Posted by al germond on October 09, 2009 at 22:46:15:
In Reply to: Re: WQXR 105.9 signal quality posted by Barry Weiss on October 09, 2009 at 12:09:58:
Interesting role reversal between FM stations WNYC and WQXR.
During the 42-50 mc era, the FCC licensed stations on the basis of coverage computed in square miles. WQXR's FM adjunct W59NY/45.9 mc was licensed to cover 8500 square miles while WNYC's W39NY/43.9 mc was licensed for only about half as much territory ostensibly because it was NYC's municipal station and that the lesser area amply covered the five boroughs.
W39NY began testing around March 25, 1943 inspiring the following note in the Sunday March 28, 1943 issue of the Herald Tribune.
"New York's municipal radio station WNYC has started trial operation of W39NY, its frequency modulation unit, and requests listeners to send reports on the quality of reception to the station in the Municipal Building to facilitate final adjustments in the broadcasting equipment. Until further notice, the FM station will broadcast the regular programs of WNYC from 2 to 5 and from 7 to 8.15 daily."