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WMGR Bainbridge

P

Poledo

WMGR Bainbridge has been simulcasting on a translator at 99.3 for several years. This translator is only 16 watts at 250 feet. Since acquiring the translator they changed formats from Oldies/Talk to Classic Hits and are programming and promoting mainly for the the FM signal.
With all the movements and upgrades of translators over the last year, why hasn't or can't WMGR max out a 250 watt translator in Bainbridge?
 
Poledo:

The format on WMGR is actually contemporary Christian now.

Flint Media bought that translator way before they bought WMGR. They were originally going to move it to Donalsonville, GA to pair with WSEM, but ended up holding off on that due to other projects in the works. When they purchased WMGR, since they already had that translator licensed and on the air in Bainbridge, they just changed the primary from WFRU to WMGR.

250 watts is the maximum facilities for a translator, but that power level is not always available. There are many factors, adjacent and co-channel interference being the primary limiting factor. In this case, 250 watts was not available on that frequency. Instead of changing frequencies, which would require a new antenna, they decided to stay with the existing frequency since it provides a solid signal in the city of license. Of course, all of this could change in the future.
 
Wow, I thought I was listening to adult hits and didn't notice a Christian lean to the music.

The 16 watt signal is very strong getting out over 10 miles, petering out near Faceville. (My comparisons are the 250 watt @ 400 ft translators in Pensacola that get out over 30 miles, one even reaches 50 miles to the east) The lack of interference with only 16 watts lead me to believe more juice should be available on 99.3. There was also that recent translator frequency shakeup where they would have been able to move W257BS to the best frequency available to boost power, but Flint not wanting to spend money right now is a very good reason to leave well enough alone.
WSEM really doesn't add anything to 930's coverage area. I assume the simulcast is temporary until a translator can be paired with 1500 for Donalsonville?
While I'm comparing signals, 99.3's 16 watts carries 10 miles south from downtown while WBGE's 6000 watts doesn't reach Chattahoochee, 25 miles away. What cripples the 101.9 signal?
 
The change to contemporary Christian is pretty recent. Also, they run the WBGE morning show on WMGR...which would have more classic rock and current hits.

I believe the limiting factors on upgrading the translator are WKAA, WEBZ, and WOOF...and possibly WANK.

WBGE has a lot of interference to the south...WTOT, WXSR, WDXD, WLVQ, WWLD, etc. WBGE's transmitter site is also in VAda, GA...so it's north of Bainbridge...
 
I had been evaluating WBGE's signal as if it was located between BJC and WMGR. The extra 10 miles to Vada explains the weakness. I remember when WBGE signed on and killed WXSR's single in Bainbridge. Then WXSR moved to Tally and it became unlistenable.
I have a sweet spot where I can pick up WVFS if I get hardcore into radio when in town.

How does WGMK send such a strong signal in Bainbridge? Curry Ridge?
 
Poledo, when 101.9 first signed on in Bainbridge, the transmitter was in town (a couple blocks north of Winn Dixie, I think), hence why it was so strong for you. The 99.3 translator came on in 2008 first relaying GPB's WJWV 90.9 Fort Gaines. One of the translator speculators owned it, not GPB, hence the sale.
 
Besides 99.3 and 105.9, have there been any other translators in Bainbridge? I think I remember GPB on a translator frequency other than 99.3. I also think I remember a short lived Way-FM or K-Love translator, maybe on a channel in the 103s or 105s.
 
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