WFUN-FM: ANALOG VS. DIGITAL

WFUN-FM (95.5 MHz, Bethalto, IL, known as “Foxy 95.5”) has the distinction of the being the last locally-originated radio station that featured a format oriented toward the under-13 set. Local ownership sold this station in 1998; it’s currently owned by Radio One. Recently, this station was testing their digital equipment. With the station going digital, the Urban AC format is no longer be available in true, artifact-free FM Stereo in St. Louis.

Frequency Before WFUN-FM went digital After WFUN-FM went digital

95.2 MHz Analog sidebands from WFUN-FM and KXMO Wiped out by WFUN-FM digital sidebands

95.3 MHz KXMO Owensville, MO (Good signal)* Wiped out by WFUN-FM digital sidebands

95.4 MHz Analog sidebands from WFUN-FM Wiped out by WFUN-FM digital sidebands

95.5 MHz Center channel Center channel

95.6 MHz Analog sidebands from WFUN-FM Wiped out by WFUN-FM digital sidebands

95.7 MHz KWWR Mexico, MO (Fair signal) Wiped out by WFUN-FM digital sidebands

95.8 MHz Analog sidebands from WFUN-FM and WOLG Wiped out by WFUN-FM digital sidebands

An asterisk (*) denotes that KXMO broadcasts in true CD-quality sound, without the use of spectrum-wasting digital equipment.

This is something Bob Howe would have never thought of had he held on to this station. KXMO, which can be received in full FM Stereo on 95.3 MHz with WFUN-FM in the spectrally efficient analog format, is completely wiped out with WFUN-FM broadcasting in the spectrally inefficient digital format.