• 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

ANOTHER TOWER DOWN FOR WZRX 1590 AM

C

Casual_Observer

Hey all -

I drove along I-220 this afternoon and another tower for WZRX 1590 AM was down. It didn't seem like an accident this time, as there was no tangled tower section mess at the base. That's two down, one to go!

--- Casual Observer
 
Casual_Observer said:
Hey all -

I drove along I-220 this afternoon and another tower for WZRX 1590 AM was down. It didn't seem like an accident this time, as there was no tangled tower section mess at the base. That's two down, one to go!

--- Casual Observer
Click to expand...

I called their engineer last week about something else and asked about WZRX. The site needed a complete rebuild if it was going back on the air ($$$), so there was serious consideration to turning in the license and dismantling the site.

RFB
 
Unless they want to eliminate competition, why don't they just sell it? I'm sure somebody could've done something with it, even with the signal issues.
 
Have any idea what rebuilding a 3 directional AM is...especially with a tight pattern? Estimate, conservative, 250,000 plus field engineering. Then you have studio, equipment, maybe stl's etc.
Not economically feasible, IMHO, and I was a long time engineer there...hate to see it's demise, But...."This too, shall pass" Regards...JBI
 
the golden boy said:
Unless they want to eliminate competition, why don't they just sell it? I'm sure somebody could've done something with it, even with the signal issues.
Click to expand...

I know that I called them at least half a dozen times about selling it and never even got a call back. I left messages and emails both for the local guys and their corporate office...

--- Casual Observer
 
Thats a shame. I've been listening to that station off and on since I was a kid. It sounded fine the last time I heard it even with a tower missing. The audio was better than average. it was even in stereo for many years untill Clear channel shut it off. It looks like they could have just left it with 2 towers and adjusted the power to compensate similar to what stations like WSLI 930 and 970 did when they removed a tower. If they could have gotten a low power FM simulcast I bet they would have kept it on the air. I guess thats one way to eliminate the competition
 
I have spent 60+ years either in radio or as an observer of the industry, mostly in Mobile, Pensacola, and Jackson - three comparable sized markets. I have yet to see any Mobile or Pensacola AM go completely dark (except for a license revocation 45 years ago)... while in Jackson, several have bit the dust: 1550, 1450, 720, and now 1590 ... and 780 and 810 have had lengthy silent periods during which there was speculation that either one might not return to the air. Perhaps broadcasters in Jackson better realize the futility of trying to make a go of it on AM.
 
JBI, explain it to these youngsters that 1590 switched from WOKJ to WWUN about that time. WOKJ moved down the aisle to 1550. Yes, to be back there during the 1970s (and 60s) radio battles would be great.
 
Thanks, Henry...we had that discussion here several years ago, and all the details. It is all in the archives for WWUN...some new readers that have interest may want to view. I remember when you started the MRN, near the WWUN studio and Lake Hico...this was circa 1969, I believe. Regards...JBI
 
I've noticed that its not only just in Jackson that has lost stations, but all over the state. 590 Crystal Springs, 1450 West Point 1420 Vicksburg, 1100 Newton, 1520 Prentiss (Ok that was a long time ago) 1270 Montecello (It's listed on Radio-locator, but havn't heard it in a while), 1340 Brookhaven, 1250 McComb. WIGG Wiggins, 1230 Yazoo City, 710 Eupora, 1080 Carthage, 890 in Laurel, 1520 Marks, and numerous others. If I'm not mistaken isn't there some stations around Port Gibson and Natchez that are gone. along with some stations in the Delta
 
Recent losses in the Delta, include a 50KW fm Cleveland, and a 3KW Drew and Mound Bayou (FM)
earlier 900 AM in Greenville. The FM's were due to a bankruptcy case, I believe. Then there was the Bruce FM that was deleted recently. It ain't all roses in the radio business! JBI
 
WKYC Grenada
WCSA Ripley
WSEL Pontotoc
WDSK Cleveland

Looks like we may have lost WSAO Senatobia. I haven't heard it on the air when I have checked for a good while. It was limping along without life support for the longest. It would be a good fit for a translator on FM I would think.

I hate to see so many stations go but it's bitter sweet. Some could work with the right owners. Some just aren't going to make it these days. I do hate to see stations go but maybe other stations can upgrade and some will see improved reception at night as a result in time.
 
Isn't one of the oldest stations in the state WAML Laurel gone? Also Bay Springs WIZK (?) AM also gone? I noticed one in Starkville was missing the last time I was there. I wouldn't be surprised if 1220 in hazelhurst may be gone soon. I've noticed that when Supertalk takes over a station, sometimes the AM sister dies. Like they did with the West Point AM station.
 
{In Hattiesburg 1230 and 1310 are both gone, yes?}

Yep, 950 WHSY nee WBKH and WFOR 1400 are left.

Another lost WCBI Columbus at 550.
 
Let's not forget when AM was king and FM was considered a long shot at best, I got in the FM game at that time and some of my AM friends? gave me three to six months to survive.. Thanks to evolving tastes and hard work just the opposite occured. We live in a volatile industry...I will comment that the am stereo failure will continure in HD FM...Why? No demand and the fact that coverage, demand, and other options may appear more attractive....in other media... Comments? Thanks JBI
 
jboyd said:
JAB: It is also becoming increasingly true on FM...OH, to be in 1972 again...JBI
Click to expand...

You're just saying that because you miss working with me there because I was always engineer-friendly. LOL

My first round there started in March, 1972. Bob Marshall, Rick (Jim) Martin... don't recall who was on afternoons and nights because Steve Starr and John David Spangler came in after me.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom