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Thoughts

Q

qid937

Hello all,

Was passing through Memphis last week on my way to a trip destination and had a chance to check out a couple stations on the road.

First FM100 sounds like they spin only currents and very vanilla at that. Still has the great top hour bed but no where near the variety of 'whatever' days of not so long ago.

941KQK was a good listen. Enjoyed the playlist and hearing the legendary Willie B in PM drive. He did an exceptional job of staying on top a high speed police chase,(nothing new for Memphis). Point being that last I knew Willie B is out of Indy. Not so sure the jingle sings fit the format, but then again I'm used to hearing CBS formated classic hits stations.

Your take?
 
I listen occasionally when I'm driving in Memphis for work.
Of the two, I prefer KQK. Mostly because of the music (since most of it is from the days I started in radio)
Willie B. (I've never heard of him before this) is a little over the top sometimes, but maybe that's him just trying to match the radio-type of back in the day.

I listen to 98.1 a lot when I'm in earshot, too. I like Jarman and his bs, and rarley dislike the music.
 
I first started listening to Willie B when he was on WLTS FM in New Orleans. He had a great radio personality then and I'm glad he is allowed to continue to entertain and show his talents. From what I've heard he's a good guy all around.
 
qid937 said:
I first started listening to Willie B when he was on WLTS FM in New Orleans. He had a great radio personality then and I'm glad he is allowed to continue to entertain and show his talents. From what I've heard he's a good guy all around.
Click to expand...

Willie B is one of the last true great air talents. He works hard, knows how to make the most out of his equipment, and can multi task as well as anyone. The few times I've been in the studio with him I was impressed at how he could converse with me, take calls, edit phoners, hit breaks and keep it all flowing like nothing was in his way. Enjoy it.
 
FM 100 used to occasionally play dance mixes of some of the current hits of the day. At least, they did that back in the '80s when I still lived close enough to listen to them. A little unusual for a "hits" station to do that, but I really enjoyed and appreciated it. :)
 
At the risk of sounding bitter, I'll say nothing. But, I'm just saying...
 
I’ve noticed both. On the WYPL side, IMO they’d be better off going back to the lower power level they had in Midtown instead of a highly discretional power guzzler 35 miles from the city. If you look at the contours they didn’t gain much city grade real estate except out where the cows live, and it would save a heck of a lot of taxpayer money. 98 had the same signal problem on that tower until they moved into Shelby County.

FM100- If they are at full power, then that’s a mystery. I’ve noticed signal problems there for the last few years. They can’t have been at reduced power that long….?

It was fine and running at full power when I left it in 1997. Since then they have replaced the antenna…which should at the very least maintained their signal. It didn’t…or there are other factors at work. I wonder if all the hash from move ins and adjacent channels has anything to do with it, but your are so right; FM 100s signal is only equal to most and inferior to more than a couple.

Rob: Come on and join all us “bitter old folks”. We don’t mind! In fact, I’m getting the Strat out and working up a shred metal version of "Geritol Blues". I need a bass player.
 
...I'm just sayin' it's a CRIME what they did to a decent station. That's all.
 
robgrayson said:
...I'm just sayin' it's a CRIME what they did to a decent station. That's all.
Click to expand...


In all seriousness, your point is well taken. I feel the same way. I put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into that place. Come to think of it, I went through 3 program directors and a couple of format “tweaks”, but it was always a winner and a huge biller.
 
As famed consultant Rhett Butler said, "Waste makes me angry. And that's all this is...sheer waste!"
 
a couple weeks ago it seemed like WYPL was operating from midtown. I will check for bleed over today or tomorrow and see if that is still the case.
 
Regarding WYPL, they've been back on their midtown stick for about a year. Lightning hit their Arkansas stick and smoked the transmission line. It's taken several overdue book fines to pay for ordering a new one.

They are having problems midtown as well and it will still be a while before they resume transmitting on the Arkansas stick. Not good times for WYPL, sad to say.
 
Tynosaur said:
Regarding WYPL, they've been back on their midtown stick for about a year. Lightning hit their Arkansas stick and smoked the transmission line. It's taken several overdue book fines to pay for ordering a new one.

They are having problems midtown as well and it will still be a while before they resume transmitting on the Arkansas stick. Not good times for WYPL, sad to say.
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Thanks for the info. I hope they stay in Midtown. It was a bad idea to begin with to move. I suspect they could get a power increase at midtown and end up with a better signal, a much smaller power bill, and a lot less headaches.

Come to think of it, one of the "ahem" local engineers mentioned to the guy who started the project of acquiring the Frenchman's Bayou site tried to tell him there were some grounding and other issues with that tower....
 
How exactly is WYPL operating at the moment? I don't see any auxiliary facilities listed in the database, or any active STAs. There's an expired STA from 04/09 which mentions operating from an aux site, same as the old licensed site, but that was dismissed or expired. ???
 
Hmm... being a service of the library, is there any chance the engineering department has been replaced by a former mayoral bodyguard in an appointed six-figure-salary position?
 
Rob - It do make one wonder, don't it?

Saur - re: there were some grounding and other issues with that tower....

In fact that is one of the ongoing problems with the AR tower - I understand work on the grounding is underway. 'Course, the tower in AR was free to WYPL and that was likely the major attraction. They do have a strong signal to the south...when the AR stick is in use, but the east does suffer.
 
Tynosaur said:
Rob - It do make one wonder, don't it?

Saur - re: there were some grounding and other issues with that tower....

In fact that is one of the ongoing problems with the AR tower - I understand work on the grounding is underway. 'Course, the tower in AR was free to WYPL and that was likely the major attraction. They do have a strong signal to the south...when the AR stick is in use, but the east does suffer.
Click to expand...


"Free" being a relative term, I suppose...Power, upkeep, regrounding...new transmission line...not the most efficent use of the taxpayer's money.
 
It seems like this Radio Info board....is boring. Used to be interesting and informative. Same old guys with the same old "blah blah...." A number of radio has beens or wannabe's.
 
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