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Pirate station on 102.1 in Pinellas County

drt said:
There is now a new facebook entry, which implies they are still on the air. IMO there seems to be a disconnect between their Facebook posts and what is actually going on.

This is the short post:

"When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die. In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.
WKMJ Radio Live we are the people station 102.1 & 1710 AM"

In my travels up to Pinellas Park to check them out, I never found the 1710 to be on the air; at least nowhere within 1.5 miles of their FM antenna site at 62nd St N and Park Blvd. (which was in fact right around the corner from the Pinellas Park Police station and their communication towers - probably not more than 750 feet, if that far).

As of now, there are 6 likes to that latest post, but no actual comments.

drt
Click to expand...

Based on the news reports, the FM is silent, right?

The most recent FB post says the following:

"This is the listeners report from last night..... You can't never stop The people station WKMJ Radio Live 102.1 FM-1710 AM eight thousands plus listeners for the first time numbers don't lie 16 Nov 2013 37 8,275 8,275 550.40 GB"

They're off the air, right?

Why even post this? It's like bringing a knife to a gun fight (yes, that was intentional, they have the knife).
 
Sounds to me like they are just grasping at straws...

R
 
stewie said:
Based on the news reports, the FM is silent, right?

The most recent FB post says the following:

"This is the listeners report from last night..... You can't never stop The people station WKMJ Radio Live 102.1 FM-1710 AM eight thousands plus listeners for the first time numbers don't lie 16 Nov 2013 37 8,275 8,275 550.40 GB"

They're off the air, right?

Why even post this? It's like bringing a knife to a gun fight (yes, that was intentional, they have the knife).
Click to expand...

Yes, Robert Bass posted..... "Sounds to me like they are just grasping at straws..."

I agree, it does seem as though they are grasping at straws or tilting at windmills...... there's a total disconnect between reality and the fact that the station was closed down.

I went up to Pinellas Park last night and right by their previous location and they weren't on the air on either band, AM or FM. To the best of my knowledge, in spite of what's on their Facebook page and website, they were never on the air on the AM band; at least the times I was in the area.

Remember in 2003; when the official Iraq news agency and announcers were denying that US troops had entered Iraq?, even though one could see US Army tanks and US flags in the background? Similiar scenario as far as being disconnected from reality.

drt
 
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If they had the facilities to transmit at 1710, there would certainly be a pretty tall (or long) antenna. Even a helical-wound vertical would need to be 50+ feet tall. Short transmitting antennas don't work well on medium wave frequencies.
 
The people involved with this operation are first class morons. I sent them multiple messages warning them of what was about to happen to them... and now that it happened exactly like I said, they are blaming me... yeah these guys are stupid as hell.
 
As for their AM transmitter, I suspect it is/was operating from a different location, possibly at the guys house in Kenneth City. When I was at the Park Blvd location last week, I could faintly hear a signal on 1710... that might actually be a legit part 15 station. 100mW can do more than you think with a good antenna. When I had a station on 1630 I used a variation of an inverted v, the antenna ran diagonally from one side of the lot to the other... it takes some effort, but it's doable. While I was still designing my antenna, I got pretty good results running a wire from the transmitter up one side of the tower, and then straight down to a ground rod... that shouldn't have worked very well, but it took my 100mW out about 2 blocks in every direction.
 
coolaid213 said:
The people involved with this operation are first class morons. I sent them multiple messages warning them of what was about to happen to them... and now that it happened exactly like I said, they are blaming me... yeah these guys are stupid as hell.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately some people have to learn things the hard way. C'est la vie...

R
 
Robert Bass said:
Unfortunately some people have to learn things the hard way. C'est la vie...

R
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I'm guessing the people at 102.1 are still on very beginning of the learning curve; the only two comments on their latest Facebook post, both seem to be from people associated with their operation and they seem pretty defiant.

One comment indicates they knew who one of their "haters" is and then the next comment could be construed by some as a veiled threat:


"WKMJradiolive our lawyer is working on it better believe here at WKMJ Radio Live we don't take no BS from no one specially when THEY tried us like that... WE STAND FOR THE PEOPLE 102.1 FM-1710 AM"
13 hours ago · Like · 2
---------
If they have an attorney, as they say they do, I would think the attorney would advise them to muster up some self control and try to stay under the radar at this point in time.

drt
 
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They're still webcasting and I believe that's where they're quoting the listenership from. I agree, the AM/FM operation was a bad choice and one they should abandon even talking about. I run an internet radio station myself and years ago used to simulcast in my neighborhood on the FM... but once I realized that I could get in big trouble I ceased. Besides, I'm a firm believer that we're moving in the direction of listening to "radio" via apps and other internet connected devices like at home wi-fi receivers and so forth. Eventually, traditional over the air radio will only be viable in the automobile... and even that listenership is probably slipping. If they're serious, they should really concentrate on building a streaming audience. By the way... I wonder if they're paying royalty rates based on those numbers. LOL.... that's the next stumbling block. I wish them luck but it's a lot harder to do it legally and make it financially profitable than most people think.
 
