Re: WNAN-FM 91.1 To Make "Minor" Change

[Aaron Read <aread@speakeasy.net>]

At 06:29 PM 4/2/2003 -0400, Laurence Glavin wrote:
>I see in today's (04/03/03) FCC Daily Digest that WNAN-FM 91.1, on the
>island of Nantucket, MA has applied for a "minor" change, nearly doubling
>its power (is that about a 40% increase in signal strength?).  WNAN
>is almost exactly 50 miles away from same-channel outlet WSMU, S. 
>Dartmouth, MA.
>There's an application on file for WSMU to vacate 91.1 and move to 89.3;
>in today's $$$$$$$$ environment, that's not about to happen, unless UNLESS
>WBUR offers to take WSMU off UMass's hands, switch it to 89.3 and then
>boosts the Mother Ship's power.  Where will they get the cash?  Sell WRNI 
>to CCU!

Even if they won the Powerball lottery, I doubt WBUR could afford to offer 
the kind of money it'd take to get UMass/Dartmouth (or the State) to let go 
of WSMU.  Especially in their current financial shape.   Besides, it'd have 
to be at least $10-$15 million would be my guess...a serious wad even in 
good times, and WRNI/WXNI aren't worth anywhere near that.

However, if WSMU vacates 91.1 it probably opens up room for a new 
allocation in the Kingston, RI area for 91.1 and I know WRNI (WBUR) would 
love to reach the Kingston/Newport area better...esp. with an FM signal.

The WSMU application to move to 89.3 has, IIRC, been on file since at least 
1996 but also IIRC it was dependant on WGBH successfully moving to Needham, 
which it now appears will happen.  There's no way WSMU can move to 89.3 
without WGBH's say-so and I'll wager that WSMU allowing WNAN to boost is 
part of the deal - assuming there is a deal.

Of course, I would think that WERS might have something to say about WSMU 
being on 89.3, but it would depend on what power & height WSMU were at.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaron "Bishop" Read             aread@speakeasy.net
FriedBagels Consulting          AOL-IM: readaaron
http://www.friedbagels.com      Boston, MA