Major AM change

Huntington, West Virginia: 1200kHz:
WEMM granted move from 1470kHz.
Daytime power to increase from 5,000 watts to 22,000;
nighttime power to decrease from 72 watts to 9.

Limited to 8,000 watts critical hours.
(the two hours following sunrise and the two hours preceding sunset)

WEMM will remain non-directional, and the tower site will not change.

I would expect this move to make it much easier to log West Virginia at points west.

New AM station

Ewa Beach, Hawaii: 1320kHz:
Permit issued for new station.
5,000 watts fulltime, directional. (same pattern day & night)
21-19-16N/158-00-40W

OK, so it's not a realistic DX target for most of us (grin)...

IBOC report from Canada

See the final report of the Canadian Digital Radio Co-ordinating Group.

This committee was formed to study the technical issues involved in introducing IBOC digital radio north of the border. It included:

6 members - representing commercial broadcasters
1 member - representing the Canadian Association of Broadcasters
2 members - representing technical consultants
4 members - from the CBC
6 members - from the Canadian Research Council
5 members - from the Industry Canada and Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

The paper is quite educational. A few interesting points:

It says "interference-free service for many US stations is achieved only within their 1 mV/m (60 dBµV/m) contours.", then indicates that interference would be more likely in Canada as Canadian stations are protected to their 0.5mV/m contours. Thing is, in the U.S., commercial Class B stations are also protected to their 0.5mV/m (54dBµV/m) contours. These stations are the most important stations in seven of the ten largest U.S. radio markets! - these are the stations the Canadians believe are subject to IBOC interference...

Note, at the end, the mention of the large amounts of heat generated by a high-level-combiner IBOC installation. 12kw of heat for one station alone in Toronto.

The conclusions reached by the committee:

The CRTC should refrain from authorizing permanent IBOC operation until Industry Canada (the technical regulators) has established appropriate technical rules.

Industry Canada should refrain from issuing technical rules until they complete additional studies, including field measurements, and establish mitigation measures to deal with harmful interference within the protected service areas of existing stations.

Canadian broadcasters should continue to monitor the availability and popularity of IBOC receivers and service in the USA to determine whether IBOC should be pushed for faster implementation in Canada.

The committee specifically located harmful interference from IBOC tests on CJBC-FM (90.3) Toronto within the protected contour of CBLA-FM-1 Crystal Beach (90.5).

There's a lot more "meat" in this report. Take a look.

DX tests: California, Maine

Anaheim, California: 830kHz:
KLAA will test 1-2am PST (0900-1000UTC) on December 15, 2007. (late Friday night/Saturday morning)

The test will be on the 20kw night pattern, with Morse IDs inserted into regular programming.

Reports to:
Mr. Brian Clark
Director of Engineering
KLAA Radio
2000 Gene Autry Way
Anaheim, CA 92806
bclark@am830klaa.com

Include return postage.

See DXtests.info for more information on this and other tests.

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Monticello, Maine: 780kHz:
It looks like the WCXH-780 test ran an hour late. It will be rescheduled - stay tuned for more information. Thanks to Allan for trying!

(I'm actually a bit grateful it will have to run again as I screwed up when setting up my recording equipment(grin)!)

Call changes for AM stations

(some of these may be old news)

ALAB Centre 1560 WLYJ from WZTQ
ALAB Fairhope 660 WWFF from WDLT
ALAB Gadsden 1350 WJBY from WGAD
ALAB Jasper 1240 WZTQ from WLYJ
ALAB Rainbow C. 930 WGAD from WJBY
DIST Washington 1500 WWWT from WTWP
GEOR Elberton 1400 WSGC from WNGA
HAWA Hilo 1590 KILE from KIXC
HAWA Honolulu 690 KHNR from KHCM
HAWA Honolulu 880 KHCM from KHNR
KENT Williamsbg 1440 WCWC from WEZJ
MARY Frederick 820 WWWB from WTWT
MINN Moorhead 1280 KVXR from KVOX
MINN Watertown 1600 KPNP from KZGX
NEWH Manchester 1250 WGAM from WKBR
NEWH Nashua 900 WGHM from WGAM
NEWH Newport 1010 WCNL from WNTK
NEWY Cortland 920 WYBY from WKRT
NEWY Rensselaer 1300 WTMM from WEEV
NORTHD Fargo 740 KVOX from KKAG
TENN Huntingdon 1530 WWDX from WDAP
TEXA Midland 1150 KVDG from KJBC
TEXA San Saba 1410 KNVR from KBAL
TEXA Wink 1480 KNIW (new station)
VIRG Quantico 920 WURA (new station)
VIRG Warrenton 1250 WKDL from WPRZ
WASH Anacortes 1340 KWLE briefly changed calls to KWLE but changed back
WYOM Jackson 1490 KJNT (new station)

DX Tests

(as always, visit DX Tests.info for more information)

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin: 940kHz
WFAW will test from midnight to 3am Central Time on November 12th. This is late Sunday night into Monday morning.

