WKRD 101.7 SOLD

[greg.hahn]

Unless they were "messed up" and now "getting legal" there is no "legal" way to change a station's pattern without at least some kind of STA or CP from the FCC.

Sure there is and every FM station is doing it whether they want to or not. There is no such thing as an FM antenna that sends a signal out precisely the same in all directions, although expensive panel antennas can come close. The typical FM antenna mounted on a tower has nulls of at least 10db (vertical polarity) in the direction "behind" the antenna. That -10db is distributed into other directions resulting in a boost of typically 2-3db. So taking the antenna and moving it to the most advantageous mounting position can take the signal of a 6000 watt station and raise it to 10000 watts or more in a desired direction while dropping it to 600 watts or less in a less desired direction. One would think that Clear Channel would already have had it properly mounted to maximize coverage toward Louisville. Whether or not the new owners changed it, I can't say. There's nothing shady or illegal about this technique...it's no more unethical than mounting the security light in your back yard so as to illuminate the desired portion of your property.

Exactly right and explained very well.

 

[Bengalsfan]

Unless they were "messed up" and now "getting legal" there is no "legal" way to change a station's pattern without at least some kind of STA or CP from the FCC.

Sure there is and every FM station is doing it whether they want to or not. There is no such thing as an FM antenna that sends a signal out precisely the same in all directions, although expensive panel antennas can come close. The typical FM antenna mounted on a tower has nulls of at least 10db (vertical polarity) in the direction "behind" the antenna. That -10db is distributed into other directions resulting in a boost of typically 2-3db. So taking the antenna and moving it to the most advantageous mounting position can take the signal of a 6000 watt station and raise it to 10000 watts or more in a desired direction while dropping it to 600 watts or less in a less desired direction. One would think that Clear Channel would already have had it properly mounted to maximize coverage toward Louisville. Whether or not the new owners changed it, I can't say. There's nothing shady or illegal about this technique...it's no more unethical than mounting the security light in your back yard so as to illuminate the desired portion of your property.

Exactly right and explained very well.

And it just so happens that 101.7's antenna is hung on the west side of the tower so it won't shadow Shelbyville.

I think it's very funny how some people on these boards assume something "shady" or wrong is going on just because a situation isn't what they think it should be. It's very easy to tell who does and does not work in radio on here. 101.7 has always operated within the parameters stipulated within it's license. There is no "getting legal" because nothing to my knowledge has ever been wrong with it.

 

[greg.hahn]

Unless they were "messed up" and now "getting legal" there is no "legal" way to change a station's pattern without at least some kind of STA or CP from the FCC.

Sure there is and every FM station is doing it whether they want to or not. There is no such thing as an FM antenna that sends a signal out precisely the same in all directions, although expensive panel antennas can come close. The typical FM antenna mounted on a tower has nulls of at least 10db (vertical polarity) in the direction "behind" the antenna. That -10db is distributed into other directions resulting in a boost of typically 2-3db. So taking the antenna and moving it to the most advantageous mounting position can take the signal of a 6000 watt station and raise it to 10000 watts or more in a desired direction while dropping it to 600 watts or less in a less desired direction. One would think that Clear Channel would already have had it properly mounted to maximize coverage toward Louisville. Whether or not the new owners changed it, I can't say. There's nothing shady or illegal about this technique...it's no more unethical than mounting the security light in your back yard so as to illuminate the desired portion of your property.

Exactly right and explained very well.

And it just so happens that 101.7's antenna is hung on the west side of the tower so it won't shadow Shelbyville.

I think it's very funny how some people on these boards assume something "shady" or wrong is going on just because a situation isn't what they think it should be. It's very easy to tell who does and does not work in radio on here. 101.7 has always operated within the parameters stipulated within it's license. There is no "getting legal" because nothing to my knowledge has ever been wrong with it.

Well yeah but someone thought they were coming in better than they used to:

Have they changed the antenna patterns since it was WKRD? The signal was coming in loud and clear at Highlander Point on Hwy. 150 tonight--much better than 'KRD did.

You point is still valid though. As you know, lots of things seem to affect reception from one day to the next.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

Was doing a nice job on the high spot by E'town on I-65 around mid-day today.

