Q: Sometimes I can’t hear 95.1 SHINE-FM in the summer. Why?

A: It’s all because of the weather. Typically during the early and late summer months, an atmospheric phenomenon called “thermal inversion” affects our signal. Basically, cool, humid air occasionally gets trapped below a blanket of warm air. The signal then “skips” along the top side of the warm air blanket, reflecting it into space—it can’t penetrate the cold air down to your radio. The problem is worse in the early mornings, just after the coolest part of the night, with areas northeast and northwest of Baltimore most affected.

Q: What can be done to fix it?

A: There is nothing that we can physically do. Fortunately, the problem resolves itself as the rising sun warms the earth and the air layer above it, usually taking place as the morning progresses. All that to say there isn’t much that can be done—except hang in there with us!

Q: I live in the Westminster area. Why can’t I get 95.1 SHINE-FM clear in some places?

A: Our 500’ tower is located in southwest Baltimore County, near the intersections of I-695, I-95, and Washington Blvd. Our signal is directed slightly away from two places where other stations share the 95.1FM frequency: to the northeast toward Atlantic City, NJ, and to the northwest, toward Chambersburg, PA, which is what affects certain areas in Westminster. Compounding that, the terrain rises in elevation from our tower location toward Westminster. Bummer. But, if you’re in an affected area, remember you can listen to us on 95.1SHINEFM.com via the internet.