ITHACA/CORTLAND -- There are three more HD Radio offerings in the market now, thanks to the recent addition of multicasting equipment at Saga's Q-Country 103.7 (WQNY). The market's perennial ratings leader is now available in HD, and its subchannels are helping to improve the coverage of its two AM sister stations in the Cayuga Radio Group cluster.
Dave Vieser, Assistant PD at News-Talk 870 WHCU, notes that WQNY's transition to digital is a long way from when the station first signed on in 1948 as one of several FM stations relaying farming-related news across upstate as part of the Rural Radio Network.
As you may have guessed, Vieser's pumped about the new digital signal because his station is being simulcast on WQNY-HD3. And sister station Progressive Talk 1470 (WNYY) is being carried on the HD2 channel. Vieser says the new HD multicast will "provide better nighttime coverage for Ithaca and Cortland" for the two AM stations, because the AM transmitters are required to reduce their power between sunset and sunrise.
Saga already offers two other HD Radi0 offerings as subchannels of Lite Rock 97.3 (WYXL). Top 40 "Hits 103.3" is simulcast on WYXL-HD2 and triple-A "98.7 The Vine" is carried on WYXL-HD3.