• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

What was different about your FM dial 15 years ago vs today (translators + tower locations)

X

Xale57

My location: Nutley, NJ (10 miles NNW of NYC)
91.9: in 2008, WSHR Lake Ronkomona (weak) 2023, W220EJ Weehawken, NJ
94.3: in 2008, a mix of WWSK Smithtown, NY and dominant WJLK Asbury Park. 2023: 94.3 W232AL Pomona, NY dominant and WJLK not hard to receive
95.1 2008: A weak WRKI Brookfield, CT and pirate stations.. 2023: W236CH Fort Greene, NY and hash from newly located WXBK in Lyndhurst (meadowlands)
95.9 2008: WRAT Point Pleasant (dominant) and WFOX Fairfield, CT 2023: Timeshare WNJI & WZYE Maplewood, NJ (dominant) and WRAT
96.7 2008: WCTZ Stamford, CT/Pirates.. 2023: WARW Port Chester, NY (relocated)
97.5 2008: WALK Patchogue, NY (dominant)/ WNUW Philadelphia. PA/Pirate. 2023: W248CG Jersey City, NJ, WALK- if effort given to null
98.3 2008: WKJY Hempstead, NY and WMGQ New Brunswick, NJ 2023& and as of very recent: a mix of both + W252CS Palisades Park, NJ
102.3 2008: WBAB Babylon, NY/Strong Pirate occupying for many years. 2023: W272DX from Clifton, NJ and WBAB if nulled.
103.9 2008: WFAS from White Plains.... 2023: WVBN Bronxville, NY (transmitter moved more South)
104.7: 2008: WSPK was nearly non existent surprisingly but occupied with Pirates 2023: W284BW New York, NY
107.9 2008: WEBE Westport, CT (nearly strong enough to listen while traveling in the car when the transmitter was in Bridgeport. 2023: WEBE up until a few weeks ago... now W300EI from New York, NY relaying WPLJ at the moment. I haven't been able to null out this new strong translator

Overall, FM DXing is becoming way more of a challenge. 23 miles South of my location, Philly signals used to boom in going over the Driscoll Bridge (59 miles from Roxborough location) but it seems the HD sidebands have grown stronger as it cuts in and out of the hash.
 
Here is what I remembered from 2008 compared to 2023 from Clifton, NJ (13 miles NNW of NYC). Some similarities and some differences than yours.

91.9: In 2008, WNTI (now WXPJ) Hackettstown, NJ. In 2023, W220EJ Weehawken, NJ and WXPJ depending on spot.
94.3: In 2008, a mix of WWSK Smithtown, NY and WJLK Asbury Park, NJ. In 2023, 94.3 W232AL Pomona, NY (dominant) and WWSK & WJLK if nulled.
95.1: In 2008: WRKI Brookfield, CT. In 2023, W236CH Fort Greene, NY (dominant). I still get WRKI sometimes depending on propagation if nulled.
95.9: In 2008, WRAT Point Pleasant, NJ and WFOX Fairfield, CT. I think WFOX was the more dominant one. In 2023, timeshare WNJI-LP & WZYE-LP Maplewood, NJ (dominant) and WYNE-LP Wayne, NJ if nulled.
96.7: In 2008, WCTZ Stamford, CT. In 2023, WARW Port Chester, NY (relocated).
97.5: In 2008, WALK Patchogue, NY. In 2023, W248CG Jersey City, NJ and WALK if effort given to null.
98.3: In 2008, WKJY Hempstead, NY (dominant) and WMGQ New Brunswick, NJ. In 2023, W252CS Palisades Park, NJ (dominant) and WKJY & WMGQ if nulled
102.3: In 2008, WBAB Babylon, NY and Strong Pirate occupying for many years. In 2023, W272DX from Clifton, NJ.
103.9: In 2008, WFAS White Plains, NY. In 2023, WVBN Bronxville, NY (transmitter moved more South).
104.7: In 2008: WSPK Poughkeepsie, NY. In 2023, W284BW New York, NY and WSPK depending on spot.
107.9: In 2008, WEBE Westport, CT. In 2023, WEBE until new FM translator W300EI New York, NY signed on. It wipes out WEBE in most spots.

I don't remember the pirate stations that you mentioned other than 102.3. Some pirates existed, but I forgot whether or not they operated in 2008.
 
I won't go into this kind of detail regarding the San Francisco Bay Area, because it really hasn't changed very much, with multiple superpower FMs and several instances of short-spacing limiting opportunities for translators and LPFMs. From an Oakland perspective, there are a couple of LPFMs with decent coverage at 96.1 and 96.9, both of which have time-sharing arrangements. Translators are at 93.7 (//KVTO 1400, Chinese), 95.3 (//KDOW 1220), 99.3 (//KSFN 1510), 101.7 (//KSFB 1260), 103.3 & 104.1 (//KLVS 107.3, EMF). There's also an LPFM at 102.5 based in San Francisco but with a relatively poor signal across the Bay.

This whole set of LPFMs and translators will change if you're based in Marin, or in the South Bay, or in the Diablo Valley (essentially Contra Costa County).
 
Tyler, TX didn't see a huge amount of applications for translator and LPFM applications during the windows. KJID-LP and KZYY-LP were the only two low power stations built and licensed; both are owned and operated by small, local Hispanic churches that program Spanish language Christian music. Very little preaching or instruction.

There are five translators that have come to life here. 95.7 K239CB, which is rebroadcasting the heritage classic hits 1490 "K-DOK", and likely the only thing that saved the oldest licensed station n ETX from being surrendered, or otherwise lost. 1490 was a sports station for years, and certainly would have never returned to its legacy sound had it not been paired with the translator. 97.9 K250AJ is the repeater for K-DOK's oldies sister station "QX-FM" which originates from near Longview. 100.1 K261CW extends Public radio KERA Dallas into Tyler, and has for many years, although it originally operated at 99.1. 104.9 K285GY is the revitalization translator for 1330 KGLD, the local gospel station. The primary is a bad AM facility, with a horrible nighttime signal. It was once licensed as a daytimer, and still sort of is. Finally, we have 106.1 K291CH, which repeats local 100kW powerhouse KYKX, 2 channels down at 105.7. Not sure what Alpha feels necessitates this translator. 105.7 KYKX is a strong local here, making K291CH pretty much redundant. There is another Alpha translator at 103.7 in Longview relaying KYKX as well. KYKX's city grade contour encompasses both translators coverage area in full, so the assumption was that KYKX was going to go HD, with the two translators used to relay an HD2. 7 years have passed since 106.1 and 103.7 signed on, and that HD upgrade has yet to happen.

I imagine there will be several more applications in the next window, as the overall population of Tyler-Longview has exploded, and there are quite a few open frequencies available to shoehorn them in.
 
In the Chicago area, IBOC and LPFM and translator pests are the difference. No more likely pulling in the occasional first adjacent during good conditions or the regular second adjacents from 125-miles plus with the slightest enhancement. Those were the days.
 
Mark Roberts said:
I won't go into this kind of detail regarding the San Francisco Bay Area, because it really hasn't changed very much
Click to expand...
Agreed. The radio market is pretty boring here.

KCBS is still 106.9 (2008 was the first year of that, I think?). KOIT is still 96.5, etc.

As far as Lakeport (a microscopic submarket that could be considered a very distant branch of the main SF market), all the stations that have been there since at least 2004 are still there with the same calls.

The biggest, most earth shattering change is that KXBX-AM now has a translator on 96.5 (K243BT in Clearlake), which blocks KOIT's weak but listenable signal.

c
 
tvnut said:
In the Chicago area, IBOC and LPFM and translator pests are the difference. No more likely pulling in the occasional first adjacent during good conditions or the regular second adjacents from 125-miles plus with the slightest enhancement. Those were the days.
Click to expand...
Sometimes when the HD's are off for NYC frequencies like 95.5 PLJ, 104.3 WAXQ under normal conditions, I can pull in the adjacent Philadelphia signals that are just under 80 miles away. I got into DXing late 2006 when HD was already in place but I imagine before 2002 or so, DXing was even way more fun.
 
Detroit, MI:

Translators have invaded nearly every 2nd adjacent channel here, beginning about 2007 or so. In the past 15 years: 92.7, 93.5, 94.1, 94.3, 98.3, 99.1, 99.9, 101.5, 103.1, 103.9, 105.5, 106.3, 107.1, and 107.9 MHz are all occupied by translators in the Detroit metro area.

104.7 MHz was occupied by a translator as well for a year or so (W284BQ), but was ordered off the air by the FCC in 2012 due to complaints of interference to WIOT Toledo, OH.

Also, several new full-power Canadian stations now exist: CJWF-FM 95.9 MHz (2009), CBEW-FM 97.5 MHz (2011), and CINA 102.3 MHz (2012).

One or two new LPFMs as well. WNUC-LP 96.7 MHz (2016) now makes it difficult to receive CHYR-FM (Chatham, ON) in some of the western suburbs.
 
MichaelD1972 said:
Here is what I remembered from 2008 compared to 2023 from Clifton, NJ (13 miles NNW of NYC). Some similarities and some differences than yours.

91.9: In 2008, WNTI (now WXPJ) Hackettstown, NJ. In 2023, W220EJ Weehawken, NJ and WXPJ depending on spot.
94.3: In 2008, a mix of WWSK Smithtown, NY and WJLK Asbury Park, NJ. In 2023, 94.3 W232AL Pomona, NY (dominant) and WWSK & WJLK if nulled.
95.1: In 2008: WRKI Brookfield, CT. In 2023, W236CH Fort Greene, NY (dominant). I still get WRKI sometimes depending on propagation if nulled.
95.9: In 2008, WRAT Point Pleasant, NJ and WFOX Fairfield, CT. I think WFOX was the more dominant one. In 2023, timeshare WNJI-LP & WZYE-LP Maplewood, NJ (dominant) and WYNE-LP Wayne, NJ if nulled.
96.7: In 2008, WCTZ Stamford, CT. In 2023, WARW Port Chester, NY (relocated).
97.5: In 2008, WALK Patchogue, NY. In 2023, W248CG Jersey City, NJ and WALK if effort given to null.
98.3: In 2008, WKJY Hempstead, NY (dominant) and WMGQ New Brunswick, NJ. In 2023, W252CS Palisades Park, NJ (dominant) and WKJY & WMGQ if nulled
102.3: In 2008, WBAB Babylon, NY and Strong Pirate occupying for many years. In 2023, W272DX from Clifton, NJ.
103.9: In 2008, WFAS White Plains, NY. In 2023, WVBN Bronxville, NY (transmitter moved more South).
104.7: In 2008: WSPK Poughkeepsie, NY. In 2023, W284BW New York, NY and WSPK depending on spot.
107.9: In 2008, WEBE Westport, CT. In 2023, WEBE until new FM translator W300EI New York, NY signed on. It wipes out WEBE in most spots.

I don't remember the pirate stations that you mentioned other than 102.3. Some pirates existed, but I forgot whether or not they operated in 2008.
Click to expand...
Were you into DXing back during the 2003 blackout? If so, do you recall what you would receive?
 
I was more into satellite radio (XM & Sirius) back then. I didn't listen to much terrestrial radio in 2003, even in 2008 I was still mostly listening to satellite radio although I listened to HD radio. I really got back to DXing in 2018.
 
not a cotton pickin thing
 
Can I make an exception to the rule? I moved to Yakima around this time 10 years ago, December 2013. But in 2008 I was still in Snohomish County, Seattle area. There are PLENTY of changes to the dial there. But I'll start with Yakima.

In 2013, the following frequencies were blank or had a very weak signal from Tri-Cities/Ellensburg: 88.9, 95.3 (depending on part of town), 96.1, 101.3, 102.5, 103.5, 104.5, 106.1, 106.9. Numerous E-skip logs in 2014 on 88.9, 96.1, 101.3, and even a few of the upper-half channels (I recall 106.1 CHWE Winnipeg, also meteor scatter from KKMV Rupert ID). All of these channels are blocked now in Yakima, except for 95.3 which has K237GY Prosser, a pest but can be wiped out in E-skip. 95.3 was just KXLE prior, if you were on the right side of town. The last channels to be blotted out for DX were 101.3 and 102.5 (K267CV, K273DK) in November 2021.

