Bob Hall Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 So, I've been using 102.9 for a couple of years now and there wasn't any issues. Monday night, I tuned it in and there was staticy music playing on it. So, I go down to 102.7 to see if it's bleeding over and nope, different music. I go up to 103.1 and that has music bleeding over from 103.3. According to this:http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/vacant?select=city&city=17325My channel should be empty and one of the best ones to use. It's not. Tonight, there was staticy music on it again.According to this page:http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=17325&x=0&y=0&sid=There are no radio stations on that frequency but close. Like I stated before, the music playing on my channel is different that the music playing on the frequencies closest to mine. I just tested my transmitter minutes ago and using the same power as last year, I can't fully punch through the transmission. I could up my power but then I'll be broadcasting on to the state road that is behind our development. What's so bad about that you ask? The FCC has an office on that same road a few miles west of me.I suppose I can find another channel, but I just ordered a new (and expensive) custom sign for the Christmas season. Just my rotten luck..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwertz Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 That’s a bummer Bob. I know you’ve been concerned about your transmitter situation. After we got our sign I was wishing I would have left the frequency blank and used stickers for it.If I ever have to change the frequency I plan to try oven cleaner. I had a friend who owned a race car. He used oven cleaner to remove sponsors from his car when they stopped sponsoring him. (If you do it, try an obscure spot first.)http://www.learn2paintsigns.com/How_to_remove_Painted_Lettering.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hall Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 That’s a bummer Bob. I know you’ve been concerned about your transmitter situation. After we got our sign I was wishing I would have left the frequency blank and used stickers for it.If I ever have to change the frequency I plan to try oven cleaner. I had a friend who owned a race car. He used oven cleaner to remove sponsors from his car when they stopped sponsoring him. (If you do it, try an obscure spot first.)http://www.learn2pai..._Lettering.htmlSo far there is a bright side...Called the sign guy today. Since it was a Christmas sign, he figured he had time yet to work on it and hasn't started it yet. So, I told him to cancel it and I'll give him a different order in the next week or two. He thinks I should be going with coroplast and vinyl lettering/numbering. That should be easy enough to edit if the need arises again.Will know in a few days if I need to change frequencies. Interestingly, can't pick up the 'pirate' 102.9 in the house, but can still get it in the cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hall Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 I rescind my previous comments.Have at it.Screw the rules, whether you understand them or not.Gary,I appreciate and understand your comments. I don't wan't to up my power or modify my antenna as I understand modification or a modified antenna is against the law. Rwertz above remembers the trouble I have with broadcasting from last year and my concerns as I was probably even then breaking the rules but had my transmitter set to the lowest power that would broadcast Easterly (antenna side) to the road in front of the house clearly. Unfortunately, the signal seemed to concentrate and broadcast to an area 5 times further away (Northwesterly) and only in that one certain spot at that distance. Not anywhere else at that distance. Several think my aluminum siding is the culprit.I appreciate your comments and I didn't intend for this thread to turn into "Crank up the power" or "Get a different Antenna" thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Hvasta Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 The Radio Locator utilityis absolutley not the final and binding answer to determine whether a freq is available or not. The ONLY thing that will gaurentee you a clear freq (for that one moment) is listening, for long periods, over months, to the one you want to use..I dont know why people keep posting that site, as it's worthless most of the time. As to what that 103.3 station is, Bob, is it a regular broadcast station? Where is it located? Is it someone else running a transmitter? Can you DF (direction find) it? If it isnt a commercial (licensed) station, and you can find who it is, you'd be the hero of their day if you find they're running high power or modified (for a Part 15 radio) and kept them from getting a visit by the guys in dark suits and sunglasses, with no sense of humor, driving dark, non-descript vans with govt' plates. If it's a commercial station, then you've got no choice but to move.Good luck finding a new freq.. Listen to the band.. a lot.. Car radios are better detectors of clear freqs than home steroes too.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-klb- Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 I've got a 50W repeater of a religious station stomping on my preferred frequency.. Worse yet, their main station is further away from me, and sounds just as good. So I don't really understand what the repeater is for, unless they are just trying to double the odds of being found. Apparently it was previously on a different frequency until someone successfully complained... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hall Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 The Radio Locator utilityis absolutley not the final and binding answer to determine whether a freq is available or not. The ONLY thing that will gaurentee you a clear freq (for that one moment) is listening, for long periods, over months, to the one you want to use..I dont know why people keep posting that site, as it's worthless most of the time.I'll say that different car radios give different responses as well. The radio in the 03 Monte seems to be more 'sensitive' than the radio in my 11 Sierra. As for that site, not sure about others, but to me it was helpful in determining what station to use 2 years ago and I didn't have any interference than or last year. I simply didn't know of another similar site.As to what that 103.3 station is, Bob, is it a regular broadcast station? Where is it located?103.3 is Warm 103 located in York, Pa. Probably 25 miles as the crow flies, It's a very popular radio station heard in offices. It is a regular commercial station. 103.3 bleeds over to 103.1 and that music is different from what I hear on "my" 102.9.Is it someone else running a transmitter? Can you DF (direction find) it? If it isnt a commercial (licensed) station, and you can find who it is, you'd be the hero of their day if you find they're running high power or modified (for a Part 15 radio) and kept them from getting a visit by the guys in dark suits and sunglasses, with no sense of humor, driving dark, non-descript vans with govt' plates.I'm not sure if it's someone else running a transmitter or not. As for DF it, I don't have the equipment or know how in order to do it. Would love to know if it's a commercial station from somewhere or an amateur.If it's a commercial station, then you've got no choice but to move.Good luck finding a new freq.. Listen to the band.. a lot.. Car radios are better detectors of clear freqs than home steroes too.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Gillespie Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Bob would it be to hard to try another station? once you find one you more than likely won't have the bleed over problem, I know its a pain in the A$$ but in long run it might be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flogger7 Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Even worse here in greater Atlanta. 94.5 was a nice open frequency in the middle of the spectrum for much of the area. So nice, that a new hip-hop station is now broadcasting on it. I guess making a new "tune to" sign just got added to my list... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hall Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Bob would it be to hard to try another station? once you find one you more than likely won't have the bleed over problem, I know its a pain in the A$$ but in long run it might be worth it.I'm doing some investigation on that tonight since I don't have to work tonight due to the federal holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hall Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 I found the culprit!https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=39.41806,+-77.50083+%28WAFY-FM%29&om=1I have no idea why this station is reaching me now when it never did before. My truck radio is even showing "Key 103" at 103.1 now where last week it didn't. Anyway, have to find a new station now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Gillespie Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Glad you got it solved Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hall Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Glad you got it solved BobI just hope I can get more than 2 years out of my new radio station Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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