DC Radio: WMAL Unveils New AM Tower Site Plans

Current WMAL AM Transmitter Site

Cumulus Media/Washington has announced plans for a new AM Transmitter tower site.

Cumulus in August choose a developer who plans to convert 75 acres of prime Bethesda real estate into sites for 330 homes on the property that’s now home to four large radio towers used by Cumulus' Talk station WMAL 630 AM.

John Harris, vice president with Pennsylvania-based Toll Brothers, said the company plans a mix of town homes and single-family detached homes. The site’s zoning allows up to 50 percent of the new homes to be town homes, though Harris said the developer hasn’t decided on the final mix and many other important details.

Meanwhile, Cumulus has now applied for a CP to move the tramsitter site also used by WSPZ 570 AM, owned by Red Zebra Broadcasting.

Approximate New Site For WMAL 630 AM Transmitter Site

The new site would allow WMAL to retain its current 10 Kw-Day power output; however, evening output would be cut almost in half, from 5 Kw to 2.7 Kw.  The nightime pattern would be pointed ti the southest to retain its city-grade coverage of the District.