WRMI/Shortwave

[Barry]

Probably most people think of shortwave radio as nearly a thing of the past. I've been aware that there are still a few domestic shortwave broadcasters. But until I stumbled upon WRMI's website, I had no idea that any still operate such an extensive setup. This commercial domestic shortwave broadcaster hads a bunch of transmitters and towers in Florida, and maintains a complex and extensive schedule.
The frequencies are mostly leased to international broadcasters, and religious organizations, such as the ubiquitous Overcomer Ministry.
Does anyone know whether WMRI is profitable? They need to maintain and provide electricity to a large array of towers and transmitters.
Are some of the other U.S. domestic shortwave broadcast operations about as large?
Shortwave Complex

 

[Mikey Radio]

If you do a search here on RadioDiscussions, you'll see a few discussion threads about WRMI...Most recently and notably because their facility was damaged in the relatively recent hurricane and they're asking for donations to make repairs and rebuild as needed, as they had no insurance: https://www.radiodiscussions.com/threads/wrmi-hurricane-ian-damage-and-gofundme-site.755578/

 

[Miss Tuned]

I don't understand why, in such troubled times, people would voluntarily donate money to a commercial radio station to get it back on the air because it didn't have insurance. Whatever happened to the free market? If the business has failed for commercial reasons, it's failed.

These stations have no purpose at all. For years, the majority of their programming - including on WRMI - has been extremist (mostly right-wing) political trash and endless religious sect programming along the lines of Brother Stair. The only saving grace is that absolutely nobody is listening to any of it. It gives the crazies somewhere to pretend they're broadcasting to an audience.

There is still the odd hobbyist using the airtime to broadcast music(!) and assorted SW data-mode bleeps and bloops, but if that was my hobby, the idea that I was being subsidized by far-right violent political loons and exploitative religious proselytizers would give me pause.

 

[Barry]

In addition to the marginal programming described in the above post, WMRI also leases time to international broadcasters. Apparently it is less expensive for many foreign government stations to lease time on WMRI than to maintain their own equipment.

 

[Kelly A]

In addition to the marginal programming described in the above post, WMRI also leases time to international broadcasters. Apparently it is less expensive for many foreign government stations to lease time on WMRI than to maintain their own equipment.

Or, depending on their home government broadcasting may not be allowed. Even Voice Of America, still pays some licensed MW and SW broadcasters within a geographical region to air VOA content.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

I don't understand why, in such troubled times, people would voluntarily donate money to a commercial radio station to get it back on the air because it didn't have insurance. Whatever happened to the free market? If the business has failed for commercial reasons, it's failed.

These stations have no purpose at all. For years, the majority of their programming - including on WRMI - has been extremist (mostly right-wing) political trash and endless religious sect programming along the lines of Brother Stair. The only saving grace is that absolutely nobody is listening to any of it. It gives the crazies somewhere to pretend they're broadcasting to an audience.

There is still the odd hobbyist using the airtime to broadcast music(!) and assorted SW data-mode bleeps and bloops, but if that was my hobby, the idea that I was being subsidized by far-right violent political loons and exploitative religious proselytizers would give me pause.

i'm one of those hobbyists.. ill be doing a live show on WRMI and spaceline bulgaria December 23rd 2200-2400UTC

 

[Kelly A]

I don't understand why, in such troubled times, people would voluntarily donate money to a commercial radio station to get it back on the air because it didn't have insurance. Whatever happened to the free market? If the business has failed for commercial reasons, it's failed.

There's big money in talking politics. Especially if that talk includes lizard people drinking children's blood and pedophile rings in pizza restaurant basements. (that aren't built over a basement)
Some politician's have figured out that the more crazy and unhinged things they say in public, the larger and faster their campaign coffers grow. Same goes for radio stations.

 

[SarahB98]

I have a few qsl cards from WRMI

 

[BomberOtt]

I don't understand why, in such troubled times, people would voluntarily donate money to a commercial radio station to get it back on the air because it didn't have insurance. Whatever happened to the free market? If the business has failed for commercial reasons, it's failed.

These stations have no purpose at all. For years, the majority of their programming - including on WRMI - has been extremist (mostly right-wing) political trash and endless religious sect programming along the lines of Brother Stair. The only saving grace is that absolutely nobody is listening to any of it. It gives the crazies somewhere to pretend they're broadcasting to an audience.

There is still the odd hobbyist using the airtime to broadcast music(!) and assorted SW data-mode bleeps and bloops, but if that was my hobby, the idea that I was being subsidized by far-right violent political loons and exploitative religious proselytizers would give me pause.

Despite the same large pile of stuff that I don't wanna hear that every other shortwave station in the US has, WRMI has by far the largest selection of music shows and international news of any domestic station. Therefore I'd like to have the station that actively allows good content to buy time at reasonable rates and has recently added WTWW Music and The Mighty KBC after losing their own original stations to continue.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

Despite the same large pile of stuff that I don't wanna hear that every other shortwave station in the US has, WRMI has by far the largest selection of music shows and international news of any domestic station. Therefore I'd like to have the station that actively allows good content to buy time at reasonable rates and has recently added WTWW Music and The Mighty KBC after losing their own original stations to continue.

Thats because for us hobbyists who lease time for WRMi, the station is very easy to deal with. you deal directly with owner jeff white and hes very pleasant and easy to do business with and rates are pretty affordable.

 

[Kelly A]

Thats because for us hobbyists who lease time for WRMi, the station is very easy to deal with. you deal directly with owner jeff white and hes very pleasant and easy to do business with and rates are pretty affordable.

But Jeff thinks you might be a lizard person. Kidding!

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

But Jeff thinks you might be a lizard person. Kidding!

LOL

The last time i booked time with Jeff, which was two weeks ago...i emailed and said "i want 2200 to 2400 UTC Dec 23rd on 7570 and whatever frequency you have at the time covering central/south america. Please send me an invoice"

he emailed me back an hour or two later confirming what i wanted and that hed send the invoice. Thats easy peazy

 

[Mediafrog+]

Thats because for us hobbyists who lease time for WRMi, the station is very easy to deal with. you deal directly with owner jeff white and hes very pleasant and easy to do business with and rates are pretty affordable.

The WRMI rates are apparently too low, as the station can’t afford insurance for its physical plant, and begs for money on GoFundMe. They need to charge enough to pay for necessary business expenses.

Sorry, but I have a big issue with for-profit companies begging for money because of flaws in their business model.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

The WRMI rates are apparently too low, as the station can’t afford insurance for its physical plant, and begs for money on GoFundMe. They need to charge enough to pay for necessary business expenses.

Sorry, but I have a big issue with for-profit companies begging for money because of flaws in their business model.

To bring them to a rate that they could afford insurance, it would run them out of business and theyd be more expensive than the broadcasters like TDF in France.

I bet you also have issues with religious stations begging for money for different reasons.. so its a no win situation here for you, it would seem.

Id be willing to bet Family radio probably didnt have insurance on it either.

It's a catch 22, kinda sorta

 

[Kelly A]

Id be willing to bet Family radio probably didn't have insurance on it either.

You'd win that bet. FRS was indeed "self-insured".

 

[Mediafrog+]

To bring them to a rate that they could afford insurance, it would run them out of business and theyd be more expensive than the broadcasters like TDF in France.

Then WRMI has a failed business model, as they are unable to afford normal operational expenses.

I bet you also have issues with religious stations begging for money for different reasons.. so its a no win situation here for you, it would seem.

Religious operations are usually non-profit, and their operational model is designed around donations. If managed correctly, they will account for all expenses.