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Thursday, June 9, 2016

FCC Providing AM Daytime Contour Maps

Not sure it's been mentioned on the forums before, but the FCC's AM broadcast query now includes links showing a daytime groundwave contour map for each station in the database. These, super-imposed over either a Bing-based map or USGS map or Google Earth. Links for pure KML coordinates are also provided for those wanting to map their own.

Only daytime groundwave contours are provided, out to the 2.0 mV/m and 0.5 mV/m contours.

Go to the AM Query page:

https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/am-query

Type in a call sign, like KFI (640 KHz, Los Angeles), hit enter, and on the next page shown, click on the station call sign of interest.

The facility record of KFI:

https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=34425

Look for the following links at the bottom of the daytime record:

Maps:
      Daytime Groundwave 0.5 mV/m Service (and 2.0 mV/m) contours on Bing map
      Daytime Groundwave 0.5 mV/m Service (and 2.0 mV/m) contours on Open Street or USGS Maps
      KML / Google Earth (0.5 mV/m Daytime Groundwave Service and 2.0 mV/m contours)
      Text file for KML-capable browsers

Click on one of the map links and a contour map will be shown.

This is a nice innovation by the FCC. Hopefully, skywave plots will be implemented next.

FCC's contour map for KFI-640

Monday, April 25, 2016

What's On The Mediumwaves (Daytime)

Here are some interesting statistics compiled today using the FCC database 04-25-2016. All data are for US licensed stations in the DAYTIME and UNLIMITED services. Stations outside the continental US (Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, etc.) are also included.

DAYTIME AND UNLIMITED STATION DETAILS REPORT

Separate facilities: 4,672 (includes SILENT facilities)

Notes:

(U) = UNLIMITED
(D) = DAYTIME

=====================================

(CL) Current, License records: 4,672

UNLIMITED: 781
DAYTIME: 3,891

IBOC UNLIMITED: 53 registered
IBOC DAYTIME: 187 registered

Class A: 73
Class B: 1,747
Class C: 997
Class D: 1,855

W-Call Signs: 2,784
K-Call Signs: 1,888

Services above band center (1115 KHz): 3,128
Services below band center (1115 KHz): 1,544

East of St. Louis, MO: 2,711
West of St. Louis, MO: 1,961

Quadrant 1 (NE) from St. Louis, MO: 1,169
Quadrant 2 (SE) from St. Louis, MO: 1,542
Quadrant 3 (SW) from St. Louis, MO: 1,007
Quadrant 4 (NW) from St. Louis, MO: 954

Combined power (watts): 27,924,750

Total towers: 7,054

Tallest tower: 951 feet (290 meters) (D)WKY-930.000 (0.899 wavelength)
Shortest tower: 50 feet (15 meters) (D)KJNT-1490.000 (0.076 wavelength)

Towers taller than 225° (0.625 wavelength or 5/8 wave): 42 (D)WGKA-920.000 (D)WKY-930.000 (U)KDKA-1020.000 (D)WHO-1040.000 (D)KMTA-1050.000 (D)WZOT-1220.000 (D)KWIX-1230.000 (U)WBVP-1230.000 (D)WJOI-1230.000 (D)KTAM-1240.000 (D)WGVM-1260.000 (D)WIJD-1270.000 (D)WKLJ-1290.000 (D)KTCK-1310.000 (D)WAGF-1320.000 (U)KDTD-1340.000 (U)KSEK-1340.000 (D)KRMD-1340.000 (U)WXKX-1340.000 (D)WLOU-1350.000 (D)KMJM-1360.000 (D)WSTC-1400.000 (U)KMNV-1400.000 (D)KKLO-1410.000 (D)WAOC-1420.000 (D)WPRS-1440.000 (D)KKXL-1440.000 (D)WMBD-1470.000 (U)WSIP-1490.000 (U)WOMI-1490.000 (U)WKLQ-1490.000 (D)KSTP-1500.000 (D)WLGN-1510.000 (D)KOLM-1520.000 (D)KFBK-1530.000 (D)WJZI-1540.000 (D)WSLA-1560.000 (D)WTAY-1570.000 (D)WBGZ-1570.000 (D)WFUR-1570.000 (D)WBCP-1580.000 (D)KTIQ-1660.000

