FM DX alert for South-Central Michigan

[Lawppy]

Swick Broadcasting has signed on new translator 92.7 W224BY in Angola, IN. They are a 250 watt translator from a height of 279 feet, but they are also taking advantage of a tower site atop some of the highest terrain in the area (1150 ft. above sea level). As a result of being on what was the best open frequency around and being well above the average terrain (900-1000 ft. in and around Coldwater) this 'translator' station gets OUT!

A probe to the south carried it to the DeKalb/Allen Co. line on I-69, good for 30 miles. Not bad considering there is a 6kw class A licensed to Decatur, IN (Adams Co.) on 92.7, which was about 35 miles away from this same location. They also have a listenable signal in the car in my hometown of Coldwater, 18 miles away from the tranny site. I haven't been able to probe it in any other direction yet, but I think i'll take a trip north and east tomorrow and see how far it carries in that direction, as that is the most unrestricted direction for any other full-power stations on 92.7.

The station is simulcasting parent station WLKI 100.3 and their all-over-the-road format for now. Eventually, the station will provide ESPN to the area and is already plugging it on the air and on billboards. WLKI plans on launching HD radio 'very soon' and one can only assume ESPN (from sister station WMSH-AM) will be on one of 100.3's HD station. They also have another 250 watt translator lined up for 101.3. This will probably translate another HD station and will probably get out just as far as 92.7.

They may just look like more translator stations on paper, but they're only a little weaker than most class A's. I'm thinking 40-50 miles no problem with reception during dead-band conditions, but the signals may be somewhat of a surprise come Tr and Es season. I'm already curious to hear how far they get out.

[FreddyE1977]

Used to live in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and there is not much competition in that area from city grade signals.
I bet they cover a nice wide area.

[Lawppy]

I did my drive yesterday and there was definitely some enhancement going on from other areas, rendering W224BY pretty much useless not far beyond my city limits. I was able to barely sniff them out of the interference in parts of Calhoun Co. (north of me) up to 40 miles away. Still, not many translators get out 40 miles even during dead-band conditions.

I'll try it again some day when conditions are dead. I'm still positive that 40 miles should be common with this translator.

And yes, this is a great DX area. My dream DX set-up would be at a house on high terrain (some areas of Hillsdale Co are over 1100' above sea level) with an APS-13 antenna on a 40-50 foot tower at least. I'll settle with my house in the city with my FM-6 (hoping for an APS-9B under the Christmas tree) and my 32 foot tower.

[Lawppy]

I've had a chance to probe this translator in three different directions. It sounds like 40-45 miles is about all this one can do. I heard them down to Auburn, IN shortly after they signed on the air, but carried them to Battle Creek to the north and near Bristol, IN to the west this afternoon.

I thought 250 watts from a 275 foot tower located in some of the highest terrain in the region on a wide-open frequency would make this translator signal a beast, but it gets out just as far as my lower powered translator signals on shorter towers and lower terrain.