RADIO SIGNAL EXPANSION INITIATIVE $3,000,000
Composite FCC Coverage Contours for WHRV FM NPR and Classical FM Stations
The $3 million Radio Signal Expansion project has been a key building block in the Campaign for Independence. It has provided excellent and much-needed coverage to previously un- or under-served areas and allows WHRO to reach a potential new listener base of approximately 340,000. This has resulted in increased annual listener support as well as expanded underwriting opportunities for local businesses.
Specifically, the Radio Signal Expansion has made the following significant broadcast coverage improvements:
Eastern Shore – There was little or no WHRO/WHRV radio coverage. WHRX-FM (90.1) carries WHRV’s programming and began broadcasting September 28th, 2012 with a full 46,000 watts. The signal originates in Onley at Nandua High School and covers Accomack, Chincoteague, Wallops and over two-thirds of the Eastern Shore. WHRE-FM (91.1 - 4,400 watts) began operating from Eastville October 4th, 2011, also carrying WHRV’s programming, and covering the remaining lower portion of the Shore with NPR programming. WHRF-FM (98.3 - 6,000 watts), came on the air September 27th, 2012 and rebroadcasts WHRO-FM’s classical music to the Eastern Shore.
Emporia/Lawrenceville/Roanoke Rapids – The region previously had no public radio service. WHRL-88.1(WHRV programming) began broadcasting with 4,200 watts in February 2nd, 2012, covering both Virginia and North Carolina along the I-95 and U.S 58 corridors.
Middle Peninsula – Coverage was intermittent in many areas. WHRG-FM (88.5 – 9,600 watts) began full-power broadcasting on 9-30-2011 from Thomas Hardy Middle School in Mathews and WHRJ-FM (89.9 – 750 watts) began full-power broadcasting on10-28-2011 from Gloucester Courthouse. These stations, which were acquired through competitive applications and settlements, enable WHRO and WHRV to provide a strong signal throughout the Middle Peninsula and even into the Northern Neck.
Virginia Beach – 101.7 repeats WHRV programming from the top of the Westin at the Virginia Beach Town Center, thereby providing full coverage to the Virginia Beach oceanfront where interference to WHRV is often received. In the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach, 99.3 re-broadcasts one of WHRV’s special digital channels, the 1920’s Radio Network, from a tower at Woodstock Elementary School.
Williamsburg, the Upper Peninsula, and James City and York Counties – Improving the quality of the signals in Williamsburg, the Upper Peninsula, and James City and York counties has been crucial to WHRO’s long-range plan. There, the station has a sizeable number of loyal listeners, many of whom give the Station generous financial support. The Williamsburg area alone has 3% of WHRV and WHRO-FM’s listeners, yet provides 13% of its contributed support. In 2013, the Station invested a substantial amount of funds improving the WHRV antenna system in Suffolk to insure the best possible WHRV signal in Williamsburg, and has received good listener response.
WHRO also opened a satellite studio in Williamsburg. This facility serves as a meeting hub for community groups and enables guests from The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, The College of William and Mary, and the greater Williamsburg area to travel to an accessible local studio when appearing on national programs like BBC World News, Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and local live programs like HearSay with Cathy Lewis.