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 and won a license at 91.5 to replace 94.7 in the Concord area.  That signal should be on the air within two years.

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.

Our coverage at 45 watts @ 94.7fm:
 

Our predicted coverage of 100 watts @ 91.5fm :

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!