WCKL looking for a Donated Used transmitter

[rtetro]

I saw an classified today on page 44 of the new edition of Radio World that WCKL is looking for a donation of a used transmitter to replace their "44 year old" CCA rig. Here's the interesting part: they mentioned a 2.5kw or 5kw rig!!!!! The FCC rules (73.1665) state that the maximum transmitter power rating for a 1KW station is.... 1KW! In other words, if you're a 1KW station you can't install a 2.5, 5, or any other higher power transmitter. Unless, of course, they are looking to upgrade their signal; and, even then, you can't install a higher power transmitter until you have a construction permit.

The other interesting thing about the ad is that it claims the station is "non-profit". I thought they were running regular commercials the last time I heard them (about three months ago), and not underwriting announcements. There is a difference.

 

[THE_KNICKMAN]

Question: What is a station to do if they get a CP for some oddball wattage perhaps 3500 watts and the lowest possible standard commercially available size is 5000 watts, are they supposed to order a custom designed Tx?

 

[BenKarlow]

I saw an classified today on page 44 of the new edition of Radio World that WCKL is looking for a donation of a used transmitter to replace their "44 year old" CCA rig. Here's the interesting part: they mentioned a 2.5kw or 5kw rig!!!!! The FCC rules (73.1665) state that the maximum transmitter power rating for a 1KW station is.... 1KW! In other words, if you're a 1KW station you can't install a 2.5, 5, or any other higher power transmitter. Unless, of course, they are looking to upgrade their signal; and, even then, you can't install a higher power transmitter until you have a construction permit.

The other interesting thing about the ad is that it claims the station is "non-profit". I thought they were running regular commercials the last time I heard them (about three months ago), and not underwriting announcements. There is a difference.

Two words: Brian Dodge. Do a little research on his history as a station owner/operator and all will become clear.

 

[rtetro]

Question: What is a station to do if they get a CP for some oddball wattage perhaps 3500 watts and the lowest possible standard commercially available size is 5000 watts, are they supposed to order a custom designed Tx?

The maximum rate transmitter power varies according to level. Under the rule, you would normally go to the next level available. For instance, if you were licensed for 400 watts (or even 250 watts) you could install up to a 1kw transmitter. To use your example, a 3500 watt station could install a 5000 watt transmitter, but no highter. Here is the applicable section of the rule:
"...the maximum rated transmitter power of a main transmitter stalled at an AM station shall be as follows:
Authorized power Maximum rated transmitter power (kW)
0.25, 0.5, or 1 kW 1KW
2.5 kW 5KW
5 or 10 kW 10KW
25 or 50 kW 50 50KW"
There are transmitter available at intermediate power levels (for instance, Nautel makes a 15 kw transmitter). Remember, too, that transmitter power ratings are usually a bit higher than what is stated in the rules. This is because directional stations are allowed a "fudge factor" to make up for losses in the antenna system. Stations up to 5KW are actually licensed for 8% higher than their nominal authorized power, while stations from 5-50KW are allowed 5.3%. So, a directional station licensed for 5000 watts, is actually allowed 5400 watts; a 50,000 watt directional station actually operates at 52,650 watts

 

[cambridge]

The other interesting thing about the ad is that it claims the station is "non-profit". I thought they were running regular commercials the last time I heard them (about three months ago), and not underwriting announcements. There is a difference.

Tax status and license status are not necessarily the same. There are actually a number of non-profit entities that own and operate commercially-licensed stations. Most are affiliated, sometimes loosely, with colleges, like WHRB at Harvard, WVBR at Cornell, and WHUR at Howard.

 

[HudsonValley1967]

Many times stations are donated to non-profits as a tax dodge. WHUR-FM was donated by the Washington Post (WTOP-FM).
Jaycor donated their AM station to the University of Colorado (KVCO).

 

[MHVRadiofan]

I spent some time listening to WCKL recently. They seem to have solved their immediate problem with horrible modulation , the sound is back to normal. There are still issues such as greater than normal bleed onto adjacent channels and odd spikes in the signal , in certain locations. When driving always I through certain spots , usually near the tower the signal is severely distorted, tinny,high pitched, scratchy and unintelligible . It has been like that for years .
The station seems to have just one sponsor a father and son auto dealer / repair shop. I also noticed a few call in now to order spots, a few PSAs and , solicitations for sponsors on WCKL .These spots were much more professionally produced than the rambling untimed spots of last year. They all seem to have the same sound bed.
It seems except for a couple of guest specials there is no live programming. Not even 'Cousin Brian', which is a good thing. Perhaps he had to get a job to pay he bills.

 

[midatlanticengineer]

I spent some time listening to WCKL recently. They seem to have solved their immediate problem with horrible modulation , the sound is back to normal. There are still issues such as greater than normal bleed onto adjacent channels and odd spikes in the signal , in certain locations. When driving always I through certain spots , usually near the tower the signal is severely distorted, tinny,high pitched, scratchy and unintelligible . It has been like that for years .

The station is definitely a work in progress. The CCA has been neglected for quite some time along with most of everything else...what is left anyways. I can't speak for the stations programming and how its handled, but from an engineering point of view, there is a long road ahead. At least a few of the main issues have been dealt with.

The areas along and near the array where the audio sounds severely distorted all has to do with the pattern and the tight nulls that protect WFIL and WHYN. So that issue is the nature of the beast and will never go away.