What now for 103.9?

[TonySantiago]

Re: WRXP to 103.9?

If you want to know what the coverage of 103.9 will be on the new transmitter (presuming they are not there yet) check out WVIP at 93.5.

They broadcast from the same spot (Bronx Hospital Tower) and operate with around the same power/height as 103.9 will.

How does 93.5 come in? Can you hear them in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, LI, etc?

WFUV (90.7) transmits there as well, but I do believe WFUV is close to 50,000 watts while WVIP is much less, though an improvement from where their stick was before (at the Westchester Towers in Yonkers, off Central Ave).

 

[HHH]

Re: WRXP to 103.9?

If you want to know what the coverage of 103.9 will be on the new transmitter (presuming they are not there yet) check out WVIP at 93.5.

They broadcast from the same spot (Bronx Hospital Tower) and operate with around the same power/height as 103.9 will.

How does 93.5 come in? Can you hear them in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, LI, etc?

WFUV (90.7) transmits there as well, but I do believe WFUV is close to 50,000 watts while WVIP is much less, though an improvement from where their stick was before (at the Westchester Towers in Yonkers, off Central Ave).

Yes, WFUV is 46,000 watts (at 503'), so their signal is light years better than WVIP (1750 watts, down the same tower at 433'). The new 103.9 will be higher than WFUV (532') on the same tower, but the tradeoff will be less power at 980 watts.

But, to a greater or lesser degree, the new 103.9 coverage will be just about what you hear now on WVIP (93.5). This is just about the best that these class As are going to get with class A power/height restrictions and limited spacing proximity to ESB class Bs (WPAT 93.1 / WNYC 93.9 and WKTU 103.5 / WAXQ 104.3).

But I have to hand it to all involved: This move (from what I understand, literally yards under the spacing requitements to the ESB), will allow a couple of suburban FMs to be heard for the first time in Manhattan, as well as pick up Queens, some of LI and about half of Brooklyn, at least according to the current WVIP coverage (and, as they say in automotive...."your mileage may vary") ......

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WVIP&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

 

[ansky212]

I remember first hearing about WFAS's move to the Bronx at least 3-4 years ago. I would have thought that move would have been completed a long time ago.

 

[reelyreal]

The rumor was always that Cumulus wanted to unload the station, and that they had no intent in actually operating the station from the site... it was more of a "selling point." It sounds like that sale plan has changed.

 

[luperm]

I remember first hearing about WFAS's move to the Bronx at least 3-4 years ago. I would have thought that move would have been completed a long time ago.

I thought it would have been sold to EMF to become a K-LOVE outlet -- but then they bought 96.7 instead.

I don't see why they can't have translators in the fringes of the market one in West Milford, Mahwah, Morristown, & Long Island Areas to cover the area better all at 95.9 FM where nothing interfers with that frequency

Not permissible under FCC rules. 103.9 is what it is. See 93.5 for an approximation as to what to expect. If it does become rock, there will be 103.9, WRRV in the mid Hudson Valley, the Rat at the Jersey shore, the Shark on LI, and DHA in north Jersey. Not the most optimal arrangement, but better than nothing.

 

[Hardrocker9]

Not for nothing, but why can't 103.9 become RRV with a trimalcast since its been successful?

 

[GSP163]

The rumor was always that Cumulus wanted to unload the station, and that they had no intent in actually operating the station from the site... it was more of a "selling point." It sounds like that sale plan has changed.

Yes, because at the time Cumulus didn't own anything in NYC.....I think the selling and movement of 103.9 went on hold when it was announced they were buying Citadel (WPLJ & WABC)....I also believe when Cumulus announced the purhcase of Citadel, the 103.9 CP was cancelled then quickly put back in to extend the CP period....Now that the dust has pretty much settled with 94.7, my guess the move will happen within the next month or so (unless they trying to pickup another signal like 99.5 WBAI in exchange for 103.9 which is always possbile)

I thought it would have been sold to EMF to become a K-LOVE outlet -- but then they bought 96.7 instead.

EMF wanted 103.9 but I read somewhere the price was too high so they struck a deal with Cox and 96.7 instead.

If it does become rock, there will be 103.9, WRRV in the mid Hudson Valley, the Rat at the Jersey shore, the Shark on LI, and DHA in north Jersey

And don't forget 107.1 The Peak

 

[KML0224]

95.9 on Long Island likely wouldn't work, since you already have 95.9 FM in Norwalk, CT.

 

[GSP163]

Not for nothing, but why can't 103.9 become RRV with a trimalcast since its been successful?

Because WRRV/WRRB targets the Hudson Valley.....103.9 will be an NYC station and should target the NYC metro area.....It's the same reason 105.5 in Danbury and 94.7 didn't simulcast

 

[Kent]

Not permissible under FCC rules. 103.9 is what it is. See 93.5 for an approximation as to what to expect.

