wayv in the early 80's much better signal

[hangman]

I remember picking up WAYV in the early 80's (the Rhythm of South Jersey) from my home in Center City Philly. They were always loud and clear especially at night. EZ 95 which was the old format and calls of ZZO in Allentown would never bother WAYV'S signal. This was with 20kw at 300 feet from the Ritz (photo included I took from the Summer of 1980 you can make out the four bay facing west) When they went 50kw and moved their antenna I could not receive them and ZZO is now the main signal. What is the cause of this, that broken down four bay had more spark then the flamethrower they have now, why did they move in the first place.

 

[amfmsw]

I remember picking up WAYV in the early 80's (the Rhythm of South Jersey) from my home in Center City Philly.

Everyone "upgraded". After the raising of the sticks and increase of power, WZZO became your ERP regional monster.

WAYV today: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WAYV&service=FM&status=L&hours=U 331' height 50kw

WZZO today: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WZZO&service=FM&status=L&hours=U 630' height 30kw


I use to listen to WFPG-FM and WMGM in Pottstown on dad's transistor radio and German tube Grundigs. The band was emptier, noise was lower. Thi BIG plus with WAYV's engineering is their clean signal and blessing of geography...as you can see, no multipath problems like WZZO.

 

[tom]

What is the cause of this, that broken down four bay had more spark then the flamethrower they have now, why did they move in the first place.

Why would you call the four bay "broken down" ? It has always been in excellent shape,
and works well as a backup to this day, on the ACUA tower.

The Ritz site is no longer usable, as FCC regulations concerning human exposure to radiation
have changed, and 50,000 watts, or most any higher power level can't work from a rooftop.

 

[hangman]

No harm intended, it just always looked crooked and just not like a normal FM antenna should look like. It seemed it was not taken care of not aligned and the bays were not even. Can you explain the better coverage back in the day, could it be the ocean to the east gave it a boost inland. I understand what amfmsw says about ZZO with their power and antenna increase, but when they are not booming in WAYV is still no where around.

 

[tom]

The antenna was fine, it was a straight antenna on an angled tower. I climbed that tower a few times, it was right outside the studio on the roof.

Here's a nice old blurry black and white picture ...

 

[hangman]

Real neat, you have to admit compared to the nice towers and antennas at that time period, it was an odd looking setup and had a fantastic signal for that height and power. I would have them locked in my 1980 Caprice, from AC to Philly with no drops back in the very early 80's. I also remember taking the casino buses from Center City to AC and the bus drivers would have them on the bus stereo system, great times...Remember when they moved off the top floor and had those studios on the boardwalk where you could watch the jock and the console. I always wondered if the window was one way, and the jock could not see out, because it would of been distracting if someone would pretend to throw something at the glass...

 

[MikeF]

Some answers to your questions:

There were a number of reasons for the move.

As Tom mentioned, there was the RFR problem. Also, the Ritz was beginning to be boxed in by the Tropicana next door, which was higher, and which, as the Trop built more hotel towers, severely impeded the signal to the southwest into Cape May County. And the other major competitors in the market (WFPG & WMGM) were already or about to become 50 KW, and the desire to remain competitive reinforced the decision.

The 20 KW non-directional antenna on the northwest side of the fat Ritz tower probably did put a greater signal toward Philly than either present antenna. That same antenna, now as the Aux at the present site, also puts a better signal towards the northwest than does the 50KW Main antenna, which is pulled in with a null in that direction. The 50 KW antenna does much better up and down the coast. As mentioned, ZZO improved their facility significantly since that time, and there is also a 95.1 translator in Burlington.

The window at the Chelsea Avenue & the Boardwalk studios was two way, and in fact easier in the daytime to see out rather than in. The glass was specially made heavy duty and 3" thick to protect against problems. And yes there were plenty of distractions....

Mike