Two FM Queries for The Gump

[Nate Wesley]

I was playing with the Radio-Locator site and noticed what seemed to be a new (or is it?) translator approved for the Montgomery area: W295BG at 106.9, licensed for Alexander City but serving mostly Wetumpka and Blue Ridge.

I'm not sure if this is a completely new channel allotment as I remember the Montgomery metro having another translator in the 106.X channel range. Well, now W295BG has a new CP to move to closer to Montgomery and with a bigger signal at 107.5 FM.

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/info?call=W295BG&service=FX
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=W295BG&service=FX&status=C&hours=U

The parent station for W295BG is listed as Alabama State's WVAS 90.7. Would anyone know what's on this channel, or what's in store for it in the future?

Also, how close are we to the debut of 107.9 WJAM with its new Shorter, AL license?

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

I was playing with the Radio-Locator site and noticed what seemed to be a new (or is it?) translator approved for the Montgomery area: W295BG at 106.9, licensed for Alexander City but serving mostly Wetumpka and Blue Ridge.

I'm not sure if this is a completely new channel allotment as I remember the Montgomery metro having another translator in the 106.X channel range. Well, now W295BG has a new CP to move to closer to Montgomery and with a bigger signal at 107.5 FM.

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/info?call=W295BG&service=FX
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=W295BG&service=FX&status=C&hours=U

The parent station for W295BG is listed as Alabama State's WVAS 90.7. Would anyone know what's on this channel, or what's in store for it in the future?

Also, how close are we to the debut of 107.9 WJAM with its new Shorter, AL license?

if the parent station is listed as WVAS, then thats what it's rebroadcasting.

And if you ask, Why would WVAS need a translator in Montgomery? There very well could be some terrain issues, especially in downtown.

When I lived right in downtown Montgomery overlook the courthouse, I had WVAS bleeding all over the dial.. and i could hear them in most of the metro in full quieting stereo on 90.4 on a car radio

 

[tomservo]

WVAS' tower is near I-85 and Hall Street; I have serious doubts about them needing a signal boost anywhere in the city.

It was explained to me that the station to be rebroadcast can be a "placeholder" until the desired signal can be re-radiated. In other words, it may not be WVAS for long, if it ever did relay that station. My last listing for the translator showed it for WJSP, the Georgia Public Radio outlet in the Columbus, GA area.

If you look up the call sign, it's licensed to Radio Assist Ministry currently. I'm pretty sure I saw a while back that there's an application to transfer the translator to Stroh Communications, and in that app it mentions WVAS. I'd check but the FCC site seems to be on vacation at the moment. Something tells me that this will eventually relay Stroh's Pine Level station, WVRV if it ever gets its act together.

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

WVAS' tower is near I-85 and Hall Street; I have serious doubts about them needing a signal boost anywhere in the city.

It was explained to me that the station to be rebroadcast can be a "placeholder" until the desired signal can be re-radiated. In other words, it may not be WVAS for long, if it ever did relay that station. My last listing for the translator showed it for WJSP, the Georgia Public Radio outlet in the Columbus, GA area.

If you look up the call sign, it's licensed to Radio Assist Ministry currently. I'm pretty sure I saw a while back that there's an application to transfer the translator to Stroh Communications, and in that app it mentions WVAS. I'd check but the FCC site seems to be on vacation at the moment. Something tells me that this will eventually relay Stroh's Pine Level station, WVRV if it ever gets its act together.

You're exactly right Zach, good detective work!