WCXU
Encyclopedia
Channel X Radio is a network of American
radio stations in Aroostook County, Maine
. With studios in Caribou
the stations are heard through various transmitters throughout Aroostook County.
With a 3 kW signal and a small transmitter, people north of Caribou couldn't get the signal. Madawaska
was the first place to get a translator. On January 30, 1988, WCXX 102.3 Madawaska began atop 11th Avenue Extension in a tiny studio, rebroadcasting WCXU. The signal reached all the way to Caribou.
Because of the valley like nature, and the small power that WCXX transmits, the signal is degraded in most of Fort Kent
. In late 1994, CanXus applied for W276AY on 103.1 MHz. This very small signal is located near the Northern Maine Medical Center and reaches only Fort Kent and surrounding towns. At the same time WCXU doubled its power to 6 kW, then later increased the output to 20 kW. Now the signal can go all the way to Houlton
and Fort Kent in a 45 mile radius. Since then, the transmitter building has doubled in size, the transmitter has become a little bigger (now Height Above Average Terrain
(HAAT) of 90 m) and in 1998, Channel X moved to its new studio-office with state-of-the-art computerized broadcasting equipment.
In late 2006 WCXV in Van Buren began to simulcast Channel X Radio. It broadcasted at a lower power until December 27, 2007 when WCXV began broadcasting at the full 6 kW. Recently CanXus changed their construction permit
to decrease its HAAT to 1 m.
In the summer of 2007, Channel X began broadcasting on WCXH 780 kHz, previously known as WREM 710 kHz in Monticello
, the first AM station of the network. The station is owned by broadcaster Allan Weiner
, who also owns shortwave
broadcast station WBCQ in Monticello. The station later changed its call letters to WXME
and replaced Channel X Radio with a news/talk
format.
Peter Edwards.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio stations in Aroostook County, Maine
Aroostook County, Maine
Aroostook County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, its population was 71,870. In land area, it is the largest county in the state and the largest U.S. county east of the Mississippi River. Its seat is Houlton...
. With studios in Caribou
Caribou, Maine
Caribou is the second largest city in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. Its population was 8,189 at the 2010 census.-History:Between 1838 and 1839, the undeclared Aroostook War flared between the United States and Canada, and the Battle of Caribou occurred in December 1838...
the stations are heard through various transmitters throughout Aroostook County.
History
The CanXus Broadcasting Corporation was founded in Maine in May 1986. Shortly after that, CanXus submitted an application to put a 3,000 watt transmitter on the Green Ridge Road, or on the Caribou/Fort Fairfield town line. On November 15, 1986 at 6:00 p.m., WCXU, Caribou began operation on 97.7 MHz. The studios and offices were in a single-wide trailer while the transmitter was 400 feet away.With a 3 kW signal and a small transmitter, people north of Caribou couldn't get the signal. Madawaska
Madawaska, Maine
Madawaska is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,035 at the 2010 census. Madawaska is opposite Edmundston in Madawaska County in New Brunswick, Canada, to which it is connected by the Edmundston-Madawaska Bridge. Today many of its residents speak French; 83.4% of...
was the first place to get a translator. On January 30, 1988, WCXX 102.3 Madawaska began atop 11th Avenue Extension in a tiny studio, rebroadcasting WCXU. The signal reached all the way to Caribou.
Because of the valley like nature, and the small power that WCXX transmits, the signal is degraded in most of Fort Kent
Fort Kent, Maine
Fort Kent is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,097 in the 2010 census. Fort Kent is home to an Olympic biathlete training center, an annual CAN-AM dogsled race, and the Fort Kent Blockhouse, built in reaction to the Aroostook War and in modern times designated...
. In late 1994, CanXus applied for W276AY on 103.1 MHz. This very small signal is located near the Northern Maine Medical Center and reaches only Fort Kent and surrounding towns. At the same time WCXU doubled its power to 6 kW, then later increased the output to 20 kW. Now the signal can go all the way to Houlton
Houlton, Maine
Houlton is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, on the United States – Canada border, located at . As of the 2010 census, the town population was 6,123. It is perhaps best known as being at the northern terminus of Interstate 95 and for being the birthplace of Samantha Smith...
and Fort Kent in a 45 mile radius. Since then, the transmitter building has doubled in size, the transmitter has become a little bigger (now Height Above Average Terrain
Height above average terrain
Height above average terrain is used extensively in FM radio and television, as it is actually much more important than effective radiated power in determining the range of broadcasts...
(HAAT) of 90 m) and in 1998, Channel X moved to its new studio-office with state-of-the-art computerized broadcasting equipment.
In late 2006 WCXV in Van Buren began to simulcast Channel X Radio. It broadcasted at a lower power until December 27, 2007 when WCXV began broadcasting at the full 6 kW. Recently CanXus changed their construction permit
Construction permit
A construction permit or building permit is a permit required in most jurisdictions for new construction, or adding on to pre-existing structures, and in some cases for major renovations. Generally, the new construction must be inspected during construction and after completion to ensure compliance...
to decrease its HAAT to 1 m.
In the summer of 2007, Channel X began broadcasting on WCXH 780 kHz, previously known as WREM 710 kHz in Monticello
Monticello, Maine
Monticello is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States on the northern branch of the Meduxnekeag River. The population was 790 at the 2000 census...
, the first AM station of the network. The station is owned by broadcaster Allan Weiner
Allan Weiner
Allan H. Weiner is a long-time pirate radio operator and activist. Weiner is currently the owner/operator of WBCQ, a licensed shortwave station broadcasting from Monticello, Maine, and also owns AM radio station WXME and FM radio station WBCQ-FM in Monticello.- The Falling Star Radio Network...
, who also owns shortwave
Shortwave
Shortwave radio refers to the upper MF and all of the HF portion of the radio spectrum, between 1,800–30,000 kHz. Shortwave radio received its name because the wavelengths in this band are shorter than 200 m which marked the original upper limit of the medium frequency band first used...
broadcast station WBCQ in Monticello. The station later changed its call letters to WXME
WXME
WXME is a radio station located in Monticello, Maine, United States serving the Northern Maine market and broadcasts a News/Talk format simulcasting Presque Isle based WEGP. The station is owned and operated by Allan Weiner, who also owns the shortwave station WBCQ...
and replaced Channel X Radio with a news/talk
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
format.
Current programming
Current programming on Channel X include local sports, a morning show with Mark Stewart and Dougless Christisen, an afternoon show with Gordon P. Glew, and DJ'sDisc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
Peter Edwards.