What is this on 1660AM?

DeadElvis · Sep 16, 2007

What is this I am hearing on 1660?

I have been hearing endless loops of "Testing 1-2-3, Testing 1-2-3. This is Hard Number 8; Hard Number 8." I have heard other numbers, from 11 to 13.

It seems, driving around, that multiple transmitters might be involved, perhaps each with its own number. Could this have anything to do with these heavily loaded vertical whips on wooden phone poles I have seen just off the Interstate? Those sure look like possible MW radiators.

Odd. Ideas?

DE

mikl73 · Sep 16, 2007

they belong to TDOT
and are the whips on the telephone poles you see

they are spaced a bit too close in places like out of I-40 out east...

the one at Highland and Sam Cooper has pretty good coverage though.
which i think is the #8 one you referred to...

robgrayson · Sep 16, 2007

Here is a weirdity I heard while dialing around trying to see if nighttime AM indeed was doomed... seems like around 820 and somewhere in the 900's, I would hear a morse code burst, followed by clock ticking, similar to WWV (you know... "WWV, Ft. Collins... all the time, ALL the time). Any thoughts?

DeadElvis · Sep 16, 2007

Possibly Radio Reloj in Cuba? I have seen them listed with an 820.

This is a national network on the Island, with time ticks, and some odd beeps top-of-the-minute that might sound like Morse. Usually (but, not always) it's six dits, in two sets of three. They used to be keyed by hand.

There is also news above the time clicks. Usually stuff about how the Party is right, and America is the Devil.

If you heard no Spanish, I am giving you poor information.

DE

robgrayson · Sep 16, 2007

There could well have been Spanish involved. I would have just figured it was another station bleeding in on top of the ticks on top of WBAP.

radiosaur · Sep 16, 2007

It's part of the ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) TDOT is rolling out. It will combine the message boards, cameras, and the Traveler's Information stations into a flow control / information system for the motorists. There are also some weather / road surface condition stations tied into the network as well. West TN is the last phase of the project.

The 1660 stations are controleld via celluar or fiber. Flashing signs will alert you to tune in for information.

When it's done, ITS will allow Memphis drivers ignore traffic, congestion, and lane closure informatio in real time.

tomservo · Sep 16, 2007

radiosaur said:
When it's done, ITS will allow Memphis drivers ignore traffic, congestion, and lane closure informatio in real time.

I heard the same repeating loop along 240 near Perkins a few months back - except the guy screwed up his read and never fixed it. Something along the lines of "testing 1-2-3, testing 1-2-3, this is hard ##, this is hard ##. NO, this is hard ##, hard ##." Or something like that. Gosh, how hard is it to erase and re-record!? :

anotherguyTN · Sep 17, 2007

Is this system available further East toward Jackson, and if so is it on the same frequency?

w9wi · Sep 17, 2007

Michael said:
they belong to TDOT
and are the whips on the telephone poles you see

This is on the air (with test programming) on 1680 in Nashville.

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/genmen/uls/freq_st_res.hts?db_id=19&rows=999&state=TN&radio_serv=&freq=1.66

In Memphis there are three licenses for 17 sites:

WQEX-384:

I-40 exit 278 (Hwy. 191), West Memphis
I-40 exit 282 (Dacus Lake Road), Marion
I-40 exit 1F (Hwy. 14)
I-40 & New Warford Road
I-40/240 & Covington Pike
I-40 exit 14 (Whitten Road)

WQEX-385:

I-40 exit 16 (Hwy. 177)
Sam Cooper Blvd. & N. Highland St.
I-55 exit 10 (near South Parkway West)
I-55 exit 2 (Hwy. 175)
I-240 exit 28 (South Parkway East)
I-240 exit 23 (Airways Blvd.)

WQEY-238:

I-240 exit 20 (Getwell Rd.)
I-240 exit 15 (Hwy. 72)
Hwy. 385 & Riverdale Rd.
Hwy. 385 between Hack Cross and Forest Hill - Irene Roads
(FCC says there's a fifth site on the WQEY-238 license but doesn't say where it is)

robgrayson · Sep 17, 2007

"I listen to the new sound of Hard-13!!!"
"I used to listen to Hard number 8, but I made the switch (actually, I drove two miles and it made the switch for me)"
Can I win a t-shirt?

DeadElvis · Sep 17, 2007

I should have known Doug would have the low-down.

And, darn you, Rob. I was drinking ice tea at Atlanta Bread Company when I read your post. I almost had some come out my nose with the laughing. DARN YOU!

But, you're right. 13 is waaay harder than 8!

DE

DouglasB · Sep 18, 2007

robgrayson said:
"I listen to the new sound of Hard-13!!!"
"I used to listen to Hard number 8, but I made the switch (actually, I drove two miles and it made the switch for me)"
Can I win a t-shirt?

Can't wait for the re-sung Drake Jingles....... "And now ladies and gentlemen........."
(hi rob)

radiosaur · Sep 18, 2007

robgrayson said:
"I listen to the new sound of Hard-13!!!"
"I used to listen to Hard number 8, but I made the switch (actually, I drove two miles and it made the switch for me)"
Can I win a t-shirt?

See? THAT's what good radio used to sound like ;D

Hey Rob, did you move your studio again?

robgrayson · Sep 19, 2007

Per the studio: I am working for Studio Center now, over on Union Extended. Wilkerson Sound, however, does continue in a new form and location, focusing on areas which don't conflict with my Studio Center duties. For more clarification (or less obfuscation), you can reach me at [email protected].

robgrayson · Sep 19, 2007

Per the less obfuscation: I am the "dj" guest on the upcoming George Klein show on cable, which will run during the month of October. I have a 5 minute slot, in between Leon Griffin and Steve Cropper. We spent the whole 5 minutes just explaining what I do for a living now. Not much history, not much radio perspective, just answering "where can we hear you now?" and the five minutes was gone.