Towers shorter than 36° (0.100 wavelength or 1/10 wave): 6 (D)KAPS-660.000 (D)KCFM-1250.000 (D)WKCY-1300.000 (D)KFJL-1400.000 (D)KBZY-1490.000 (D)KJNT-1490.000

Towers taller than 750ft: 5 (D)WNAX-570.000 (D)KMJ-580.000 (U)WSM-650.000 (D)WKY-930.000 (D)WHO-1040.000

Towers shorter than 75ft: 11 (D)KCFM-1250.000 (D)WKCY-1300.000 (D)KFJL-1400.000 (D)WZBR-1410.000 (D)WLUX-1450.000 (D)WIRB-1490.000 (D)KLZN-1490.000 (D)KBZY-1490.000 (D)KJNT-1490.000 (D)KVOG-1530.000 (D)WPDC-1600.000

Total of all tower heights: 1,748,752 feet (533,020 meters)

Greatest tower spacing with respect to array reference point: 2,246 feet (685 meters) (D)KNFL-730.000 (1.667 wavelength)
Closest tower spacing with respect to array reference point: 10 feet (3 meters) (D)WBRD-1420.000 (0.014 wavelength)

Tower type 1 count: 6,555 normal mast
Tower type 2 count: 489 top loaded
Tower type 3 count: 4 sectionalized, top loaded (U)KNBR-680.000 (U)KDKA-1020.000 (D)WHO-1040.000 (D)WOC-1420.000
Tower type 4 count: 6 sectionalized, not top loaded (D)WKY-930.000 (D)KTTO-970.000 (D)WROK-1440.000 (D)KSTP-1500.000 (D)KFBK-1530.000

Omni-directional arrays (single tower): 3,474
Directional arrays (multi-tower): 1,198

Highest RMSTheoretical mV/m (published) at 1 km: 3545.89 (D)KFBK-1530.000
Lowest RMSTheoretical mV/m (published) at 1 km: 140.82 (D)WCTA-810.000

Single tower lowest gain in dB (calculated): -3.743 (D)WSEV-930.000 (rms standard)
Single tower lowest mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 133.805 (D)KOBO-1450.000 (rms standard)
Single tower highest gain in dB (calculated): 4.899 (D)KSTP-1500.000 (rms standard)
Single tower highest mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 3800.424 (D)KSTP-1500.000 (rms standard)

Multi-tower deepest array notch in dB (calculated): -30.534 (U)WKGE-850.000 (rms standard)
Multi-tower deepest array notch in mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 10.5 (D)WAKY-620.000 (rms standard)
Multi tower highest array gain in dB (calculated): 11.988 (D)KGOW-1560.000 (rms standard)
Multi tower highest array mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 8244.295 (D)KGOW-1560.000 (rms standard)

What's On The Mediumwaves (Nighttime)

Here are some interesting statistics compiled today using the FCC database 04-25-2016. All data are for US licensed stations in the NIGHTTIME and UNLIMITED services. Stations outside the continental US (Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, etc.) are also included.

NIGHTTIME AND UNLIMITED STATION DETAILS REPORT

Separate facilities: 4,106 (includes SILENT facilities)

Notes:

   (U) = UNLIMITED
   (N) = NIGHTTIME

=====================================

(CL) Current, License records: 4,106

UNLIMITED: 781
NIGHTTIME: 3,325

IBOC UNLIMITED: 53 registered
IBOC NIGHTTIME: 181 registered

Class A: 73
Class B: 1,746
Class C: 996
Class D: 1,291

W-Call Signs: 2,350
K-Call Signs: 1,756

Services above band center (1115 KHz): 2,818
Services below band center (1115 KHz): 1,288

East of St. Louis, MO: 2,282
West of St. Louis, MO: 1,824

Quadrant 1 (NE) from St. Louis, MO: 1,015
Quadrant 2 (SE) from St. Louis, MO: 1,267
Quadrant 3 (SW) from St. Louis, MO: 921
Quadrant 4 (NW) from St. Louis, MO: 903

Combined power (watts): 10,898,247

Total towers: 7,761

Tallest tower: 992 feet (302 meters) (N)WRDT-560.000 (0.565 wavelength)
Shortest tower: 32 feet (10 meters) (N)WSIV-1540.000 (0.050 wavelength)

