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WCNH-LP is a Low-Power FM station, licensed by the FCC. The
"LP" in our name stands for "low-power." It's a new
class of mini-radio station, created by the FCC, to give local community groups
like ours a chance to serve the community. Unfortunately, there are places even within Concord where we don't come in
very well. Highland Community Broadcasting has applied for 5 new FM
channels including 91.5 to replace 94.7 in the Concord area, but we are trying
to negotiate with a competing applicant in another part of the state that is
blocking us from being granted.
The radio dial in New England is very crowded. Stations in Boston,
Portland, and Vermont all affect what stations can fit in New Hampshire.
There is no room for a full-powered radio FM station in the Concord area.
In fact, WCNH was lucky to find a sliver of space where we could squeeze in with
our low-power signal. Our biggest problem is that we are next to the most powerful FM station in
America! 94.9 WHOM, transmitting from the peak of Mount Washington, has
TWICE the coverage area of a normal class C FM station. We are also up against a
Boston FM station at 94.5. You can see why our station, with it's quiet
musical passages, gets drowned out by two, very loud, highly processed signals.
Another factor is terrain. FM signals bounce off hills and buildings,
and sometimes get blocked completely. Where they intersect out of phase, they cancel out. This
is known as "multipath" and all FM stations experience it. It's
that "ffft, ffft" sound as you drive down Main Street. Stations with
higher power mask the effect. With our low power, crowded dial position,
and at times quiet musical selections, it's more noticeable. Our increased
power and new antenna has made lessened this somewhat.
If you are curious, here is a comparison of our "before" and
"after" signals. These color-coded maps show where our
signal reaches. The "hotter" colors like red and yellow are
strong signal. The "cooler" colors like blue and gray show weak
signal.
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So what can you do to hear Classical 94.7 better? The best thing is
invest in a better radio. Most inexpensive receivers have trouble picking
out signals that are close together. Also a movable antenna helps.
If it can be pointed, our antenna is few kilometers west of the
Capitol.
Highland Community Broadcasting is always investigating ways to improve our
signal. Your understanding is greatly appreciated! |
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