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So How Much Will the Big Signal Help Q?

R

RoddyFreeman

It might help a lot. But you have to consider than even with lower power, Q100's current signal is competitive to Star's where probably 85-90% of the metro population resides.

If Q surges ahead, it might have more to do with what is a significantly different sound on Star in the morning than the station's audience is used to. And I'm not saying the MM is bad, only that they'll take some time getting used to.

Star 94's numbers over the past year have not been stellar. Whether Lincoln Financial will have patience if the ratings initially dip remains to be seen. LF seems to have its stations in a holding pattern right now but will need them to hold their value for when the time to sell finally arrives.

The competition is going to be great for us listeners.
 
I was just considering this very point. Q100's signal from 2001-late 05 was obviously horrific but it's honestly been fine in the core metro counties, up through Gwinnett, during my recent trips to the area. Does it matter, ratings-wise, whether Q can be picked up in Gainesville or Carroll County?
 
Good question??? But their signal is really excellent. I have carried it in to Alabama, and can clearly hear it at my cabin in Blue Ridge It has the equivelancy of a 50000 watt signal.
 
BRENT said:
Good question??? But their signal is really excellent. I have carried it in to Alabama, and can clearly hear it at my cabin in Blue Ridge It has the equivelancy of a 50000 watt signal.
Click to expand...

Since their signal increase, I can pick them up 20 mi North Dalton in the car. That being said, keep in mind the difference between a 13kw and a 100kw signal can make a BIG difference on Walkman's and inside office buildings. At my office in Sandy Springs, you can get Star 94 and 99x without any problems but Q100 cannot be received so it WILL make a big difference for those who want to listen while they are at work.
 
I am interested to see how Cumulus markets the move to 99.7. They promoted the HELL out of the 100.5 signal upgrade (do I even need to bother bringing up the "bigger, more powerful, clearer signal" mantra that was oh-so-prominent during the late 2005-early '06 months?). I even remember seeing a TV commercial on their website, hearing about "switch parties" and so forth. And that upgrade was a big deal because it made Q clearer in northern suburbs in Gwinnett, etc. where Q was hardly clear in the past.

So now what? "Now with an EVEN bigger, EVEN more powerful, EVEN bigger signal?"

Seriously though, it will be interesting to see how this process is carried out. I'm excited, Q is a great station and has deserved a monster signal for some time.
 
Similar situation to above. In my office building in midtown, Star and 99x come in without effort, but Q100 is un-listenable.
 
Really? Wow, I wasn't aware of Q100's building penetration issues. Maybe the move to 99.7 could make things more interesting than I initially realized...
 
BRENT said:
Good question??? But their signal is really excellent. I have carried it in to Alabama, and can clearly hear it at my cabin in Blue Ridge It has the equivelancy of a 50000 watt signal.
Click to expand...

If WJOX in Tuscaloosa wasn't broadcasting in mono, we'd be able to pick them up here in Anniston!
 
TheMusicMan said:
I am interested to see how Cumulus markets the move to 99.7. They promoted the HELL out of the 100.5 signal upgrade (do I even need to bother bringing up the "bigger, more powerful, clearer signal" mantra that was oh-so-prominent during the late 2005-early '06 months?). I even remember seeing a TV commercial on their website, hearing about "switch parties" and so forth. And that upgrade was a big deal because it made Q clearer in northern suburbs in Gwinnett, etc. where Q was hardly clear in the past.

So now what? "Now with an EVEN bigger, EVEN more powerful, EVEN bigger signal?"

Seriously though, it will be interesting to see how this process is carried out. I'm excited, Q is a great station and has deserved a monster signal for some time.
Click to expand...

That was when Q100 was still owned by Susquehanna. The jock would say that coming out of every song for months, and I thought it got to be pretty annoying after a while. As soon as Cumulus took over, that was dropped.

But obviously it makes sense to promote the bigger signal, and I'm sure that will happen pretty extensively in the beginning.
 
I can tell you as a listener that the signal is a big reason for listening to any station.
If there's any chance of loosing reception somewhere around Atlanta I wont ever give a station a second chance, it happens without thinking about it.
That's THE reason WGST never has been succesful and it amazes me that those in the radio business don't understand.
 
Barbapapa said:
I can tell you as a listener that the signal is a big reason for listening to any station.
If there's any chance of loosing reception somewhere around Atlanta I wont ever give a station a second chance, it happens without thinking about it.
That's THE reason WGST never has been succesful and it amazes me that those in the radio business don't understand.
Click to expand...


I agree. I really do not understand why GST has to power down so much, they could be at least 10k???
 
As Alan Sneed loved to say, "Thay can't love you if they can't hear you."

They milked the 100.5 signal for all they had. It is a blowtorch ITP, but it does drop miserably on bad radios OTP.

99.7, I think, is one of the best signals in Atlanta, and throws one helluva contour over the area.

Has anyone tried to overlap their contour maps for a comparison yet?
 
I always wondered why Crumulus didn't swap/semi-flip these two stations over the last year or two.
The were hell bent on beating Star. Now they really have a chance if they make the right subtle
changes musically, they "could" skew toward the old Star listener, etc. Why they ever thought they
could beat a 100kw semi-heritage station with a choppy12 kw signal defies logic, but they did do an
decent job of staying close. Now they can really benefit from all angles if they program it
tight and smart. It is Crumulus. I made my one positive comment already.

Logical question:How will they screw Q-100 up AGAIN?
 
100.5 has a tall tower that compensates for its 12kw signal. The tall tower makes 100.5 close to a 50kw signal equivilent. While 99.7 has 100kw which is way better it is not fair to call the 100.5 weak based on its wattage when you have to consider its tower height.
 
99.7 is I believe one the strongest signals in Atlanta 100,000WATTS - I could pick it up on Lookout Mountain, TN
 
Barbapapa said:
I can tell you as a listener that the signal is a big reason for listening to any station.
If there's any chance of loosing reception somewhere around Atlanta I wont ever give a station a second chance, it happens without thinking about it.
That's THE reason WGST never has been succesful and it amazes me that those in the radio business don't understand.
Click to expand...

Tell that to GST in the early 90's, Q100 five years ago, and WPZE. Accorfing to that reasoning, they would have never had a chance, so why try?
 
trusty said:
Barbapapa said:
I can tell you as a listener that the signal is a big reason for listening to any station.
If there's any chance of loosing reception somewhere around Atlanta I wont ever give a station a second chance, it happens without thinking about it.
That's THE reason WGST never has been succesful and it amazes me that those in the radio business don't understand.
Click to expand...

Tell that to GST in the early 90's, Q100 five years ago, and WPZE. Accorfing to that reasoning, they would have never had a chance, so why try?
Click to expand...

Forgive me if I am mistaken, but doesn't WGST do something to try and increase coverage that also makes their audio sound terrible?
 
WNNX City-grade signal (60 dbu) http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM660254.html

WWWQ City-grade signal (60 dbu) http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1090523.html


They pick up LOTS of population with the move, and reach roughly the same area as Star.

The station will also sound stronger and "punchier" with their new stick, especially in the 'burbs.

If you open both contours in different windows and put them side-by-side, look at their reach further north and west. This helps them tremendously in Gwinnett, Cherokee, and out east where their current coverage is not as robust.

Inintended benefit: This also helps them dig into the few folks listening to the Beat, as their stick off 316 still does not cover all of Atlanta well.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1067848.html
 
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