Merlin to LMA WLFM-LP (87.7), possibly flip to alternative

[cyberdad]

What kind of signal does 87.7 have in Chicagoland?

Fair.  Not quite as good as the big sticks....but certainly adequate in most areas of the metro.  Especially the city and close-in suburbs.

[pjc1961]

Radio Online is reporting that the Broadcast Architecture Smooth Jazz Network format that had been airing on WLFM-LP-87.7 is now airing on WLUP-HD3-97.9 as of Thursday 5/3/12.

Alternative Q87.7 is expected to debut on Monday 5/7/12.

http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n24650

[polenta3]

So what do they say when the LPFM outbills their 101.1 stick? lol

as smooth 87.7 was higher in the ratings.

[polenta3]

What kind of signal does 87.7 have in Chicagoland?

pretty good downtown. When they first came on the air 3 years ago it was pretty good down south--but after some antenna adjustments about 1.5 years ago, after passing I-80 it crackles a bit.

[polenta3]

Radio Online is reporting that the Broadcast Architecture Smooth Jazz Network format that had been airing on WLFM-LP-87.7 is now airing on WLUP-HD3-97.9 as of Thursday 5/3/12.

Alternative Q87.7 is expected to debut on Monday 5/7/12.

http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n24650

confirmed. I'm probably one of the few in Chicago with an HD radio both at home and in the car. It sounds just like 87.7 did when they came on the air. no liners, no commercials (except network breaks) and of course no talent.  While it sounds like they do care, i doubt they are going to hire any of the former talent since there really isn't any revenue on HD.

[scanman1]

Alternative Q87.7 is expected to debut on Monday 5/7/12.

http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n24650

Looking forward to checking it out!

[FightingIrish]

If the stream naming convention continues as it has, Q87.7's stream can be found at either of these URL's:

http://den-a.plr.liquidcompass.net/player/flash/audio_player.php?id=WKQXLP&uid=576
http://den-a.plr.liquidcompass.net/player/flash/audio_player.php?id=WKQXFM&uid=576

Both currently redirect to WLUP's stream.

Allegedly, a web address, http://www.q877chicago.com was registered a few weeks ago. Nothing on it as of yet, just a generic GoDaddy page.

[stormy01]

Right now the calls are still WLFM-LP.  However, last Tuesday WLFM, LLC did file a request for the WKQX-LP calls.  It doesn't specify what station they plan to use them on but one sure can't imagine them using them anywhere else!

I might guess it'll stay WLFM until they have the permanent format ready to go.  But that's only a wild guess.

>They might be ID'ing as WKQX-LP but their RDS/RBDS says "WIQI"  LOL.  [WIQI supposed to be on 101.1  ...oops!] Title/Artist is nice to have, though they are saying at the end of a tune what just played. On 101.1 it doesn't say "WIQI" just Constant Traffic Reports are scrolling.

Quote from: Saladressing on April 30, 2012, 01:05:20 AM
What kind of signal does 87.7 have in Chicagoland?

"Fair.  Not quite as good as the big sticks....but certainly adequate in most areas of the metro.  Especially the city and close-in suburbs."

>I thought the signal seemed a bit weaker after Alt-Rock Q87.7 signed on. I can't imagine why their engineers might fiddle with the transmitter power output. At least in the far NW suburbs near Crystal Lake, McHenry and nearby towns the signal seems a bit noisier (less signal strength) than it had been when it was WLFM-LP Smooth/Jazz.

[Nick]

I guess Merlin just wanted to cash in on the popularity of Q101 for a few years before they have to turn it off. A station on 87.7 can get quite a few listeners despite its dial position.

The 87.7 in NYC, as Pulse 87, was billing over a million a year. And the 87.7 in Boston that was a pirate station was probably billing 6 figures a year, considering it had a lot of employees and assuming most got paid at least minimum wage.

I wish Merlin would buy the 87.7 in NYC and bring back Pulse 87.

[scanman1]

It's cool that all my radios (including my old receivers and boomboxes) can dial up the 87.7 FM position! I can enjoy listening to the Alt. format OTA again!