I could be wrong, but I suspect, following laws and regulations is not a high priority for those running the former OTA FM and current website. (as far as paying any royalties)

With 8,000 listeners, I'm surprised, that they don't have more likes on their Facebook page and many more comments than they do. (by people not associated with the operation).

As far as broadcastsing the AM out of Kenneth City, since Kenneth City was mentioned so often in this thread, each time I went up to Pinellas Park, I did not take the most direct route, but would skirt Kenneth City from 54th Ave N and 58th St N, going up to around 70th Ave N and was not able to pick up anything on 1710, not even a faint signal, so if they were operating the AM out of Kenneth City; it did not exactly blanket Greater Metro Kenneth City! :)

Even the FM had some static in the southern most part of the drive through eastern Kenneth City. (and that may have well been from them operating slightly off frequency)
 
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Someone posted this:

For those of you who think WKMJ Radio is not in business we are still at the same location solid as a rock if you know what we mean UNBREAKABLE & UNSTOPPABLE Late night Hip Hop start tonight @10 on the People Station 102.1 FM 1710 AM WKMJ Radio Live....
Click to expand...

R
 
Yeah, I'm the guy they are threatening. I think it's absolutely hilarious that they're talking to "their lawyer" about me. Somehow I get the feeling the kind of revenge they're seeking won't be through the legal system. Oh well, they can bring it on. These guys really are stupid as hell.
 
coolaid213 said:
Yeah, I'm the guy they are threatening. I think it's absolutely hilarious that they're talking to "their lawyer" about me. Somehow I get the feeling the kind of revenge they're seeking won't be through the legal system. Oh well, they can bring it on. These guys really are stupid as hell.
Click to expand...

If they decide to "bring it on", they are REALLY stupid. I have a feeling that as the legal case against them moves forward, they will quiet down considerably.
 
ok walters said:
If they decide to "bring it on", they are REALLY stupid. I have a feeling that as the legal case against them moves forward, they will quiet down considerably.
Click to expand...

I'm wondering if they haven't said and done too much already. You can't fix stupid.
 
SarasotaJim said:
I'm wondering if they haven't said and done too much already. You can't fix stupid.
Click to expand...

Even if they could fix stupid, I don't think that would be a priority either, I imagine if they have an actual attorney that his or her advice will be ignored.

Latest Facebook entry:
--------------
The people station still standing solid as a rock better believe IT UNSTOPPABLE GOING STRONG LIKE NEVER BEFORE! !!!!!
-------------------------------------

Going strong, like never before (except they're not on the air; unless maybe it's shortwave or long wave; haven't checked those bands!)

I'm wondering what the real/actual WKMJ (class C3 FM) in Michigan would do if anything, if they saw their call letters on one of the t-shirts that is now being modeled on their Facebook Page. (also wondering how long the Pinellas Park/Keneth city group will have a Facebook page)........ and also wondering if the real WKMJ has as many listeners as the faux WTMJ. :)

The t-shirt modeled shows both the AM and FM frequencies, again giving the impression that they are on the air as well as online.

If their 8,000 listeners all buy a t-shirt, that might be enough to almost cover the fines.

drt
 
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8000 listeners? I am really laughing now. Where would 8000 listeners put them in the ratings book? Pretty good for only being on for less than a year part time and with no promotion. LOL
 
Now if only my Internet station had 8,000 listeners! :D

R
 
ok walters said:
8000 listeners? I am really laughing now. Where would 8000 listeners put them in the ratings book? Pretty good for only being on for less than a year part time and with no promotion. LOL
Click to expand...

That's what this group is alleging; I don't really believe that at all, but that's the figure they use and they are sticking with that.

I think if they keep on with their rhetoric, they are going to find themselves in the same position as the pirate that was raided in Summerfield, just north of the Villages; he kept bragging and eventually the FCC raised the fine from $10,000 to $15,000
{ http://radiodiscussions.com/showthread.php?656804-FCC-ratchets-up-fine-Florida-pirate
}... so this group really better get on it as far as selling their T-shirts; until the real WKMJ might file some type of injunction prohibiting them from selling the shirts or using their call letters in any from or faction.


Also when there is a conviction, don't know if they will be knocked off of Facebook or not; hard to figure that one out, since the Facebook TOS seem to change each month.

btw- in Eastern Hernando WLBE 790 even after powering down and going directional, the signal is listenable here for about 30 minutes after the power-down, but eventually it does become background, but of course there's always the streaming at that point.... and the streaming does sound fantastic. :)
 
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drt said:
You too could allege your internet station has 8,000 listeners!! :)

It's been done and being done by others!
Click to expand...

I'll go one step further...

LEGENDARY 80S HAS 80,000 LISTENERS!

There, I did it. :D

R
 
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