Reception of WLW's FM Signal

[Cincinnati Kid]

Just wondering how the reception is for listeners in Southwestern Ohio to WLW's FM signal on 94.5? I read that the power of this outlet is 99 watts and the antenna for it is located on WKRC-TV's tower off of Highland Avenue in Cincinnati. It is reported that listeners with-in the I-275 loop should be able to receive it.

This afternoon, I tried listening to it on my car radio driving in the Madeira, Kenwood and Deer Park areas. As I drove, the reception came and went, particularly in Madeira and another station would come in. As such, it was much easier to receive WLW by going to the standard 700-AM frequency. How about some other reception reports?

 

[NoWayNoCC]

Why does WLW need a translator??? They're not exactly hurting for signal.

If 94.5 in Lexington was still anything good, I'd be FURIOUS at it being jammed by this clutter.

 

[microbob]

94.5 is a crowded frequency which is why putting a 99 watt translator on it is a bad idea. Maybe if or when they move to 95.5 it will get out further like 100.7 which reaches well into Northern KY at 250 watts.

 

[partymarty]

Signal is awesome downtown. Good in Price Hill. dead by Western Hills Plaza. Not sure about East. The audio has been cleaned up and sounds great coming out of church every Sunday at St Larry with Broo.. Looking forward to hearing Marty and The Cowboy sitting in my cheap seat at GABP

 

[Lamont Lester]

Signal is awesome downtown. Good in Price Hill. dead by Western Hills Plaza. Not sure about East. The audio has been cleaned up and sounds great coming out of church every Sunday at St Larry with Broo.. Looking forward to hearing Marty and The Cowboy sitting in my cheap seat at GABP

Parked three floors down in the concrete and steel of the Fountain Square garage before Million Dollar Quartet at the Aronoff this past Saturday and that 99 watts was clear as a bell.

 

[NoWayNoCC]

I can pick it up in Bellevue like it's a billion watts, unfortunately.

 

[wjf82]

WLW is on 94.5 in order to be on phones, iPods, and other mobile devices that have FM receivers.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

Unfortunately, translators can't be moved to just any frequency. From where it is, it can go three channels each way and with locals on 94.1 and 94.9, that won't happen. Or, it can move 10.7mhz higher and go +/- 3 channels from there. With 104.7/105.1/105.9 in use, that might leave 105.5 as an option if it's any better. What's on 105.5 these days? Lexington has something weaker than 94.5's occupant and Washington Courthouse probably puts less signal into Cincy than Dayton does. Is 105.5 cleaner there than 94.5?

 

[nmoore6676]

Why does WLW need a translator??? They're not exactly hurting for signal.

If 94.5 in Lexington was still anything good, I'd be FURIOUS at it being jammed by this clutter.

Just a guess but most likely to gain signal penetration into downtown offices. AM, even a 50KW flamethrower, doesn't get good reception in steel frame buildings filled with all kinds computers and other digital equipment.

 

[MikeStandardsFromIndiana]

Why does WLW need a translator??? They're not exactly hurting for signal.

If 94.5 in Lexington was still anything good, I'd be FURIOUS at it being jammed by this clutter.

Just a guess but most likely to gain signal penetration into downtown offices. AM, even a 50KW flamethrower, doesn't get good reception in steel frame buildings filled with all kinds computers and other digital equipment.

What he said. just like in Chicago why does WBBM need an FM, In Atlanta why does WSB Need an FM, Same in Dallas with WBAP.

Its Signal penitartion into buildings with Computers and stuff these days which would erode an am signal even at 50,000 watts

 

[BruBz]

And also 50kw WFAN-AM now has a FM partner.I know some here don't agree but more and more 50kw stations
are going AM-FM. And most are full power FM like WFAN-FM.

 

[KFodor]

Why does WLW need a translator??? They're not exactly hurting for signal.

If 94.5 in Lexington was still anything good, I'd be FURIOUS at it being jammed by this clutter.

Just a guess but most likely to gain signal penetration into downtown offices. AM, even a 50KW flamethrower, doesn't get good reception in steel frame buildings filled with all kinds computers and other digital equipment.

What he said. just like in Chicago why does WBBM need an FM, In Atlanta why does WSB Need an FM, Same in Dallas with WBAP.