Towers taller than 225° (0.625 wavelength or 5/8 wave): 36 (N)WGKA-920.000 (N)WKY-930.000 (U)KDKA-1020.000 (N)WHO-1040.000 (N)KMTA-1050.000 (N)WZOT-1220.000 (N)KWIX-1230.000 (U)WBVP-1230.000 (N)WJOI-1230.000 (N)KTAM-1240.000 (N)WGVM-1260.000 (N)WIJD-1270.000 (N)WKLJ-1290.000 (N)KTCK-1310.000 (N)WAGF-1320.000 (U)KDTD-1340.000 (U)KSEK-1340.000 (N)KRMD-1340.000 (U)WXKX-1340.000 (N)WLOU-1350.000 (N)KMJM-1360.000 (N)WSTC-1400.000 (U)KMNV-1400.000 (N)KKLO-1410.000 (N)WAOC-1420.000 (N)WPRS-1440.000 (N)KKXL-1440.000 (N)WMBD-1470.000 (U)WSIP-1490.000 (U)WOMI-1490.000 (U)WKLQ-1490.000 (N)KFBK-1530.000 (N)WBGZ-1570.000 (N)WFUR-1570.000 (N)WBCP-1580.000 (N)KTIQ-1660.000

Towers shorter than 36° (0.100 wavelength or 1/10 wave): 7 (N)KAPS-660.000 (N)KCFM-1250.000 (N)WKCY-1300.000 (N)KFJL-1400.000 (N)KBZY-1490.000 (N)KJNT-1490.000 (N)WSIV-1540.000

Towers taller than 750ft: 6 (N)WRDT-560.000 (N)WNAX-570.000 (N)KMJ-580.000 (U)WSM-650.000 (N)WKY-930.000 (N)WHO-1040.000

Towers shorter than 75ft: 12 (N)KCFM-1250.000 (N)WKCY-1300.000 (N)KFJL-1400.000 (N)WZBR-1410.000 (N)WLUX-1450.000 (N)WIRB-1490.000 (N)KLZN-1490.000 (N)KBZY-1490.000 (N)KJNT-1490.000 (N)KVOG-1530.000 (N)WSIV-1540.000 (N)WPDC-1600.000

Total of all tower heights: 1,943,521 feet (592,385 meters)

Greatest tower spacing with respect to array reference point: 2,663 feet (812 meters) (N)KBOW-550.000 (1.489 wavelength)
Closest tower spacing with respect to array reference point: 10 feet (3 meters) (N)WBRD-1420.000 (0.014 wavelength)

Tower type 1 count: 7,230 normal mast
Tower type 2 count: 522 top loaded
Tower type 3 count: 4 sectionalized, top loaded (U)KNBR-680.000 (U)KDKA-1020.000 (N)WHO-1040.000 (N)WOC-1420.000
Tower type 4 count: 5 sectionalized, not top loaded (N)KBIF-900.000 (N)WKY-930.000 (N)WROK-1440.000 (N)KFBK-1530.000

Omni-directional arrays (single tower): 2,471
Directional arrays (multi-tower): 1,635

Highest RMSTheoretical mV/m (published) at 1 km: 3126.79 (N)KFBK-1530.000
Lowest RMSTheoretical mV/m (published) at 1 km: 9.75 (N)KLEY-1130.000

Single tower lowest gain in dB (calculated): -14.71 (N)WDOC-1310.000 (rms standard)
Single tower lowest mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 8.889 (N)WDOC-1310.000 (rms standard)
Single tower highest gain in dB (calculated): 4.188 (N)WHO-1040.000 (rms standard)
Single tower highest mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 3501.793 (N)WHO-1040.000 (rms standard)

Multi-tower deepest array notch in dB (calculated): -39.835 (N)WAQI-710.000 (rms standard)
Multi-tower deepest array notch in mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 0.585 (N)WWSJ-1580.000 (rms standard)
Multi tower highest array gain in dB (calculated): 12.717 (N)KNTH-1070.000 (rms standard)
Multi tower highest array mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 7592.594 (N)WWJ-950.000 (rms standard)

What's On The Mediumwaves (Critical Hours)

Here are some interesting statistics compiled today using the FCC database 04-25-2016. All data are for US licensed stations in the CRITICAL HOURS  services. Stations outside the continental US (Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, etc.) are also included.

