New Street site in Atlanta. Although the power would be decreased to 18kw, the height and central location would result in all the city grade coverage in the right places that the station would need. And from what I understand, short spacing is not an issue because 95.5 was grandfathered under the old FCC rules.

So why did WBTS apply to increase height and reduce power at its current (Chateau Elan) site? Its service contour would be just about like it is now, and it would still not city grade all of Atlanta.

Would the signal in actuality be better than now? Or does Cox feel it will not get the CP to move to New Street?
 
Its probably an operating cost decision.. has nothing to do with technical issues. It makes way too much sense from the technical side to move vs staying in Chateau Elan.

BD
 
A question I have is -- why hasn't the FCC acted on the first minor change yet? I was under the impression that minor changes were generally quickly granted. Maybe there is some problem with it at the FCC.
 
Littlejohn may know more about this-
I believe WBTS is filing to move their antenna to the old Y106/Eagle "main" antenna position. This is at aprox 1400 feet. Eagle still maintains a backup at that site but it is the old "aux" antenna. The old "main" Eagle antenna was taken down when they moved to the Salem site.
Yes, the coverage is usually better with increased height/lower power-especially if you are a "rimshot." (A station whose tower is outside the desired primary service area.)
WBTS will certainly keep this site as the "aux" site after they move the signal intown.....I think they can keep it as a maximum C-1 even after they downgrade at New Street. I'm not sure what the rules are on this.
 
Thanks, Tom. That all makes sense. I guess the reason I was confused is that the FCC Website shows the application to move up the existing tower as being for a "full service station" and not for an "auxiliary." But maybe the application is done that way, and then it's designated as auxiliary.
 
I've not read the apps. But, an aux cannot exceed the contours of the main. So, a move into town would probably badly restrict anything they can do off of the 97.1 tower. 18KW from New Street will do a better job in the city than a bunch from Flowery Branch, as far as the number of people who can get it. In terms od area covered, the tall one works better. Also, if the thrust is to continue towards an urban audience, the further South you go, the better you'd be. (Though it seems silly to chase a soecific audience with a move, better to chase coverage and see what the demographic is once you get there)
Now I'm curious.... I'll go looking tomorrow.
 
A radio friend told me that FCC approval for a move on the same tower usually comes quickly, possibly within 30 days. A move into town typically takes far longer. Cox might want to have a better signal quickly and at the same time hedge its bets in case the in-town move is denied.
 
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