• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

680 AM transmitter site

R

radiosaur

I was on a rare trip in the area today and drove by the Benjestown Road site. I spent many an hour keeping that place running back in the 80s and wondered what it was like now. In addition to the new tower, they have gotten rid of the old wooden doghouses and replaced them with new metal tuning boxes. The old fences are down, the grass is cut, and the towers look great. I was astounded anyone takes care of an AM site like that nowadays.
 
I went out there several years ago when Mike Patton was in town working on the site. I was pleasantly surprised to find the old console and cart machine setup, complete with current tunes circa 1974, that Harry Simpson would have been using to do the overnight show. Seems like it was a Gates Stereo Statesman or something similar.
 
I went out there once in the late 1980s and lots of old WMPS memorabilia dating back to the 1940s was being stored. Old Plough newsletters, materials related to the opening of the Union Ave. studios, sales materials related to the 10kw power upgrade. Even the carts Harry Simpson would have played were still there.

The most impressive thing was a vintage microphone with the WMPS call letters. They let me take several things, but not the mic.
 
sjs1959 said:
Remind me again, why did Harry do his overnights at the transmitter?
Click to expand...

Back then, the transmitter had to be manned at all times by the holder of a First Class Radio Telephone Operator permit. He had one.
 
robgrayson said:
I went out there several years ago when Mike Patton was in town working on the site. I was pleasantly surprised to find the old console and cart machine setup, complete with current tunes circa 1974, that Harry Simpson would have been using to do the overnight show. Seems like it was a Gates Stereo Statesman or something similar.
Click to expand...

It was. The original RCA console used to be around there somewhere, too.

When I was Assistant CE of then WRVR AM/FM, there was a giant spring reverb on the wall as well.

Cleaning out the doghouses back in '82 or so, we found some transmitter logs from the 1940's. Vintage transmitter sites can be time capsules.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom