what's the deal with WSML?

[JimA]

The 1200 move was in early 90s wasn't it MATT? I recalled the Red Barn on Ivey Road - my cousin worked there in the mid 70s

 

[errandboy]

I remember Aubrey Aycock. He was the Manager of WSMY, another Smiles station, in Weldon in the early 1970s. Mr. Aycock recently passed away (in February) at age 80 in Goldsboro.

 

[XTalker]

Actually the Dr. Laura and Rush delays on WSML were due to the WPTF contract which had included Alamance County. Once CC owned WSJS/WSML, they put the pressure on Curtis to drop the county. It actually came down to a cancellation letter for WPTF. Whole deal was redone and WSJS was clear to institute the full simulcast.

WSML was added to fill Guilford holes in the WSJS directional signal. Nights didn't really matter much.

It has always been hard to tell the impact of WSML in the ratings, since the only use of those calls come in the legal ID at the top of the hour. It is generally accepted within that any Alamance diaries are actually reporting the 1200 signal, but entries use the WSJS calls.

I have always heard WSML could be upgraded to 50KW day, but would have to be directional. There was a time we thought it would happen. There would even be some nighttime increase. WSML shares the frequency with WOAI (Clear Channel's flagship in San Antonio). Once the station was sold to CBS it was unlikely that WOAI would agree to accept any interference from WSML.

 

[Christopher Chenn]

With the way the frequencies worked out, I always wondered why when WSML was added to the WSJS lineup the owners didn't use the line: "WSJS, WSML, 600, 1200, now TWICE as good." :-X

 

[realradioplayer]

if you look deep into the ratings you will see that WSML was very important to the WSJS/WSML combo in the new book ... WSML had HUGE growth.

 

[JimA]

The ancient transmitter building off Saddle Brook on Tower is a dump. Drove by it yesterday. Hope it's got a good roof. It's a dump.

 

[allnews]

WSML WAS a move to bolster WSJS's weak eastern signal, but there's more to the story. The previous owners were originally after the 50k 830 frequency, but got beat out in the bidding by WXII TV, which simulcast its newscasts, along with AP Radio news and hourly updates on 830 for a period of time. WSML was the fall back for WSJS. The god-squadders picked up 830 when WXII sold.

 

[goatboy]

letting 830 go to Epperson was a HUGE mistake. CC or Entercom could have challenged WSJS's dominance with a beauty of a signal OR staked out the sports ground and if either hadn't worked, they could have had the spanish superstation YEARS ago.

 

[XTalker]

I agree about 830. That deal fell apart over a lease on a building in Greensboro (you may recall the studio in the old Color Tile building on High Point Road). Powers at be didn't want the studio.

I always thought it would have been a great Greensboro presence for WSJS and WTQR!

 

[goatboy]

UNBELIEVABLE! Even a small-timer like dick could have done SOMETHING cool with 830.

 

[XTalker]

If my memory serves, the 830 deal happened under the Fairfield banner .. if not, it was the very early days of Clear Channel ownership.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I can't imagine why a station on the left end of the dial would need the help.

Although at home I used to be able to pick up WSJS. Now, with a Radio Shack radio where the antenna is not the power cord, I can't. By contrast, WFNZ is so clear it sounds like it'll break the radio.

 

[XTalker]

Because of WSJS's directional pattern, there are some serious gaps in Guilford and Alamance counties. Both counties are crucial for the ratings.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Somewhere I got the idea WSJS was non-directional daytime, but I guess if I can't pick it up on my Radio Shack radio, it must not be.

 

[JimA]

What freq did WSJS move from in the early 60s/late 50s to 600? Anyone recall: THE GOLDEN TRIAD - THIS IS WSJS, WINSTON-SALEM top
of the hour id in 60s with the NBC chimes?

 

[MaxGM]

WSJS would have changed freqs from 1310 to 600 sometime between 1942 and 1946 according to old station lists.

 

[XTalker]

If my memory serves, WSJS has a three tower day-time pattern and five towers at night.

 

[HGR1290]

WSJS is 3 towers day---roughly a fat figure 8, with more radiation to the WNW. At night, WSJS uses 4 towers, with a major lobe toward GSO and HP. Hence, the night signal actually produces more field intensity toward the east vs the day pattern.