> It looks like they were granted a construction permit back
> in October...
>
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-> bin/finder?call=WXRY&is_unl=Y&is_lic=Y&is_cp=Y&sr=Y&s=C&sid=
>
>
> But I'm sure DudeFan can tell us much more.
I guess it pays off to be on a rooftop late night on a New Years eve.
Its the work pursuant to the construction permit, a realignment of the antenna, and a new transmitter. That, combined with 99.1 in Barnwell turning off and throwing less RF our way. When WLTY moved off the Capitol Center (former AT & T Building), we noticed an improvement in coverage just because the RF cloud from WLTY/WARQ/WWNQ dissipated a bit.
WBT still kills WXRY in Irmo and WWKT still kills the station in Northeast, but not as bad thanks to fractionally more power. WXRY has always done well to the West, thanks in part to the building reflecting some of the RF east and west.
Even in a GM car, WXRY usually held out Number 1 to Lake Drive in Lexington. If you are heading OUT of town the station holds in well, but driving back in, its a tough catch. WXRY is throwing off just enough RF to get the capture effect going on your receiver heading out of town. Coming back in, you'll end up grabbing anything but. If you are coming West on I-20, you have WWKT as almost a local until the 77/277/20 interchange.
Future plans are to go to a single bay at about 30 meters slightly northeast of the Barringer Building which will really help coverage a lot (WZMJ went lower with a single bay and I had it almost to Darlington last night!!). Our landlord hopes to purchase a building that WXRY could use for that purpose. The Barringer Building plant will remain intact as a licensed AUX when that happens.
WXRY now has a Main and Aux XMTR and full UPS for the studio and both transmitters. The guess is that it can stay on the air 2-3 hours at full power and even longer at reduced power.
We're happy with the changes. But believe it or not, WRIR in Richmond covers an almost 20 mile radius thanks to having a more clear channel (small letters). WXRY is at fringe at about 10.
We are looking at applying for the backfill allottment at 99.1 Barnwell. It has been reserved non-commercial, so we will have to fight the Education Media Foundation, American Family Association, et al. for it. Then comes the real long process of moving the facility closer to Columbia yet maintaining Barnwell coverage.
The past couple days have been great for DX radio reception. The downside is that FM signals were carried all over the place. Last night, WWPR in Augusta oblibiterated WGNH-LP Lexington and WBT-FM was clobbering WWKT up until 20 or so miles from Kingstree. WTCB and WNOK sounded local in Dillon. WLTY was great up until 10 miles outside Florence.
