If the rumor I've heard is true, Greater Media is close to beginning testing of WPEN's new 21-kW night signal at the WWDB site. GM is rumored to have spent close to 1.5 million on improvements to the E Norriton facility. I'm guessing that sum must include a new 50-kW transmitter--even though the night power specified in the CP is 21 kW. Supposedly one of the four towers at the site was down and WWDB was using three towers under STA. The fourth tower is now allegedly back up. I've never seen the site. Are the guy wires used for top loading? Apparently, the top loads have been replaced. Maybe the ground system was replaced; it's one of the things that nearly always deteriorates badly over a period of several decades.
I would think that as soon as WPEN's new phasor is in place, WWDB would move temporarily to WPEN's site, from which it would either operate ND at significantly reduced power or perhaps might even use WPEN's three towers (though that might be a bit too complex for a temporary setup). WWDB's temporary move would allow WPEN to operate during the daytime from the 860 site, permitting tuning of the array at 950 and proofs of performance. That project could take several months and the work MUST be done during daylight hours. Once the work was completed, WWDB could move back to E Norriton and when the FCC granted WPEN program test authority, 950 could begin operating at night with higher power--though perhaps initially less than the 21 kW specified by the CP.
There is no word on any progress on WPEN's proposed 50 kW day facilities, which would supposedly be located in or near Collegeville, a few miles west of the WWDB site. If the night upgrade truly is costing $1.5 million, the new day facilities could easily cost $7 million or more--what with land acquisition, construction of six new 600' towers, new building, ground system, 50-kW transmitter, six-tower 50-kW phasor. I wouldn't try holding my breath until THAT gets going.
I would think that as soon as WPEN's new phasor is in place, WWDB would move temporarily to WPEN's site, from which it would either operate ND at significantly reduced power or perhaps might even use WPEN's three towers (though that might be a bit too complex for a temporary setup). WWDB's temporary move would allow WPEN to operate during the daytime from the 860 site, permitting tuning of the array at 950 and proofs of performance. That project could take several months and the work MUST be done during daylight hours. Once the work was completed, WWDB could move back to E Norriton and when the FCC granted WPEN program test authority, 950 could begin operating at night with higher power--though perhaps initially less than the 21 kW specified by the CP.
There is no word on any progress on WPEN's proposed 50 kW day facilities, which would supposedly be located in or near Collegeville, a few miles west of the WWDB site. If the night upgrade truly is costing $1.5 million, the new day facilities could easily cost $7 million or more--what with land acquisition, construction of six new 600' towers, new building, ground system, 50-kW transmitter, six-tower 50-kW phasor. I wouldn't try holding my breath until THAT gets going.
