The installation of the new WDPG 89.9 FM antenna is complete; however, it is temporarily operating at reduced power while we await final authorization from the Federal Communications Commission. Thanks for your patience during this important upgrade.
After 30 years of faithful broadcasting, Discover Classical's WDPG 89.9 FM antenna has earned its retirement. Engineers replaced it with a new state-of-the-art antenna that will carry a stronger, clearer 89.9 FM signal moving forward.
While service interruptions are never themselves cause for celebration, we are excited about what this one means for WDPG listeners. WDPG listeners may have noticed the station going off air during icy conditions. This is because the current antenna, which was installed in 1994, is no longer supported by the manufacturer, and some of its de-icing elements have failed. Replacing the antenna creates a short-term disruption that means fewer disruptions in the long term, so you can better enjoy snowbound days with a good book and a beautiful soundtrack.
Even outside of wintry weather, the new antenna will provide a better signal. FM signals travel in a straight line. If a radio wave encounters an obstacle—such as a hill, building, or foliage—it can get thrown off its axis, meaning that by the time it reaches you, it isn't correctly aligned to your radio's receiving antenna. The new antenna is a Rototiller X Series Circularly Polarized Antenna made by ERI, the world’s largest supplier of broadcast antennas. Circular polarization means that the radio waves spin as they leave the transmitting antenna so they will always be aligned to the receiving antenna no matter what they "bump into" along the way. In other words, with this upgrade, the music you depend on will soon be even more dependable.
If you have any questions, please call the station at (937) 222-9377 or email dpr@dpr.org.