Classic rock on 95.1

[ADD in TC]

Looks like from fcc.today it could be possible.

[1litemix]

It’s posted on the FCCdata.org
Black diamond broadcasting holdings LLC pending 3./5/2021

[MWmetalhead]

Because 98.1's signal isn't the best near downtown TC, and because a translator can only be used to rebroadcast a commonly owned commercial FM station if its 60 dBu is housed entirely within the parent station's 60 dBu (the rules are much different for non-comm stations), I agree usage of 95.1 to rebroadcast 98.1 is the most likely outcome.

https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/datae ... d&goBack=N

[Ben Zonia]

If you put in "Front St." and "Traverse City, MI" and 6 feet AGL into FMFool, you'll see that only the stations with TLs on the ridge West of Traverse City are Line Of Sight. You have to get up to around 10 feet AGL to be LOS for WTCM-FM, and around 20 feet AGL for WKLT wo be LOS. Remember that the Fresnel Zone still incurs further losses and signal variation until you are high enough to clear the Fresnel Zone. You may be able to "see" a tower and antenna or tower lighting, but still not be completely in the clear for best reception. The amazing thing is Longley Rice only predicts a small advantage for WKLT at 6 feet AGL over WGFN and WGFE.

http://www.fmfool.com/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=29

[1litemix]

I would put WUPS on 95.1 in traverse city so u can here CMU games clear

[ADD in TC]

I would put WUPS on 95.1 in traverse city so u can here CMU games clear

According to MW's above post that would not be possible.

Me thinks at least part of the reason Black Diamond is trying to aquire 95.1 is to try to stop one of the Midwestern AM stations from simulcasting there.

I was unaware that 95.1 could boost their signal range.I wonder why CMU did not take advantage of this.

[1litemix]

It’s only 10 watts I don’t think you can upgrade the signal that’s why WCMU got 94.3… I was just guessing maybe black diamond got a good deal Since WUPS is Flagship station CMU sports

[MWmetalhead]

I'm quite certain 95.1 can be upgraded to 250 watts. There are no local stations 10.6 MHz or 10.8 MHz above it. (WKHQ's TX facilities are far enough away to where that would not be an impediment.)

Indeed, Midwestern probably would've liked to use 95.1 MHz to rebroadcast AM 1310.

ADD in TC is correct. Due to common ownership, and because the WUPS 60 dBu does not reach Traverse City, 95.1 cannot be used to rebroadcast WUPS.

The translators in the Alpena area that rebroadcast Black Diamond stations are owned by a third party.

[Ben Zonia]

Translators that are under the allotment umbrella of a local station on second or third adjacent channels are usually in the clear. The issue of the IF restriction comes up a lot in larger markets and those with a lot of stations. They are generally limited to 99 watts. Translators with 60 dBu signals outside the 60 dBu of an NCE-FM station can be owned by the NCE-FM station, but are limited to 10 watts. It was outside of the WCML-FM 60 dBu.

Given the fact that many 50000 watt AMs nationwide are getting translators, I would think they would want WTCM 580 to be on a translator. Many are also getting rimshot Class A FMs. There was that big controversy about the "hole" which might preclude a reasonable transfer of one of the rimshot properties.

[1litemix]

The translator is for WGFN 98.1 is 95.1 it’s on fcc page

[ADD in TC]

Would it be possible for 98.1 to build an auxiliary booster to broadcast within their 60 dbu?

[ftballfan]

It appears that Black Diamond has applied to upgrade W236BU to 250 watts from its current 10 watts.

Does WGFN struggle that much in TC proper that a translator is needed?

Or (wild thought) could WGFN be adding HD Radio, with 95.1 rebroadcasting a potential HD2 subchannel? IMO, if WGFN were to add HD Radio, Big Country 102.9 would likely end up being simulcast on WGFN HD2 and 95.1 analog (WMKC's 60dBu doesn't quite reach Traverse City).

[1litemix]

May be a classic country Gold?

[MWmetalhead]

Does WGFN struggle that much in TC proper that a translator is needed?

There certainly are stations with weaker reception in TC proper, but WGFN's signal isn't particularly strong there. Difficult to pick up on very cheap clock radios & tabletop radios inside commercial buildings.

I think there might be merit to the HD2 subchannel simulcast theory. I also think it is completely possible it'll be used to translate WGFN's classic rock.

[Ben Zonia]

According to FMFool, on Front St., with the upgrade at 6 feet AGL, the translator would be 11 dB stronger than WGFN, and the 8th strongest FM signal there. This includes noncommercial stations and a translator on the ridge. It will be the 4th strongest commercial signal there, according to the FMFool prediction.

https://www.fccdata.org/?lang=en&facid= ... 94093d&i=2