Yup, W40AN was a translator for Green Bay's channel 11, WLUK (FOX). It didn't get out far, at least if we're speaking northbound. I am unaware of any translators in the region using channel 55 in the analog age. Full power stations in both Milwaukee and Wausau used channel 55. Tropo allowing a Milw...

I think it can be said for many TV operators in the digital age in the U.P. that a medium powered main transmitter - preferably on VHF - coupled with digital translators in major population centers would be the most effective way to maximize OTA reach. Indeed, most U.P. viewers were accustomed to p...

WJMN had been slowly drifting away from WFRV over the last few years. I think even before this, WJMN was airing some separate syndicated programming than WFRV. For at least the first 30-35 years, WJMN was nearly a straight simulcast of WFRV (outside of maybe some local ads). By 1986 at the latest, ...

The once-ubiquitous Channel Master stacked-conical VHF arrays can still be seen in Manistee. With the optional high-band stubs, aimed at Scray's Hill in Glenmore, WI these would have picked up 2 and 5 from Green Bay, and 13 (later 9) from Cadillac off the rear lobe of the bare stubs. I imagine that ...

It appears that Televes uses dBi gain figures, which are 2.15 dBi higher than dBd. So you might want to take their gain figures taking that into consideration. I'm not sure how they are getting VHF High gain, even 5 dBi. It is good that they have a resonant VHF Low Folded Dipole. One person's revie...

Just tuned in to 96.1 here in Manistee. There is a low-pitched mechanical whirr being transmitted, not unlike what you'd hear from an old turntable in operation, and plenty of splatter on 95.9 and 96.3.

Could it be RFI from one of the factories here in town?

WMQT (Q107), in the mid-eighties, played maybe a third of its programming off-pitch by a full semi-tone. As a musician with perfect pitch, it was akin to fingernails on a blackboard... I worked there in the mid '80s. It's true when we dubbed vinyl to carts (which most music/jingle/commercials were ...

I think the call letter system for the 40 MHz FM band made some sense: the middle digits represented the ones and .1 MHz digits of the station's frequency, and the letter suffix indicated the city of license. W45D: 44.5 MHz, Detroit W49D: 44.9 MHz, Detroit W75NY: 47.5 MHz, New York City W47NV: 44.7 ...

Baby monitors still transmit in the clear on the 49.8 MHz channels. People leave them on 24/7. Some of the not-quite-FCC-compliant units put out a hot signal that can travel quite a distance.

Apparently it doesn't occur to folks that they could be easily eavesdropped upon.

Well, I see WCHT got an FM translator on 93.5 this past November; that might provide an option when DX conditions are up.

Here's hoping they set up WDMJ with a translator once they sort out that hot mess.

This won't be a helpful suggestion for mobile listening, but if you haven't invested in an upgraded AM antenna for your home or office receiver, you might consider doing so. I've been using a Terk AM Advantage for long-distance reception for years. I can pick up Escanaba's WCHT and WDBC reliably on ...

Silent carrier still on 106.7...

Shipped a gift out from Manistee to California on the 21st via USPS and despite being advised that it wouldn't arrive in time for Christmas, it was delivered on the 24th. For me, the delays with USPS are with stuff coming or going east and/or south of Michigan. Transit times to/from NYC, Ohio, Tenne...

Sad to hear about America's Truckin' Network. Apparently Mr. Sommers wasn't alone in being sacked at iHeart: https://radioinsight.com/headlines/200744/another-round-of-layoffs-at-iheartmedia/ WLW's website, which is mostly out-of-date regarding ATN, lists a show hosted by Dan Carroll in the ATN time...

There used to be Esso stations in the USA. Their marketing folks thought Exxon had more pizazz, and rebranded the USA operations as such. They've since merged with Mobil under the corporate umbrella ExxonMobil. That would account for the Mobil stations popping up in Ontario. That awful show Heavy Re...