105.1 WNGA Helen, went Silent.

[TJB]

105.1 WNGA - Helen,Ga. went Silent.

[JohnAllan]

That is the 8th North Georgia station to do so since April.  The economy up there is the pits. 

[ks31]

Back on the air as of December 19th and have construction permit for a signal upgrade...

[ks31]

Seems like they went "silent" again on New Years day.....Anyone have any inside info on the signal upgrade?

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

I'm sure there is a much larger story waiting around the corner for us.

I went to the FCC records to wander around.  It's a bit more than an equipment upgrade.  The construction permit allows for moving the transmitter from north of Helen to just north of Dahlonega. 

With a slightly anemic signal from Helen,  I have always wondered:  What is the "natural" marketplace for this station?  What businesses are going to hear the sales story, and look and the coverage map and say:  "Oh, this is the NATURAL station for my advertising." 

What is the "natural" audience for this station?  What group of listeners is going to tune in and say:  "Oh, this is the NATURAL station for my listening.  I know a station located THERE is going to have the local info, the road info, the weather, the merchant advertising, the news that I want to hear!"

Actually, the move isn't all that far but I suspect the perception of both advertising buyers and listeners can be quite different in the new location. 

The other change is a move from Class A to Class C3 which allows for added transmitter/antenna EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER.

So, now the puzzle becomes:  Will the Art Sutton Group actually program and operate this station in it's new form,  or will there be some kind of LMA third-party relationship that carries on the operation.  I'm betting  (or is that hoping?) on a hands-on Art Sutton operation.

This is going to make an interesting party.  Lets see:  There's WCON in Cornelia and WDUN in Gainesville and WZTR that hasn't quite decided if they are Dahlonega or Dawsonville....  joined now by WNGA... now from 'where ever'.

And for the curious... there is another wrinkle:  At the same time the folks at WLJA in Ellijay  (or is that Jasper?) are moving from Class A to Class C3 and moving from 101.1 to  (drum roll please)  105.1 which amazed me that the same frequency can be used that close together  (Ellijay/Dahlonega).  I guess that little geographical thing called "The Blue Ridge" makes an interesting RF fence.

[JohnAllan]

And for the curious... there is another wrinkle:  At the same time the folks at WLJA in Ellijay  (or is that Jasper?) are moving from Class A to Class C3 and moving from 101.1 to  (drum roll please)  105.1 which amazed me that the same frequency can be used that close together  (Ellijay/Dahlonega).  I guess that little geographical thing called "The Blue Ridge" makes an interesting RF fence.

CORRECTION:  WLJA is not moving frequency.  It is staying at 101.1.  At 105.1 is WPGY.  It is a rebroadcast of 1380 WPGY and WLJA HD 1. 

[Mr_Winston-Salem]

WNGA has already upgraded. It was on and off in December. It was off last time I checked. When its on, it sounds significantly stronger in Gwinnett. It sounds like a local signal now in downtown Sugar Hill. I think WLJA also upgraded. I can receive them well enough almost to preset it on my home radio around Suwanee.

I think we should also add the 93.5 translator in Suwanee to the mix.

[ks31]

As of today they are still off the air..... Anyone know what's going on with WNGA?