W296BK

[Laurence Glavin]

What's this? The FCC has authorized a translator on 107.1 in Concord, NH? Isn't that kind of close to the 107.1 near Portsmouth?

 

[NHRadio]

I'm pretty sure that translator will carry WTPL (107.7 Hillsboro). That app's been pending for a while.

 

[BRNout]

This is yet another example of the FCC's indifference to interference. While I agree 100% that WTPL's signal needs help getting into Concord, wouldn't an on-channel repeater be preferable in this situation? Too bad the FCC lacks the judgement to encourage this technology over approving translators that fill every dial position with often-redundant signals.

For example, why not amplify WOKQ's signal at 97.5 into Manchester - rather than having a translator at 97.9? I've seen this technology at work out west (in CA and UT) and it really does well. Even a 10 watt repeater can do wonders - if placed correctly!

 

[NHRadio]

I think you're referring to an "on-channel booster". WHDQ Claremont uses two I think, but they can be more trouble than they're worth because the 2 signals (which arrive at different times) interfere with each other. I've seen them tried and abandonded more than once due the interference zone being bigger than the added coverage. As to the allocation, I don't think Portsmouth is going to interfere with a fairly low powered translator. There are 107.1's in Gorham (?) NH and Bellows Falls VT and they're fully spaced.

This is yet another example of the FCC's indifference to interference. While I agree 100% that WTPL's signal needs help getting into Concord, wouldn't an on-channel repeater be preferable in this situation? Too bad the FCC lacks the judgement to encourage this technology over approving translators that fill every dial position with often-redundant signals.

For example, why not amplify WOKQ's signal at 97.5 into Manchester - rather than having a translator at 97.9? I've seen this technology at work out west (in CA and UT) and it really does well. Even a 10 watt repeater can do wonders - if placed correctly!

 

[jlehmann]

106.5 WMEX had a on channel booster on the air last year from Belknap Mountain, in the Lake Region. The result at the place I stay up at Lake Winnisquam was a much worse signal, with the two signals wiping each other out. I was up there over Memorial Day weekend, and the booster seemed to be off the air, because WMEX's signal was much better.

 

[NHRadio]

Their booster (WMEX-1) is licensed to Gilford, NH-which is a little strange since second-adjacent WSCY (106.9 Moultonboro) is very strong there. Don't know for sure if it's still on air, but I'd guess it isn't.

106.5 WMEX had a on channel booster on the air last year from Belknap Mountain, in the Lake Region. The result at the place I stay up at Lake Winnisquam was a much worse signal, with the two signals wiping each other out. I was up there over Memorial Day weekend, and the booster seemed to be off the air, because WMEX's signal was much better.

 

[BRNout]

Their booster (WMEX-1) is licensed to Gilford, NH-which is a little strange since second-adjacent WSCY (106.9 Moultonboro) is very strong there. Don't know for sure if it's still on air, but I'd guess it isn't.

106.5 WMEX had a on channel booster on the air last year from Belknap Mountain, in the Lake Region. The result at the place I stay up at Lake Winnisquam was a much worse signal, with the two signals wiping each other out. I was up there over Memorial Day weekend, and the booster seemed to be off the air, because WMEX's signal was much better.

If synchronized correctly, they work wonderfully. You literally cannot tell the main signal from the booster. It would be a good option for WTPL in Concord - a mere 50 watts would suffice. The technology has been successfully implemented around the SF Bay area (KIOI) and in Park City (KBZN) and Davis County, Utah (KKAT). They fill in spotty coverage areas where terrain blocks most (but not all) of the signal. In each case, I've never heard these signals wiping each other out.

 

[NHRadio]

That's just it, IF synchronized correctly. That kind of work requires top-notch engineers and a heavy investment that many managers think won't generate enough ROI. I've seen more than one station put them on the air, have interference issues, and kill the project claiming its more trouble than its worth. It is far easier and cheaper to use the old-school off air pickup on a different frquency.
On a related note, WHDQ Claremont operates WHDQ-FM1 in Rutland VT. I heard there was a WHDQ-FM2 authorized...anyone know if its on air? I know it has translators in Keene and Hanover. I know WKNE has a translator on 98.9 Claremont, and I think Nassau owns 107.5 there-anyone know what it's relaying?

Their booster (WMEX-1) is licensed to Gilford, NH-which is a little strange since second-adjacent WSCY (106.9 Moultonboro) is very strong there. Don't know for sure if it's still on air, but I'd guess it isn't.

106.5 WMEX had a on channel booster on the air last year from Belknap Mountain, in the Lake Region. The result at the place I stay up at Lake Winnisquam was a much worse signal, with the two signals wiping each other out. I was up there over Memorial Day weekend, and the booster seemed to be off the air, because WMEX's signal was much better.

If synchronized correctly, they work wonderfully. You literally cannot tell the main signal from the booster. It would be a good option for WTPL in Concord - a mere 50 watts would suffice. The technology has been successfully implemented around the SF Bay area (KIOI) and in Park City (KBZN) and Davis County, Utah (KKAT). They fill in spotty coverage areas where terrain blocks most (but not all) of the signal. In each case, I've never heard these signals wiping each other out.

 

[mr_mark_taylor]

according to radio-locator the 107.5 in claremont relays WZLP the country station on 107.1

 

[necrat123]

FCC records do indicate that 107.5 in Claremont does relay WZLF from "Bellows Falls". (The transmitter for WZLF is actually in Charlestown behind a sugar shack). There was never an WHDQ-2. At least in the FCC historical records, there doesn't show to be one. My understanding is that WHDQ-1 on Pico was shut down when when 'HDQ moved to the current flamethrower signal from the WVPR antenna on Ascutney.

WKNE does have two translators, known as W227AW at the Monadnock Country Club in Peterborough (on 93.3) and W255BQ at the TBird mini mart in Claremont (on 98.9) , next to the WTSV tower on Washington St.

There had been a proposal from Saga to put a on-channel booster for WKVT-FM on the WKBK sticks in Keene but they cancelled it five months after applying for it.

 

[NHRadio]

I was there for that. It was on the air only a couple of days before it was killed.

There had been a proposal from Saga to put a on-channel booster for WKVT-FM on the WKBK sticks in Keene but they cancelled it five months after applying for it.
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[promotherobot]

Boosters only work when you have the main signal is completely blocked by terrain, or if the only area where overlap occurs is reletively unpopulated. WTPL's signal in Concord is still strong enough that an on-channel boster would do more harm than good. Don't shed any tears for WERZ. The Concord translator will not impact their signal in their market at all.

PTR

 

[nhradiochild]

I agree with PTR about the translator signal not affecting WERZ. It's uncanny just how many translators are up second-adjacent to powerhouse signals and both work out rather nicely. I'm told WNTK's 106.5 has a fairly bright signal next to the Q's 50KW 106.1 both in Claremont.

I also agree that boosters are typically more trouble than they're worth. Many of you are worried about dial clutter, but it's so not an issue with a digital tuner and correctly engineered sites (usually). These spaces are perfect for the small signals that can't be larger because of those other stations' fringe lines. It especially is of little concern considering the potential clever use of terrain blockage.

While it does seem that sometimes the FCC doesn't know what they're doing in some instances, they do get it right for the most part. Give them a break on allocations.

One other note: Someone mentioned something about Q106's getting an FM-2. Sincerely doubt that one, but they do have an app in to increase their translator coverage on their Lebanon signal.