WOWO Update (11/3/98)

["Peter Q. George" <radiojunkie1@yahoo.com>]

Greetings:
     I had the opportunity to contact an engineer at WOWO (1190
kHz/Ft. Wayne, IN) today, regarding the eventual powerdown that Scott
mentioned in his latest NERW.  WOWO is currently doing "proofs"
(testing the new night pattern) at reduced power.  They are currently
using 20,000 watts.  I have been able to listen to WOWO last night and
saw a marked deterioration of the once "Mighty 1190" signal.  The
fades were more prevalent and WHAM/1180 (that over-modulated
blowtorch) from Rochester, NY was hammering WOWO's signal.
     Contrary to the information given earlier, WOWO WILL return to
50,000 watts at night once the proofs are done.  It will be still a
while before WLIB will  fire-up the 30,000 watt transmitter for keeps.
 It's a matter of a lot of paperwork with the FCC.  
     How does WOWO do in Ft.Wayne on the new pattern ?  Glad you
asked.  On 20,000 watts, in the eastern part of the City of Fort
Wayne, WOWO suffers from lots and lots of splatter from WHAM/1180 and
the graveyard of 1200, not to mention the selective fading between the
sky and ground wave signals.  Now imagine, if you will, at 9800 watts
how well WOWO will do.  Needless to say, it won't be acceptable. 
Apparently, a modification to the CP will eventually have to be done. 
If WOWO cannot put a City Grade within in the entire COL, something is
definitely wrong.  Apparently, the station has received numerous
complaints as of late regarding the less than adequate signal. 
     I can honestly say, "I told you so".  Nonetheless, WOWO will
eventually powerdown to the 9800 watt pattern.  Any changes that will
have to be done to the pattern, will have to be done AFTER the switch.
WLIB is almost ready for testing.
     Now for some good news.  WOWO will eventually be available on the
Internet.  You Komets fans out there will still be able enjoy the
games as usual.  Except for some of the network programming, WOWO will
be streaming live all day.  They are working on the arrangements to
make this possible.  I do think they (Federated Media) are making an
honest effort to work out the statistical problems of the eventual
powerdown.
     I DO agree with Scott that WOWO is not the same station we worked
so hard to protect during the Guild days.  Most of the programming on
WOWO is easily accessible through other means (WOR/710, WABC/770  et.
al.).  But nonetheless, WOWO has a rich history that has made it
special over the years. In spite of some "questionable" decision
making from the powers-that-be, WOWO has done a job, well done.  I
will miss it.  Will WLIB be a "breath of fresh air" on 1190 ?  Time
will tell.  IMHO, well.........

- -Peter Q. George
 The WOWO Listeners' Guild (retired)                 




==
************************************************************
Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
33 Stetson Street, Apt. 2
Whitman, Massachusetts 02382

radiojunkie1@yahoo.com
************************************************************
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

------------------------------