Since February 2016 there has been a CP for Neuhoff Media (the owners of the WFMB stations in Springfield) to move their FM translator for WFMB-AM "Sportsradio 1450" from 107.1 (W296CJ) to 92.3.
Because of WEAI Lynnville/Jacksonville at 107.1 (and to some extent the Decatur area's 107.3), the 107.1 translator is extremely directional despite 250 watts and 116 meters above ground level at the WFMB studios/AM tranny site in Southern View (a "donut hole" village on the south side of Springfield). Basically impaired every direction but northeast--and even that is iffy since WEAI already had brought at least a fair signal to Springfield despite the translator.
It appears that the CP for 92.3 will maintain similar height and power but will NOT be directional, and still broadcast from Southern View. All of Springfield and Chatham will fall under what Radio-Locator defines as "local" coverage.
Realistically, you'll probably start losing the signal once you leave Sangamon County, due to WZPW Peoria (TX west of near Kickapoo, IL) to the north, and WIL St. Louis (TX in far south STL near Oakville). Which will work for transmitting from Southern View as a translator.
Anyone know if Neuhoff will make this frequency/transmitter move in Springfield before the CP expires next February?
Radio-Locator entry for W296CJ: https://radio-locator.com/info/W296CJ-FX?loc=39.67368,-89.71121&locn=62629 (Chatham, IL)
Coverage for 107.1: https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/p....67368&lon=-89.71121&locn=62629 (Chatham, IL)
Coverage for non-directional, area-wide coverage on 92.3: https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/p....67368&lon=-89.71121&locn=62629 (Chatham, IL)
Because of WEAI Lynnville/Jacksonville at 107.1 (and to some extent the Decatur area's 107.3), the 107.1 translator is extremely directional despite 250 watts and 116 meters above ground level at the WFMB studios/AM tranny site in Southern View (a "donut hole" village on the south side of Springfield). Basically impaired every direction but northeast--and even that is iffy since WEAI already had brought at least a fair signal to Springfield despite the translator.
It appears that the CP for 92.3 will maintain similar height and power but will NOT be directional, and still broadcast from Southern View. All of Springfield and Chatham will fall under what Radio-Locator defines as "local" coverage.
Realistically, you'll probably start losing the signal once you leave Sangamon County, due to WZPW Peoria (TX west of near Kickapoo, IL) to the north, and WIL St. Louis (TX in far south STL near Oakville). Which will work for transmitting from Southern View as a translator.
Anyone know if Neuhoff will make this frequency/transmitter move in Springfield before the CP expires next February?
Radio-Locator entry for W296CJ: https://radio-locator.com/info/W296CJ-FX?loc=39.67368,-89.71121&locn=62629 (Chatham, IL)
Coverage for 107.1: https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/p....67368&lon=-89.71121&locn=62629 (Chatham, IL)
Coverage for non-directional, area-wide coverage on 92.3: https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/p....67368&lon=-89.71121&locn=62629 (Chatham, IL)