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1110 WPMZ broadcasting after dark

R

RI Radio Nut

While channel surfing this evening at around 5:30 pm I was surprised to hear WPMZ 1110 still broadcasting. I checked the FCC data base and WPMZ is still a daytime only station. Official sunset for this date is 4:29 pm. I'm not sure if the power was reduced but it was coming in pretty clearly in western Cranston.
 
WPMZ, I believe, has limited post-sunset authority with 150 watts from sunset to 90 min. after.
 
DG02816 said:
WPMZ, I believe, has limited post-sunset authority with 150 watts from sunset to 90 min. after.
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I think it was 250 when I worked there but Dick Allen pushed it 24 hrs. I thought it was 6pm but u may be right.
 
I remember seeing that authorization for 24 hours when I worked @ WHIM when it was on 1450. I miss that station. Weird to think it's been WPMZ now longer in my life (16+ years out of 32) than it was WHIM. :'(
 
They've been known in the past to be on well after the sunset auth. time. Not often but as an avid listener to KMOX 1120, I can sure tell you when they are still on.
 
I was doing overnights when that 250 watt ND authorization went on. Station was doing pretty well coverage wise despite the low power.Got a request from someone hearing the station in PA; was delighted to hear we were getting out like that. I often wondered why Pappy just didn't put the Collins 20V2 on at night? Never thought you could throttle an MW5 down that far and still have it sound good.
 
WPMZ/WHIM never had Post-Sunset Authority at 250 Watts. That myth was dispelled years ago when WBT in Charlotte made a complaint to the FCC of night time interference. According to the FCC Database, WPMZ has only 7-13 Watts of very limited PSSR, depending on the time of year. It's hardly worth operating after dark at those levels;especially with a Directional Array.
 
(The Other) Big John said:
I found this on the FCC site a few years ago when a similar subject concerning WHIM (WPMZ) was brought up. The reference to an "Oral Authorization" with the FCC still makes me shake my head in disbelief. Please tell me that "Pappy" had no involvement in this. Perhaps "Mrs. Pierce"?

http://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Databases/documents_collection/let19960216.html
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So when I was doing overnights on WHIM 1110 in 1993-1995. The station was operating illegally.Very interesting...I was at the understanding we cut back to 250 watts.After I WAS fired by Mr.Allen the station was operating at 5000 watts well after dark.
 
Again, I remember seeing a letter in WHIM's files when I worked there in 1997 (when it was on 1450 so 5kW was moot) allowing the nighttime power. I didn't make a copy (should have) of it so I don't remember whom it was from.
 
iyiyi said:
Pappy ALWAYS played by the rules! Any WHIM (1110) listener will remember their sign-off always ended with: "A special good night to Mrs. Pierce!" Mrs. Pierce kept the WHIM studios/station in top notch, tidy condition. Pappy was absolutely adamant that her memory was honored each day at sign-off!
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There was quite a story behind Mrs. Pierce which, unless someone replies saying they haven't heard it and want to, I will refrain from posting.
 
I was an employee of East Providence Broadcasting(125 Eastern Ave) in 1987. WHIM at that time was signing off at 10pm.
In the studio, there was a 'sign-off cart'(for Mon-Fri) recorded by morning man Charlie Huddle. Reminding listeners to join him and Ann Carter(news/sales) the next morning.
 
Scott Fybush said:
I haven't heard the story. I want to. ;D
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Here goes:

A long time ago when Jay Dunn, Bob Basset and a host of other notables were at WHIM the cleaning lady was Mrs. Pierce. She came in right at sign-off and always waved to whoever was on-air at the time...typically when they were doing the sign-off live from a script (pre-cartridge days). It was late Autumn and sign-off was pretty early (WHIM being a daytimer then). I believe it was Jay who was on the air but it may have been Charlie Jefferds....it's so long ago I have trouble with the fine details. While reading the sign-off whichever it was saw Mrs. Pierce standing patiently at the studio door, waiting to come in and tidy up. Didn't see her come in; left without talking with her BUT at the end of the sign-off had appended: "And a special good-night to Mrs. Pierce."

The morning shift found the studio in mild disorder. Wastebasket full; ashtray (you could smoke back then) filthy.

That was because Mrs. Pierce had died quietly at home THE DAY BEFORE and never had come in to be seen.....

Thereafter Jay (or Charlie) always added the good-night to the sign-off. Those who followed him picked up on it for years and years. I doubt it lasted through too many changes of ownership but it always was good for a quick chill down the spine.


Game-time:

Of course very few "sign off" anymore but, in the days it was common, to read the sign-off and play a scratchy recording of The National Anthem.

WYNG (1590), when owned by Milt Mittler (an Air Force Colonel), used a different piece of music, a vocal. Anybody but me old enough to remember what it was?

WLKW (990), under the original ownership, signed off with a recording of Mowry Lowe who concluded with: "To our friends in The West, good evening; to our friends..................." OK, who can complete that?
 
Well, the building was torn down not long ago so Mrs Pierce is now a wandering spirit looking for ashtrays to empty.
 
125 Eastern Ave. was a fun place to work even though things looked like they were put together with less than no budget. Pappy used the old WJAR 920 Fairchild consoles to do the air and production studios. I had a guy doing Gospel music, a Middle East music show on reel to reel, and a Portuguese show done live. All this on a Sunday morning from sunrise till noon.
 
The last time I remember hearing "Good Night Mrs. Pierce" was in '67 when Paul Payton was signing off the station for the day. I vaguely remember a similar good night to someone on WRIB's sign off but I can't recall the name.

Speaking of Pappy, I can still hear him doing those Oscar's Hardware commercials..."If Oscar's doesn't have it, you don't need it."
 
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