For most of us, there are probably more clear frequencies available in the daytime than at night. But in any event, it’s hard to find a usable frequency for both daytime and nighttime operation. What do you do?
In my area, there are several clear frequencies at the high end of the dial in the daytime, but they’re a mess at night. Conversely, there are several clear frequencies at the low end at night after local stations sign off or change patterns.
Would you: Operate daytime only, nighttime only, or change frequencies on a schedule? Does anyone do this, and how does it work for you?
Considering using separate frequencies for daytime and nighttime, it is clear that a number of issues have to be dealt with. First, you’ve got to re-tune the transmitter, and then also the antenna. Perhaps this is best resolved by using two transmitters and two antennas with a timer to switch the audio feed between the two, with appropriate announcement.
Please share your thoughts!
Double Your Pleasure
by MRAM 1500 kHz
I’m the type that would probably run two transmitters all the time. But, I suppose it would depend on wether or not I had day/night listeners.
I already run AM, FM and WebCast also.
Day/night
With my single transmitter, I notice that my nighttime range drops to about 1/2 mile. My daytime range is double this.
The frequency I use is 1680KHz. The closest licensed stations on that frequency are in California and Louisiana. So far, the worst nighttime interference from these two stations has been from the Louisiana station. Usually, it is just very weak background noise/chatter. Occasionally, I can hear it very clearly.
When I first thought about setting up my station, I decided that I probably wouldn’t have any listeners late at night. I thought about just operating as a daytimer, but decided to go 24hrs. From 6am to midnight, I broadcast OTR. After midnight, I broadcast period music. This way, I have something of interest being broadcast at all times, but mostly targeted at the daytime hours (more or less).
If you have enough of a dedicated audience in your coverage area, you might get away with switching frequencies. SW listeners are used to doing this, but it is something foreign to AM BCB listeners.
With a full-power transmitter, you could easily switch transmitter frequencies, retune the antenna, etc. With the restrictions of Part 15 making it necessary to place the transmitter at the antenna, accomplishing this is going to be a challenge, while staying within the rules. If you go the dual frequency route, the simplest method would be dual transmitters and antennas (but certainly not inexpensive).
Day/night operation
I run the station 24 hours a day here, even though it seems most of Snoqualmie goes to bed by about 10:00 pm. I’m on 1650 out here and the frequency is quiet at night. There are two other stations on the frequency here, a TIS in Kent and a TIS in Tacoma.
When I operated on 1700 in Kent, I ran the station 24 hours a day there, too. The 1700 frequency was quiet at night when I first signed on. But a Tijuana station moved onto the frequency and it covered the West Coast like a local. Suffice it to say, it cut my coverage down to 1/4 mile if I was lucky. I left the station on the air even at night, figuring I might have some audience even if they were just a few doors away! Also, because of our short winter days, I’d be signing on at 8:00 am and signing off at 4:15 pm. Not much of a broadcast day! I was exploring other frequencies, but we moved before I got very far into my research. The 1650 frequency was open here, so I took advantage of it!
Frank
http://www.easthillradio.com
Daytime/Nighttime Operation
WEAK-AM,
I ran a Part 15 on 1160 AM..sounded great in the daytime, and went
out 3-4 miles..but at night, the signal got really pounded.
I ultimately decided to just run from sunrise to sunset..so signing on and off by the regular licensed AM sxhedule was kind of a pain. On
a few occasions of special programs, I ran until around 10 PM or so.
Believe it or not, Clear Channel once bought some airtime on that thing! And got response.
I’m saving up for a new tx now. Funds are tight as my wife is having surgery in June..so it might take me a while..but I sure am
aching to get back on the air!
Alan
WJJD Country Giant:
http://www.live365.com/stations/alanmccall
NEW STATION: Musicbox 1610 (building in 2007)
http://www.musicbox1610.com
My Space:
http://www.myspace.com/radioboyalan