Reports to:
Ernie Swanson K9LO
Chief Engineer
WFAW Radio
P.O. Box 94
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0094

Include a SASE. CD recordings of the test may be sent.

Thanks to Ernie and Jim Pogue for arranging this test!

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The WIRL-1290 (Peoria, Illinois) test was well heard. Unfortunately I was very short on sleep that night so couldn't stay up long enough to try live, and with storms pending I didn't dare leave the gear set up for unattended recording.

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Finally, the Joint IRCA/NRC Broadcast Test Committee (the fine folks who do the work to bring you these DX Tests) have begun the "BTC Podcast". You can subscribe or download individual podcasts. The BTC Podcast will be regularly updated with new DX Test information.

AM station deleted

Taunton, Massachusetts: 1570kHz:
WPEP has surrendered its license for cancellation.
This will allow WNSH Beverly, on the same frequency, to increase daytime power from 500 watts to 30,000 and go non-directional.

Changes granted to AM station

University City, Missouri: 1190kHz:
KRFT granted move from DeSoto.
Nighttime power increased to 6.5kw (directional) from a new site at 38-26-13N/90-16-45W.
(daytime facility remains at existing site elsewhere)

anti-IBOC website

Don't like HD Radio?

Neither do Bob Savage, CEO at WYSL 1040, Rochester, NY; Watt Hairston, Chief Engineer, WSM 650, Nashville, TN; or Jerry Arnold, Director of Engineering, Midwest Communications, Terre Haute, IN. (WPRS-1440 and three FM stations)

They've formed The Anti-IBOC Alliance. The group is aimed largely at small-group station owners, emphasizing why they should be opposed to AM HD - how it's a threat to their operations.

The website still needs a little work, but it's well worth a visit.

AM frequency change in Florida

Cantonment, Florida: 1070kHz:
WNVY has moved from 1090kHz.
Daytime power has increased from 10,000 watts to 15,000, and the station is no longer required to reduce power to 2,300 watts during critical hours. It has also received permission to operate at night with 28 watts. (it was strictly daytime-only on 1090kHz)

Cantonment is about 15 miles north of Pensacola.

Amendments to applications for new AM stations

Gainesville, Florida: 1180kHz:
Application amended to increase power from 5,000 day/1,600 night to 12,000 day/2,000 night and move transmitter to 29-41-35N/82-26-24W.

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Raymond, Maine: 650kHz:
Application amended to increase daytime power from 250 watts to 1,500 watts and move towers to 43-55-24N/70-31-05W (or 43-52-24N/70-31-05W?, both figures appear)

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Veradale, Washington: 1170kHz:
Application amended to decrease daytime power from 21,000 watts to 15,000; increase nighttime power from 700 watts to 1,500; and move towers to 47-41-35N/117-09-31W.

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Applications in the following cities have been amended to specify new tower sites:
Fayette, Alabama: 1490kHz: to 33-41-25N/87-49-07W
Vidalia, Louisiana: 1340kHz: to 31-34-44N/91-25-16W
Orchard Homes, Montana: 1490kHz: to 46-52-39N/114-02-37W
Jolivue, Virginia: 1490kHz: to 38-06-01N/79-03-55W
Dunbar, West Virginia: 1450kHz: to 38-23-08N/81-42-51W
Rothschild, Wisconsin: 1340kHz: to 44-53-48N/89-37-41W

Amendment to application for new AM station

Silt, Colorado: 1490kHz:
Amendment to increase power from 250 watts fulltime to 1,000 and move tower to 39-33-37N/107-39-05W.

Major AM station change

Brookfield, Missouri: 1210kHz:
KFMZ granted move from 1470KHz.
5,000 watts daytime
50 watts nighttime
two different directional patterns

Amendments to applications for new AM stations

Marquette, Michigan: 1430KHz:
Modify application to specify 46-32-43N/87-26-40W.

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Little Falls, New York: 1120KHz:
Modify application to increase day power from 1,000 watts to 1,500 and modify site to 43-01-19N/74-50-12W.

