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WBRK in Pittsfield

A

antennafarm

Guest
Looks like 1kw AM WBRK (1340) in Pittsfield has added satelite service to its operation. Long-time morning show host, Rick Beltair, may be the only "live" jock on the air. WBRK even dumped the Jim Bohannon Show (supplied by Mutual) in liew of the new system. Live jocks but they're based outside of the market.
Anyone know anything about this?
 
> Looks like 1kw AM WBRK (1340) in Pittsfield has added
> satelite service to its operation. Long-time morning show
> host, Rick Beltair, may be the only "live" jock on the air.
> WBRK even dumped the Jim Bohannon Show (supplied by Mutual)
> in liew of the new system. Live jocks but they're based
> outside of the market.
> Anyone know anything about this?
>
Over the weekend, coverage for the annual RELAY FOR LIFE;
they were sati-live & were broadcasting ABC NETWORK NEWS
instead of their historical CBS NEWS.

The service may have been ABC network based because breaks were tight.

I was surprised to see 'brk took that turn!
Maybe its a temp one till Vox sells Berkshire!

The service they are now using resembles the one once used
by cross town rival WBEC AM 1420 pre news/talk/SPORTS or
a close kinship to the once popular LITE96/WUPE 95.9 FM.

Locally owned & operated but not locally voiced!

Rick "Beltaire" used to have fiscal interest in the station
when he first left WBEC with the crew that still runs WBRK.
Could explain his remaining there!

I worked in lieu of LEN BEAN for 1 year @ WBRK in the early 90's!<P ID="signature">______________
My 4 Daughters; My Wife & Radio Broadcasting Are The Biggest Loves Of My Life!</P>
 
Hasn't WBRK always been all Sat except for the mornings?
I know they're the local Yankees affil.

Ever since I can remember, it always seemed to be the weak station in the market programming wise. Even as a top40 on the FM "Z101.7"! it always made me feel like the ownership of the station didn't care to put a lot of money into the operation. It's too bad too, because the FM's signal was always pretty respectable, even for it's below average terrain location. (The new antenna they installed also has helped that quite a bit). I just think that WBRK is in desperate need of some new ownership.
 
> Hasn't WBRK always been all Sat except for the mornings?
> I know they're the local Yankees affil.
YANKEES YES/ SAT NO. LOCAL VOICETRACKERS TILL RECENTLY
> Ever since I can remember, it always seemed to be the weak
> station in the market programming wise. Even as a top40 on
> the FM "Z101.7"! it always made me feel like the ownership
> of the station didn't care to put a lot of money into the
> operation. It's too bad too, because the FM's signal was
> always pretty respectable, even for it's below average
> terrain location. (The new antenna they installed also has
> helped that quite a bit). I just think that WBRK is in
> desperate need of some new ownership.
HODGKINS IS WAITING FOR VOX TO MAKE ANOTHER MOVE.
IN EARLY 90'S 4 RTR'S & 2 CART CAROUSELS
MADE UP THE Z-WRCZ FM PITTSFIELD Z101.7!
THEY'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!
<P ID="signature">______________
My 4 Daughters; My Wife & Radio Broadcasting Are The Biggest Loves Of My Life!</P>
 
> > Looks like 1kw AM WBRK (1340) in Pittsfield has added
> > satelite service to its operation. Long-time morning show
>
> > host, Rick Beltair, may be the only "live" jock on the
> air.
> > WBRK even dumped the Jim Bohannon Show (supplied by
> Mutual)
> > in liew of the new system. Live jocks but they're based
> > outside of the market.
> > Anyone know anything about this?
> >
> Over the weekend, coverage for the annual RELAY FOR LIFE;
> they were sati-live & were broadcasting ABC NETWORK NEWS
> instead of their historical CBS NEWS.
>
> The service may have been ABC network based because breaks
> were tight.
>
> I was surprised to see 'brk took that turn!
> Maybe its a temp one till Vox sells Berkshire!

WBRK dumped CBS news? Yikes. I was told they've had CBS news forever.

