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WFLA AM 970 on one of CC's FM HD channels

S

sbe1

When I heard the top hour legal ID today I heard something new. They ID'd as both WFLA and WXTB HD-2. So, they must have put the AM on the HD2 of 95.7. I also read today that a foreign broadcaster is leasing HD2's in major cities with Pakistani, indian and other asian countries. This folks is the real future of the HD channels. Anyone who really thinks that those channels will be islands of music not heard anywhere else are smoking funny weed. Pretty soon, you will be able to hear your favorite HD station at your local convenience store and when you travel at the local motel....
 
1. I think you mean 97.9 and not 95.7.
2. EXCELLENT decision and much better use of the HD-2. Skratch n Sniff sucked anyway.
3. Perfect dial position to choose... "970" makes "97.9" a natural choice. Ever since 98 began to tank I've thought WFLA could make the move to FM. Could it eventually happen..... I'm not going there, Big Rig will be all over me with how they're rockin' again.
4. I agree that the current jukeboxes you're hearing on the side channels won't be there forever.
 
This also would put a better FLA signal into the northern counties. But do the folks in Pasco, Hernando & Citrus even know what HD radio is? And will they shell out the bucks for a new radio?
 
Wazzie said:
This also would put a better FLA signal into the northern counties. But do the folks in Pasco, Hernando & Citrus even know what HD radio is? And will they shell out the bucks for a new radio?
Click to expand...


From what I've heard from Hybrid/Digital radio owners, it takes a relatively strong signal to unlock the HD2 and HD3 channels; that being said; unless the people outside of Tarpon Springs, to New Port Richey bother to get some type of externa antenna, they may not be able to receive WFLA on HD2 or a better receiver with a dipole positioned right might increase the range on the US 19 corrider to extend from Palm Harbor to Port Richey and that would be good for people who would want to listen to WFLA at night, since they cannot receive it on the AM band at night after the directional pattern kicks in.

Eastern Pasco, eastern Hernando and Citrus would probably require an outdoor antenna.

I'm familiar with radio reception in extreme eastern Hernando county (near US 301 and S.R. 50) and in that area, if one wants to listen to WFLA 970; they can tune in WFLA/WFLF 540 (Pine Hills/Orlando - which puts out a fairly strong signal into eastern Hernando 24/7; in fact the strongest AM signal receiveable in that area day and night. Other than morning drive, the line up is pretty much the same satellite feeds as 970 WFLA.

As far as people being familiar with HD radio; I'm beginning to wonder if the people in Pinellas even know about it!

2 weeks ago, I went to the Best Buy, Circuit City and Sears in the Tyrone Square area; two of the three (Circuit City and Sears) had satellite radio. (all three had satellite radio accessaries, but none of the three had any Hybrid Radio displays that I could find.

drt
st. petersburg
 
yeah that's the problem with this new technology. Can't pick it up if you are any distance at all from the transmitter. anyone have any idea how far an HD signal is supposed to reach?
 
I figured wouldn't it be better to put WFLA-HD on one of the WFLZ signals. The reason I say that is because back in the day WFLZ and WFLA were the original sister stations before WXTB, WMTX, etc. It was only WFLZ and WFLA. So I figured they would put WFLA's HD signal on an open HD channel on WFLZ. Im leaning back into history in Tampa radio. lol. ::)
 
twshadow101 said:
I figured wouldn't it be better to put WFLA-HD on one of the WFLZ signals. The reason I say that is because back in the day WFLZ and WFLA were the original sister stations before WXTB, WMTX, etc. It was only WFLZ and WFLA. So I figured they would put WFLA's HD signal on an open HD channel on WFLZ. Im leaning back into history in Tampa radio. lol. ::)
Click to expand...


With WFLZ's and WFLA's prior history together, that would have been a nice fit; although it would not extend WFLA's coverage, since WFLZ's tower is in Riverview and the Riverview, Brandon, south Tampa and Ruskin area that would benefit from the HD2 signal is already served with a strong signal from 970 day and night.

To answer a prior question on HD2 coverage..... I was hoping someone with an HD/IBOC radio would have given an answer.

