Separate Antennas Enable WQZQ to go IBOC

WQZQ(FM), Nashville is on the air with a digital signal powered by a BE transmitter. The Cromwell Group owns the station, and believes it’s the first FM in the market to go IBOC.
Cromwell plans to convert 12 of its 22 stations over the next two years.
Using separate antennas for the analog and the digital signals tipped the conversion decision for the 100kW WQZQ, according to Cromwell President Bud Walters. The station didn’t need to replace its high-powered transmitter but installed BE’s FMi 73, a lower powered unit specifically designed for HD Radio transmission.
WQZQ(FM) installed the 280W low-powered transmitter into an existing backup antenna in November for separate broadcast of the HD Radio signal. The transmitter came standard with BE’s FXi 60 digital FM exciter and FSi 10 HD Radio signal generator.
Cromwell plans to install the lower-powered BE transmitters for all of its IBOC conversions.