Correction
March 5, 2022I must go back a couple of days to where I told you about the new construction permits in the area. I had mentioned that Broadcast Educational Communications (my part-time employer) had been approved for an LPFM license for Connellsville. Had I read the permit properly, I would have seen it was for a full-service FM station, and not that of a translator. Thanks to BECI President, Bob Stevens for bringing that error to my attention.
I suppose what threw me off was the fact that the CP is for a station on 88.7 of only 80 watts. But Bob reminded me that it will be high enough on the tower which, itself is pretty high on a hill and is where WKHB-FM 103.9 broadcasts from.
In January BECI was approved for a similar non-commercial station at 90.1 to serve Scottdale. That station will be 24 watts from a tower owned by Armstrong Communications.
Seems these little “pea shooter” stations are popping up all over the landscape too. For instance, I had mentioned another signal for the home of maple festival soon to be had – Meyersdale, PA.
As these smaller outlets crop up, one would hope that the primary purpose is to serve these smaller communities, giving them a larger spot on the map.
I didn’t catch any mention of it here but back in late January WMBA in Ambridge launched an FM signal on 95.7. At the same time they took the AM down to a lighbulb powered 110 watts nondirectional.
I have some reason to think that it was sort of a “ho-hum” launch that I figured it wasn’t worth the effort. But now that I see the power down on the AM, it brings to mind that a number of station owners are doing that with the AM signal now that it’s on FM. The AM is online for “legal purposes” to allow the translator to carry the programming. If the AM is serving the city of license with a lower power then, why not reduce your energy bill?!