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Vernal, Utah: 1400KHz:
Modify application to increase power from 250 watts to 1,000 and modify site to 40-29-30N/109-31-45W.

DX Test: Illinois

As always, more info on DX Tests.info.

WLPO-1220 La Salle, IL DX Test

Saturday morning, October 27th, 3-3:30am CT (0800-0830 UTC)
This is probably better known as late Friday night.

Reports may be emailed to steve[at]wlpo.net; if you send a recording, use .mp3 or .wav.

Via postal mail:
Steve Vogler, Chief Engineer,
WLPO Radio,
1 Broadcast Lane,
Oglesby, IL 61348

Include return postage.

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ALSO... a special request from DX Test Coordinator Jim Pogue...

The La Salle News Tribune is writing an article about this DX Test. They want to know ASAP after the test how many people heard it and at what distance.

Jim writes:
"As soon as possible after the test, I’m asking everyone who hears it to send me an e-mail. In addition to telling me that you heard the test, I’d also invite your “non-technical” comments about the test as well. Most readers don’t care about weird tones and Morse code, but if you are thrilled to hear the sound of an announcer’s voice from far away north-central Illinois, that kind of comment is something average readers can understand."

If you hear the WLPO test, please email the details to kh2ar comcast net. (insert @ and . in the appropriate places. Da*n spam criminals.)

New AM station

Gloverville, South Carolina: 1300KHz:
Amendment to application for new station.
Amendment would reduce power to 2,500 watts daytime, 820 watts night. (from 3,000/1,800)

(amendments to) Applications for new AM stations

Steamboat Springs, Colorado: 1440kHz:
Amendment to new-station application to increase day power from 250 watts to 500; decrease night power from 250 watts to 220; go directional at night; and move to 40-28-29N/106-49-45W.

Major AM station changes

Lawrenceville, Georgia: 990KHz:
WISK files amendment to major change application.

Amendment moves tower a few miles, reduces day power from 1,000 watts to 950, and adds 25 watts night power. New coordinates 33-57-27N/84-00-17W.

Application is to move from 1390KHz in Americus, over 100 miles to the south.

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Huntington, West Virginia: 1200kHz:
WEMM files amendment to major change application.
(to move from 1470kHz)

Amendment specifies 8,000 watts critical hours, from sunrise to 2 hours later and from two hours before sunset to sunet. Application calls for 22,000 watts daytime, 9 watts night, non-directional.

Major group suspends nighttime IBOC

Citadel Broadcasting confirms they've suspended nighttime AM IBOC broadcasts.

New AM stations

Redding, California: 600KHz:
Modification filed to application for new station.
800 watts daytime
1,000 watts nighttime
different patterns day & night
40-30-16N/122-07-18W

Modification reduces day power from 1,000 watts and moves transmitter site.

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Middletown, New York: 1400KHz:
Modification filed to application for new station.
1,000 watts fulltime
directional daytime only
41-28-26N/74-27-01W

Modification moves transmitter site and adds daytime directional antenna.

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Junction City, Oregon: 960KHz:
Modification filed to application for new station.
50,000 watts daytime
3,500 watts nighttime
different patterns day & night

Modification reduces night power from 20,000 watts.

New AM stations

Santee, California: 1400KHz:
Amendment filed to application for new station.
500 watts fulltime, non-directional
Daytime site: 32-53-50N/116-55-34W
Night site: 32-51-12N/116-58-22W

Amendment also changes the city-of-license from Lemon Grove.

I think this would be the only two-site Class C station if authorized.

Santee (and Lemon Grove) are San Diego suburbs.

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Kirk, Colorado: 1490KHz:
Amendment filed to application for new station.
250 watts fulltime, non-directional
39-37-33N/102-35-26W

Kirk is in the middle of nowhere (?!) a few miles south of U.S. Hwy. 36 and about 20 miles northwest of Burlington in east-central Colorado. How they expect to sell enough advertising to support a radio station out here is beyond me.

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Bon Air, Virginia: 1200KHz:
Amendment filed to application for new station.
50,000 watts daytime
20,000 watts nighttime
directional all hours, two different patterns
37-33-24N/77-41-50W

amendment changes transmitter site.

Bon Air is just west of Richmond - makes a lot more sense than Kirk, Colorado!

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Waterville, Washington: 1450KHz:
Amendment filed to application for new station.
1,000 watts daytime
500 watts nighttime
non-directional
47-38-32N/120-05-34W

Amendment increases power and changes transmitter site.

Waterville is about 20 miles northeast of Wenatchee in central Washington State. (and not really near any large bodies of water)