WHVN Inc. Gets FM Translator Construction Permit

[Matt]

Check this out . . .
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-289797A1.pdf

The fourth page lists a transfer of an FM translator construction permit approved on 93.5 MHz for WHVN Inc.

If memory serves, this is the frequency of WYFQ-FM, the BBN station in Wadesboro. This station, if they build it out could serve several purposes. 1) It will legally block reception of BBN's FM station over a large part of Charlotte, effectively knocking out one of WHVN's major competitors for the religious broadcasting market. 2) It could bring a return of the format that was previously WNMX, albeit to a more limited coverage area. 3) They could attempt some new strategy for the new signal.

What they can't do, at at least in my understanding of FM translator rules, is use that signal to rebroadcast WHVN, WEGO, WCGC or WAVO, their area AM stations. While the FCC is relaxing the taboo on using FM translators for this purpose, they still are not allowing such facilities to be built specifically for retransmission of AM signals.

It will be interesting to see what happens with this.

Later . . . .

 

[Mike Sheridan]

I don't think a translator can originate programming. Maybe this is to improve the coverage of WNMX on the north side of Charlotte?

 

[w9wi]

Check this out . . .
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-289797A1.pdf

The fourth page lists a transfer of an FM translator construction permit approved on 93.5 MHz for WHVN Inc.

...

What they can't do, at at least in my understanding of FM translator rules, is use that signal to rebroadcast WHVN, WEGO, WCGC or WAVO, their area AM stations. While the FCC is relaxing the taboo on using FM translators for this purpose, they still are not allowing such facilities to be built specifically for retransmission of AM signals.

I'm pretty sure they'll be able to use this to relay one of their AMs. WHVN is buying a translator that already existed (at least as a permit).

The request that was denied recently was an application for a completely new translator. Such applications are only accepted during occasional "filing windows" - no such window is currently open, nor is one likely to be opened in the near future. The AM station asked the FCC to issue a Special Temporary Authority for the new translator -- that request was denied.

Because WHVN is planning on using an existing translator, there is no need to waive the filing window rules.

(The FCC still has applications on file from the last filing window which still need to be processed. I think they're afraid allowing AM stations to "jump the queue" would be unfair to applicants who stuck with the windows, and would create yet another stack of applications they really don't have time to process.)

The proposed policy (for when the rules are modified to allow relaying AM stations without a waiver) is for the translator's coverage to be limited to the AM station's daytime coverage. I'm not 100% sure they're enforcing this policy for the current Special Temporary Authorities. (but suspect they are) It's most likely this translator will be used for an AM station whose daytime coverage encompasses the FM coverage.

 

[TheStoker]

What they are doing now with translators, 30 years ago would have been illegal! 98.1 in Asheville is one example. Basically a stand alone FM, with it's own programming! Also many are using much more power at elevation that should ever be allowed. It isn't the real meaning of a 'translator"! Many have signals that are close to the same coverage of Class As! To me, that is just wrong!

 

[carolinaradio]

What they are doing now with translators, 30 years ago would have been illegal! 98.1 in Asheville is one example. Basically a stand alone FM, with it's own programming! Also many are using much more power at elevation that should ever be allowed. It isn't the real meaning of a 'translator"! Many have signals that are close to the same coverage of Class As! To me, that is just wrong!

Ugh. That 98.1 thing ticks me off; is Saga that dumb?

 

[ATOMO]

I understand your frustration with translators and their use today. However, what would be dumb, is for Saga to NOT take advantage of it. WOXL-96.5-HD2 is the parent station for W251AO (98-1 the RIVER) and is a broadcast station unto itself. Therefore, legally, allowed use of a translator. Since most radio listeners still haven't caught on to HD radio, we call it by the name/location most people will hear it...at 98.1fm. At this time, the FCC finds this to be another beneficial promotion for HD radio and a great way to showcase it to the common radio listener. We spend lots of air time promoting HD radio as the main way to hear 98-1 the RIVER. We've checked with local HD radio retailers who've told us they hadn't hardly sold any HD radios and now suddenly they're selling consistently. The coverage really isn't much greater than WSPA's W249AR (97.7) translator. While they ignore Asheville, our station not only showcases a music format unavailable on commercial radio in Asheville, but also supports the community it reaches. In just 6 months we've become very plugged in to community issues, organizations, have hosted radiothons to raise money for a local housing community and even supported local NPR stations fundraising efforts through our airtime. You'd be hard pressed to find another station that does as much for it's city of license that our translator provides. Just some thoughts to ponder before you completely dismiss us as a bunch of nimrods.

 

[mp3RadioGuy]

What they are doing now with translators, 30 years ago would have been illegal! 98.1 in Asheville is one example. Basically a stand alone FM, with it's own programming! Also many are using much more power at elevation that should ever be allowed. It isn't the real meaning of a 'translator"! Many have signals that are close to the same coverage of Class As! To me, that is just wrong!

Here Here!
Well maybe if the FCC didn't have its nose so far up the NAB's butt and the folks with the deep pockets...maybe they would understand that. I like to call them crapolators.
The NAB doesn't mind crapolators so they flourish, but God forbid they stick a LPFM on the same frequency. I wonder why?
:

 

[vchimpanzee]

I understand your frustration with translators and their use today. However, what would be dumb, is for Saga to NOT take advantage of it. WOXL-96.5-HD2 is the parent station for W251AO (98-1 the RIVER) and is a broadcast station unto itself. Therefore, legally, allowed use of a translator. Since most radio listeners still haven't caught on to HD radio, we call it by the name/location most people will hear it...at 98.1fm. At this time, the FCC finds this to be another beneficial promotion for HD radio and a great way to showcase it to the common radio listener. We spend lots of air time promoting HD radio as the main way to hear 98-1 the RIVER. We've checked with local HD radio retailers who've told us they hadn't hardly sold any HD radios and now suddenly they're selling consistently. The coverage really isn't much greater than WSPA's W249AR (97.7) translator. While they ignore Asheville, our station not only showcases a music format unavailable on commercial radio in Asheville, but also supports the community it reaches. In just 6 months we've become very plugged in to community issues, organizations, have hosted radiothons to raise money for a local housing community and even supported local NPR stations fundraising efforts through our airtime. You'd be hard pressed to find another station that does as much for it's city of license that our translator provides. Just some thoughts to ponder before you completely dismiss us as a bunch of nimrods.

