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WOKI change from 98.7 to 98.3

K

knoxbob

Well now that all the bugs are worked out of the server maybe we can restart this thread...Time will tell.

With 98.7 changing to 98.3 and upgrading from C3 to C2, I wonder what the directional pattern will look like.
With money changing hands between Cumulus, WHAY in Whitley City and WTFM how come WMTY in Sweeywater didn't get in on the cash and they will have to be an involuntary move?

I remember back about 35 years ago when Sweetwater was on 95.3 and Clinton was @ 104.9 then the change came to move Sweetwater to 98.3, Clinton got 95.3 and WQLA went on the air @ 104.9. I don't recall the exact date all that occoured. Anyone wish to chime in on the history lesson?
 
It looks like "True Oldies 98.7" is coming back then (in a way none of us ever imagined!) It would be nice if Horne used this occasion to upgrade the signal of WMTY.
 
That will take money that Horne will not spend. The FM antenna is still on the AM stick, and that tower hadown theres seen better days. At least with the shift to 98.7 they could move it somewhere as with the 98.3 freq. they were hemmed in by all directions and nowhere to go. And while I'm thinking about it, I don't really see a reason the 98.7 when moved to Sweetwater could not stay a C3. It might have to go directional a little if they are to close to 98.3 or to protect the 98.7 in Kentucky but that would be it. Horne already thinks they have a "Gold mine" down there this would really make their heads swell.
 
Sweetwater can't go C3 on 98.7 because of 98.5 in Cookeville. They might have some room to move South toward Athens because they will now clear the Englewood allocation on 97.9.

Horne didn't get any money because the FCC allows one involuntary move with any action. Whitley City is getting to move closer to Somerset and Cumulus is picking up the expenses for doing it. TFM is getting a big check for doing nothing. Horne was the one who had no reason to volunteer to move. So he gets forced.

A station in Jamestown (now on 103.9 IIRC) has been forced to move twice. Pirkle bumped them from 100.1 to 103.1 in the early 70's. And then 103.1 in Etowah bumped them to 103.9 so they could get a C2.

94.1 in Morristown was moved from 95.9 to allow WRZK to upgrade to a C2 in Tri-Cities. A station in Ellijay got bumped to allow an upgrade around Chattanooga, but they eventually got a C3 so they're happy now.

Happens all the time. Not much you can do but stall for a little bit of vengeance if you'er so inclined.
 
I should point out when I say Horne doesn't get any money, I mean he doesn't get paid to move. His expenses for the change will be covered.

Whether he can convice Cumulus that a new transmitter, tower, billboard campaign, etc are necessary expenses is up to the negotiating table.
 
Super Q: "Whether he can convice Cumulus that a new transmitter, tower, billboard campaign, etc are necessary expenses is up to the negotiating table."

Like I always say, follow one of these threads long enough an it becomes bizarre.
 
IIRC, the change from 95.3 to 98.3 in the early 80's didn't result in a new transmitter for Sweetwater, however they did get a new circular polarized antenna which provided a great improvement over the old horizontal only configuration. WDEH-FM as it was back then didn't change transmitters until they received and upgrade from 3 to 6kw in the early 90's.

AM stations still have value in some markets.....AM 800 WDEH is a prime example, so is AM730 in Lenoir City. ;)
 
If 98.7 does relocate to 98.3, and now that 99.3 will probably not return to the air would that also open up an opportunity for 99.1 now located in friendsville to possibly up their power a notch or two?
 
knoxbob said:
If 98.7 does relocate to 98.3, and now that 99.3 will probably not return to the air would that also open up an opportunity for 99.1 now located in friendsville to possibly up their power a notch or two?
Click to expand...

I would doubt it since there's still a 99.3 in Crossville.
 
frombus149 said:
IIRC, the change from 95.3 to 98.3 in the early 80's didn't result in a new transmitter for Sweetwater, however they did get a new circular polarized antenna which provided a great improvement over the old horizontal only configuration. WDEH-FM as it was back then didn't change transmitters until they received and upgrade from 3 to 6kw in the early 90's.

