Ave Maria acquires 1390 WLCM

[MWmetalhead]

Small market AM with no FM translator (to my knowledge). They overpaid, in my opinion. The deal does not include the real estate, but Ave Maria was given a purchase option.

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2890 ... f-12-13-2/

[GrahamWellington]

Seems a bit steep considering it doesn't include real estate. The station does have a good daytime signal and a nighttime signal that covers the immediate Lansing area decent enough.

[edj]

Am I looking at this right: two different transmitter locations for day/night? Wonder what the rent is on that.

[GrahamWellington]

Am I looking at this right: two different transmitter locations for day/night? Wonder what the rent is on that.

They moved the nighttime site to Holt maybe ten-ish years ago, along with a COL change from Charlotte to Holt. Daytime still broadcasts from Charlotte.

[MWmetalhead]

I wonder why they simply don't use the Holt site & pattern 24/7?

That pattern would deliver a terrific signal to the Lansing area daytime.

[GrahamWellington]

I wonder why they simply don't use the Holt site & pattern 24/7?

That pattern would deliver a terrific signal to the Lansing area daytime.

I've wondered the same. The only thing I can think of is that the daytime pattern from the nighttime site might get too close to WGLM 1380 in Greenville. WLCM as is already creates quite a bit of interference with WGLM once you get to Ionia.

[Colonel Flagg]

I don't know how much of a factor 1380 Greenville would be. Seems to me 1400 Battle Creek, which signed on in 1925, would be more of an issue.

Ben Zonia would know better than I.

If you look at the street view of the Charlotte studios, the AM was in the original building...the long white addition is where then 92.7 WMMQ operated for many years, all thanks to the "Main Studio" rule. The standup air studio was behind a sliding glass door at the far end of the addition. MMQ also leased two rooms in the rear of the AM side...the PD's office was the old engineers office, next to 1390's transmitter. Down the hall beyond that, at the East end of the AM section, was the crappy MMQ production studio, complete with carpet on the walls for soundproofing, and an old rotary pot stereo board... maybe a McMartin? I can't remember.

[MWmetalhead]

The Holt site does a better protecting the 1400 Battle Creek allotment.

1400 WSAM in Saginaw may be the fly in the ointment with respect to 24/7 usage of Holt, but I'm not certain.

[Calvert DeForest]

Overall I think WLCM is the best possible option for Ave Maria in this market. It's a 24/7 operation with decent coverage over the metro. WWSJ has licensed nighttime power of 3 watts from a tower array 20 miles north of Lansing. I've also noticed significant technical issues with their AM signal that would likely involve significant expense to correct if ever addressed. WOAP is daytime-only and just too far away. This is a good deal for $250K with the $200K real estate purchase option. Knowing Mr. Yinger's active involvement with his properties I'm sure Ave Maria will inherit a decent technical plant.