WRAS and WREK going HD?

[louisNatl]

I read on this board about a year ago that WRAS and WREK were considering HD. Does anyone know if either station made a decision? It seems that the HD radio technology could really benefit community and college radio stations since they could offer very creative secondary channels like WABE does. WCLK has been broadcasting in HD for 2 years and it sounds excellent (although no secondary channel ).

 

[andyfrom88]

I read on this board about a year ago that WRAS and WREK were considering HD. Does anyone know if either station made a decision? It seems that the HD radio technology could really benefit community and college radio stations since they could offer very creative secondary channels like WABE does. WCLK has been broadcasting in HD for 2 years and it sounds excellent (although no secondary channel ).

I jock at 88 and there's not been one word spoken about it. Maybe Tom knows better, but I've heard nada.

 

[jal41]

I read on this board about a year ago that WRAS and WREK were considering HD. Does anyone know if either station made a decision? It seems that the HD radio technology could really benefit community and college radio stations since they could offer very creative secondary channels like WABE does.

WREK is toying around with leasing the main 91.1 signal for half of the day to either WABE or GPB in exchange for HD equipment (and a dedicated HD2 channel for the current WREK 24/7). I have not heard of any developments in a while.

 

[amlover]

As long as they don't program the same "wreck" they have on the analog frequency. ;D

 

[littlejohn]

I believe they will be rquired under the current Rules to put the analog on the HD-1.

 

[taylorengineer]

I have my doubts about the future of HD radio!
This is year 2 of the "rollout" and most CircuitCity and BestBuys employees have no idea what you're talking about when you ask if they have HD radio receivers! If you keep bothering them they will usually point you to XM/Siruis display.......
It speaks volumes about radio.....this is a business model based on selling, or creating desire for goods and services offered by other businesses and they can't even generate one speck of enthusiasm or desire for their OWN product. After millions invested....radio can't sell itself!!
I've been told to shut up by other "programming" types on the board before but the problem can be solved simply by offering "niche" programming on the HD channels. Blues on one, bluegrass on another, Rush and Shawn on another....people would come out of the woodwork to buy HD if these products were offered.
But instead......we have yet 20 more places to listen to Elton John and other TeddyBear Rock......
(Geek steps down from soapbox)
My guess is that the university stations will be funded for HD when it becomes a viable service.

 

[louisNatl]

But instead......we have yet 20 more places to listen to Elton John and other TeddyBear Rock......
(Geek steps down from soapbox)
My guess is that the university stations will be funded for HD when it becomes a viable service.

I agree with you. We need to have more diverse formats on the HD2 stations. However, many college stations are broadcasting a HD2 feed that is very good and unique. NPR created an HD2 format called alt.NPR which features music from soma.fm and Groove Salad. That would be nice if WREK or even WCLK since they are already HD to use this as the HD2 format.

Some other HD2 complaints...

Why is V103 broadcasting urban AC on their HD2 station? We have 104.1 and 102.5 when they are not talking. CBS could use that frequency for a dance music format or chillout music like they do on Alice in San Francisco. Are you listening V103??

Why do we have a "new country" station on 94.9? Do Kicks and the Bull not play enough new country? They should have left oldies on this station.

New Alternative on 96.1? This may be good after 99X dies athough the Vinyl Vineyard was very good.

Top 40 on 95.5? We have Q100 and Star for that.

 

[ssnake]

I read on this board about a year ago that WRAS and WREK were considering HD. Does anyone know if either station made a decision? It seems that the HD radio technology could really benefit community and college radio stations since they could offer very creative secondary channels like WABE does. WCLK has been broadcasting in HD for 2 years and it sounds excellent (although no secondary channel ).

WREK is planning on going HD around the end of the year. We have the funds to buy a new 7.5kW HD+FM xmtr for our current antenna, but we are planning to wait and purchase a 14 kW HD+FM and get a new 6-bay antenna to replace our 12-bay antenna. WREK is the only station in the area using such a high-gain antenna, and it's almost 30 years old (time to replace). Tentatively we will install the new xmtr and file for a major change in the next window to maximize our non-directional contours at approx. 36 kW ERP @ 115m HAAT.

Our idea for now is to add WREK-2, which will be mostly automated from our existing (huge) rotation and time shifted, and which will allow us to broadcast student programming and other sporting events when the main channel is taken for sports.

Additionally, WREK is establishing WREK TV on Ga. Tech's cable network and will be simulcast online. We will be taking FTA programs off satellite and showing on-campus activities.

WREK is not toying with the idea of leasing the signal to GPB or PBA. We can pay for HD gear through our existing funding sources. However, WREK is open to the idea to cooperating with either organization to air programming not otherwise heard in Atlanta at WREK's option.

 

[IT_Guru]

I agree with you. We need to have more diverse formats on the HD2 stations. However, many college stations are broadcasting a HD2 feed that is very good and unique. NPR created an HD2 format called alt.NPR which features music from soma.fm and Groove Salad. That would be nice if WREK or even WCLK since they are already HD to use this as the HD2 format.

