WWEL-FM 103.9 boosts signal strength

A London-based radio station announced Tuesday that it has boosted its signal strength in order to more effectively reach listeners in areas that may have previously received poor reception.

WWEL-FM 103.9, owned by Forcht Group of Kentucky, finished upgrades to its transmission tower Tuesday that will significantly increase the broadcasting power of the station. That’s good news for people on the edge of the station’s coverage area who may have had trouble listening at work or inside their homes.

"I think people will notice a difference," said Mike Tarter, President and CEO of Forcht Broadcasting. "It will give us some better penetration inside buildings and folks that are traveling won’t notice as much shadowing."

"Shadowing" is a term used to describe when a listener hears static or temporarily loses a radio signal, typically due to terrain.

WWEL-FM, which goes by the moniker SAM – which stands for "Simply About Music" – changed its format last year from country music to more eclectic mix of class rock and hits from all different genres, spanning the 60s to today. Tarter said listeners have embraced the change, and added that the increase in signal strength will help those in towns like Barbourville, Somerset, Manchester, McKee, Broadhead and Williamsburg hear the station in their homes for the first time, or simply get more crisp reception anywhere they tune in.

"Increasing signal strength is obviously good for listenership and good for business," Tarter said. "It was a great opportunity for us to better serve our listeners."

Forcht Broadcasting applied for permission from the Federal Communications Commission to increase the station’s signal strength about four months ago. Company officials say the station got approval to proceed with the upgrade a couple of weeks ago. It is now transmitting at 5,400 watts.

The increase was done, Tarter said, without having to install a new transmitter. Instead, a new antenna placed higher up on the current tower resulted in a more powerful signal.

Forcht Broadcasting manages 18 radio stations in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois covering eight separate radio markets for Forcht Group of Kentucky (www.forchtgroup.com). For more information about WWEL-FM 103.9 you can see the station’s website at www.sam1039.com.