AM stations still have value in some markets.....AM 800 WDEH is a prime example, so is AM730 in Lenoir City. ;)
Click to expand...
I have to agree with the above post quoted. I used to have a weekly broadcast on WBBX, Kingston, a few years ago and spent time/preached in that area often during that time. Both WDEH and WLIL were solid stations, with good followings and probably still are. Honestly, if someone were to work on WBBX a little, tech and such, it could be a whole lot better than what it is, but that's almost beside the point. Last time I heard WDEH/WLOD was a little over a year ago on a Sunday afternoon, heading back to GA, from preaching in Spring City, TN and Fargo was still at it! Gotta hand it to him, faithful as the day is long, which brings me to my one and only question. I've read the posts in this thread and still can't figure this out. Is WLOD, 98.3 having to move? Well, make that two questions, LOL. What's going on? It's still unclear to me.

A man for whom Christ died,
Josh
http://www.thegladtidingsbroadcast.sermon.tv
 
Josh, I think something that may clear your confusion is that WLOD-FM 98.3 is now WMTY-FM. So yes, they will be moving to 98.7.
 
RMarino said:
Josh, I think something that may clear your confusion is that WLOD-FM 98.3 is now WMTY-FM. So yes, they will be moving to 98.7.
Click to expand...

So, is WMTY FM doing what the former WLOD FM and the old WDEH FM did, airing religious programming on weekends, or is that just relegated to WDEH now? I remember Fargo having a time running both stations on the same board. Yeah buddy, it was something else, but it was fun to hear! LOL! I'll bet the PD had or still has fun juggling the live and recorded programming on the stations, making sure one type was on one and the other on the other! WHEW! I only know of one other setup like that, WGTH, Richlands, VA. Yeah, I was on their AM too for a while. LOL! BTW, on WMTY, I remember them being on 670AM, with Oldies. Is that still where/what they're doing now, accept now on FM too?

A man for whom Christ died,
Josh
http://www.thegladtidingsbroadcast.sermon.tv
 
AM 800 and 98.3 do all religion on Sunday until 11:00 P.M. The FM simulcasts to the best of my knowledge on Sundays.
 
Kent T said:
AM 800 and 98.3 do all religion on Sunday until 11:00 P.M. The FM simulcasts to the best of my knowledge on Sundays.
Click to expand...

HMMMMM, interesting,'cause they used to run separately, but as previously stated, on the same board. WDEH is (as far as I know) still Southern Gospel music/preaching programs 24/7, but ever since like '04 or so, when Mull sold the FM, it (the FM) has only done it on the weekends. I can't see them simulcasting the AM on the FM, but I dunno. I believe there's still a need for both stations to run separately, but I'm not there and I don't make the decisions. Both stations could run different programs, giving different preachers/ministries an outlet, but that's just the way I see it. All this is given that what you say is correct, that they simulcast the AM on the FM on Sundays. If so, wonder if they uped the rates? Had to make up for it somehow, LOL!

A man for whom Christ died,
Josh
http://www.thegladtidingsbroadcast.sermon.tv
 
WDEH and WMTY-FM do have seperate controls rooms so splitting up on Sundays to allow for more block programming would be ideal to increase revenue. WMTY AM in Farragut does simulcast with the WMTY-FM doing The True Oldies SHow. When I worked at WLIL AM/FM
circa 1980 we only had one control board but it was a dual channel GAtes and on Sundays the preaching was done on the AM and the FM would run Album cuts of music all day.
 
WMTY AM and FM do not appear to be simulcasting anymore. They both run True Oldies Channel but the IDs are different coming in and out of commercial breaks.
 
If a station is satellite fed, it would not be hard to not have a control board in circuit. The PC controls the satellite feed and inserts commercials/ ID's and feed directly into the EAS / audio processing chain with a parallel feed going to a control board. The control board could even be the production room board. Then if there is a need to "go live" * there is a "switch" or patch panel connection (should have the switch because patch cords take some technical expertise which is missing from most air staffs since deregulation) that puts the control board directly feeding the EAS and the audio chain.

The computer / PC really doesn't have to be a "heavy wight". A "home" PC with a good sound card, extra RAM and network card that can detect "tones or closures", plus "free" software automation programs that run on windows is a good start. The software provider will try to sell you a service / support package which I strongly recommend unless you have access to a IT pro.

* I am not sure the ability to "go live" is a FCC requirement but if you should have this ability for emergencies, and hopefully for a revenue a generating morning and or PM drive shows and local sports.
 
LOL, according to comments on here, looks like DEH and MTY-FM have moved up, now with separate control rooms! Is Fargo still running things on the weekends, even if it's just one of the stations? He really knew his stuff and had one of the coolest radio voices, IMHO! LOL!
 
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