Re: WQEW and Mouse Ears.

[Dan Strassberg <dan.strassberg@worldnet.att.net>]

At 10:18 AM 12/6/98 PST, you wrote:

>I believe WMCA now runs 50,000 watts day and 10,000 watts night) signal in 
>New York. Even
>though I suspect it's directional a bit away from Boston, I still can
>get 570 at night, although not like 1560 (or 660, 880, 1130).
>
No. WMCA holds a CP for 50 kW-D/30 kW-N DA-2 from its present location in S
Kearney (with six towers vs the three that WMCA uses currently for its 5 kW
DA-1 operation). However, this CP is unlikely ever to be built. The rumor is
that Salem filed the application in the hope of literally overpowering the
other English language Christian station in the New York Market, WWDJ 970,
Hackensack NJ. At the time of WMCA's filing, WWDJ was owned by competitive
Christian broadcaster Communicom. But shortly after WMCA's CP was granted
(and possibly as a result of the CP) Communicom sold WWDJ (along with WZZD
Philadelphia) to Salem. Salem also picked up what is now once again WFIL
Philadelphia on 560, but I don't believe that the seller was Communicom.
Salem's ownership of adjacent-channel 560 in Philadelphia may or may not
make it easier for WMCA to increase its power. I suspect that WFIL's
presence on the first adjacent channel only 75 or so air miles away had no
effect WMCA's grant for increased power because the stations protect each
other. Anyhow, with WWDJ in the Salem stable, Salem really has no need to
increase WMCA's power. Salem, which is an extremely well managed company is
not known for spending money on macho power increases, unless there is a
demonstrable payback.

In my opinion, the best benefit from A WMCA power increase is that it might
allow WNYC 820, which diplexes with WMCA, to increase its night power.
WNYC's original CP for 820 specified 5 kW-N, but the station operates with
only 1 kW-N. A glance at the directional patterns shows severe distortion,
presumably the result of reradiation from the nearby Jersey Turnpike and
Pulaski Skyway bridges. To offer the required protection to co-channel CHAM
Hamilton ON, WNYC has to operate with lower night power than originally
planned. If WNYC had six towers at its disposal, I imagine the night pattern
could be adjusted to compensate for the reradiation.

- -------------------------------
Dan Strassberg (Note: Address is CASE SENSITIVE!)
ALL _LOWER_ CASE!!!--> dan.strassberg@worldnet.att.net
(617) 558-4205; Fax (617) 928-4205

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