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WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Discussion pertaining to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Battle Creek, Big Rapids, and Michiana
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MWmetalhead
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by MWmetalhead » Thu Feb 06, 2020 5:05 pm

Good info; thanks Statman!



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handbanana
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by handbanana » Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:00 pm

Okay, now LAV seems worse for me in the Ada/Lowell area? Is this going to get better?



CK-722
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by CK-722 » Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:23 am

I'd say it could get better, but it may take a while. Their best bet would be to sell WLAW, and improve the pattern by filling the nulls somewhat. But remember that you are quite a bit further away from the new site. The FCC could dump the distance separation requirements and go back to the pre 1962 rules. That is what Canada has, and it has even allowed scores of AM stations to move completely to FM.


Is THAT where they got the idea for the 486-SX?

Same (x, y, z), different (t)

Your bullet missed my trial balloon.

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MWmetalhead
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by MWmetalhead » Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:43 am

My guess is tower work is ongoing and the station is broadcasting at reduced power (lower than even STA power).

Signal in Ada and Lowell should be comparable to 94.5 or a bit better once all work is finished.



CK-722
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by CK-722 » Tue Feb 11, 2020 11:39 am

Keep in mind that WKLQ is 50 kW AVERAGE in all directions. WKLQ could actually EXCEED 50 kW in some directions, less in others. At the time they made a short spaced agreement with WCEN-FM, there was probably no restriction as to antenna tower mounting for the WKLQ antenna. We could add all the COMPOSITE ERPs at each azimuth for the WLAV DA and come up with an average ERP, my guess is it is close to 30 kW/150 meter AVERAGE equivalent.

Composite measured DA relative field and ERP at a few maxima and minima toward Grand Rapids.

40 0.890 34.1 kW
50 0.830 29.6 kW
78 1.000 ABS MAX 43.0 kW
80 0.994. 42.5 kW
100 0.843 30.6 kW
120 0.928 37.0 kW


Is THAT where they got the idea for the 486-SX?

Same (x, y, z), different (t)

Your bullet missed my trial balloon.

RTN Price. Not guaranteed. As of 12:30, 157.71 Down 0.22.

Artificial Intelligence is a Child that needs a Parent to guide it through.

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MWmetalhead
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by MWmetalhead » Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:21 pm

The WLAV stick is a bit higher and several miles closer. I think my analysis will prove to be spot on.



CK-722
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by CK-722 » Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:36 pm

Cumulus should get their tower and land lease or ownership agreements for WKLQ 94.5 written in stone.

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSea ... Key=108271


Is THAT where they got the idea for the 486-SX?

Same (x, y, z), different (t)

Your bullet missed my trial balloon.

RTN Price. Not guaranteed. As of 12:30, 157.71 Down 0.22.

Artificial Intelligence is a Child that needs a Parent to guide it through.

statmanmi
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by statmanmi » Sat Feb 15, 2020 10:50 am

handbanana wrote:
Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:00 pm
Okay, now LAV seems worse for me in the Ada/Lowell area? Is this going to get better?
I'll dare to speculate that LAV is powered up fully, what with their filing the License to Cover, and my own reception observations.

I live in eastern Kent County, a couple miles from the Lincoln Lake Ave./M-57 signal light--and have been making a point of tuning in 96.9 while driving around home and along Lincoln Lake Ave. (as I often commute via Lowell to/from metro GR). Lately the signal is consistent, with no break-ups like I was having in months prior. Although, I might be comparing apples & oranges, as I have a different commuter car in use...so different radio.

What I haven't tried yet is my clock and portable radios right at home. Neither were capturing WLAV without hiccups when last I did tune them in.


Regarding handbanana, I'm wondering if your Ada/Lowell location is enough down in the Grand River valley to be limiting the signal reaching from Allendale? Portions of Settlewood Dr. are at 800 ft. above sea level; whereas downtown Ada is below 640.

Cheers! ~~ Statmanmi



bosco
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by bosco » Sat Feb 15, 2020 11:02 am

Last week Saturday, WLAV went to 50% power around noon. Yesterday (Friday the 14th) WLAV went to full power from the site in Allendale, sometime in the late afternoon.
.



weathernut
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by weathernut » Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:01 pm

I sent this info to MW in a message a couple of days ago. Sounds like LAV might be full power? But LAW is definitely relocated.

WLAW is definitely broadcasting from the Montague water tower, or are broadcasting at reduced power. I just made a trip to Holland and back, and their signal is greatly reduced. I would usually get a listenable signal into Holland Township and a somewhat decent signal through Holland before they are unlistenable where US 31 and 196 merge. Today, the signal is unnoticeable in Holland Township, becomes a static mess through West Olive and becomes listenable about two miles south of M-45 on US 31. Stops on seek about a mile south of the Grand Haven High school.
I’ll be making a trip to Illinois this weekend to see if LAV is up to power yet. My guess is no. But I’ll let you know.



bosco
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by bosco » Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:32 pm

And WLAW is transmitting from the new site, the water tower. They can dot the i's, and close the book on both of these moves.

>..."this weekend to see if LAV is up to power yet. My guess is no."

Let me say this again. WLAV-FM is at full power at the Allendale site. Unless there is a problem there, and they are on the WBBL site, both the main transmitter is at 100% power, and the backup can also supply that power.

Let's say that my eyes have seen it.



weathernut
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by weathernut » Sat Feb 15, 2020 4:57 pm

Bosco: you didn’t stutter the first time. I can read clearly. I posted that to MW two days prior to you posting. I just copied and pasted. So, go ahead and repeat it again if you would like😉



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MWmetalhead
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by MWmetalhead » Sat Feb 15, 2020 5:18 pm

I confirm what bosco said. :)

Definitely 100% full power from GVSU now!

Signal was great today!

Clear reception with RDS all the way to Portland. OK reception almost to Grand Ledge. Signal easily makes it 15 miles farther east than the STA specs.

The new site is performing great and offers much better eastward range than 94.5, 96.1, 104.5, 105.3, and even 97.9.

Also, did iHeart upgrade 106.9 recently? Signal seems better than usual today. Picking up HD signal in all sorts of new places today!



CK-722
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Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by CK-722 » Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:11 am

Unless WOOD-FM "optimized" the bay orientation or fixed a transmitter or transmission line problem, there have been no official changes shown in the FCC records.


Is THAT where they got the idea for the 486-SX?

Same (x, y, z), different (t)

Your bullet missed my trial balloon.

RTN Price. Not guaranteed. As of 12:30, 157.71 Down 0.22.

Artificial Intelligence is a Child that needs a Parent to guide it through.

User avatar
MWmetalhead
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Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:23 am

Re: WLAV Tower Relocation - new update 7/29

Post by MWmetalhead » Sun Feb 16, 2020 1:40 pm

I think 106.9 FM has had some sort of minor transmission power loss for years...for roughly the same length of time the station has been simulcasting AM 1300 (about a decade).

This weekend was the first time in many years that 106.9 FM's eastward signal strength was on par with what I remember during the 90's and early 00's.

HD signal was receivable most of the way to the Kent / Ionia county line. Analog signal was pretty good until a couple miles east of M-66. No signs of any interference from the Spring Arbor station. :)

Re: 97 WLAV...

WLAV-FM was rock solid again today to the Ionia / Clinton county line.

Signal didn't turn to crap until a couple miles north of the I-96 / M-43 junction on the west side of greater Lansing, and I didn't lose the signal for good until I reached the big curve where I-69 splits southwestward from I-96 by Dimondale.

Am anxious to hear how well WLAV's signal is performing in the Holland area and would also love to hear any reception reports from the Big Rapids area.



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