Sounds good, but I used to be able to pick up WHZT in Haywood County, when it sounded good. Now I pick up The River. That's nearly 30 miles away. Okay, it was an all-sports station the last time I was there, but the point is it's too strong.

What Asheville really needed was a station to play "good" music. Last time I checked, only Waynesville had such a station and Clear Channel decided it would be better just to use that to improve the signal of a station that didn't need improving just for stronger rants from the likes of Rush Limbaugh. Never mind that Asheville is supposedly popular with retirement-age people who now can't hear good music. There is a station in Hendersonville, but it doesn't really count as good music. Also a Greenville FM which I suppose reaches parts of Asheville, but it's not a fun station like the other one.

Not to say your music doesn't also serve a purpose, but I think that would have been a better use for a translator in Asheville.

Maybe if 93.5 FM is allowed to rebroadcast an AM station, the great music now on WAVO and WEGO will now get some attention. It won't help me at night, but if no one listens I won't have them period.

Better yet: WHVN should buy WDYT, take WHVN off the air since that's the primary source of interference, and there you have a solution for all the problems WDYT had.

Almost all. Charlotte needs a country station. I mean a station that plays what is really country music, not some cheap imitation called by that name.

 

[vchimpanzee]

If memory serves, this is the frequency of WYFQ-FM, the BBN station in Wadesboro. This station, if they build it out could serve several purposes. 1) It will legally block reception of BBN's FM station over a large part of Charlotte, effectively knocking out one of WHVN's major competitors for the religious broadcasting market.

That's not very Christian of them.

On the other hand, can this frequency be picked up inb Charlotte? I usually get a good signal from them, but in Charlotte 930 AM would be the station to listen to. No, it's not FM ...

 

[tothedj]

Purchasing the assets of WDYT is not a bad idea, once the move takes place
to 1220, get a power increase at night, say 5,000 watts non-directional.
If they got this approved, it would pay off for WHVN, especially if they
decided to go against WBT.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

I have a feeling that if 930 AM was turned off it might be weeks before anyone outside of the station realized it. WMIT, WRCM, and WHVN each have more listeners.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Purchasing the assets of WDYT is not a bad idea, the next thing they should is
move take it to 1220, but most importantly, get a power increase at night, say
5,000 watts non-directional, if they can get this approved, it would pay off for
WHVN, especially if they decided to go against WBT.

Don't think that can happen. 1220 is still a clear channel for Cleveland.

Question, can anyone name a startup AM station (a new station without any established audience) that ever carved a place for itself. I ask because I can't think of a single one.

Others have tried 610, 930, 1480 which are all in Charlotte. WBT isn't giving up any ground.

 

[quadraphonic]

Question, can anyone name a startup AM station (a new station without any established audience) that ever carved a place for itself. I ask because I can't think of a single one.

Others have tried 610, 930, 1480 which are all in Charlotte. WBT isn't giving up any ground.

The only startup AMs in NC I can think of that have grown to any degree lately are the sports stations, like WFNZ/WFNA, Pirate Radio 1250/930, and 850 The Buzz [gained momentum for six or eight years until the last couple years]. But even then, those aren't real ratings-burners, they just seem to be good profit-turners.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Purchasing the assets of WDYT is not a bad idea, the next thing they should is
move take it to 1220, but most importantly, get a power increase at night, say
5,000 watts non-directional, if they can get this approved, it would pay off for
WHVN, especially if they decided to go against WBT.

Don't think that can happen. 1220 is still a clear channel for Cleveland.

Question, can anyone name a startup AM station (a new station without any established audience) that ever carved a place for itself. I ask because I can't think of a single one.

Others have tried 610, 930, 1480 which are all in Charlotte. WBT isn't giving up any ground.

He said non-directional. Wouldn't a directional signal work and stil protect the Cleveland station?

My thinking was that WHVN would stay religious if they did that.

And 93.5 FM would be available for WAVO/WEGO to actually be heard in Charlotte at night, and be heard btter during the day.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Check this out . . .
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-289797A1.pdf

The fourth page lists a transfer of an FM translator construction permit approved on 93.5 MHz for WHVN Inc.

If memory serves, this is the frequency of WYFQ-FM, the BBN station in Wadesboro. This station, if they build it out could serve several purposes. 1) It will legally block reception of BBN's FM station over a large part of Charlotte, effectively knocking out one of WHVN's major competitors for the religious broadcasting market. 2) It could bring a return of the format that was previously WNMX, albeit to a more limited coverage area. 3) They could attempt some new strategy for the new signal.

What they can't do, at at least in my understanding of FM translator rules, is use that signal to rebroadcast WHVN, WEGO, WCGC or WAVO, their area AM stations. While the FCC is relaxing the taboo on using FM translators for this purpose, they still are not allowing such facilities to be built specifically for retransmission of AM signals.

It will be interesting to see what happens with this.

Later . . . .

Radio-info has this listed as 1 watt at 66 feet the transmitter location is the studio on N Tryon. If this is the case it won't be much of a factor anywhere.