Press Releases

Contact:
Deborah Proctor, General Manager
William Woltz, Media Liaison
phone:
(919) 556-5178
fax:
(919) 556-9273
e-mail:
will@wcpe.org

July 1, 2002

For Immediate Release:

Long struggle will pay off in better signal for WCPE listeners!

--FCC removes antenna restrictions--

Here's good news for WCPE listeners in North Carolina and Virginia! A ruling by the Federal Communications Commission will mean an improved signal for virtually everyone who listens to The Classical Station, WCPE, on 89.7 FM.

After years of fighting Washington, WCPE has won permission to broadcast at full power -- 100,000 watts -- in all directions from its transmitter site north of Raleigh. This ends the FCC's requirement that WCPE reduce, or "shield," its broadcasting power west of the antenna site by 30 percent.

The shield significantly hurt reception from Chapel Hill to Greensboro. It also caused aberrations throughout WCPE's broadcasting pattern, especially to areas northeast and southeast of the station along Interstate 95. All of these areas should now experience some improvement in reception, according to WCPE General Manager Deborah S. Proctor.

Proctor thanked Congressman David Price for playing a key role in having the shield removed. Price, whose district includes much of the affected area to the west of WCPE, asked the FCC to review WCPE's case earlier this year.

"We owe this success to the unrelenting pursuit by WCPE of a better signal for its thousands of listeners," Price said Monday. "I am thrilled to have been able to help by breaking through a logjam at the FCC that had stymied the effort for years. Like so many who enjoy classical music, I look forward to being able to tune in to WCPE from Chapel Hill and throughout the Triangle."

Proctor also acknowledged Senator Jesse Helms, Congressman Bob Etheridge and other members of North Carolina and Virginia's congressional delegations. "Because they stood by us, and our listeners stood by us, and because we were right, we were successful," Proctor said.

About 50,000 WCPE listeners signed petitions asking for a better broadcasting signal.

WCPE first applied more than 10 years ago for permission to broadcast at 100,000 watts, the maximum allowed for FM stations. The FCC granted the power increase in 1993, but with a restriction: the broadcasting antenna could be mounted only two-thirds of the way up WCPE's 1,200-foot tower. In 1998 the commission allowed WCPE to move its antenna to the top of the tower but required the station to reduce its broadcasting power to the west.

The power reduction was ostensibly meant to prevent interference with other stations. Proctor, who is also WCPE's chief engineer, argued that the restriction was unnecessary and that the FCC's rule was based on flawed engineering. She also said that non-commercial broadcasters such as WCPE were being held to a different technical standard than commercial radio stations.

A number of engineering firms submitted comments to the FCC that supported WCPE's position, Proctor said.

WCPE petitioned the FCC for removal of the shield, and later sued the agency. But there was no movement until Congressman Price asked for a review of WCPE's case, following a change of leadership at the FCC. This time the commission ruled that the shield was unnecessary and could be removed. The approval became effective Tuesday, June 25.

"Congressman David Price did yeoman's work in persuading government officials who were disinclined to help WCPE to change their minds," said Mark J. Prak with the law firm Brooks, Pierce, McClendon Humphrey and Leonard, broadcasting attorneys who represent WCPE.

Now WCPE is conducting a campaign to "Scuttle the Shield" -- asking listeners to contribute toward the anticipated $120,000 cost of making the necessary antenna changes. Much of that cost is the result of new safety codes that will require extensive testing and engineering studies of WCPE's tower before any modifications may be made to the antenna.

Proctor said the required upgrades will make the tower safer and more resistant to hurricane-force winds.

WCPE's ability to provide a better signal to Chapel Hill and points west is especially important since WUNC-FM, based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, discontinued its classical music programming nearly a year ago.

WCPE is a listener-supported radio station with a mission of delivering Great Classical Music to everyone. In addition to its main transmitter in Wake County, WCPE reaches listeners through a repeater transmitter on 88.3 FM in Aberdeen, N.C.; and by Internet streaming, satellite programming, and carriage by selected cable TV systems and FM stations.

Among the congressional members who have supported WCPE's efforts are current or former representatives Richard Burr, Eva M. Clayton, Howard Coble, David Funderburk, Virgil Goode, Bog Goodlatte, Robin Hayes, Bill Hefner, Fred Heineman, Walter Jones, Martin Lancaster, Mike McIntyre, Sue Myrick, Lewis Payne, Charlie Rose, Norman Sisisky, Tim Valentine and Mel Watt; and senators John Edwards, Lauch Faircloth, Charles Robb and John Warner.

89.7 FM WCPE is a l00% listener-supported non-profit radio station dedicated to bringing Great Classical Music to everyone 24 hours a day. For more information or to request a complimentary Program Guide, call 800-556-5178, or visit us on-line at wcpe.org where you can hear our beautiful music in RealAudio, Windows Media, MP3 and QuickTime streaming technologies. Our programming is also available on the Galaxy 5 Satellite, transponder 15, at 5.58 and 6.12 MHz. Owners of 4DTV receivers can listen on Virtual Channel #958.

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