 

[secondchoice]

Unless they were "messed up" and now "getting legal" there is no "legal" way to change a station's pattern without at least some kind of STA or CP from the FCC.

Sure there is and every FM station is doing it whether they want to or not. There is no such thing as an FM antenna that sends a signal out precisely the same in all directions, although expensive panel antennas can come close. The typical FM antenna mounted on a tower has nulls of at least 10db (vertical polarity) in the direction "behind" the antenna. That -10db is distributed into other directions resulting in a boost of typically 2-3db. So taking the antenna and moving it to the most advantageous mounting position can take the signal of a 6000 watt station and raise it to 10000 watts or more in a desired direction while dropping it to 600 watts or less in a less desired direction. One would think that Clear Channel would already have had it properly mounted to maximize coverage toward Louisville. Whether or not the new owners changed it, I can't say. There's nothing shady or illegal about this technique...it's no more unethical than mounting the security light in your back yard so as to illuminate the desired portion of your property.

Are any field signal strength measurements any more? I thought (I guess incorrectly) that after you get a new (or moved) FM on the air there were signal strength measurements taken at various places that were sent to the FCC to help "finish" the CP. If you remount an antenna, do you do another set of field measurements? I thought the FCC uses these field strength readings when "squeezing in" class D's and translators.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

FCC required FM Field Strength measurements are very rare--and that's fortunate as once a signal departs from the antenna, it's trip to the receiver can be unpredictable and even change from day to day. Even when a directional antenna is used, the measurements are done at the antenna manufacturer's test range where everything can be carefully controlled. The station has to certify (with the help of a surveyor) that the directional antenna is mounted on the tower at exactly the correct azimuth. Non-directional FM licenses carry no specification as to mounting except for height. Some stations spend extra money on a study so they will know where the best mounting position is. Others take an educated guess and still others are unaware of the wisdom of optimum mounting. To answer the question, when moving the antenna from 1 leg or face to another, no measurements are required.

 

[Bengalsfan]

Are any field signal strength measurements any more? I thought (I guess incorrectly) that after you get a new (or moved) FM on the air there were signal strength measurements taken at various places that were sent to the FCC to help "finish" the CP. If you remount an antenna, do you do another set of field measurements? I thought the FCC uses these field strength readings when "squeezing in" class D's and translators.

The first part of your premise lies the flaw. This isn't a "new" FM. Nor has it moved. 101.7 has been on the air since I believe the early 70's. I'm sure Greg can fill us in on the date since he's from out there. The only thing new about 101.7 is the owner and format.

 

[KyDXIn]

Are any field signal strength measurements any more? I thought (I guess incorrectly) that after you get a new (or moved) FM on the air there were signal strength measurements taken at various places that were sent to the FCC to help "finish" the CP. If you remount an antenna, do you do another set of field measurements? I thought the FCC uses these field strength readings when "squeezing in" class D's and translators.

The first part of your premise lies the flaw. This isn't a "new" FM. Nor has it moved. 101.7 has been on the air since I believe the early 70's. I'm sure Greg can fill us in on the date since he's from out there. The only thing new about 101.7 is the owner and format.

I agree with your statement, but something seems different. I think most of us who listened to the KRD station experienced static even in the Louisville city limits. Now with Froggy, I'm receiving it regularly 20 miles west of downtown Louisville. I think Bob's explanation is probably the best one, with the antenna being mounted in a better position. It could possibly be atmospheric conditions too, but the signal seems more stable than just having the right conditions. KRD would have had much happier listeners if it had had a signal this good.

 

[Bengalsfan]

I agree with your statement, but something seems different. I think most of us who listened to the KRD station experienced static even in the Louisville city limits. Now with Froggy, I'm receiving it regularly 20 miles west of downtown Louisville. I think Bob's explanation is probably the best one, with the antenna being mounted in a better position. It could possibly be atmospheric conditions too, but the signal seems more stable than just having the right conditions. KRD would have had much happier listeners if it had had a signal this good.

As I said before, nothing about the station has changed except the orientation of the STL dish. Perhaps the static you were hearing was in the audio originating from the KRD studios or something. I don't know. but the physical location of the transmitter and antenna hasn't changed since the station was built. Perhaps a co- or adjacent channel signal has left the air or moved.