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WAGR Construction permit

I noticed that it's just a couple of more weeks until the CP for WAGR in Lexington to increase power is set to expire. Anyone know if they're in the process of building it out or asking for an extension?
 
It is my understanding that the current manager of WAGR-FM just received a larger transmitter last week but has not yet upped the power.

--- Casual Observer
 
Is WAGR still doing the strange oldies/country format? I have not heard them in years.

I also wonder if the station can translate the power upgrade into increased sales?
Does WAGR currently sale anywhere outside of Lexington? Durant seems like the main place to focus on with the increased signal.
 
Just looking at the map it looks like it will improve coverage in Greenwood, too. The terrain is favorable in that direction, with Greenwood being in the flat as a pancake Delta and the WAGR tower up in the bluffs.

I seem to recall 102.5 being weak but definitely listenable in LeFlore County with a decent radio.

If the little Tchula-licensed 106.3 can play to Greenwood with their pitiful signal, then this CP should definitely put WAGR there.
 
That was a strange oldies/country format they used to do. Definitely haven't head of any other stations close by doing that, but as quirky as it was, I kinda liked it. They're now doing classic country as Classic Hits 102 5 the Tiger. As for coverage in Greenwood, their id at 5 this morning was WAGR Lexington:Greenwood. I don't live in Leflore County so I don't know how well the signal makes it there, but it does make it into Kosciusko. Hopefully when they do get the power boost, that will help coverage over here. Looking at the map on radio-locator, it will almost if not provide city grade coverage into Greenwood, Yazoo City, and Belzoni, so that might be some options there for added revenue. As far as I know, it's the only station in that area doing classic country.
 
Msugrad: I'm a senior citizen who got out of radio management/engineering 20 years ago, and am trusting a failing memory; however, based on that memory, I submit that your use of the term "city grade" signal is in error. City grade is the signal level the FCC requires to encompass the city of license. It is defined as 3.16 mv/m, or 70 dbu. Primary, or interference-free contour, is 1.0 mv/m, or 60 dbu. In FCC applications back in my day, only the 70 and 60 dbu contours were called for. Other contours beyond that (50 and 40 dbu, or 0.5 mv/m) can be shown in promotional pieces, but anything beyond 60 dbu was subject to interference (adjacent or co-channel).

Radio-Locator maps do not show a 70 dbu contour. In its FAQ it spells out the three shown contours as 60 dbu (red), 50 dbu (purple), and 40 dbu (blue).

As a maximum power/height C-3 facility (25 kw @ 100 meters) the station in question could be expected to put a city-grade signal (3.16 mv/m) out about 14 miles. Their 1.0 mv/m contour is the one that barely touches Yazoo and Greenwood. That contour is correctly called the PRIMARY, but not the CITY GRADE.

Someone who is up to date on current engineering terminology is welcome to update me.
 
I believe that the term "city grade" has also been mangled badly by advertisers and agencies who use the term as a substitute for 60 dBu coverage. Many ex-radio people are also in marketing departments asking "where is your city grade signal?" and will use the inner contour of the radio-locator maps to confirm your answer. An effort to correct them may result in them not making the buy, so I often just let it slide. I once tried to explain the point-to-point propagation method and optimal tower antenna mounting to an agency who believed that radio-locator was the most accurate predictor of coverage... it did not go well.

--- Casual Observer
 
C.O.: Thanks for your supplemental comments. I think you are correct that terms are thrown around too loosely.
 
Unfortunately, too, thanks to deregulation, it is easier to toss out bad info. In the 70s, I knew of stations drawing wildly exaggerated coverage maps. At that time, the FCC and/or the Federal Trade Commission would take an interest in stopping such a practice. I doubt that's the case any more.
 
You are correct Mr. Bowab - my apologizes for not paying closer attention when I used city grade instead of primary. I should have realized that what I was looking at was the primary and not city grade. Slight misuse of words.

On a different note, I listened for a little while this morning and found they were using Rick and Bubba for their morning show.
 
They've had RNB for a year or two, I believe. Last I remember they were playing classic rock, not classic country as The Tiger, I guess they decided to find a niche since Z-106 and WYMX from Greenwood sort of cover the area and overlap some with the format.

I too have often confused the city grade and primary contours and still do from time to time. I think it's OK these days for someone to use the 60 dBu contour as a selling point because pretty much all but the worst radios have no trouble within that magical circle.

The only radio I have that has trouble with signals even in the 60 dBu service area is a shower radio that came from China. No, really. It has no brand name, no identification beyond Made In China, and no one in the family knows who bought it or why we have it. It's a true mystery piece. The only AM it receives is the station whose tower is visible from my back yard. And even there it has trouble. ;)
 
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