CRITICAL HOURS STATION DETAILS REPORT

Separate facilities: 196 (includes SILENT facilities)

Notes:

   (C) = CRITICAL HOURS

=====================================

(CL) Current, License records: 196

CRITICAL HOURS: 196

IBOC CRITICAL HOURS: 4 registered

Class A: 1
Class B: 24
Class C: 0
Class D: 171

W-Call Signs: 151
K-Call Signs: 45

Services above band center (1115 KHz): 116
Services below band center (1115 KHz): 80

East of St. Louis, MO: 150
West of St. Louis, MO: 46

Quadrant 1 (NE) from St. Louis, MO: 60
Quadrant 2 (SE) from St. Louis, MO: 90
Quadrant 3 (SW) from St. Louis, MO: 19
Quadrant 4 (NW) from St. Louis, MO: 27

Combined power (watts): 1,074,592

Total towers: 290

Tallest tower: 683 feet (208 meters) (C)WOAY-860.000 (0.597 wavelength)
Shortest tower: 97 feet (30 meters) (C)WNVR-1030.000 (0.102 wavelength)

Towers taller than 225° (0.625 wavelength or 5/8 wave): 1 (C)WLGN-1510.000

Towers shorter than 36° (0.100 wavelength or 1/10 wave): 0

Towers taller than 750ft: 0

Towers shorter than 75ft: 0

Total of all tower heights: 64,844 feet (19,764 meters)

Greatest tower spacing with respect to array reference point: 1,068 feet (325 meters) (C)KVOX-740.000 (0.803 wavelength)
Closest tower spacing with respect to array reference point: 102 feet (31 meters) (C)WCHE-1520.000 (0.158 wavelength)

Tower type 1 count: 263 normal mast
Tower type 2 count: 27 top loaded
Tower type 3 count: 0 sectionalized, top loaded
Tower type 4 count: 0 sectionalized, not top loaded

Omni-directional arrays (single tower): 147
Directional arrays (multi-tower): 49

Highest RMSTheoretical mV/m (published) at 1 km: 2875.09 (C)WMEX-1510.000
Lowest RMSTheoretical mV/m (published) at 1 km: 144.84 (C)WASN-1500.000

Single tower lowest gain in dB (calculated): -0.998 (C)KKLL-1100.000 (rms standard)
Single tower lowest mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 148.422 (C)WKIK-1560.000 (rms standard)
Single tower highest gain in dB (calculated): 3.118 (C)WLBA-1130.000 (rms standard)
Single tower highest mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 2234.218 (C)WTZA-1010.000 (rms standard)

Multi-tower deepest array notch in dB (calculated): -29.266 (C)KGBT-1530.000 (rms standard)
Multi-tower deepest array notch in mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 10.507 (C)WRYT-1080.000 (rms standard)
Multi tower highest array gain in dB (calculated): 9.471 (C)KFXZ-1520.000 (rms standard)
Multi tower highest array mV/m at 1 km (calculated): 5106.254 (C)KVTT-1110.000 (rms standard)

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Stations With Different Daytime/Nighttime Transmitter Locations

An interesting discussion has been going on in the ABDX Yahoo group about station KLIM-1120, Limon, Colorado. It has recently filed for a construction permit to run 50 KW daytime and 3 KW critical hours, from two widely separated transmitter sites (35 miles distant). If the record is correct, and goes through to license-to-cover, it will be the first station in this category.

Surprisingly, there are quite a few separate daytime and nightime sites, 53 pairs in all.

Looks like the record for distance goes to KMJE-890, Olivehurst, CA (near Sacramento), at 43.6 miles distant between daytime (10 KW) and nighttime (480 watts) arrays. Coincidentally, both arrays are 3 towers. The daytime array is in Sacramento and the nighttime array is in Yuba City, near Olivehurst. The daytime array pushes its signal northeast, the nighttime array to the southwest.

