March 2000 issue of Pop Comm magazine

[mwaters@mail.wesleyan.edu (Martin J. Waters)]

        The March issue of Popular Communications magazine, in its
broadcast dx-ing section, has two things that are of interest here.

        1.) In writing about the continuing radio mergers and buying of
more stations by group owners, it mentions Mega Communications and its
purchases of WBPS, WLLH, WAMG, and WARE. There's a reproduction of an old
coverage contour map for the WLLH synchronized transmitters with an
opinionated caption. The magazine says that WLLH, Lowell and Lawrence, were
"once recognized for community service," but now relay WAMG, Boston.
         One mystery, however. The article says that WACO-FM in Waco,
Texas, is now the only station that bears call letters identical to its
COL, because the WARE calls have been changed. But I checked the FCC
database, and I still don't see that. Has WARE actually changed calls, does
anyone know?

        2.)  WGSR, Fernandina Beach, Florida, suburb of Jacksonville, is
mentioned, along with Ron Gitschier, regular poster here, who recently went
on a long tour of sea duty with the Navy. The article says that Ron, who
works part-time at the station when he's home in Fla., said he is making
sure the station is "DXer friendly" by including frequent IDs in its
recently installed MOYL-type format. Good going, Ron, for getting the
magazine mention.