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I was recently back in Minneapolis in June while
visiting my parents. WCCO's single tower is located just off of hwy US 10 in
Coon Rapids; NW of Mpls. It is completley surrounded by residential homes on
three sides.
I remember back in the late 80's reading an article
in the Mpls. Star-Tribune that if the tower ever fell (sic), they would not be
allowed to rebuild on the same site. Therefore, WCCO was trying to get
historical status of some sort. I do not know if this ever evolved to fruition
on their part.
When I moved to Seattle in 1989, WCCO was heard
occasionally; fighting it out with KIKI in Honolulu. Then, KNCO in Grass Valley,
CA and CKKY in Wainwright, AB showed up on frequency; thereby pretty much
eliminating WCCO.
Here in Helena, MT, WCCO only rarely makes an
appearance; CKKY dominating most of the time. KSTP-1500 is heard daily here with
quite listenable signals.
When I was camping in NW MN in June during severe
thunderstorms, I would always tune in to WCCO @ 18 minutes past the hour when
they give their weather reports. Even though I was in Clearwater, MN, about 40
miles NW of WCCO, their signal was atrocious! Day or night!
WCCO NEEDS a new transmitter site and tower; I
think I will inquire. C-C-O, 8-3-Oh needs help; it's an
institution.
By the way, I have an extra WCCO-830 coffee mug;
black w/ gold letters. Free to the first person that shows me the earliest QSL
card from them. If you're overseas, you pay shipping! I have one from 1980, so I
probably won't count.
Terry Palmersheim, KC7LDP
Helena, MT
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