could WILD go full time?

[Scott Fybush]

> Has WILD ever attempted to get an unlimited license?
>
> I know they power down for critical hours to protect WBAL but given
> what has happened in the past few years could they at least apply?
>
> Obviously it would be at very low power and directional and I wonder
> if the transmitter being in Medford made it unrealistic to provide a
> decent night signal in Roxbury-Mattapan?
>
> for that matter could WNTN also do the same at 1550?

Interesting questions, all.

The key factor is that WBAL (and CBE on 1550) are both Class A facilities,
which means their skywave signals are protected to the 0.5 mV/m-50%
contour (or to the nearest international boundary, depending).

I'm guessing that WBAL's relevant night contour encompasses the entire
Boston area, making night service from WILD impossible.

Night service on WNTN might be possible. Co-channel WDZK in Connecticut
has 2400 watts at night. I suspect the challenge with WNTN would be
finding a site that could deliver a nighttime interference-free signal to
most of Newton, though the existence of WZBC would at least make it
possible for WNTN to change COL to a geographically more-compact
community.

s