While the FCC won't permit fringe translators of 103.9's signal, Cumulus could have a way around it. Simply put 103.9 on an HD multicast channel of 'PLJ or Nash, and that problem could be alleviated by translating the HD multicast channel. Of course, that doesn't solve the issue of there not likely being enough translators available in all the areas Cumulus would need to cover the entire market.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

While the FCC won't permit fringe translators of 103.9's signal, Cumulus could have a way around it. Simply put 103.9 on an HD multicast channel of 'PLJ or Nash, and that problem could be alleviated by translating the HD multicast channel. Of course, that doesn't solve the issue of there not likely being enough translators available in all the areas Cumulus would need to cover the entire market.

At the very least I'd expect them to put it on an HD multicast channel of 'PLJ or Nash, even without translating it. That would extend the signal to people with HD radios in points south, anyway.

 

[Barry]

As Nash 94.7 is expected to change to the WNSH call this week, I wonder whether Cumulus will move the current WRXP call sign to WFAS FM over the next few days, or park it somewhere else. If the rumors of WFAS switching to alternative rock are not correct, the WRXP call could also simply be put back in circulation, and become available for some other broadcaster.

 

[luperm]

As Nash 94.7 is expected to change to the WNSH call this week, I wonder whether Cumulus will move the current WRXP call sign to WFAS FM over the next few days, or park it somewhere else. If the rumors of WFAS switching to alternative rock are not correct, the WRXP call could also simply be put back in circulation, and become available for some other broadcaster.

Or, they can just swap the WRXP calls out to Minnesota where the WNSH calls are parked now, and make the move (if there is one to be made) when they are good and ready.

 

[MoldaMania182]

If it does become rock, there will be 103.9, WRRV in the mid Hudson Valley, the Rat at the Jersey shore, the Shark on LI, and DHA in north Jersey

And don't forget 107.1 The Peak

The Rat/Shark/DHA are all Active/AOR which has been shown not to work closer to the city. The only alternative station is WRRV, which of course Cumulus already owns. While a nice station, the Peak is AAA, and 107.1 is probably THE worst FM frequency in the area. They intentionally don't target the city at all. I doubt Cumulus is that concerned about that. They are already trying to take on Pamal's 50k Westchester station and doing terribly at it. You have to think about it as a cluster strategy for Cumulus in terms of target demos and $$, not who's doing what.

 

[MoldaMania182]

As Nash 94.7 is expected to change to the WNSH call this week, I wonder whether Cumulus will move the current WRXP call sign to WFAS FM over the next few days, or park it somewhere else. If the rumors of WFAS switching to alternative rock are not correct, the WRXP call could also simply be put back in circulation, and become available for some other broadcaster.

Or, they can just swap the WRXP calls out to Minnesota where the WNSH calls are parked now, and make the move (if there is one to be made) when they are good and ready.

This has happened this morning. WRXP calls to Minnesota.
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.../call_hist.pl?Facility_id=54838&Callsign=WNSH

 

[erwin33]

So, that ends all the rumours for a possible flip to alternative on 103.9 and using the call letters WRXP. It's not gonna happen...

 

[MoldaMania182]

So, that ends all the rumours for a possible flip to alternative on 103.9 and using the call letters WRXP. It's not gonna happen...

I'd think quite the opposite, more likely confirms it. They're saving/parking/holding them intentionally. They'd just let them go and leave WGVY alone if they didn't want them.All it means is that a change isn't happening immediately on 103.9 (probably wasn't anyway) . They parked the WNSH calls out there for 2+ months before flipping the switch. Patience.

 

[erwin33]

Ok, but I guess it takes a while because Cumulus parked the call letters in Minnesota. Otherwise they move the call letters directly to 103.9 and flip the format to alternative immediatly, so signs are that is not gonna happen very soon...IF it happens.

 

[Barry]

While parking the WRXP calls could be an indication that WFAS FM could go alternative rock, Cumulus also chose a new PD for the station just a few weeks ago. She has A/C experience, and also does her own daily midday show on WFAS FM. So it also seems possible that the station will continue unchanged, at least for the near future.
As one of only a handful of FM stations serving affluent Westchester County (I believe WHUD and WXPK The Peak are the only other commercial stations), the current format and location may actually be quite profitable, despite mediocre ratings.

 

[MoldaMania182]

Barry, the issue is the station is moving into NYC. It's going to focus much less on Westchester when it does to focus on NYC ad$, regardless of what the signal limitations are. When it does it's going to be competing against it's sister station WPLJ for the same ad points and demos. Bringing it's current format to the new location (and against LTW, Fresh...) would be like bringing a pocket knife to a gun fight. Cumulus isn't that stupid.