> Just wondering. Is anyone tracking what Broadcasters have
> been damaged by Hurricane Katrina, and to what extent?
>
> Judging from the press accounts, if the Broadcasters
> suffered as much damage as everyone else - OY! What a mess!
>
>
> How long will it take for the Broadcasters to Recover? Are
> some gone for ever?
>
> And how can us folk outside the area best help?
>
Here's what I've seen so far:
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.mstreet.net/goout.asp?u=http://ftp.media.radcity.net/ZMST/Journal/Journal.pdf>http://www.mstreet.net/goout.asp?u=http://ftp.media.radcity.net/ZMST/Journal/Journal.pdf</a>
and one of the engineers at WVTF Roanoke forwarded me this (unattributed) email:
<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>
> ===== Original Message =====
Public Radio Stations in the path of Hurricane Katrina
Last update: 5 pm ET, Tuesday 8/30
** All stations in the states below have been contacted, but we’ve yet to
hear back from a few.
Louisiana
WWNO 89.9FM (New Orleans) - is off the air. They joined Channel 6 for
rolling coverage when they evacuated on Sunday, but have since lost the
signal. According to WWNO's engineer, CBS affiliate WWL 870AM may be the
only radio station currently on the air in New Orleans, though he's heard
that the TV stations have evacuated this morning because of rising water
levels in the city. WWNO's transmitter, located in a swampy area south of
the station on the University of New Orleans' campus, is under water. The
generator is under water. As far as they know, their main tower is still
up. They have an additional 400ft tower 30 miles east of the station in
Slidell; the status of that tower is unknown at this stage.
WWOZ 90.7FM (New Orleans) - public radio station in NO, though not an NPR
affiliate. Info via KRVS' engineer, the WWOZ studio has water on the first
floor but the on-air and production rooms are on the second floor and they
are ok. The transmitter system is under water. Before leaving New Orleans,
WWOZ engineer tried to call his remote control to shut down the entire
system including the emergency power generator but could get a phone line
to work at the transmitter site. So he does not know the condition of his
system at all.
WRKF 89.3FM (Baton Rouge) - has no power and has been running on a
generator since Monday. They were off the air for around an hour this
morning, but came back onto the air while we were talking on the
phone. While they were off the air, they were getting a signal from the
board, but the board was not communicating with the transmitter. Other
equipment failures are also affecting them today -- their NPR-dedicated
demod is not working, they are using other demods to switch manually to NPR
programming.
KRVS 88.7FM (Lafayette) - They continue to operate as normal, have had no
hurricane-related outages. They are helping coordinate information about
transmitters and other logistics for WWNO, WWOZ and WRKF, and are also
checking in on public station WLSU in Hammond, LA.
KDAQ/Red River Radio Network (based in Shreveport, but with repeater
stations in Alexandria, LA / El Dorado, AR / and Lufkin TX) – Shreveport
was not directly affected by the hurricane in terms of weather. Broadcast
operations continue as normal across their coverage area, including the
repeater station in Alexandria whose 100kW signal at 1000 feet reaches
almost all the way into Baton Rouge. There are 600-800 refugees from New
Orleans (and their pets) now housed on a gymnasium on the LSU campus,
across from the station.
Mississippi
Mississippi Public Broadcasting (Jackson) – Executive Director Marie Antoon
says MPB made it through the storm but have no power at our office. They
are on generators to keep radio and television on air. Reports say MPB is
doing a tremendous job providing hurricane coverage.
WJSU (Jackson) - Via a very bad cell phone connection, WJSU is off the
air. No power on campus or the majority of Jackson. In terms of physical
damage, Larry says he’s never seen anything like this before. Staff is
safe. The Jackson State campus was evacuated yesterday, including
WJSU. Larry was the last person to leave campus.
WURC (Holly Springs) - Just spoke with Wayne Fiddis (recall Wayne and Mr.
Moyo?). Their station is without power, but that's
it. Station/equipment/staff are doing fine. Power went out last night,
but should be back soon.
Alabama
WHIL-FM (Mobile) - Last spoke on Monday at 1:50pm to General Manager Cat
Sirten (via cell). All power is out, and nobody is physically at the
station. All radio stations in the area are currently playing a local
CBS-affiliates TV signal (instead of their regular programming), per
arrangement with transmitter contractor. Cat says that water is reported
to be at 22 feet in downtown Mobile.
WVAS (Montgomery) - no significant problems. Lots of rain and wind, a few
trees down around the city. Staff is doing well. Station is on the air.
WTSU (Troy) - Staff is doing well. Station is on the air. Some rain and
wind.
WBHM (Birmingham) – Program Director Michael Krall says everything is doing
well. More wind, than rain. Some minor power outages. Station is on the
air.
Florida
WUWF (Pensacola) - According to Station Manager Joe Vincenza, considering
the significant severe weather they’ve experienced recently, they’re doing
fine. A little soggy, about 50,000 without power. Station is on the air.
Tennessee
WKNO (Memphis) - According to PD Dan Campbell, one station of their network
is down due to power outages. WKNO-Memphis is on the air. Lots of rain,
some wind. Overall, everything is fine. Staff is safe.
WPLN (Nashville) - News Director Anita Bugg says everything is ok. Station
is on the air.
WETS (Johnson City) - Director Wayne Winkler says they haven’t been
affected too badly by the hurricane; we’re a bit north and east of the main
damage. We’ve got some tornado watches in some areas, but so far it looks
like the worst we’re going to get is a bit of rain for the next day or
so. Station is on the air.
<hr></blockquote>
