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102.3 / 1280 AM Observations

Posted by ilgrant <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ilgrant' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 15, 2025, 9:18 am

Scanning the FM band 102.3 has a dead carrier for at least 2 weeks. The 1280 AM (WBIG) signal that it was linked to appears off the air. I'm just surprised that it hasn't been addressed.

Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 15, 2025, 10:23 am, in reply to "102.3 / 1280 AM Observations"

I heard it a week ago Friday on 102.3..... it happens all the time. Gets old discussing it. There is nothing on the website that addresses it. I will be honest, Matt is doing nothing that other outlets are doing or would do.

Matt presses on his promos that online is the future, he is right. No inside info, but smart business move would be to do something combined with the 105.5/102.3 signals since they are area similar, lose 1280 and 1530, sell the FM combo and move his operations online, if it benefits him.

Scanning the FM band downtown, South side, West burbs, NW burbs, N burbs by cook/lake border, majority of it is Religious and piped in not even local, outside of the major broadcasters. The Lake/Cook area is super served by Polenet. Otherwise, the FM band is dead, When you have EMF and Moody pushing multiple HD streams even on 103.9 a Class A, it speaks for itself since the major signals are turning them off. I have not even heard any pirate stations, as they have all moved online.

Z

Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations

Posted by CADXer <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=CADXer' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 16, 2025, 3:17 pm, in reply to "Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations"

WBIG 1280 lost their transmitter site and has requested an STA from the FCC to operate with 250 Watts during the day and 125 Watts during the night from a different site:
https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/amDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff394e07de40194fa9c878910a0&id=25076ff394e07de40194fa9c878910a0&goBack=N

Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 21, 2025, 4:18 am, in reply to "Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations"

I heard it too, at times this week. Yes, online is the future. The future is now. The future has been now for the last few years. It's beyond time to sell something. These two must be sister stations (1280, 1530). I never knew that would happen.

Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 21, 2025, 8:16 pm, in reply to "Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations"

AM Radio Fan, it is a shame as you I like radio, programming, variety. I like DX, AM & FM. The creative programming is all but gone. There is no more soul, no more passion. AM DX is impossible with the increase of floor noise due to LED's, computers, HD signals, etc.... Mobile FM DX using your car antenna is a joke too, with in windshield antennas taking over.

Days gone by......

Z

Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 23, 2025, 1:07 am, in reply to "Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations"

It really is the end of over-the-air radio. I saw this coming over 20 years ago. COVID and the year 2024 finished everything off.

Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations

Posted by ilgrant <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ilgrant' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2025, 12:10 pm, in reply to "Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations"

As far as I can tell running a radio station with this guys seems to be a 'side hustle'.

I'm happy to listen to The Drive's HD2 signal although that can get tiring until they refresh the playlist.

Can't argue with the viewpoints of radio in general that others have mentioned. Pretty sad.

Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations

Posted by JJSPC1372 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=JJSPC1372' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 4:56 pm, in reply to "Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations"

Is their 90 watt translator so important that they are going through all the time and expense of trying to keep 1280 on? Just like 1300, I don't get the point of keeping these licenses alive anymore. Even WNDZ which is most likely for sale...how long are you going to play music and generate no revenue just to try to find a buyer for a daytime only signal.

Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2025, 5:33 pm, in reply to "Re: 102.3 / 1280 AM Observations"

JJSPC1372, either LaSalle or Peru, one company shut off their AM to drive their FM Translators, decided to pay HD royalties and originating their programming on the HD2 of one of their FM's. The cost of running an AM, upkeep, engineer, electricity etc... is too much. Better paying the fee.

For these stations in or close to major cities, rent of an HD2, HD3 etc might be pricey. But it might be less or break even than maintaining an AM daytime too, minus the headaches!

Z

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