1430 WKOX MA relocated transmitter site?
Mark Connelly
markwa1ion@aol.com
Sun Feb 7 14:35:32 EST 2021
Somewhere recently I read that 1430 WXKS was moving from its long time site on the Medford/Everett line to co-location with 950 WROL in Saugus, MA.
Signal strength measurements here indicate that this change may have occurred.
Daytime SDR band capture made last summer shows 1430 WKOX coming in about 3 dB weaker than nearby 1360 WLYN.
On a check today I have WXKS about 5 to 6 dB stronger than WLYN. The overall change of 8 to 9 dB could be attributed to less land to cross before reaching salt water near the tower.
Two online sources do not seem to reflect the change. Radio Locator appears to have the old site and strength contours that put me in the "fringe" area here on the mid-Cape whereas the daytime signal is much better than that.
https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WKOX&service=AM&h=D
V-Soft also is not reflecting current truth.
https://zipsignal.v-soft.com/
With zip code 02660 entered (closest post office relevant for stations of interest), I have:
1360 WLYN at 1.26 mV/m
1430 WKOX at 0.33 mV/m
That would make WKOX a good deal weaker than WLYN when, in fact, the reverse is true.
The V-Soft listing also has figures entered for 1390 WPLM reflective of 5 kW full power. The station (when even on) has been running much less, in my opinion no more than 500 watts, for several years now.
Mark Connelly, WA1ION | South Yarmouth, MA | FN41vq
Receiver: Elad FDM-S2 SDR
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