Here's the list of currently licensed stations having different daytime/nighttime locations.
Compilation date: 04/20/2016
FCC Database: 04/18/2016

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CallSign   Frequency    Power Class Location                 Towers     Latitude      Longitude 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D)WRDT      560.000      500     D Monroe, MI                    4  41.89111111       -83.4275 
(N)WRDT      560.000       14     D Monroe, MI                    1  42.45361111   -83.16388889 
(D)WNSR      560.000     4500     D Brentwood, TN                 4  35.90888889   -86.77027778 
(N)WNSR      560.000       75     D Brentwood, TN                 1  36.14111111   -86.75638889 
(D)WGAC      580.000     5000     B Augusta, GA                   1  33.51222222         -82.08 
(N)WGAC      580.000      840     B Augusta, GA                   4  33.52472222   -81.90861111 
(N)WXVA      610.000      500     B Winchester, VA                4  39.19805556   -78.22027778 
(D)WXVA      610.000      380     B Winchester, VA                1  39.12388889   -78.21222222 
(N)WUNO      630.000     5000     B San Juan, PR                  2  18.44972222   -66.27277778 
(D)WUNO      630.000     5000     B San Juan, PR                  2  18.43305556   -66.27277778 
(D)WOKV      690.000    50000     B Jacksonville, FL              1  30.13222222          -81.7 
(N)WOKV      690.000    25000     B Jacksonville, FL              6  30.30777778   -81.93972222 
(N)KXMR      710.000     4000     B Bismarck, ND                  4  46.66888889  -100.77583333 
(D)KXMR      710.000    50000     B Bismarck, ND                  3  46.83444444  -100.52194444 
(D)WVNN      770.000     7000     B Athens, AL                    1  34.74972222   -86.79861111 
(N)WVNN      770.000      250     B Athens, AL                    4  34.83916667   -86.92888889 
(D)WCPT      820.000     5800     B Willow Springs, IL            1  41.98138889   -87.77222222 
(N)WCPT      820.000     1500     B Willow Springs, IL            6  41.54166667   -88.03416667 
(N)KTRB      860.000    50000     B San Francisco, CA             4  37.59277778  -121.77416667 
(D)KTRB      860.000    50000     B San Francisco, CA             1      37.6325  -122.12972222 
(N)KPRM      870.000     1000     B Park Rapids, MN               3       46.905   -95.01777778 
(D)KPRM      870.000    50000     B Park Rapids, MN               1  46.92833333   -95.00611111 
(N)WHCU      870.000     1000     B Ithaca, NY                    3  42.36305556   -76.60611111 
(D)WHCU      870.000     5000     B Ithaca, NY                    1       42.465   -76.37305556 
(N)KMJE      890.000      480     B Olivehurst, CA                3  39.13833333  -121.55416667 
(D)KMJE      890.000    10000     B Olivehurst, CA                3  38.50805556  -121.57944444 
(D)KYWN      890.000    50000     B Meridian, ID                  1  43.46027778  -116.24138889 
(N)KYWN      890.000      250     B Meridian, ID                  2  43.54944444  -116.41055556 
(N)WLTP      910.000       40     D Marietta, OH                  1  39.28972222   -81.52666667 
(D)WLTP      910.000     5000     D Marietta, OH                  2  39.36333333   -81.50277778 
(D)KVIN      920.000      500     B Ceres, CA                     3  37.59694444  -121.07083333 
(N)KVIN      920.000     2500     B Ceres, CA                     3  37.63194444  -120.75166667 
(D)WMOK      920.000     1000     B Metropolis, IL                1  37.15333333   -88.70916667 
(N)WMOK      920.000      750     B Metropolis, IL                4  37.14888889   -88.63611111 
(D)WMIX      940.000     5000     B Mount Vernon, IL              2  38.37055556   -88.92333333 
(N)WMIX      940.000     1500     B Mount Vernon, IL              5  38.35416667   -89.00805556 
(D)WKGM      940.000    10000     B Smithfield, VA                1  36.95444444         -76.63 
(N)WKGM      940.000     3100     B Smithfield, VA                4      37.0975   -76.67111111 
(N)WNTD      950.000     5000     B Chicago, IL                   6  41.63666667   -87.55277778 
(D)WNTD      950.000     1000     B Chicago, IL                   1  41.86083333   -87.68666667 
(N)WKDN      950.000    21000     B Philadelphia, PA              4  40.15416667   -75.36944444 
(D)WKDN      950.000    43000     B Philadelphia, PA              3  39.97444444   -75.27194444 
(D)WFIR      960.000    10000     B Roanoke, VA                   1      37.3025   -80.04027778 
(N)WFIR      960.000     5000     B Roanoke, VA                   2  37.25527778   -79.95944444 
(N)KSVC      980.000     1000     B Richfield, UT                 2  38.76111111  -112.07638889 
(D)KSVC      980.000    10000     B Richfield, UT                 1  38.78805556  -112.01166667 
(D)KBBW     1010.000    10000     B Waco, TX                      3  31.56833333   -97.00027778 
(D)KLAT     1010.000     5000     B Houston, TX                   6  29.89638889   -95.29027778 
(N)KBBW     1010.000     2500     B Waco, TX                      6  31.50194444        -96.965 
(N)KLAT     1010.000     3600     B Houston, TX                   6  29.86222222   -95.51166667 
(D)KJPG     1050.000    10000     D Frazier Park, CA              3  35.02444444  -118.91805556 