Its Signal penitartion into buildings with Computers and stuff these days which would erode an am signal even at 50,000 watts

Why do AM's need an FM?

How 'bout the unmistakable fact that about 80% of the listening audience (if not more) is on FM and most of those people NEVER listen to AM for any reason whatsoever. Some of them don't even know what AM radio is. Sad, but true.

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

I worked in downtown Cincinnati for some years - and in several buildings, but never had trouble picking up WLW to hear the Reds, etc. Please know, that was in places that had computers and all of the other things that cause interference on the AM band.

That is a shame if some today don't know what AM radio is. Unfortunately, sometimes it seems as though there isn't much on AM to get them to find out.

 

[microbob]

Just finding a normal AM/FM radio at Best Buy is an adventure. That puzzled look on their face is priceless.

 

[nmoore6676]

I worked in downtown Cincinnati for some years - and in several buildings, but never had trouble picking up WLW to hear the Reds, etc. Please know, that was in places that had computers and all of the other things that cause interference on the AM band.

That is a shame if some today don't know what AM radio is. Unfortunately, sometimes it seems as though there isn't much on AM to get them to find out.

Probably a better radio and now besides computers there are those infernal CFL lamps. Plus most gadgets now use switching power supplies which generate a lot of hash. The older fluorescent lights only made a lot of noise starting or of there was a bad ballast or tube. The CFLs generate a constant hiss. Then CAT-5 and 6 network cables radiate noise too which years ago didn't exist even where there were a lot of computers around.

If you had an old radio with a real loop and/or external antenna and ground terminal you can still get better reception like you get on a car radio. But AM reception is secondary on most radios sold now and those internal ferrite loops are way too directional.

 

[KFodor]

I teach radio in a college-level course. Believe me, a good portion of young people might be aware of AM radio. But many will tell you they NEVER listen to it, and don't have a desire to.

 

[alans613]

I teach radio in a college-level course. Believe me, a good portion of young people might be aware of AM radio. But many will tell you they NEVER listen to it, and don't have a desire to.

I'm in my 30s and I NEVER listen to AM radio anymore. Sad because I grew up listening to 1340 WIZE and 700 WLW back when both were great stations in the 80s and 90s. I couldn't tell you the last time I flipped on an AM station. I'd say within 10 years the AM band will really be dying a quick death with demos under 55, more quickly than it is now. FM is where the audience is on terrestrial radio, along with competing things like apps via smart phones, online streaming via radio station websites(I'm streaming Q102/Cincy at the present), TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Pandora, Sirius/XM, and iPod/MP3 players, not to mention Music Choice on Time Warner Cable, which I listen to quite frequently. With all of those crystal-clear listening options, why would anyone under 55 listen to mono AM radio?

 

[NoWayNoCC]

I teach radio in a college-level course. Believe me, a good portion of young people might be aware of AM radio. But many will tell you they NEVER listen to it, and don't have a desire to.

That's because AM radio is full of nothing but right-wing loudmouths.

 

[keys2]

How is anybody going to know to listen on FM if they don't promote the fact? It's one thing to integrate it into your imaging like WHIO has done. But in this case, only those of us who read this board are aware that WLW can be heard on 94.5. Some casual listeners have probably noticed the odd "WKFS HD2 Milford" slipped into a break but not given it much thought. Until WLW simulcasts on a real FM with a real signal I just don't see the point.

If they do start promoting the 94.5 signal, WLW fans in the burbs may try it, not be able to receive it, and think "huh?!!" And again, if WLW doesn't promote it, then what's the point? Either way, I think rebroadcasting on an FM translator is a waste for a station like WLW. Maybe it works for a lower power AM with a directional signal to fill in the null(s) at night. But even in those cases, a "real" FM station seems like a better choice; ie, WHIO, WOKV Jacksonville, etc.

Another thought....the "700 WLW" branding is so strong, so ingrained, and has been since Randy Michaels took it over in the early 80s, how do they promote an FM without messing with their signature brand name?

 

[alans613]

I teach radio in a college-level course. Believe me, a good portion of young people might be aware of AM radio. But many will tell you they NEVER listen to it, and don't have a desire to.

That's because AM radio is full of nothing but right-wing loudmouths.

For the most part, yes. Here in the Dayton market there's also 1340 WIZE/Springfield that plays Classic Country and 1600 WULM/Springfield which broadcasts Radio Maria.