Since 1997, it's been hard to hear WDFH.  This was a leftover from an unfortunate but involuntary 1997 relocation of our antenna that resulted in terrible coverage, not to put too fine a point on it.

 

WDFH's new tower site.  Ground level is 630 feet above sea level, and our antenna is 160 feet above ground — overall, our antenna is at a height nearly equivalent to 2/3 the height of the Empire State Building!

To fix this problem once and for all, we started work in September 2001, just a few days before September 11, on a project to improve and expand our FM broadcast signal. 

 

We are very happy to report that the project is now completed!

 

NEW!  Construction updates and photos

 

Please go to our pledge page and make your tax-deductible contribution today to turn this plan into reality!

 

Technical details below

 

In January 2006, after more than four years of work, the FCC granted us permission for a significant expansion.  But the project ran into a major roadblock in the spring of 2006, and by April 2007 it had become apparent that we were not going to be able to implement the expansion using the current tower site, as we had planned.

So we had to start all over.  In June 2007, we secured a new tower site; in July we secured a zoning variance for our antenna; and in August we filed a new FCC application.  Mechanical engineering started in July and continued through October, when the design was finalized.

In December 2007, the FCC approved the project.  We received the FAA clearance in January, and at the end of September 2008, we signed the lease with the company that owns the tower.

Construction started in October and was completed in January.  We started transmitting with our improved signal on 90.3 FM on Saturday, January 24, at about 4:00 pm, operating at half power pursuant to FCC rules.  The FCC granted our license application in late January and full-power operation commenced.

 

We need your help!

Your support is more important now than ever before.  WDFH is community radio — dedicated to serving the needs of the community, powered by community volunteers, entirely nonprofit and noncommercial.

Please make a tax-deductible contribution using our secure PayPal link (major credit cards accepted) on our pledge page.

If you're considering a larger donation (more than $100), please send a check directly to us at:

WDFH
21 Brookside Lane
Dobbs Ferry, NY  10522

To talk with us, please call (914) 674-0900 and leave a message in Mailbox 3, or e-mail  marc  =at=  wdfh  =dot=  org.

Thank you for your support!

 

Technical details:

WDFH's effective radiated power of our signal is 53 watts at 145 meters above average terrain.  This is roughly equivalent to 1,200 watts at 30 meters, the reference height designated by the FCC for Class A (full service) FM stations.  While this is relatively modest compared with the mega-stations in New York City, the population density in the lower Hudson valley is fairly high, and engineering studies indicate that nearly half a million people will be able to hear  WDFH — respectable for any station!