Re: [IRCA] Thoughts on 500Kw watt radio stations

[Bruce Portzer <bportzer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The FCC had a notice of inquiry on this topic many years ago (the late 
70s or early 80s as I recall).  In the end, they decided against it.  
One of the points I remember them making in their decision was that the 
prime candidates for 500kw operation were already ratings leaders, so 
the power boost would give them an even bigger (and less fair) advantage 
over the competition.  FM has grabbed a bigger audience share since 
then, as we all know, but it's still a valid point.  Since then, the 
clear channels have gotten a lot more crowded, so power boosts to 500kw 
would require some interesting engineering exercises to deal with the 
potential interference to other co or adjacent channel stations.

An interesting idea nonetheless.  Would "normal" people (i.e. non-DXers) 
bother listening to super powered skywave signals at night anymore, now 
that we have the internet?

Bruce

k4ape@xxxxxxxx wrote:
> Why is radio against me?
>
> The other day Saul and I had a discussion about the fact that there is 
> nothing to listen to on AM radio. AM BCB radio is pretty B-O-R-I-N-G! 
> A person can hear just so much of Rush,
> and other liberal talkers, just so much country, soul and noise.
>
> However, with football season upon us, and I now have a chance to hear 
> all my favorite teams that are not shown on television here in the 
> Chattanooga market. I have been waiting all week to hear the 
> University of Texas game against UTEP in El Paso, TX. You would think 
> that the station to listen to would be WOAI-1200 as they carry all the 
> games for UT and all the games for the Dallas Cowboys.
>
> NOT SO! Wouldn't you know, on 1200, of all the times to _CHEAT_ WJES 
> would have to be on from out of South Carolina, with some type of 
> crappy music. A 10Kw daytimer has to pick tonight to cheat! Haven't 
> heard from them in over 4 months, but tonight of all nights they have 
> to cheat!
>
> So, I tune around and find that ESPN is playing the Texas game on 
> WMVP-1000 from Chicago. GREAT! I say to myself. But that is short 
> lived as XEEP from Mexico is fading in and out on top of them and 
> there is a strong het on 999. All of this would normally be fine, BUT 
> WHY NOW?
>
> What this shows to me is, there needs to be a few, not many, 500,000 
> watt stations located around the country -- as there was in the mid 
> 30's. The stronger power would make it possible to over come foreign 
> QRM, propagation conditions and semi-local cheaters.
> Wouldn't need but maybe 6 stations all total.
>
> Stations I think that would make good 500Kw broadcasters. Based on 
> program format and location.
> WOAI-1200 San Antonio, TX.
> WLW-700  Cincinnati, OH
> WMVP-1000 Chicago, IL
> WBAP-820 Ft. Worth, TX
> KYW-1060 Philadelphia, PA or
> WPHT-1210 Philadelphia
> WBZ-1030 Boston, MA
> WSB-750 Atlanta, GA
> KFI-640 Los Angeles, CA
> KNBR-680 San Francisco, CA
> KSL-1160 Salt Lake City, UT
> WLAC-1510 Nashville, TN
> WAQM-560 Miami, FL
>
> This is just a list, other stations might do a better job with 
> programming, etc., than what I have listed here.
>
> PLEASE, do not write me with dumb comments like, "Why don't you get 
> satellite radio?" or "Buy cable television" or "Get Direct TV" I do 
> not have money for such luxuries nor are they available to people who 
> live this area.
>
> Thank you for your time,
> Willis
> Old Fort, TN
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