WSYM Upgrading Signal

[statmanmi]

I'm thinking the upgrade didn't really happen--definitely not to the full intended power.

WSYM will be 1000 kW after this upgrade....

No License to Cover has been filed with the FCC yet.

Instead, a Modification to the existing Construction Permit to have the ERP be 870 kW was filed on 8/24/2024, noting it being an increase from their current allowed 642 kW. It's not yet approved (as of today, 9/4/2024).

I'll guess that when the technical consultants/engineers arrived onsite, they found something in the transmission chain that wasn't ready to go to 1000 kW. Their further review determined that 870 kW is possible with all existing equipment.

I'm also not finding a posting on the WSYM website about completing the upgrade. I haven't tried checking their Facebook or X for any message.

I'll watch for further FCC filings, of course. Seems like that's my modus operandi, eh?

Cheers!
Statmanmi

[Ben Zonia]

So - they won't be Lansing's most powerful signal after all, even when using the cockamamie nominal ERP as the reference point.

Modus operandi indeed!

For Years, CKLW-TV 9 claimed on their sign on and sign off that they were "The Windsor Detroit Area's Most Powerful Television Station". They were 325 kW MAXIMUM DIRECTIONAL, and the average ERP, as used by the Canadian government, was just 178 kW. And the 325 kW was just barely more than WXYZ-TV, which was 316 kW NONDIRECTIONAL. When WKBD-TV 50 increased to something like 525 kW in the 1960s, they never changed the sign on and sign off claim.

So these types of claims are nothing new, and usually next to meaningless.

I was equally unimpressed when WJBK 1500 proclaimed itself in the Daytime as "50000 Watt WJBK" in the late 1960s. For many years, it was just around 3000 watts input at Night, though the efficient antenna system had the nominal power of 5000 watts, under old rules. It lost its strongest 50000 watt signal in its major lobe just North of 8 Mile due to its high dial position, though closer than WJR and WCAR. Many stations are still allowed to use nominal power under old rules. If they relicense, they have to use the input power.

[Jack5o2soco]

So more people can watch their college news? They lost everyone good except Larry.

[MWmetalhead]

This upgrade didn’t benefit me in Owosso, still can’t receive the signal. While WLNS, WLAJ and WKAR work fine. WILX is also one that I can’t receive it’s signal.

Both WSYM and WILX have dead spots near / along Corunna Ave on the south side of Owosso and heading southeastward. Not sure if that is where you are located, but the below maps may be of interest to you (zoom in on a desktop or laptop PC).

WSYM signal map: https://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php ... te=1&map=Y
WILX signal map: https://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php ... te=1&map=Y