Posted by detectivetom on November 8, 2025, 2:20 pm
Picked up WWCA (1270 AM) out of Gary this afternoon on far Southwest Side. Don’t recall that previously. A question. Does the fall weather factor into longer coverage distance?
Re: WWCA
Posted by WYTZZ95FM on November 8, 2025, 4:36 pm, in reply to "WWCA"
It is possible especially in the fall/spring. But they use a weird figure 8 directional pattern day and slightly different at night for their coverage.
Z
Re: WWCA
Posted by PhilJSmith on November 8, 2025, 9:52 pm, in reply to "Re: WWCA"
1270 WWCA was once an ABC radio station, kind of like Full Service for Gary and Lake County, Indiana. That pattern makes it weak but listenable in the daytime in Beecher IL (right by the state line). I suspect the pattern protects WXYT Detroit, and maybe 1280 WBIG Aurora.
Re: WWCA
Posted by John from Wisconsin on November 9, 2025, 9:11 am, in reply to "Re: WWCA"
Too, and this is important - that the Sunrise/Sunset times change every month. Power up/down times, Daytime SRS/SSS times change monthly. IE: 750 WNDZ has a later s/on, s/off time in June, when the sun is up later, versus December, when the sun is down much earlier.
There are "clear channels" where international treaties (US, Canada, Caribbean) must be observed.
Late October the AMDX gets better. There are good days, bad days. Good days to the South, etc. To me, it's different every day.It's a fascinating hobby that in my case, has carried me though life.
(In Summer, where AM is lax, there's FM trop, or E-Skip, and so one might have a year round hobby!)
On 1270, you might easily hear WXYT Detroit, WMKT Charlevoix or WLIK Lebanon Tennessee, with ease! *This would be after 1270 Gary lowers its power at SunSet. (I believe it's 4:30PM CST.) and December will be later.
on November 8, 2025, 2:20 pm