WSCR and WBBM to move to the WYLL site.

[JoeU]

Does anyone know if this move has occurred yet? I've noticed over the last few days that both WBBM and WSCR are a little bit weaker on my radio's S-meter (like 7-8 out of 10) than they used to be (full-scale). I live about 6 miles from the WYLL site.

I don't believe the WSCR site on Army Trail Road has been sold to date. Audacy probably holding out for a larger dollar amount for the land for commercial development.

 

[Schroedingers Cat]

Yes, am located near Sarkis Cafe. They're still open and seem to have lots of customers especially on weekends.

Just curious, but how did you find out about AUXs on the old WXRT tower? I searched the FCC website but the "AM Query" results for WBBM did not include AUX information. The ASR Registration for the tower has no info about who's on it. 🫤

Here you go. There's an X in the file number, and AUX. Then click Tower Payload.

https://www.fccdata.org/?lang=en&appid=2830864e24a04f16aa2fc1b6063ebeb7&facid=9631

https://www.fccdata.org/?lang=en&qmenu=2&tt=1&tid=561342&rlat=41.9384&rlon=-87.7514

I have relatives that were or are living in Evanston. Ended up eating there with my Mom and Sister when my XYL had a stomach virus. It was around Thanksgiving, and Mustard's Last Stand was even closed.

 

[CADXER]

Both WSCR and WBBM have a Auxiliaries on Belmont Ave. They are on a ~500 foot tower, both with 10 kW. From what I remember, it's the old WXRT tower, and has a few FM AUXs on it also. If they are on those AUX facilities, that may be why it's weaker.

Since December of 2025 the site on Belmont Avenue is also the STA site for WRDZ AM 1300 Rebel Radio. This site was also used in the past by WSBC 1240 and WSCR when they were briefly on 820 kHz.

 

[r388yh]

@Schroedinger’s Cat: Outstanding! That’s a great resource. Thank you.

@CADXER: Thank you also. I viewed the Engineering Exhibit for the WRDZ STA and learned that they are now diplexed on the tower with WBBM-AM (AUX) and WSCR-AM (AUX). It’s amazing how that can be done.

That’s a darned good “emergency” antenna for WRDZ. 😄 I’ll be in that neighborhood later this week, and must stop by to take a look!

 

[Schroedingers Cat]

@Schroedinger’s Cat: Outstanding! That’s a great resource. Thank you.

@CADXER: Thank you also. I viewed the Engineering Exhibit for the WRDZ STA and learned that they are now diplexed on the tower with WBBM-AM (AUX) and WSCR-AM (AUX). It’s amazing how that can be done.ot

That’s a darned good “emergency” antenna for WRDZ. 😄 I’ll be in that neighborhood later this week, and must stop by to take a look!

WRDZ probably won't be in a hurry to move from that STA. With 1000 watts Night Nondirectional STA, they will interfere quite a bit with WOOD 1300 Grand Rapids at Night, especially when they moved the transmitter so far out that even with 20000 watts DA-1, the conductivity is so bad, they had to get a rimshot FM from Muskegon to simulcast on. Plus the WOOD signal is weak enough to get fading at Night in Grand Rapids. The null in the WRDZ Night Pattern toward WOOD is the equivalent of about 32 watts.

 

[CADXER]

@Schroedinger’s Cat: the WRDZ STA is for 800 Watts day, 10 Watts night. Daytime signal is fairly decent at my location. Can't hear them at night.

 

[CADXER]

As far as the tower site on Army Trail Road in Bloomingdale is concerned, besides WSCR and WBBM moving to Des Plaines, something needs to happen to WLEY 107.9 FM which also uses that tower. As far as I know they did not apply with the FCC to move to a different site yet. I would think that once that happens, the end of that site will not take too long.

 

[Schroedingers Cat]

@Schroedinger’s Cat: the WRDZ STA is for 800 Watts day, 10 Watts night. Daytime signal is fairly decent at my location. Can't hear them at night.

I've never seen that in a response from the FCC, what they asked for and what they got authorized. They'll have to have some kind of skirted radiator, as 530 feet is too much for 1300 kHz.

 

[tvnut]

@Schroedinger’s Cat: the WRDZ STA is for 800 Watts day, 10 Watts night. Daytime signal is fairly decent at my location. Can't hear them at night.

Signal here in the southwest suburbs is so-so daytime (including right now) and vanishes on powerdown.

 

[JoeU]

It appears that both WSCR AM and WBBM AM now transmitting from the WYLL Desplaines, IL site as of 6/17/2026. If not, maybe the Aux from 4949 W Belmont. Defiantly no longer from the Army Trail Road site at least from current day observations.

 

[pattywells]

I can still get WBBM and WSCR loud and clear in Saint Paul tonight. If they did move, it did not appear to degrade skywave propogation.

 

[schmave]

Same in Ohio. I've been hearing WSCR better at night the past month or so than I have in ages. Little to no interference from Cuba, although those stations might be off the air. Hope it stays that way.