I don't have an Hybrid Digital radio, but based on from I've read I think for most people that don't set up elaborate antenna systems, the range would be about 7 - 12 miles; of course a lot depends on terrain and how high the antennas are.

I have heard of some people locking in HD2 signals from 35 - 50 miles away, but these people usually have outdoor or at least attic antennas; the average listener probably doesn't want to be bothered with installing a roof top antenna, so unless someone in this area lives with a few miles of the Riverview antenna farm or the Holiday antenna farm; they probably won't be able to lock in many (if any) HD2 signal without some type of external antenna; amplified indoor antennas would probably do the trick for people 12 - 15 miles from the antenna.

drt
 
I think the point here is to get people to listen to HD radio in their car first... then work on the home market, if they ever get that far. You notice more of an HD presence in the mobile audio areas of the stores. I had (I've since sold it on ebay) a HD Radio boombox (iLuv i169) that was located in my house in St. Petersburg. Reception was not a problem simply using the supplied wire attached to the back of it. The only station that gave me fits was 97.1, which is understandable due to their lower power. Even WCTQ came in ok most of the time. The problem is the same old programming and will continue to be.

As far as why WXTB was chosen... WFLZ has a good HD-2 station in Club Phusion (dance) and WMTX also has a good HD-2 in Pride Radio. Both are formats unavailable on HD-1. US 103.5 could have been a good choice since all they're running is more country music, but I stand by my earlier statement in that it has to do with 98 Rock really not using the HD-2 for anything unique; and the frequency matches up for possibly future imaging (97.9 FM & 970 AM).
 
If the idea is to get WFLA's signal up in Pasco county at nite, the WXTB would be the signal of choice. Isnt their antenna located on CH 10 or CH22's tower up there in Pasco County? That would put them right in the area they want to be at nite to fill in the signal gaps
 
I think their stick is right next to 10's if I remember correctly (used to be able to see them from my back yard in Palm Harbor).
 
Given the seeming failure of WXTB to remain competitive, CC might want to look to Pittsburgh for the huge success they have scored with FM talk. In fact, this might be the beginning of the end of 98 Rock and the beginning of 98 Talk.
 
Parttimer said:
I think their stick is right next to 10's if I remember correctly (used to be able to see them from my back yard in Palm Harbor).
Click to expand...

When we upgraded WLVU and moved from 106.3 to 97.1, we went on that stick. Is it 98 or 103.5 using that tower? Yes, it is the one next to the strobe-lit CH. 10 tower.
 
rfrus said:
Its the tower just southwest of channel 10. I think 97.9, 97.1 and 105.5 are on that tower
Click to expand...

Right. That 105.5 was "Thunder" at the time which was the former GUL frequency. When our upgrade became a reality, LVU at 97.1 went up on that stick.
 
sbe1 said:
If the idea is to get WFLA's signal up in Pasco county at nite, the WXTB would be the signal of choice. Isnt their antenna located on CH 10 or CH22's tower up there in Pasco County? That would put them right in the area they want to be at nite to fill in the signal gaps
Click to expand...

Why? What does WFLA have at night that I would find interesting in Pasco?

Years ago..when they could be counted on for full newscasts, even overnight...maybe.

Now? Please...save your money..
 
Makes no difference. No one cares about HD radio, except radio geeks. People aren't going to shell out a couple hundred dollars for an unproven technology that only goes out like 20 miles from the Xmitter!

FLA keeps saying "Now on FM..." I wonder how many people believe that deceptive message, and try to turn their FMs to the frequency advertised.

Get this FLA: putting your automated and satellite "programming" on FM ain't gonna improve the lackluster quality of your weak, unimaginative and muddled programming, especially early evenings.

Having a small news presence doesn't make for informative local talk programming. Remember, as in all things, balance is good. Too much syndication and the station sounds like a robot, with no soul and very little interesting for listeners to catch on to.

That one little AM show on 820 has more excitement going for it than your pathetic idea of radio 9 am to 10 p.m.

Stop viewing people working in front of a microphone as a liability and stop driving away real talent while you go for the easy satellite way.

You have wasted your formerly most powerful AM talker frequency with national "our side is always right" programs.

Competitors will arise and they will clean your clock.
 
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