radioboy

Since officially signing WDXD-LP 101.9 on the air full time last summer (7/27/2015) life certainly got much busier!

The LPFM signal, with 33 watts ERP with an antenna at 169 feet, covers a large part, but not all, of the Tallahassee market. The signal reaches three counties in Florida: Leon, Jefferson, and Wakulla. Best coverage is within 6 to 8 miles of the transmitter site, but interestingly enough, when the weather is overcast, it has been heard as far as Panacea, Fla., just over 30 miles to the south.

WDXD continues with our country variety format and overall is doing well. The FM has recouped a little over half of the $29,600 construction costs. 

On June 1 I fired up the Talking House on 1610 AM and am simulcasting our FM broadcast via the Part 15 transmitter. Kind of like a translator in reverse.

Our stream was shuttered Jan. 31 of this year when Live365 abruptly closed down permanently. I do hope to relaunch the stream at some point when it is financially viable to do so. The stream had stayed afloat with a single underwriter for a number of years but they have opted to support the FM in lieu of the stream. 

WDXD has live programming six days a week:

Monday:

7 am – 2 pm Alan

Tuesday – Friday

7 am – 9 am Paul Glimmer

9 am – 2 pm Alan

4 pm  (Friday only)   Joe Laracuente (sports, NASCAR, wrestling)

Sunday:

7:30 am Music of New Life (classic Christian/Southern Gospel) with Alan

7:45 am Pastor Henry Miller, “Victory Thru Truth”

8:00 am Music of New Life (continues) with Alan

3 pm      Frank and Bobbie Agee, “This Is Your Life” – Overcomers Ministries

At the times not listed, we have our country format running via computer. My 11 year old grandson, Daniel, is a very part time board operator and sub. We use Zara for automation in evenings and overnights.

Our website is still located at http://www.bigdcountry.com

Radio..the music plays on.

Legal signal up. A thousand things to do, but license to cover can be filed for this month.

Co-channel interference from WBGE Bainbridge GA is pretty bad. Not quite at full power here as engineers continue to work on tech stuff. But..on the air at last!

I have a quote for $21k to have the 180 foot tower built. Ouch!!

I decided that it was time to bring my 1610 back to life. I am considering a simulcast of WDXD-LP with the Part 15 AM. With the studios almost rebuilt, I expect to have 1610 returned to the air by December. WDXD will take a bit longer than that to complete.

“It seems so close – but yet so far” would be an accurate description of the emotions I feel as we inch closer to the on-air signing on of WDXD-LP 101.9 here in Tallahassee.

Finding sponsors and donors has been challenging. As of now I have roughly $8,000 invested in the station. A brand new double bay antenna has just arrived. The tower site field has been recently mowed and mstly cleared. I am awaiting the quote from the tower man, who will be constructing our 180 foot tower.

There have been 34 sponsors and contributors. Some have been in the form of equipment, office items and the like.

Outside of the tower costs (which hopefully we will be fully funded for shortly) I am the transmitter and EAS gear (about $5200) short of the launch. I am now doing radio marathon days in hopes of being on the air by December.

Things have definitely gotten busy at the ol’ Radio Ranch.

This past week, we brought over the 180 foot Rohn 45G tower in sections. This weekend we get to unload them off the flatbed trailer.

Then..on to figure out the permitting process. I have found a tower guy in South Georgia that has a good reputation that can construct the tower.

As of today I still have to purchase the transmitter, antenna, and EAS. Pretty much everything else is funded, pledged, or has been donated. It seems like it is moving slow, but we have come a long way since February.

I decided a wise thing to do would be to let all the area engineers know who I am, and which station is mine, in case there is ever any issue. They have been very supportive and some have pledged some gear. Most already knew me, but now they all do (unless I missed someone accidentally.)

I am shooting for a sign on in mid to late August.