106.5 Jack FM

[originalzzmfmjock]

I've noticed that too MW. Their signal is not near as strong as it used to be on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids. I used to listen to them a lot in the early 2000's, but due to a poor signal mostly unlistenable now.

[MWmetalhead]

They have been on STA power of 8200 or 8300 watts since last autumn.

Their licensed ERP is 33,000 watts.

Hopefully the station completes repairs soon.

[Ben Zonia]

The tower itself is 500 feet tall. The HAAT is 600 feet. So the location is such that the elevation at ground level is about 42 meters/138 feet higher than the terrain around it from 2 to 10 miles in 8 directions 45 degrees apart, 0 to 315 degrees. 600 comes from the COR at the center of the 7 bays, roughly 30 feet below the top bay. So the top bay is about 8 feet below the top of the beacon.

The WVFM call letters were once in Lakeland, FL on 94.1. I heard that in Genesee County on a Sony portable in the 1970s, before the band got all jammed up. When the NAB opposed "AMization" of the FM band in the 1980s, I laughed. I don't laugh at that anymore. I guess they don't care anymore when a handful of companies own all those jammed in stations.

https://www.fccdata.org/?lang=en&facid= ... 115199&i=2

[48125er]

I noticed the other day 106.5 goes farther into Indiana, I went there and it locked well into LaGrange, IN, better than 103.3, I cant get it well anymore here in Belding or Rockford.

[Greg Buben]

Because of Jack FM is the subject being discussed I still say that one of the commercial FM stations in G.R. should try the
"Adult Hits" format. On my car radio I don't have "Jack FM" on first string meaning FM#1 but on occasions when I push the
buttons I have set for FM # 2 or 3 that is when I give "Jack FM'" a try. Their "Adult Hits" go back at least to the late 70's and
go up to now. Jack FM signal wise hits the Grand Rapids area but it does'r sound good enough in northern suburbs such
as Rockford as the previous post mentioned. Because of that it can't be competitive in the G.R. area and therefore it ought
to be considered by either I-Heart, Cumulus, or Town Square.
As I have said during earlier posts G.R. hasn't had a format change since I Heart flipped 101.3 FM back in the fall of 2020.
As I also said that is one of the many formats I suggested for Cumulus to consider changing their bottom feeder 107.3 FM
to. Town Square could also flip one of their stations (other than WGRD) to it. Since I Heart can't make sports radio in G.R.
successful maybe they can consider flipping 96.1 FM to it. Anyway, it's something atleast worth considering that would be
a change in the stale G.R. landscape.

[jaywmi]

Townsquare isn't going to, because it would cannibalize WLHT and WFGR.
iHeart won't, either, since it could do damage to WSRW, WSNX, WBFX.
Cumulus - maybe, flipping 107.3 wouldn't be a half bad idea. WLAV is possibly damaged, but more minimally.

Otherwise, I'm not really holding my breath for format changes in the GR market. These have a cost associated with them, and all the major players are in a decent cash crunch now, only changing things if it will create a big enough splash with minimal external advertising.

Because of Jack FM is the subject being discussed I still say that one of the commercial FM stations in G.R. should try the
"Adult Hits" format. On my car radio I don't have "Jack FM" on first string meaning FM#1 but on occasions when I push the
buttons I have set for FM # 2 or 3 that is when I give "Jack FM'" a try. Their "Adult Hits" go back at least to the late 70's and
go up to now. Jack FM signal wise hits the Grand Rapids area but it does'r sound good enough in northern suburbs such
as Rockford as the previous post mentioned. Because of that it can't be competitive in the G.R. area and therefore it ought
to be considered by either I-Heart, Cumulus, or Town Square.
As I have said during earlier posts G.R. hasn't had a format change since I Heart flipped 101.3 FM back in the fall of 2020.
As I also said that is one of the many formats I suggested for Cumulus to consider changing their bottom feeder 107.3 FM
to. Town Square could also flip one of their stations (other than WGRD) to it. Since I Heart can't make sports radio in G.R.
successful maybe they can consider flipping 96.1 FM to it. Anyway, it's something atleast worth considering that would be
a change in the stale G.R. landscape.

[thatonedude]

Jack FM played Jethro Tull’s Hymn 43 last night.

Needless to say, that was a phenomenal surprise. Only time that song is played is when I’ve got Spotify going. Nice to see a station not afraid of throwing in a deep cut like that.

Also hearing a LOT of Motown as well in the mix. Sounds damn good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MWmetalhead]

Anyone know if they are still broadcasting at just 25 percent of normal power?

I did see WVFM turned in a pretty impressive performance in the just released Kalamazoo ratings report. They managed to outrank both B93 and WRKR. WKFR continues to kick butt as usual.

[MWmetalhead]

I'm told the station is back to full strength, which is great news.

[ChrisWL1980]

They probably picked up a lot of ex 102.5 listeners.

[MWmetalhead]

I agree.

WVFM and WQXC would be the most probable "Plan B" stations.

I'm very surprised by how horribly Star 105.7 performed. There has got to be a sample size issue in K'zoo.