(N)KJPG     1050.000        7     D Frazier Park, CA              1  35.40194444  -119.04638889 
(N)KRCN     1060.000      111     D Longmont, CO                  1  40.19111111  -105.12638889 
(D)KRCN     1060.000    50000     D Longmont, CO                  1  40.28083333  -104.94027778 
(D)WYLL     1160.000    50000     B Chicago, IL                   2  42.04166667   -87.86583333 
(N)WYLL     1160.000    50000     B Chicago, IL                   6  41.57305556   -87.99361111 
(N)KVCE     1160.000     1000     B Highland Park, TX             6  33.03916667   -96.94277778 
(D)KVCE     1160.000    35000     B Highland Park, TX             6  33.17694444   -97.67666667 
(N)KFXR     1190.000     5000     B Dallas, TX                   12  32.89916667   -96.41305556 
(D)KFXR     1190.000    50000     B Dallas, TX                    4  32.78611111         -96.95 
(N)KRPU     1210.000      500     B Rocklin, CA                   1  38.73083333  -121.31888889 
(N)KQEQ     1210.000      370     B Fowler, CA                    1  36.66027778  -119.68361111 
(D)KQEQ     1210.000     5000     B Fowler, CA                    3  36.77055556  -119.92222222 
(D)KRPU     1210.000     5000     B Rocklin, CA                   6  38.46277778  -121.13027778 
(N)WILY     1210.000        3     D Centralia, IL                 1  38.52444444   -89.13416667 
(D)WILY     1210.000    10000     D Centralia, IL                 2  38.48194444   -89.14888889 
(N)KMIA     1210.000    10000     B Auburn-Federal Way, WA        4         47.3  -122.18805556 
(D)KMIA     1210.000    27500     B Auburn-Federal Way, WA        2  47.30555556  -122.24805556 
(D)KZDC     1250.000    25000     B San Antonio, TX               4  29.28361111   -98.47444444 
(N)KZDC     1250.000      920     B San Antonio, TX               4  29.49694444   -98.41583333 
(D)KKDZ     1250.000     5000     B Seattle, WA                   1  47.56361111  -122.35972222 
(N)KKDZ     1250.000     5000     B Seattle, WA                   4  47.67305556  -122.16888889 
(D)KCTC     1320.000     5000     B West Sacramento, CA           3  38.63638889      -121.5525 
(N)KCTC     1320.000     5000     B West Sacramento, CA           4  38.71166667  -121.32888889 
(D)WEBY     1330.000    25000     D Milton, FL                    2  30.51805556   -87.08222222 
(N)WEBY     1330.000       79     D Milton, FL                    1        30.62       -87.0225 
(N)WGBN     1360.000     1000     B Mckeesport, PA                4  40.31138889   -79.84972222 
(D)WGBN     1360.000     5000     B Mckeesport, PA                1  40.40833333   -79.92777778 
(D)WLTH     1370.000     1000     B Gary, IN                      1  41.57138889   -87.31722222 
(N)WLTH     1370.000      500     B Gary, IN                      4  41.53944444          -87.3 
(N)WQLL     1370.000    24000     B Pikesville, MD                6  39.40805556   -76.77555556 
(D)WQLL     1370.000    50000     B Pikesville, MD                6  39.43972222   -76.35555556 
(N)KTKZ     1380.000     5000     B Sacramento, CA                4      38.5575  -121.18083333 
(D)KTKZ     1380.000     5000     B Sacramento, CA                3  38.50805556  -121.57944444 
(D)KXFN     1380.000     5000     B St. Louis, MO                 3  38.75027778   -90.16277778 
(N)KXFN     1380.000     1000     B St. Louis, MO                 4  38.52416667   -90.23805556 
(N)WNLA     1380.000       44     D Indianola, MS                 1  33.45888889   -90.62916667 
(D)WNLA     1380.000      500     D Indianola, MS                 1  33.47805556   -90.64111111 
(D)WLCM     1390.000     5000     B Holt, MI                      2  42.56722222   -84.86611111 
(N)WLCM     1390.000     4500     B Holt, MI                      4  42.55194444   -84.55138889 
(N)WNIO     1390.000     4800     B Youngstown, OH                6  40.98638889   -80.59833333 
(D)WNIO     1390.000     9500     B Youngstown, OH                1  41.12138889   -80.70138889 
(D)WAMV     1420.000     2200     D Amherst, VA                   1  37.53972222   -79.05277778 
(N)WAMV     1420.000       47     D Amherst, VA                   1  37.53972222   -79.09166667 
(D)WLXN     1440.000     5300     B Lexington, NC                 1  35.92033333   -80.25058333 
(N)WLXN     1440.000     1000     B Lexington, NC                 3  35.83227778   -80.28722222 
(D)WHBC     1480.000    15000     B Canton, OH                    4      40.8975   -81.31944444 
(N)WHBC     1480.000     5000     B Canton, OH                    5  40.72083333   -81.44111111 
(D)KZNX     1530.000    10000     D Creedmoor, TX                 4  30.07722222   -97.63555556 
(N)KZNX     1530.000      220     D Creedmoor, TX                 4  30.34555556   -97.63444444 
(N)WVOK     1580.000       22     D Oxford, AL                    1  33.44861111        -86.065 
(D)WVOK     1580.000     2500     D Oxford, AL                    1  33.59083333   -85.83166667 
(D)KDIA     1640.000    10000     B Vallejo, CA                   1  37.89555556  -122.32416667 
(N)KDIA     1640.000    10000     B Vallejo, CA                   4  38.13416667  -122.42555556 
(D)KKLF     1700.000    10000     B Richardson, TX                1  33.42305556       -96.6625 
(N)KKLF     1700.000     1000     B Richardson, TX                1  33.12138889   -96.58194444 