Changes on the Seattle dial are staggering. From Mill Creek/Lynnwood area at the time:
88.1 THEN: K201AB West Seattle (KPLU), weak and easily defeated. NOW: Obviously, KWAO Ocean Park, Air 1, from the Capitol Peak site near Olympia.
88.9 THEN: A weak CSN translator (can't remember the calls), and KMIH Mercer Island had moved there by that time as KMCQ was signing on at 104.5. Both were weak in south Snohomish County. Now, KMIH and KPLK probably slobber over each other.
89.9 THEN: Weak KASB Bellevue and KGRG Auburn mixing, was a great channel for Eskip too. NOW: KXIR Freeland
91.1 THEN: A weak K216EN Mt. Vernon (KPLU), which got out really well. NOW: KROH Port Townsend, but still noisy and easily defeated...if the HD hash from KBCS doesn't defeat it first.
91.5 THEN: Blank, or a very weak KSQM Sequim, or KOPB Portland via tropo, or Eskip. NOW: KQXI Granite Falls, Radio U, but still not easily heard south of Lynnwood area due to KBCS HD hash.
91.9 THEN: K220HD Fall City (another CSN), NOW: KPTZ Port Townsend, still weak. I *never* heard KDNA Yakima in the Seattle area. Not even via aircraft scatter.
93.7 THEN: CJJR Vancouver 'JR FM', and that was it, besides plenty of Eskip (I recall KWYR SD and KAZY WY, with their obvious heavy metal/hard rock music). NOW: KLSY Montesano blocks it, Familia FM
94.5 THEN: K233BU Mercer Island with KMIH, now the same station is // KTTH-770 and up on Cougar Mountain, so I doubt DX is possible here anymore. CFBT Vancouver in certain spots, or even KRXY Shelton, at least in '08...
95.3 THEN: Weak CKZZ Vancouver, or aircraft scatter from KXXK/KXLE. NOW: K237GN Everett, KRKO-AM
96.9 THEN: CKLG/KGY-FM mixed. The same now except KODX-LP is added to the mix from Seattle
98.5 THEN: CIOC Victoria, multipathed. NOW: CIOC and KNBQ probably picket-fencing all over each other
99.5 THEN: Very much a blank channel. E-skip was easy here. Edmonds waterfront or Marysville hills offered CBCV-FM-1 from the Sooke BC area west of Victoria. Only 64 watts too! NOW: An SS Christian translator, K258BJ Everett, blocks any chance of DX here
100.3 THEN: CKKQ Victoria. NOW: CKKQ and probably a lot more of the KBLE-AM translator, K262CX Shoreline, than CKKQ
101.1 THEN: CFMI New Westminster/Vancouver, Rock 101, and KUFO in tropo. NOW: K266CJ Everett (KKXA) and an LPFM in Seattle.
101.3/101.7 THEN were open channels, and now IBOC-ed out when Lotus bought out KPLZ.
101.9 THEN: Best open channel around...KINK Portland often in tropo, lots of E-skip here too (including KKHI Denver when it was still smooth jazz). NOW: Slavic Christian LPFM KCSC-LP Mukilteo, Chinese LPFM KQES-LP Bellevue, KVSH-LP Vashon, another in Tacoma, a translator in Olympia, what a mess.
102.1 THEN: KPQ Wenatchee and occasional KSWW Aberdeen. NOW: Add KXSU-LP Seattle, Seattle University, to the mix.
103.3 THEN: the KMTT translator, K277AE, in Downtown Seattle. Tropo from KKCW Beaverton. NOW: KZNW Oak Harbor.
104.1 THEN: Nothing! KAFE Bellingham was on 104.3! I had e-skip from KNAB Burlington CO, but I don't think I *ever* heard KXDD Yakima from Mill Creek/Bothell. Obviously, KAFE now, PLUS K281CQ Seattle (KGNW) on Cougar.
105.7 THEN: CBU Vancouver. NOW: CBU, plus KVRU-LP in Seattle's Rainier Beach area.
107.3 THEN: Weak CHBE Victoria, KFFM only made it once or twice. NOW: KBFG-LP Seattle.

