WAY Media, known for its listener-supported Christian radio stations across North America, has opted for GatesAir's Flexiva FM and HD Radio systems to upgrade multiple stations. The move comes as part of a broader modernization effort that began four years ago when WAY Media started replacing older tube transmitters.
Phil Jennings on the Choice
According to Phil Jennings, Senior Director of Engineering at Hope Media Group, which now owns nearly 75 stations following its merger with Houston-based Hope Media Group, the decision leans heavily towards GatesAir's offerings. “We have been adding HD2 feeds to many of our FM stations,” Jennings said, “and in some markets we use HD Radio channels to feed translators that extend our over-the-air signals.”
Jennings highlighted the reliability and ease of maintenance offered by GatesAir's solutions. He cited successful installations at KAWA-FM (Dallas), WAYF-FM (West Palm Beach, Fla.), and WAYM-FM (Nashville) as examples of the company’s commitment to modern radio technology.
Technical Details
The installations include Flexiva FAX 7.5kW air-cooled transmitters and Flexiva FLX 20kW liquid-cooled transmitters, which have improved on-air reliability while simplifying maintenance for WAY Media. At the Nashville station, WAYM-FM, a “dream scenario” HD Radio deployment uses GatesAir HD Link microwave STL to move audio feeds from the studio to the tower site, where the Flexiva FMXi 4g imports the audio for processing.
“This setup gives us the best possible reliability and audio clarity,” Jennings added. The configuration is expected to be replicated at other stations in the future.
Benefits of the Upgrade
The upgrade not only enhances the HD Radio experience for listeners but also offers significant operational benefits. At KAWA-FM, a 20kW liquid-cooled system is expected to provide a return on investment within three years. “We were running a legacy tube transmitter at about 19kW in Dallas,” Jennings explained, “and the Flexiva absorbed 100 kilowatt hours less each day.”
The reduced energy consumption has been a key factor in decreasing operational costs for WAY Media. The company is also leveraging HD Radio to expand niche formats and reach more listeners.