Notes: 
Number of items listed: 106
Callsign prefix:(U)UNLIMITED, (D)DAYTIME, (N)NIGHTTIME, (C)CRITICAL HOURS
Interesting!

Monday, January 25, 2016

2016 US-Canadian Mediumwave Pattern Reference Is Here

The 2016 US-Canadian Mediumwave Pattern Reference for all stations is now available. Find the download link at upper right. Remember, the links change each time a new set is uploaded. Always look to this RADIO-TIMETRAVELLER site for the current link. Download is 54 MB.

This year the Critical Hours plots have been split off to their own map set. Unlimited, Daytime, Nighttime, and Critical Hours plots are now compressed into one download.

Plot data has been derived from the FCC's January 20, 2016 database. Be sure to see the readme file for detailed information.

IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2016

1. Individual station plots can be turned on or off by a checkbox. Click the station flag and you will see the option in a pop-up balloon. Check or uncheck the box, then click the ReDraw button. Be sure to click the ReDraw button!

2. The entire plot set can be turned on or off by the All Plots/No Plots buttons.

3. Additional information has been added to each station's flag tooltip. Now included are FCC facility ID, engineering (application) ID, and distance of the station from the home location. The home location is user changeable, as before.

4. Skywave calculations have been updated and made more accurate. The latest ITU formulas are used.

5. Unlimited, Daytime, and Critical Hours plots are at the 1.0 and 0.1 mV/m levels. Skywave is at the 0.2 mV/m level. In all cases except for the nighttime graveyard stations, levels have been chosen to minimize pattern overlap and to more closely follow those which might be helpful to the mediumwave DXer.

INSTALLING

The maps are HTML-based, so no regular install is necessary. Simply unzip the downloaded file and click on the individual map file to run. The map will open up in your web browser. They are self-contained, with image icons embedded right into the code. You must have an internet connection to view the maps.

