From: "Terry Palmersheim" <krhimer@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <hard-core-dx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [HCDX] WCCO Reception
Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2002 07:15:06 -0000
I was recently back in Minneapolis in June while visiting my parents.
WCCO's single tower is located just off of hwy US 10 in Coon Rapids; NW of
Mpls. It is completley surrounded by residential homes on three sides.
I remember back in the late 80's reading an article in the Mpls.
Star-Tribune that if the tower ever fell (sic), they would not be allowed
to rebuild on the same site. Therefore, WCCO was trying to get historical
status of some sort. I do not know if this ever evolved to fruition on
their part.
When I moved to Seattle in 1989, WCCO was heard occasionally; fighting it
out with KIKI in Honolulu. Then, KNCO in Grass Valley, CA and CKKY in
Wainwright, AB showed up on frequency; thereby pretty much eliminating
WCCO.
Here in Helena, MT, WCCO only rarely makes an appearance; CKKY dominating
most of the time. KSTP-1500 is heard daily here with quite listenable
signals.
When I was camping in NW MN in June during severe thunderstorms, I would
always tune in to WCCO @ 18 minutes past the hour when they give their
weather reports. Even though I was in Clearwater, MN, about 40 miles NW of
WCCO, their signal was atrocious! Day or night!
WCCO NEEDS a new transmitter site and tower; I think I will inquire. C-C-O,
8-3-Oh needs help; it's an institution.
By the way, I have an extra WCCO-830 coffee mug; black w/ gold letters.
Free to the first person that shows me the earliest QSL card from them. If
you're overseas, you pay shipping! I have one from 1980, so I probably
won't count.
Terry Palmersheim, KC7LDP
Helena, MT