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Translator 'realignment' at CMG

R

RadioDaze

Looks like Rock 92.9--WQDR-FM HD3 translator W229DF and WQDR (AM) 570--has rebranded as "Rock FM" and moved to 98.3, along with still being heard at 93.3 in Durham, 93.5 in Chapel Hill, and 100.3 in Johnston County. Where to Listen

FM 98.3 is W252EL--which was W253CY at 98.5 and rebroadcasting WPTF 680--has changed its relay to WQDR (AM).

W229DF is now rebroadcasting WPTF, which has modified its branding to 92.9/680 WPTF. WPTF is on some other un-branded and not mentioned on-air FM frequencies such as 98.7 in Rolesville and 107.5 in Smithfield. I don't know how/if they're affected by this change.
 
W253CY appears to be off the air now and replaced by W252EL. They had a CP for a while for the frequency move. I'm not sure why they moved from 98.5 to 98.3, I'd love to hear from someone in the know.

But I always find it funny when Curtis spends years branding a station with a translator frequency only to switch it one day without notice. They spent years talking about "Rock 92.9" and even started putting "98.5" in front of "680" on WPTF! Only to switch it up on a whim one day. I wonder how many WPTF listeners are going to go to their preset at 98.5, hear only static, and assume that the station is off the air.

The switch certainly came as a surprise to me earlier this week, as I was just listening to Rock 92.9 a day before they made the switch, and nothing was mentioned on-air. Nothing has been mentioned on social media either, with WPTF's Facebook page still displaying 98.5 and there are confused commenters on the page for Rock 92.9. Please, they need someone there that understands social media...
 
rduradio said:
W253CY appears to be off the air now and replaced by W252EL. They had a CP for a while for the frequency move. I'm not sure why they moved from 98.5 to 98.3, I'd love to hear from someone in the know.
Click to expand...
Because of 98.5/Rocky Mount, I assume. Under normal conditions you couldn’t get beyond Knightdale without interference. Ducting events I can imagine the Rocky Mount signal wiping it out in Raleigh.
 
I'll bet Lakes Media won't be happy with W252EI, as it will cause some interference in Southern Granville County/Butner/Creedmoor with their Oxford-based WLUS "US 98.3". The translator for Durham's WDUR 1490 was originally on that frequency, too, and caused much interference there until it moved to the current 101.9 FM. Granted it was closer, but tropo does some interesting things...
 
Noticed that they've added 107.5/Smithfield to the WPTF branding on-air and in their logo. When they first made the translator switch, 92.9 was the only FM frequency on the modified logo.
 
The 98.5 move to 98.3 was indeed due to interference to WDWG (that The Big Dawg seemed very patient with handling), and Lakes Media has already formally submitted its interference complaint with the FCC. I'm guessing the known risk to this translator was why Curtis went ahead and switched WPTF to 92.9. That, or, to continue a history of changing from the primary station listed permit application as if it's a state secret.
 


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