ABOUT THE MAPS

Included is a complete set of GoogleMap-based, HTML-driven maps which show the most current pattern plots of all licensed US and Canadian mediumwave broadcast stations from 530 - 1700 KHz. The set includes all frequencies for the indicated services: Unlimited, Daytime, Nighttime, and Critical Hours. Individual maps are grouped by channel frequency: 540, 550, 560, .. 1700 KHz, etc. Data for the plots in this offering is based on the current FCC and Industry Canada databases available at the time of its creation (January, 20, 2016).

The daytime map series, in two parts, shows expected groundwave coverage patterns for Unlimited and Daytime (part 1), and Critical Hours (part 2) operations. New for this year, daytime signal patterns represent groundwave coverage at two levels, out to the 1.0 and 0.1 millivolts per meter contours. The change in levels was made in order to more closely match those which might be helpful to the mediumwave DXer. Note that daytime reception of signals out beyond the depicted 0.1 mV/m pattern is very possible, and in fact likely for the DXer. The contour line represents a signal strength at the station's extreme fringe distance, a level usually received on a sensitive portable radio with a low ambient local-noise level. I have chosen this signal level to give a good representation of what can be received by most DXers during sunlight hours. Also included in the daytime map series is a web-based HTML table listing all daytime stations in the US and Canada. It has clickable links which will take you directly to the FCC pages for that station (US stations only).

The nighttime map series shows expected skywave coverage patterns for Unlimited and Nighttime operations. Nighttime signal patterns represent the standard SS+6 (sunset plus 6 hours, or approximately midnight), 50% signal probability at 0.2 millivolts per meter. Note also that nighttime reception of signals out beyond the depicted pattern is very possible, and in fact quite likely for a skywave signal. The maps represent a signal strength between distant and fringe, a level generally easily received at night on most portable radios. I have chosen this signal level to give a good representation of what should be fairly easily received by most DXers on an average evening. The nighttime signal probability of 50% means that the signal will be received at this level approximately 50% of the time at that location for the sunset+6 hour time. Also included in the nighttime map series is a web-based HTML table listing all nighttime stations in the US and Canada. It has clickable links which will take you directly to the FCC pages for that station (US stations only).

HOW THEY ARE PRODUCED

Using the actual FCC database files, Radio Data MW will auto-generate an interactive HTML pattern map, showing the pattern plots for all stations included at the discretion of the user. A complete set of mediumwave pattern maps can be generated in about three hours of processing time. Radio Data MW generates a real pattern plot based on ground conductivity, ground dielectric constant, and can display actual (but approximate of course) signal level boundaries for Local, Distant, Fringe, Extreme mV/m levels, or any custom mV/m level chosen by the user.

The online Google Maps API is used to generate and plot each station on a map of the US. An accurate flag pin is placed at each transmitter location, and in satellite view may be zoomed in to see the actual transmitter site. Map flags are color-coded to indicate Unlimited (light red), Daytime (yellow), Nighttime (black), and Critical Hours (grey) services. Each flag has a tooltip-type note, and when hovered over with the mouse will display a note on the station.

A pattern plot for each station is generated and displayed. Each pattern is calculated using standard formulas used by the FCC or ITU to compute the base values at one kilometer, and field strength formulas at distance based on the works of many people over the years. See Field Strength Calculations: A History and Field Strength Calculator One, previously posted on RADIO-TIMETRAVELLER.

An accurate ray path can be drawn from all transmitters to a user-specified receiving location by inputting latitude-longitude coordinates on the heading bar at the top of the map. Super-imposed on the pattern plots, the ray paths show the listener where he or she falls on each station's pattern, a handy guide to knowing where you stand.

Additionally, and new in 2016, individual station plots can be turned on or off by a checkbox. Click the station flag and you will see the option in a pop-up balloon. Check or uncheck the box, then click the ReDraw button. The entire plot set can also be turned on or off by buttons at the top of the map.

Lastly, additional information has been added to each station's flag tooltip. Now included are FCC facility ID, engineering (application) ID, and distance of the station from the home latitude-longitude. Of interest to the DXer, by setting the home location latitude-longitude to your location and redrawing the map, each flag tooltip will have the distance from your location to the station.

Hope you enjoy.

650 KHz in the far west