WTOP-FM in Washington, D.C. has begun renovations to its tower to improve its signal and reach more listeners. Technicians are installing a new antenna on the 419-foot tower (ASR#1045309) on the campus of American University in the northwest part of the city.
When the work is done, WTOP anticipates its signal will reach 400,000 more people, especially in the suburbs of northern Virginia and parts of Maryland.
“Existing and new listeners will experience better reception and less interference,” the station says on its website.
During the antenna installation, WTOP will operate from its backup site in Wheaton, Maryland. The station anticipates continuing to serve most of its coverage area with a signal that is similar to what is received today.
WTOP is doing the tower work because the ability for listeners to hear the station varies widely. “Some listeners get a perfect signal, some experience static, and some people who should be able to hear the station get no signal at all,” according to the station. WTOP anticipates the signal received throughout the region will be “substantially stronger” once the work is complete, expected to be in February.
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