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Question regarding Big Rapids radio...

Discussion pertaining to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Battle Creek, Big Rapids, and Michiana
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MWmetalhead
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Question regarding Big Rapids radio...

Post by MWmetalhead » Sun Aug 15, 2021 9:44 am

Why hasn't Mentor Partners upgraded the Country format to the much stronger 102.3 signal?

Think about it. B93 now suffers interference from WKAD. 106.3 Lakeview dumped Country ages ago. WMUS-FM, which used to smother Newaygo County with a signal at 106.9 MHz, now broadcasts from 107.9, which cannot be heard nearly as well as the broadcasts from the 106.9.

Do people in Newaygo, Mecosta, Lake and Osceola Counties really prefer fruity-ass pop music to Country?

WYBR delivers a much stronger signal to areas near Fremont, White Cloud, Big Star Lake, Baldwin, and up north in places such as McBain than WWBR. It can also be heard pretty well in western Isabella County.

I realize Big Rapids, Reed City and Canadian Lakes receive similar reception from both signals, which likely explains why Mentor hasn't bothered upgrading Country to the stronger signal.



ChrisWL1980
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Re: Question regarding Big Rapids radio...

Post by ChrisWL1980 » Mon Aug 16, 2021 3:27 pm

MWmetalhead wrote:
Sun Aug 15, 2021 9:44 am
Do people in Newaygo, Mecosta, Lake and Osceola Counties really prefer fruity-ass pop music to Country?
When we're talking Dan & Shay, Maren Morris and Sam Hunt, there's no difference. :rollin

I would imagine many pop "country" fans in Lake and Osceola counties are listening to WTCM, or perhaps WLXV in the far northern portions.



Kennelly Heaviside
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Re: Question regarding Big Rapids radio...

Post by Kennelly Heaviside » Mon Aug 16, 2021 6:01 pm

MWmetalhead wrote:
Sun Aug 15, 2021 9:44 am
Why hasn't Mentor Partners upgraded the Country format to the much stronger 102.3 signal?

Think about it. B93 now suffers interference from WKAD. 106.3 Lakeview dumped Country ages ago. WMUS-FM, which used to smother Newaygo County with a signal at 106.9 MHz, now broadcasts from 107.9, which cannot be heard nearly as well as the broadcasts from the 106.9.

Do people in Newaygo, Mecosta, Lake and Osceola Counties really prefer fruity-ass pop music to Country?

WYBR delivers a much stronger signal to areas near Fremont, White Cloud, Big Star Lake, Baldwin, and up north in places such as McBain than WWBR. It can also be heard pretty well in western Isabella County.

I realize Big Rapids, Reed City and Canadian Lakes receive similar reception from both signals, which likely explains why Mentor hasn't bothered upgrading Country to the stronger signal.
The WYBR tower is on a hill 1320 feet above sea level, much higher than WWBR. Dave Schaberg and Jim McCluskey did their homework on that (WAAQ). WBRN and WWBR are near the Muskegon River valley, although on the higher side near the Highbanks, at 932 feet above sea level. Highbanks Park is at about 880 feet AMSL on the other side.


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MWmetalhead
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Re: Question regarding Big Rapids radio...

Post by MWmetalhead » Mon Aug 16, 2021 7:56 pm

A family friend lives 15 or 20 miles nearly due west of Reed City. 102.3 and 97.3 are both scorchingly strong! 100.9 is very receivable but definitely flutters a little in the car. On a cheap tabletop radio, reception is a bit of a chore. It's no stronger than Scottville's 94.9, in fact.



Kennelly Heaviside
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Re: Question regarding Big Rapids radio...

Post by Kennelly Heaviside » Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:48 am

WYBR operates at nondirectional reduced power under Section 73.215, a Class C3 with 10.5 kW from 133 meters. It is short spaced to WMUK 102.1 and WIOG 102.5. This is equivalent to 18 kW from 100 meters.


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Re: Question regarding Big Rapids radio...

Post by cckadlec » Wed Aug 25, 2021 2:53 pm

WYBR has a good signal overall compared to others in the Big Rapids area. Here in Fremont, just 25 miles away, 100.9 is spotty - with a bit of elevation (like the 2nd or 3rd floor of a house), it's a strong signal, but at street level on the car radio, it's harder. 100.9 Muskegon on some days eats away at it a bit, Allegan can as well, and WKKV IBOC more often than not takes it out more commonly than the other two. 102.3 has little issue with interference though. But there are plenty of country signals to go around still. 103.5 and 96.7 up north for those north of Big Rapids, and 94.5 too. I mean, how many do you need??


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