Has anyone besides me noticed that WMRQ FM 104.1's signal barely registers on air. I live in Windsor Locks but WMRQ's signal was one of the better signals, but for the last few days I've gotten only a faint voice from the station and some bleed in from 103.7 in Providence. I presume the station is on the air but at greatly reduced power. Usually transmitter problems get fixed in a day or two.
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WMRQ FM
- Thread starter progressivetalk
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necrat123
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WMRQ-FM is operating on an STA to run at reduced to the main antenna failing.
It is very possible that either the main antenna has completley failed OR they are replacing that antenna with a new one (the one they have a construction permit to replace it with).
A note about the WMRQ antenna replacement:
WMRQ runs a very unique antenna pattern, protecting several radio stations, and it is a very complex antenna array consisting of several antennas and parasitic elements around the antenna poll. The new CP pattern, while different, is still very complex and is going to require a complex directional antenna for replacement. So this is not going to be a 1 day off, 1 day on type swap out, it is going to take a few days for a swap out.
WMRQ does have a single bay ERI aux antenna up on West Peak that can run 4.5kW (according to the aux license) non directional. However that single bay is physically mounted to the same tower, so while workers are on the tower, that AUX can run, but at a much lower signal. So lets say they run it at 1kW.
Mark and Kevin, you guys are both close enough to West Peak that even at 500 watts, you should not notice any difference in the signal coming from WMRQ. Whereas PT, hes up in Windsor Locks, a signal at less than full power, would be somewhat noticable.
PTalk, during the day, if you get a chance, check the signal strength of WKSS. WKSS is mounted on the same tower above the 104.1 antenna. If there are workers on the tower, WKSS will have to also run at signifigantly reduced power while the work is performed.
It is very possible that either the main antenna has completley failed OR they are replacing that antenna with a new one (the one they have a construction permit to replace it with).
A note about the WMRQ antenna replacement:
WMRQ runs a very unique antenna pattern, protecting several radio stations, and it is a very complex antenna array consisting of several antennas and parasitic elements around the antenna poll. The new CP pattern, while different, is still very complex and is going to require a complex directional antenna for replacement. So this is not going to be a 1 day off, 1 day on type swap out, it is going to take a few days for a swap out.
WMRQ does have a single bay ERI aux antenna up on West Peak that can run 4.5kW (according to the aux license) non directional. However that single bay is physically mounted to the same tower, so while workers are on the tower, that AUX can run, but at a much lower signal. So lets say they run it at 1kW.
Mark and Kevin, you guys are both close enough to West Peak that even at 500 watts, you should not notice any difference in the signal coming from WMRQ. Whereas PT, hes up in Windsor Locks, a signal at less than full power, would be somewhat noticable.
PTalk, during the day, if you get a chance, check the signal strength of WKSS. WKSS is mounted on the same tower above the 104.1 antenna. If there are workers on the tower, WKSS will have to also run at signifigantly reduced power while the work is performed.
Thanks for the excellent update. I will listen to WKSS to see if it up to sped, so to speak. I would think that even at 500 watts from West Peak the signal would be better than a whisper, which is what I heard,or more accurately, not what I heard. I listened to WMRQ this afternoon and It seemed to be on full power.
Listened to WKSS last night after the Sox got bombed in Toronto and the signal seemed to be a tad bit lower than usual but still listenable. I don't know if it is my radio but on one of them, WMRQ comes in fine but the other radio it doesn't.
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