By LAURA NACHMAN
Courier Times
E-mail

The honeymoon may be over in the marriage between the Phillies and their new flagship radio station, WPEN 950-AM. Phillies fans in Upper Bucks County and other areas are complaining that they can't get "The Station of the Stars" when the stars come out at night. Lifetime Phillies fan Jeff Scott, 48, of Pittstown, N.J., located five miles from Bucks County and 50 miles from Philadelphia, discovered he could not get reception from WPEN after dark. "I am able to get almost all of the other Philadelphia radio stations, and I tried the other affiliates of the Phillies radio network, but had no luck with WPEN," said the frustrated Scott. The fact that practically every game will be on television wasn't a comfort. "There are many people who don't get cable, and people who enjoy listening to games while outside or driving," he said.WPEN general manager Rick Feinblatt acknowledged that the station had received a handful of complaints about the reception. Feinblatt said it is the Phillies' responsibility to make sure its radio network covers areas that his station can't reach.This is the Phillies' first year with WPEN and the Greater Philadelphia Radio Group, which includes WMGK 102.9-FM, WMMR 93.3-FM, and WMWX 95.7-FM. For the last 20 years, the team was heard on 1210-AM, which is a 50,000-watt clear channel signal. WPEN is a 5,000-watt signal that must change the direction of its signal at night due to FCC rules. Rory McNeil, the Phillies director of broadcast and video services, admitted that the team knew about WPEN's limitations when it signed a three-year deal earlier this year, but denies it committed an error. "There were many factors that went into our decision to go with WPEN," McNeil said. "Last year, WPHT 1210-AM wanted to go more in a talk direction. They only aired pre-game shows before 65 games. Besides WPEN, we can utilize the three other FM stations for promotional events." McNeil said the Phillies could end up on one of the other stations. But what's a fan supposed to do this year? "I guess I'll have to listen to Mets games or find something else to do," Scott said.