Go back to about 2002 and then you'd see the first-adjacents (like 93.9/94.3, 95.5/95.9, 102.3/102.7) open for DX in the Seattle area with a good quality radio...no such thing as IBOC.
 
​
kw - Melbourne FL - since 2008
​
Summary - an gradual increase in the number of translators -

All the LPFMs that were audible here have gone away

Many HD+ channels have been discarded

Discontinued Broadcasting​
MHz Call Location ID Format Year
87.75 WKMG-TV - Orlando Channel 6 CBS TV Audio (closed 2009) 2009

88.5 WHYZ - Palm Bay Z88.3 Positive hits (ex-WWIA) – closed 2008

93.1 W226CF - Melbourne Newstalk 1240 Relayed WMMB 2016-2019 2019 - now on 92.7

93.1 WGRV-LP - Melbourne 93.1 The Groove Smooth jazz – closed in 2013

93.3 W227AF - Melbourne Christian FM Contemporary Christian – silent 2009

93.9 W230AL - Cocoa WJFP/WJCB Urban/gospel/Kriyol - sold to WVVO 2022

94.1 WFHA-LP - Melbourne FL - Windover Farms Radio - closed in 2022

98.5 W253AG - Cocoa Christian FM Contemporary Christian – silent 2009

103.3 W277BO - Malabar The Groove 93.1 Smooth jazz – closed in 2013

104.3 W282BG - Grant - Reach FM Cont. Christian – closed 2016

105.5 WBFT-LP Micco-Barefoot Bay Brevard County Community – closed in 2010

107.5 W298AM Aurora Reach FM Cont. Christian – closed 2017

107.9 WNRG-LP Palm Bay Energy 107-9 Dance, R&B – closed in 2013

Discontinued HD Channels​
92.7-2 WAVW-HD2 Stuart Popcorn Radio Movies (discontinued) 2022

95.1-2 WFKS-HD2 Melbourne All My Jams Hiphop, R&B, soul (discontinued) 2022

99.3-2 WLRQ-HD2 Cocoa Real Fun Beach Radio Adult hits (discontinued) 2022

101.9-3 WQMP-HD3 Daytona Beach Orlando’s New Arrivals Alternative (discontinued) 2022
 
Last edited:
I can only go back to 2010, where things were much different. East Tennessee (Knoxville/Sevierville area) is unique in that with one exception, the 3 major companies have no translators. I think we have Johnny Pirkle to thank for that.
I'm not going to go into detail right now, and some changes as as recent as this week.
Some highlights: 92.3 is the WETR-760 xltr, was WDEF, Chattanooga
92.5 WKCE translator, was a weak WESC-SC
93.3 weak WMTN translator
93.7 fairly open, now WSMM translator
94.7 WIFA (really WIJV) translator, often WGSQ, Cookeville
95.1 weak but pesky WBLC Lenoir City xltr, open but often WGGG "Goober 95.1", Bowling Green KY
97.1 WTLT xltr, either Somerset KY or Atlanta GA.
97,9 WLHR Maryville LPFM, WSIX Nashville often
98.1 WFGW translator, either Hot 98.1 SC, The Bull in Lexington or Chattanooga
99.7 WJBE translator, Supertalk 99.7 suburban Nashvillle
100.7 WKVV xltr, WBGQ Bulls Gap
101.5 WQUT Johnson City, then a sports translator with WQUT blowing holes in it, then WQUT alone again
102.5 WRJZ xltr, open
102.7 WLIL xltr, WEKX, Jellico TN
103,9 WOZO/WOZW LPFM combo/ don't remember
104.1 WSEV AM 930 xltr, weak signals from Cleveland TN and WALR, Atlanta
105.1 weak signals, WKCE xltr which just vacated.
105.7 WIHG with a decent rimshot signal,
105.9 don't remember, WGAP xltr
107.3 WCTT Corbin, then translator for WIJV, then WJXB translator that actually is a fill-in translator
 
I've only been seriously DXing on FM since 2014. However, since that time there have been a number of new translators and LPFMs added, as well as other changes, in the San Antonio area which have made FM DXing more challenging.