>
> The service they are now using resembles the one once used
> by cross town rival WBEC AM 1420 pre news/talk/SPORTS or
> a close kinship to the once popular LITE96/WUPE 95.9 FM.
>
> Locally owned & operated but not locally voiced!
>
> Rick "Beltaire" used to have fiscal interest in the station
> when he first left WBEC with the crew that still runs WBRK.
> Could explain his remaining there!
>
> I worked in lieu of LEN BEAN for 1 year @ WBRK in the early
> 90's!
>
 
> > Hasn't WBRK always been all Sat except for the mornings?
> > I know they're the local Yankees affil.
> YANKEES YES/ SAT NO. LOCAL VOICETRACKERS TILL RECENTLY
> > Ever since I can remember, it always seemed to be the weak
>
> > station in the market programming wise. Even as a top40 on
>
> > the FM "Z101.7"! it always made me feel like the ownership
>
> > of the station didn't care to put a lot of money into the
> > operation. It's too bad too, because the FM's signal was
> > always pretty respectable, even for it's below average
> > terrain location. (The new antenna they installed also has
>
> > helped that quite a bit). I just think that WBRK is in
> > desperate need of some new ownership.
> HODGKINS IS WAITING FOR VOX TO MAKE ANOTHER MOVE.
> IN EARLY 90'S 4 RTR'S & 2 CART CAROUSELS
> MADE UP THE Z-WRCZ FM PITTSFIELD Z101.7!
> THEY'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!

Anyone know why WBRK's fm has been kept automated when FM's are the money maker when it comes to AM-FM combos? Sounds kinda backward. Who owns WBRK? Mom and Pop? The FM signal isn't too bad. I can hear them pretty good in southern Berkshire County where the other 2 FM's in Pittsfield vanish.
>
 
>
> WBRK dumped CBS news? Yikes. I was told they've had CBS
> news forever.
>
CBS HAS RETURNED TO THE MIGHTY THIRTEENFORTY!<P ID="signature">______________
My 4 Daughters; My Wife & Radio Broadcasting Are The Biggest Loves Of My Life!</P>
 
>
> Anyone know why WBRK's fm has been kept automated when FM's
> are the money maker when it comes to AM-FM combos? Sounds
> kinda backward. Who owns WBRK? Mom and Pop? The FM signal
> isn't too bad. I can hear them pretty good in southern
> Berkshire County where the other 2 FM's in Pittsfield
> vanish.
> >
>
aNTENNAfARM;
According to their engineer, the fm is a money maker in its current form.
The current form is better than an antiquated automation system they once had.
WBRK INC. is LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED by The HODGKINS Family!
An organization that purchased it as a group upon that same group leaving WBEC.
Stick for WBRK AM is Willard Place/off east street
(tower visable from junction bridge/merrill road)
as well as fire escape for station on North Street.
Stick for WBRK FM is Lake Onota Village/Pecks Road/Valentine Road Pittsfield.
harddrive 105.5 has a relay soemwhere around the early 90's in GB.
big whoop 95.9 should be audible south of GB. Try 100.1!
I give credit to BRK for not selling out!<P ID="signature">______________
My 4 Daughters; My Wife & Radio Broadcasting Are The Biggest Loves Of My Life!</P>
 
> harddrive 105.5 has a relay soemwhere around the early 90's
> in GB.

WBEC-FM added a 94.1 W231AK translator to the roof of Fairview Hospital.
30 watts of relay power.

> big whoop 95.9 should be audible south of GB. Try 100.1!
100.1 in southern county is all WDST out of Woodstock.

WMNB doesn't come in until you're north of Monument Mountain High School on Rte 7. (In fact in the parking lot, you can get both depending on which way you aim the antenna, it's a good DX spot).

Since WMNB changed antennas, the signal has dramatically "cleaned up".
The new antenna out performs the old two bay they had up there.

101.7's stick is on Valentine Rd in Pittsfield in a trailer park.

1340 has a new antenna system, as they lease the tower out to cell service and use what is called a "skirting" antenna system. It is actually a nice looking install on that.

105.5/95.9 are on Bosquet Ski Area and have a definate height advantage over WRCZ, however WRCZ has a power advantage that gives them a strong signal inside some of the downtown buildings and up in the mall in Lanesboro.

100.1 in North Adams is on the Hairpin turn at the very top of the hill. (The big lit tower).

... and yes, I remember the old Z101.7. What an odd obscure top40. One of the weirdest top 40's I can remember. (And I can remember B94.3 out of Kingson)
 
YEa...I noticed that thier signal into Pittsfield is much better then before but they drop off sharply below Lenox and vanish in Lee. Wonder what they did to increase the gain on the antenna. Diffent angle? The rumor mill says when 105.5 vanishes, WBEC-FM will take over the 95.9 signal now held by WUPE-FM, leaving the oldies outlet in Pittsfield only on 100.1FM. That'll kill a bunch of sponsors in southern berkshire county unless Vox comes up with a bright idea. <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by bw on 06/24/05 11:37 AM.</FONT></P>
 
>
> ... and yes, I remember the old Z101.7. What an odd obscure
> top40. One of the weirdest top 40's I can remember. (And I
> can remember B94.3 out of Kingson)
When i was in the employ of the Z they were classic rock after recurrent hits!
>
<P ID="signature">______________
My 4 Daughters; My Wife & Radio Broadcasting Are The Biggest Loves Of My Life!</P>
 
> YEa...I noticed that thier signal into Pittsfield is much
> better then before but they drop off sharply below Lenox and
> vanish in Lee. Wonder what they did to increase the gain on
> the antenna. Diffent angle?

The rumor mill says when 105.5 vanishes, WBEC-FM will take over the 95.9 signal now held by WUPE-FM, leaving the oldies outlet in Pittsfield only on 100.1FM. That'll kill a bunch of sponsors in southern berkshire county unless Vox comes up with a bright idea.
>
With the sale of the station so goes the calls.
100.1 is actually north adams.
I am anxious to see what will become
of the legacy of the mighty 105.5.
Their format, morning show, talent?! etc.
<P ID="signature">______________
My 4 Daughters; My Wife & Radio Broadcasting Are The Biggest Loves Of My Life!</P>
 
> Looks like 1kw AM WBRK (1340) in Pittsfield has added
> satelite service to its operation. Long-time morning show
> host, Rick Beltair, may be the only "live" jock on the air.
> WBRK even dumped the Jim Bohannon Show (supplied by Mutual)
> in liew of the new system. Live jocks but they're based
> outside of the market.
> Anyone know anything about this?
>


Sounds like the AC clone of their FM from ABC RADIO. Blah! More boring radio in the Berkshires. At least the Vox stations still have <u> local </u> personalities and contests that don't originate from DALLAS!!<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by getoverit on 06/26/05 06:39 PM.</FONT></P>
 
> > YEa...I noticed that thier signal into Pittsfield is much
> > better then before but they drop off sharply below Lenox
> and
> > vanish in Lee. Wonder what they did to increase the gain
> on
> > the antenna. Diffent angle?
>
> The rumor mill says when 105.5 vanishes, WBEC-FM will take
> over the 95.9 signal now held by WUPE-FM, leaving the oldies
> outlet in Pittsfield only on 100.1FM. That'll kill a bunch
> of sponsors in southern berkshire county unless Vox comes up
> with a bright idea.
> >
> With the sale of the station so goes the calls.
> 100.1 is actually north adams.
> I am anxious to see what will become
> of the legacy of the mighty 105.5.
> Their format, morning show, talent?! etc.
>
Speaking of Pittsfield stations, are all 3 AM's 1KW? Who has the strongest AM signal on the AM dial in Pittsfield?
 
> Speaking of Pittsfield stations, are all 3 AM's 1KW? Who
> has the strongest AM signal on the AM dial in Pittsfield?
>
NECRAT SHOULD REVEAL THAT INFO!?<P ID="signature">______________
My 4 Daughters; My Wife & Radio Broadcasting Are The Biggest Loves Of My Life!</P>
 
> > Speaking of Pittsfield stations, are all 3 AM's 1KW? Who
> > has the strongest AM signal on the AM dial in Pittsfield?
> >
> NECRAT SHOULD REVEAL THAT INFO!?
>
Who is NECRAT????
 
> > >
> > NECRAT SHOULD REVEAL THAT INFO!?
> >
> Who is NECRAT????
>
necrat.com
<P ID="signature">______________
My 4 Daughters; My Wife & Radio Broadcasting Are The Biggest Loves Of My Life!</P>
 
> > > >
> > > NECRAT SHOULD REVEAL THAT INFO!?
> > >
> > Who is NECRAT????
> >
> necrat.com
>
Nice site. Thanks. Love those towers.
 
> > > > >
> > > > NECRAT SHOULD REVEAL THAT INFO!?
> > > >
> > > Who is NECRAT????
> > >
> > necrat.com
> >
> Nice site. Thanks. Love those towers.
>
yER wILKUM!!<P ID="signature">______________
My 4 Daughters; My Wife & Radio Broadcasting Are The Biggest Loves Of My Life!</P>
 
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