Settle a debate about AM stations

[KJCB]

Which is worse (overall): WBIX or WNSH?

[raccoonradio]

Programming or signal? WBIX will change to WQOM/all Catholic on Nov 1. WNSH has
some syndie talk shows. NSH reaches along the coast all the way down to Cape Cod.
Was getting them half decently in Framingham (day). Even in Southern NH (day).
WBIX covers a lot of ground but how well...?

[DToTheJ]

Since the thread title refers to "AM stations," I will chip in with the obligatory WWZN reference.

[DanStrassberg]

Which is worse (overall): WBIX or WNSH?

If you are talking about signal or more accurately, signal for the power, WNSH has, hands down, one of the worst daytime signals for the power of any AM station in North America. Still, because of the location (near salt water), the signal has some bright spots--particularly Cape Cod, essentially all of which WNSH covers like a local. The path from Endicott College to all of Cape Cod is nearly 100% over salt water.

WBIX has a very good daytime (and critical hours) signal over most of the market. WBIX holds a CP to increase its daytime power from 40 kW (non CH)/22 kW CH to 50 kW all day. This would be accomplished by moving its day site from 100 Mt Wayte Ave in Framingham to Sewell St in Ashland, which is also the 2.5 kW, five-tower night site. The day pattern would be identical to the existing night pattern, just with 20 times the power. The result would be a loss of coverage in central Mass, southern NH, southern ME, and southern VT. There would be some improved coverage in southeastern MA, though. However, because of the long salt-water path from New York City, the signal in SE MA would be impaired by interference from first-adjacent WEPN. The FCC has a long-standing policy of allowing New York City stations to interfere with New England stations in the area east of Naragansett Bay.

It remains to be seen whether the new owners will build out this CP. Rumor has it that they have very tight budget constraints and building out this CP would almost surely cost more than $250,000, even though no tower construction would be required. Moreover, the loss of coverage in central New England might reduce, rather than increase, the station's value. That loss would be offset, however, by the need to lease only one transmitter site instead of two.

[ISDNbcn]

WBIX is awful north of Boston and at night.

[DanStrassberg]

WBIX is awful north of Boston and at night.

Night is a different story from days. The pattern sends essentially nothing over a roughly 240-degree arc centered at 270 degrees. Everything goes into a teardrop to the east. With 2500W at night, the signal to the east is the equivalent of about 28 kW ND from short towers. I've been told that a lightning strike recently damaged the ATU at one of the towers of the night array. Co-located WAMG was not affected. I don't know whether the damage has yet been fully repaired and WBIX may therefore be running less than its licensed 2500W at night and may be using a pattern that deviates from the one you can find on a couple of Web sites. If the 50 kW daytime CP is built, the equivalent signal to the east will be ~560 kW ND! But notwithstanding the 50 kW power throughout daytime hours, essentially nothing will go out in that 240-degree arc to the west by day or by night.

WBIX's present daytime signal is really fine to the north! Even during CH, when the station runs only a bit more than half of its midday power, WBIX is nearly local by day in much of the Merrimack Valley, southern NH, and southern ME. The tall towers, which, in effect, double the power, are a key reason for the great signal. If you have a problem with reception in those areas during daylight hours, the problem is most likely in your radio.