While en-route to U-Mass Amherst, I had a chance to sample some of the smaller FM signals of the Pioneer Valley and found a few interesting observations. I tuned into WCCH/103.5 (Holyoke Community College) and was pleasantly surprised with their alt-rock programming and much improved audio and Stereo separation. It may be only 8 watts ERP (from atop the Soldiers Home in Holyoke) but this little Class D really covers nicely. It sounds like they really put some effort in cleaning up this signal. My daughter listened to it for nice stretch until the signal faded entirely in Palmer (she really liked the music). Down a notch, I heard WXOJ-LP/103.3. Not bad audio and signal either. It sounded a little more NPR'ish (without the NPR). It's very low key and sounds very intelligent. Definitely a "thinking person's" type of station.
In Springfield, I checked out Springfield College's WSCB/89.9 . Seems to be back to mono (after a few years in Stereo). The music is (of course) rap. My old stomping ground, Westfield State College's WSKB-FM/89.5 sounded pretty good in Stereo and had a pretty good signal covering most of the Greater Springfield area. (It was a fun place to work at during my 2 year stint as a student DJ and Program Director back in 1978-1980). American International College's WAIC/91.9 sounded automated but really very clean in Stereo signal with a pretty decent coverage area. Did not have a chance to check out Springfield Tech's WTCC/90.7 and Western New England College's WNEK/105.1 for any amount of time. The new LP-FM'er in Westfield on 99.7 (the calls escape me) was running Contemp. Christian music in Stereo with some pretty impressive audio processing. Finally, the WACC-LP on 107.7 was running what would pass as Top-40/CHR (whatever the current buzzword it is today). Sounded really good, but would have sounded better in Stereo.
The pirates seem to be a little absent as of late. I could not hear the 87.9 station I heard the last time I visited the area. I DID heard North Adams' oldies station WUPE/100.1 ("Whoopie!") between the hills for a while and was rather pleased with the format and the music selection. I'll definitely check them out on the webcast. As for WDRC-FM/102.9 in Hartford they sounded better since they put the more older oldies back into the mix. However their audio sounded a little bit more crunched to the hilt than usual. Even my daughter who is NOT an engineer (or in radio at all, for that matter) noticed the audio to be a little "walled". Finally, 88.9/WJMJ in Hartford was still operating in mono (probably due to some multipath issues so prevalent in their area). But it's always been a very great sounding non-comm, thanks in part to their top-notch engineer John Ramsey.
Well, that's my little musings post for now. Hey, it's a long drive from Boston to Amherst (and back)! And that's a 3-0.... (as the late, the great sportcaster Bill Stern used to say) for now! 73!
-Peter Q.
In Springfield, I checked out Springfield College's WSCB/89.9 . Seems to be back to mono (after a few years in Stereo). The music is (of course) rap. My old stomping ground, Westfield State College's WSKB-FM/89.5 sounded pretty good in Stereo and had a pretty good signal covering most of the Greater Springfield area. (It was a fun place to work at during my 2 year stint as a student DJ and Program Director back in 1978-1980). American International College's WAIC/91.9 sounded automated but really very clean in Stereo signal with a pretty decent coverage area. Did not have a chance to check out Springfield Tech's WTCC/90.7 and Western New England College's WNEK/105.1 for any amount of time. The new LP-FM'er in Westfield on 99.7 (the calls escape me) was running Contemp. Christian music in Stereo with some pretty impressive audio processing. Finally, the WACC-LP on 107.7 was running what would pass as Top-40/CHR (whatever the current buzzword it is today). Sounded really good, but would have sounded better in Stereo.
The pirates seem to be a little absent as of late. I could not hear the 87.9 station I heard the last time I visited the area. I DID heard North Adams' oldies station WUPE/100.1 ("Whoopie!") between the hills for a while and was rather pleased with the format and the music selection. I'll definitely check them out on the webcast. As for WDRC-FM/102.9 in Hartford they sounded better since they put the more older oldies back into the mix. However their audio sounded a little bit more crunched to the hilt than usual. Even my daughter who is NOT an engineer (or in radio at all, for that matter) noticed the audio to be a little "walled". Finally, 88.9/WJMJ in Hartford was still operating in mono (probably due to some multipath issues so prevalent in their area). But it's always been a very great sounding non-comm, thanks in part to their top-notch engineer John Ramsey.
Well, that's my little musings post for now. Hey, it's a long drive from Boston to Amherst (and back)! And that's a 3-0.... (as the late, the great sportcaster Bill Stern used to say) for now! 73!
-Peter Q.