Some other HD2 complaints...

Why is V103 broadcasting urban AC on their HD2 station? We have 104.1 and 102.5 when they are not talking. CBS could use that frequency for a dance music format or chillout music like they do on Alice in San Francisco. Are you listening V103??

Why do we have a "new country" station on 94.9? Do Kicks and the Bull not play enough new country? They should have left oldies on this station.

New Alternative on 96.1? This may be good after 99X dies athough the Vinyl Vineyard was very good.

Top 40 on 95.5? We have Q100 and Star for that.

I totally agree. When I got my first HD radio there were several HD-2 stations that I was really enjoying. While I can't stand Star 94, I really liked their HD-2 station. It was also nice when they added 790 The Zone to HD-3 because I cannot receive 790 at night. My other favorites were oldies on 94.9 HD-2 and the Vinyl Vineyard on 96.1-2.

Now, the HD-2 stations don't sound any different than the main channels. Can someone tell me why we need a total of SIX country stations between Eagle, Kicks, Bull and their HD-2 channels? Just how many Latinos do you think are really listening to 105.3-2 and 105.7-2? My quess would be none.

I thought that the HD-2 channels were supposed to add programing that wasn't available on the other stations. And BTW, why is it taking so long for Q100 to put the 90's on 100.5-2?

 

[louisNatl]

I totally agree. When I got my first HD radio there were several HD-2 stations that I was really enjoying. While I can't stand Star 94, I really liked their HD-2 station. It was also nice when they added 790 The Zone to HD-3 because I cannot receive 790 at night. My other favorites were oldies on 94.9 HD-2 and the Vinyl Vineyard on 96.1-2.

Now, the HD-2 stations don't sound any different than the main channels. Can someone tell me why we need a total of SIX country stations between Eagle, Kicks, Bull and their HD-2 channels? Just how many Latinos do you think are really listening to 105.3-2 and 105.7-2? My quess would be none.

I thought that the HD-2 channels were supposed to add programing that wasn't available on the other stations. And BTW, why is it taking so long for Q100 to put the 90's on 100.5-2?

Star 94's HD2 station was the best. Rodney reported that Star shut it down temporarily for upgrades but that was months ago. I hope it returns.

I am not sure why Q100 is taking so long to launch their All 90's HD2 format. 99X launched their classic alternative format quickly but that was under Susquehanna management. Cumulus doesn't seem as proactive when it comes to HD.

 

[taylorengineer]

The Star94 HD-2 channel was actually programmed by Mike Auran, who was an engineer at Star up until several months ago.(BTW...he got a gig making tons of money) Mike did a show in the evening if I remember correctly......
The story I heard.....not from any Star folks but a reliable source....was that Don Benson got a HD radio and was embarrassed that the engineering crew totally blew away programming at their own game. Of course, that was the end of engineering programming the HD-2 channel. Star HD-2 will come back on as soon as they can find the Elton John records (BoyBob Neil hid them)
Engineering program other HD channels in the market. I understand George Jones makes an appearance occasionally on W*** HD-2!

 

[littlejohn]

I heard Mr. Mike hosts the All Ernest Tubb Hour on The Bull himself; and LaFore will be doing the Total Charlie Pride Show on V.

 

[taylorengineer]

I want to hear that Bridges guy do the "SnoopDog sings Conway Twitty" on 107.9 HD-2.

 

[louisNatl]

The Star94 HD-2 channel was actually programmed by Mike Auran, who was an engineer at Star up until several months ago.(BTW...he got a gig making tons of money) Mike did a show in the evening if I remember correctly......
The story I heard.....not from any Star folks but a reliable source....was that Don Benson got a HD radio and was embarrassed that the engineering crew totally blew away programming at their own game. Of course, that was the end of engineering programming the HD-2 channel. Star HD-2 will come back on as soon as they can find the Elton John records (BoyBob Neil hid them)

That is ridiculous! Out of all of the HD2 stations in the Atlanta market, Star 94 HD2 generated the most buzz and interest. I especially enjoyed the Metal Mondays and Friday Night '80's. Someone should start a petition to get the station back on the air!

 

[littlejohn]

There exists a cover of Ol' Conway doing the Pointers' "Slow Hand", Taylorengineer. The current hot track on V, however, is the sound of Michael Vick being thrown under the bus by his ex-friend.

=--lj

"We love our sheep, we Dogs of War"

 

[taylorengineer]

Conway had a Bigggg hit with "Slow Hand!" It's still difficult to imagine Conway Twitty and his "slow hand" though.....Pointer sisters work better for me.
I suggest we get Neil to get the PD gig at Star HD-2 and he can then hire Mike Auran back. He could program it....and jock it...and engineer it. Neil can handle media relations via Radio-Info Atlanta board.
So just where did that Teddy Bear BoyBob Neil hide all the Elton records??? Is there ANY radio station group in America that plays MORE Elton John then the Cox stations??