WCTQ HD2 Classic Country

[drt]

Does anyone know the status of WCTQ HD2, Classic County?

Since arriving in St. Pete last night, the HD2 channel has been MIA. On the WCTQ HD1, it is just reading HD (not HD1); but I'm not having problems with the other HD2 / HD3 station that I normally receive.

On 106.5 I'm getting the maximum number of bars on the signal meter (five) and it's a solid five, not waivering between 4 and 5........ the RDS comes on and I-tune TAG comes on as well.

I listen to about 4 of the HD2 stations, and WCTQ HD2 is one of them.

drt,
st petersburg,fl

 

[billalm]

Once the second HD signal is gone, most radios revert to just "HD" on the main signal. It does the same thing in my car. The secondary HD stations on the Sarasota stations seem to appear and disappear every now and then for no rhyme or reason.

 

[drt]

Once the second HD signal is gone, most radios revert to just "HD" on the main signal. It does the same thing in my car. The secondary HD stations on the Sarasota stations seem to appear and disappear every now and then for no rhyme or reason.

Thanks Billalm, I was sort of thinking that as far as the full HD1 not showing up on the primary station, as I've noticed that before on WHPT 102.5 HD and 97.9 as well, when their HD2-WFLA AM is sometimes off (and sometimes on, but with just a humming noise!)

I just don't recall WCTQ HD2 being off for so long before, but since I'm not in the area half the time, I can't be sure, maybe that happens more than I know.

I do know that their antenna site is pretty isolated geographically from the rest of the antennas in the Sarasota cluster.
(with most being in Nokomis and one in Venice)

In fact on a clear day I can walk about 1.5 miles s.s.e. of here and see the Skyway, the Palmetto Water tower and with binochulars, see the WCTQ tower. (this from the Tropical Shores area - north of Coquina Key).

drt

 

[BIGRIGGER]

we're in the processes of replacing/upgrading all of the HD encoding units. Lot's of tweaks and tech inside so you might notice that sometimes.

rig

 

[flwfg]

I haven't heard WSRQ HD2 in a long time... so much for real oldies...and I did notice WCTQ HD2 also out today, and I'm in Bradenton...

 

[drt]

we're in the processes of replacing/upgrading all of the HD encoding units. Lot's of tweaks and tech inside so you might notice that sometimes.

rig

Thanks Bigrigger; appreciate all you and the other engineers do to maintain all the equipment to keep the stations on the air and sounding good. I know HD radio is high maintainance.

I like nearly all types of music but I find myself listening to WSMR on WUSF's HD2 and WCTQ's HD2 as much as anything else and I've really missed my classic country fix today. I lucky that I'm able to pick it up constantly in HD, which is more than I can say for the stations with antennas in Holiday which is probably about twice the distance or more as Palmetto is from me and then's the antenna of 107.3 in Oldsmar and that's another one that's hit and miss as far as their HD2 goes.

The thing I like about WCTQ as opposed to other HD2 stations is not just the format, but the fact that it sounds better than just a jukebox over the air, with the liners, and I'm not sure if it's a satellite format or voice tracked, but I do like to hear a human voice and know a little about some of the music.

drt,
s.e. St. Petersburg

 

[drt]

I haven't heard WSRQ HD2 in a long time... so much for real oldies...and I did notice WCTQ HD2 also out today, and I'm in Bradenton...

If your antenna set up is better than mine, you might be able to get your oldies fix on WDUV's HD2 if you have an outdoor antenna or a lot better antenna set up than I have, since I realize you're at least 22 miles further from the Holiday antenna site than I am...... and I can only pick up WDUV's HD2 about 1/3 of the time.

Of course, if you're looking for oldies from the 1966 - 1975 era WHPT's HD2 "Trippin' "will fit the bill. "Beatles","Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young", "Jimmy Hendrix", "Chicago", "Grand Funk", 'Janice Joplin", 'Stones " etc.

drt
st. petersburg,fl

 

[badjef]

we're in the processes of replacing/upgrading all of the HD encoding units. Lot's of tweaks and tech inside so you might notice that sometimes.

rig

How's about throwing us a little 970 on one of those 106.5 HDs?

My 970 interference is slowly getting progressively worse.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[Louis_009]

WFLA-AM 970 can be only hear on 97.9 HD2 only....

 

[hdradioeng]

I have to apologize, I have been in IT (computer) hell the last 2 weeks and havent been paying attention to the board. WCTQ HD2 should be back on. If you ever have a problem call Sarasota CC engineering at 941-552-4800 Anita will patch you thru.

And to expand on what Big Rig was saying there is a company wide inititive to make HD a better experience and that means new gear, better software and anything else needed. I for one am glad it should help lighten the load.

ok now back to work!

 

[badjef]

Unlike the 1450 travesty of several years ago, it sounds as though CC wants the HD channels to work.

So, the secret battle of the Classic Rock HD-2s may be taken seriously. Albeit, taking some time before anybody else notices.

It is only a matter of time before all of their AMs migrate to an HD-x. Since the Insignia portable and table model do not have AM, and there is talk about leaving AM out of factory radios, it would have to happen.

Now, back to my question of putting 970 on HD of a station in the Sa-ra-so-ta! Cluster...

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[drt]

I have to apologize, I have been in IT (computer) hell the last 2 weeks and havent been paying attention to the board. WCTQ HD2 should be back on. If you ever have a problem call Sarasota CC engineering at 941-552-4800 Anita will patch you thru.

And to expand on what Big Rig was saying there is a company wide inititive to make HD a better experience and that means new gear, better software and anything else needed. I for one am glad it should help lighten the load.

ok now back to work!

Thanks, I arrived in St. Pete this evening and one of the first things I did was to check for WCTQ HD2 and it is back!

Thanks again for the all the hard work to maintain it, I for one, appreciate all you do.

drt,
st. petersburg,fl
listening to WCTQ HD2l