Recent Comments
Re: “Breaking: WRVU Purchased by WPLN, Will Become Classical Station”
Doyle said:
"ok Chrissy, can someone from WRFN post some details on what it would take to get that signal boost? Is it even possible?"
The short answer is no. .
Long answer to follow:
Unfortunately, Radio Free Nashville (WRFN-LP) is restricted to only a 100 watt signal. Add on top of that incoming interference from co-channeled 50,000 watt WUHU near Bowling Green, Kentucky and the rolling hills of our region contributes toward a spotty signal at best. Our coverage is surprisingly quite good in the western Davidson, Brentwood/Franklin and eastern Dickson County areas.
For what it's worth, I could pick RFN up in my vehicle at Wedgewood at 21st quite clearly this past weekend.
Anyway. .a bit of history:
When RFN first signed on in 2005, we were co-channeled with WANT 98.9 in Lebanon. If you look back in history (Nashville Scene has several articles mentioning the subject), we had a heck of a time dealing with interference from them. Once they applied for a construction permit to boost power and move their tower location closer to Nashville a couple of years ago, we were pretty much in the target of being displaced. We had to find an alternate frequency in the area to maintain what coverage we had at time time.
We relocated to 107.1, operating with a 'Special Temporary Authority' waiver granted from the FCC, lifting second adjacent channel restrictions (since we are close proximity to 106.7 'i106' and 107.5 'The River). Current rules don't allow for this, but since we were at the risk of being displaced, the FCC didn't want to see another LPFM forced off the dial (after all, LPFM is a secondary service), thus, the STA.
Now, we could file to move to move our facilities closer into town, maybe even northwest of the city looking down into the 'bowl' of Nashville. However, engineering studies and the like would have to be done. A tower site would have to be located. A method for getting the studio audio to the transmitter would have to be explored, etc. etc. etc.
In a nutshell, it would not be a cheap venture. We have already invested a significant amount of time, money and sweat in our current facility in Pasquo. Pulling up stakes and relocating would be difficult at best.
The best route to go would be utilizing translator stations, essentially low power FM stations that rebroadcast a primary station's signal.
Having a few translators scattered around town rebroadcasting RFN would be awesome, but frequencies are few and far between (plus there is a freeze on translator apps at the FCC. . thank you 'Great Translator Invasion Of 2003').
We do have an online presence at www.radiofreenashville.org and if you have Comcast service in Davidson County, you can tune to Channel 10 (PEG) and enable the SAP (secondary audio program) audio. From there, you can hear us on your television in 'glorious mono'.
Rebroadcasting our signal on an HD channel would be a good way to go (maybe 'PLN could install HD equipment on 91.1 and put WRVU on HD-2 and WRFN-LP on HD-3, perhaps??)
Matt Lane
Technical Director
Radio Free Nashville
Re: “Breaking: WRVU 91 Rock Purchased by WPLN, Will Become Classical Station”
Rich old time Nashvillians?
Re: “Vanderbilt's beloved WRVU is no longer on the air. Has Nashville lost an irreplaceable institution, or gained an opportunity?”
B-Nice! Loved your show as a kid. I will always credit your show for introducing me to hip-hop. . this was around '88 or so. . . . I taped your show a few times too. . may still have some cassettes floating around of it somewhere. .
-Matt
Radio Free Nashville.