WRPS gets it out there!

[webcastboy]

Well this is impressive. For two nights in a row, I've been able to get WRPS 88.3 (confirmed via promo ID that gave call letters) at my house near Coolidge Corner. Using a Directed tabletop HD Radio with a dipole draped over a tree branch outside my window. This radio is remarkably sensitive...I can get WICN 90.5 pretty good even though WZBC 90.3 is just down the street. And when there's no pirate on, I can hear WFCR 88.5 quite well (not enough to get an HD signal though). But WRPS, even with some static, is a ridiculous catch...they're only 105 watts and 138ft HAAT...and I'm well outside of even their 40dBu contour.

And this is with WMBR 88.1 just a mile or two away, and potentially three other equidistant signals on 88.3 (WIQH, WBMT and WGAO...although all three may be off the air at the moment since it's summer break, although WGAO usually has automation going). Can't be tropo or skip...too physically close and the temperature is 10 degrees cooler tonight than last night (different atmospherics).

It must be the hill I'm on...I'm on the southern-ish side, which no doubt helps...but still. Lucky DX catch for me!

 

[theAguy]

WRPS? Is it a college station?

 

[jlehmann]

Rockand High school, down here on the south shore.

 

[SheaTheDJ]

When not being programmed by students, WRPS has a better mix of music than Mike. They even mix in some jazz and blues.

 

[webcastboy]

BTW, is WRPS still managed by Dave Murphy (former GM of WERS)?? They were using a satellite service for automation a few years ago, don't know if that's still the case...they're in a somewhat-unique situation of being co-located and co-operated with the Rockland Cable Access channel, both at the Rockland High School.

 

[pqgeorge]

BTW, is WRPS still managed by Dave Murphy (former GM of WERS)?? They were using a satellite service for automation a few years ago, don't know if that's still the case...they're in a somewhat-unique situation of being co-located and co-operated with the Rockland Cable Access channel, both at the Rockland High School.

They didn't use a satellite service (AFAIK). They used dual computer automation system using their own recorded files. They are probably still using it. The same system Bob Bittner uses at WJIB and WJTO. They have opened up their playlist to even include some oldies from time to time (Motown, 70's, 80's etc). This is a really nice sounding FM station. It's well programmed and the audio chain is pretty much pristine sounding. It should be...... it's a modern Orban Optimod processor. Eventhough I'm really not into the music, I like what they do. And it is a preset on my car radio.