90.3 KYRQ - moved tower to higher elevation and increased height
90.5 - new Spanish-language Christian pirate "La Nueva" (K213FJ is listed as a translator for 90.9 KYFS on this frequency, but this station doesn't seem to be related to it)
91.7 KRTU - increased power from 8.9 kW to 30 kW
92.1 K221GF - new translator for 98.9 KLMO
92.5 K223CT - new translator for 1130 KTMR
94.5 K233DB - new HD2 for 94.1 KTFM
96.5 KEPJ-LP - new LPFM
96.9 KXTJ-LP - new LPFM
96.9 KPPC-LP - new LPFM
98.1 KCTC-LP - new LPFM
103.3 K277CX - new translator for 95.7 KLEY
107.1 K296GK - new translator for 550 KTSA
107.9 K300DY - new translator for 1310 KAHL (which already had translators on 100.7 and 105.9)
 
I won’t go into a ton of detail, but 15 years ago the Seattle radio dial was a little more open. I used to regularly be able to hear various FMs from Vancouver BC and Portland in certain locations. With the advent of LPFMs and translators, I haven’t been able to hear any of these stations for a while.
 
gr8oldies said:
I can only go back to 2010, where things were much different. East Tennessee (Knoxville/Sevierville area) is unique in that with one exception, the 3 major companies have no translators. I think we have Johnny Pirkle to thank for that.
I'm not going to go into detail right now, and some changes as as recent as this week.
Some highlights: 92.3 is the WETR-760 xltr, was WDEF, Chattanooga
92.5 WKCE translator, was a weak WESC-SC
93.3 weak WMTN translator
93.7 fairly open, now WSMM translator
94.7 WIFA (really WIJV) translator, often WGSQ, Cookeville
95.1 weak but pesky WBLC Lenoir City xltr, open but often WGGG "Goober 95.1", Bowling Green KY
97.1 WTLT xltr, either Somerset KY or Atlanta GA.
97,9 WLHR Maryville LPFM, WSIX Nashville often
98.1 WFGW translator, either Hot 98.1 SC, The Bull in Lexington or Chattanooga
99.7 WJBE translator, Supertalk 99.7 suburban Nashvillle
100.7 WKVV xltr, WBGQ Bulls Gap
101.5 WQUT Johnson City, then a sports translator with WQUT blowing holes in it, then WQUT alone again
102.5 WRJZ xltr, open
102.7 WLIL xltr, WEKX, Jellico TN
103,9 WOZO/WOZW LPFM combo/ don't remember
104.1 WSEV AM 930 xltr, weak signals from Cleveland TN and WALR, Atlanta
105.1 weak signals, WKCE xltr which just vacated.
105.7 WIHG with a decent rimshot signal,
105.9 don't remember, WGAP xltr
107.3 WCTT Corbin, then translator for WIJV, then WJXB translator that actually is a fill-in translator
Click to expand...
105.7 replaced by a WKGN-1340 translator
 
Exactly as I said, fordranger. Several new translators and LPFMs. When I left western WA in late 2013, KRKO and KKXA didn't even have translators yet. Nor did KGNW or many of the LPFMs. KVSH-LP went on the air in 2014.
 
On a related note to this subject, back in 2014 there weren’t so many people using FM transmitters in their cars. Nowadays whenever I drive around town, it seems like there’s always at least one normally open frequency with music or Audible books coming from a car transmitter near me.
 
I don't really like translators or LPFM's, Well DXers

I used to listen to KISQ 98.1 in around in the Summertime in the Sacramento Area Weak, but listenable

Now, it's blocked by 2 translators, All depends were I am
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom