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"Brief Technical Malfunction" My ASS OO
- Thread starter phr8trayn
- Start date
W
wooten
Guest
> Yea...that frequency agile transmitter jumped to
> 92.5 mHz all by it's self.
>
> Does "Pissed in their Cheerios" sound about right?
>
I was thinking the same thing! Malfunction MY ASS!
I hear something brown hitting a fan blade somewhere
> 92.5 mHz all by it's self.
>
> Does "Pissed in their Cheerios" sound about right?
>
I was thinking the same thing! Malfunction MY ASS!
I hear something brown hitting a fan blade somewhere
W
wooten
Guest
the only thing true about their statement is that it was brief....the only reason it was brief was it was located and turn off quickly.
Malfunction? NOT!
Malfunction? NOT!
H
HOMEYD
Guest
> the only thing true about their statement is that it was
> brief....the only reason it was brief was it was located and
> turn off quickly.
>
> Malfunction? NOT!
>
Maybe it defaults to 92.5 when you power it up
> brief....the only reason it was brief was it was located and
> turn off quickly.
>
> Malfunction? NOT!
>
Maybe it defaults to 92.5 when you power it up
W
wooten
Guest
> > the only thing true about their statement is that it was
> > brief....the only reason it was brief was it was located
> and
> > turn off quickly.
> >
> > Malfunction? NOT!
> >
>
> Maybe it defaults to 92.5 when you power it up
yeah....in your effing dreams
>
> > brief....the only reason it was brief was it was located
> and
> > turn off quickly.
> >
> > Malfunction? NOT!
> >
>
> Maybe it defaults to 92.5 when you power it up
yeah....in your effing dreams
>
S
stevemichaels
Guest
> > > the only thing true about their statement is that it was
>
> > > brief....the only reason it was brief was it was located
>
> > and
> > > turn off quickly.
> > >
> > > Malfunction? NOT!
> > >
> >
> > Maybe it defaults to 92.5 when you power it up
>
> yeah....in your effing dreams
> >
>
Ditto. Last time I had knowledge of that transmitter in operation was when the WASJ transmitter was being replaced. The statement that it was an illegal installation and an unlicensed operation is only true if it is being used without a "Special Temporary Authority" (STA) Double O also acquired a 10KW transmitter and antenna located at the WRBA (Arrow 95.9) site for use while WJHG-TV was working on their tower for the DTV installation to back up WPFM. It was issued an STA for operation. When it was brought up that in order use either the "jammin" transmitter on the studio STL tower or the 10KW transmitter as licensed auxiliary sites for all four Double O stations, we were informed that cost was to be $8,000.00 per site and the money was not available. Cheaper (about $150.00) to file for an STA than to actually get the auxilliary sites licensed.
Having two independent sites to back up four stations and stll cover most of the metro is a great position for a group in a market this small to be in.
As far as the transmitter that was jamming, it is a Bext XL1000. It defaults to the last frequency programmed into it. Even after changing the frequency, you must ramp up the power level to wherever you want it, and it will not make RF until you tell it to. Someone has to actually understand the operation of the box, and program it to the frequency of operation. It ain't no accident it was on 92.5. The transmitter would not fit in the rack, so it was placed on top of the rack, where it was when I left. There is no way this box could have been turned on accidentally, the power switch is a big red lighted rocker switch on the back that you have to walk around behind the racks and reach up to apply power to the transmitter. There is a nice LCD display on the front of the transmitter that indicates the frequency of operation and the forward and reflected power.
Sumpin' else. While installing an EAS ENDEC on the Friday prior to Dennis, it was noticed that WFSY was solid on the receiver, while WPAP was gone. It prompted much discussion, since both of the TFT receivers were fed by the same antenna. WPAP and WFSY share the same tower site and are each 100KW. Nobody could figure it out, and the problem "fixed itself." The new endec was about a mile from the jamming transmitter. Styles Media studios are about the same distance from Double O and would have been precluded from relaying anything sent by WPAP while the jamming transmitter was operating.
If I remember what I heard correctly, the Double O jamming transmitter was operating at around 250 watts, into an antenna with a gain of about 1.5, located 140 ft. above ground. Ask your engineer buddies what kind of problems that can cause.
All the above are factual and documented with witnesses.
After talking with several engineers and managers, none of them in their long broadcasting careers can recall any instance of broadcasters intentionally jamming another station.
What could the motivation for this jamming be? Perhaps a disgruntled ex-CC employee trying to get revenge? Company vs. Company? Anything else that hasn't crossed everyone's minds?
Having dealt with most of the people at Double O, it doesn't seem logical that anyone from the local station manager up to Bob Pittman and Bob Sherman would suggest or order an employee to cause intentional interference to a station that was relaying critical information during an emergency situation.
The area that received the most damage on PC Beach from a tornado spawned by hurricane Ivan is just a few blocks from the Double O studios. I saw the tornado out the back door of the station when it hit, and if there were people freaked out by the possibility of a repeat storm, they could not have heard the outstanding radio coverage being provided by WPAP.
Steve
>
> > > brief....the only reason it was brief was it was located
>
> > and
> > > turn off quickly.
> > >
> > > Malfunction? NOT!
> > >
> >
> > Maybe it defaults to 92.5 when you power it up
>
> yeah....in your effing dreams
> >
>
Ditto. Last time I had knowledge of that transmitter in operation was when the WASJ transmitter was being replaced. The statement that it was an illegal installation and an unlicensed operation is only true if it is being used without a "Special Temporary Authority" (STA) Double O also acquired a 10KW transmitter and antenna located at the WRBA (Arrow 95.9) site for use while WJHG-TV was working on their tower for the DTV installation to back up WPFM. It was issued an STA for operation. When it was brought up that in order use either the "jammin" transmitter on the studio STL tower or the 10KW transmitter as licensed auxiliary sites for all four Double O stations, we were informed that cost was to be $8,000.00 per site and the money was not available. Cheaper (about $150.00) to file for an STA than to actually get the auxilliary sites licensed.
Having two independent sites to back up four stations and stll cover most of the metro is a great position for a group in a market this small to be in.
As far as the transmitter that was jamming, it is a Bext XL1000. It defaults to the last frequency programmed into it. Even after changing the frequency, you must ramp up the power level to wherever you want it, and it will not make RF until you tell it to. Someone has to actually understand the operation of the box, and program it to the frequency of operation. It ain't no accident it was on 92.5. The transmitter would not fit in the rack, so it was placed on top of the rack, where it was when I left. There is no way this box could have been turned on accidentally, the power switch is a big red lighted rocker switch on the back that you have to walk around behind the racks and reach up to apply power to the transmitter. There is a nice LCD display on the front of the transmitter that indicates the frequency of operation and the forward and reflected power.
Sumpin' else. While installing an EAS ENDEC on the Friday prior to Dennis, it was noticed that WFSY was solid on the receiver, while WPAP was gone. It prompted much discussion, since both of the TFT receivers were fed by the same antenna. WPAP and WFSY share the same tower site and are each 100KW. Nobody could figure it out, and the problem "fixed itself." The new endec was about a mile from the jamming transmitter. Styles Media studios are about the same distance from Double O and would have been precluded from relaying anything sent by WPAP while the jamming transmitter was operating.
If I remember what I heard correctly, the Double O jamming transmitter was operating at around 250 watts, into an antenna with a gain of about 1.5, located 140 ft. above ground. Ask your engineer buddies what kind of problems that can cause.
All the above are factual and documented with witnesses.
After talking with several engineers and managers, none of them in their long broadcasting careers can recall any instance of broadcasters intentionally jamming another station.
What could the motivation for this jamming be? Perhaps a disgruntled ex-CC employee trying to get revenge? Company vs. Company? Anything else that hasn't crossed everyone's minds?
Having dealt with most of the people at Double O, it doesn't seem logical that anyone from the local station manager up to Bob Pittman and Bob Sherman would suggest or order an employee to cause intentional interference to a station that was relaying critical information during an emergency situation.
The area that received the most damage on PC Beach from a tornado spawned by hurricane Ivan is just a few blocks from the Double O studios. I saw the tornado out the back door of the station when it hit, and if there were people freaked out by the possibility of a repeat storm, they could not have heard the outstanding radio coverage being provided by WPAP.
Steve
S
stevemichaels
Guest
> > Yea...that frequency agile transmitter jumped to
> > 92.5 mHz all by it's self.
> >
> > Does "Pissed in their Cheerios" sound about right?
> >
> I was thinking the same thing! Malfunction MY ASS!
> I hear something brown hitting a fan blade somewhere
>
Hmmm. a young voice announcing arrivals and departures at the bus station mightbe refreshing.
> > 92.5 mHz all by it's self.
> >
> > Does "Pissed in their Cheerios" sound about right?
> >
> I was thinking the same thing! Malfunction MY ASS!
> I hear something brown hitting a fan blade somewhere
>
Hmmm. a young voice announcing arrivals and departures at the bus station mightbe refreshing.
H
HOMEYD
Guest
.snip<
> Ditto. Last time I had knowledge of that transmitter in
> operation was when the WASJ transmitter was being replaced.
> The statement that it was an illegal installation and an
> unlicensed operation is only true if it is being used
> without a "Special Temporary Authority" (STA) Double O
> also acquired a 10KW transmitter and antenna located at the
> WRBA (Arrow 95.9) site for use while WJHG-TV was working on
> their tower for the DTV installation to back up WPFM. It
> was issued an STA for operation. When it was brought up
> that in order use either the "jammin" transmitter on the
> studio STL tower or the 10KW transmitter as licensed
> auxiliary sites for all four Double O stations, we were
> informed that cost was to be $8,000.00 per site and the
> money was not available. Cheaper (about $150.00) to file
> for an STA than to actually get the auxilliary sites
> licensed.
>snip<
> Steve
The "default" statement was tongue in cheek if not obvious.
Regarding the antenna:
My interpretation of the rules is that an Antenna permanently
installed and used when the Main Antenna is unavailable
has to be licensed as an AUX.
And that an Emergency or Temporary Antenna has to be removed
or taken down when the emergency is over or when an STA
has expired, if one was requested.
In my opinion the Double O "studio" antenna constitutes a permanent
antenna and should be licensed as an AUX. The STA that
was granted to WPFM expired 4/25/2005.
It will be interesting to hear what the Enforcement Bureau says.
Sec. 73.1675 Auxiliary antennas.
(a)(1) An auxiliary antenna is one that is permanently installed and
available for use when the main antenna is out of service for repairs
or replacement. An auxiliary antenna may be located at the same
transmitter site as the station's main antenna or at a separate site.
The service contour of the auxiliary antenna may not extend beyond the
following corresponding contour for the main facility:
Sec. 73.1680 Emergency antennas.
(a) An emergency antenna is one that is erected for temporary use
after the authorized main and auxiliary antennas are damaged and
cannot be used.
(b) Prior authority from the FCC is not required by licensees and
permittees to erect and commence operations using an emergency antenna
to restore program service to the public. However, an informal letter
request to continue operation with the emergency antenna must be made
within 24 hours to the FCC in Washington, DC, Attention: Audio
Division (radio) or Video Division (television), Media Bureau, within
24 hours after commencement of its use. The request is to include a
description of the damage to the authorized antenna, a description of
the emergency antenna, and the station operating power with the
emergency antenna
> Ditto. Last time I had knowledge of that transmitter in
> operation was when the WASJ transmitter was being replaced.
> The statement that it was an illegal installation and an
> unlicensed operation is only true if it is being used
> without a "Special Temporary Authority" (STA) Double O
> also acquired a 10KW transmitter and antenna located at the
> WRBA (Arrow 95.9) site for use while WJHG-TV was working on
> their tower for the DTV installation to back up WPFM. It
> was issued an STA for operation. When it was brought up
> that in order use either the "jammin" transmitter on the
> studio STL tower or the 10KW transmitter as licensed
> auxiliary sites for all four Double O stations, we were
> informed that cost was to be $8,000.00 per site and the
> money was not available. Cheaper (about $150.00) to file
> for an STA than to actually get the auxilliary sites
> licensed.
>snip<
> Steve
The "default" statement was tongue in cheek if not obvious.
Regarding the antenna:
My interpretation of the rules is that an Antenna permanently
installed and used when the Main Antenna is unavailable
has to be licensed as an AUX.
And that an Emergency or Temporary Antenna has to be removed
or taken down when the emergency is over or when an STA
has expired, if one was requested.
In my opinion the Double O "studio" antenna constitutes a permanent
antenna and should be licensed as an AUX. The STA that
was granted to WPFM expired 4/25/2005.
It will be interesting to hear what the Enforcement Bureau says.
Sec. 73.1675 Auxiliary antennas.
(a)(1) An auxiliary antenna is one that is permanently installed and
available for use when the main antenna is out of service for repairs
or replacement. An auxiliary antenna may be located at the same
transmitter site as the station's main antenna or at a separate site.
The service contour of the auxiliary antenna may not extend beyond the
following corresponding contour for the main facility:
Sec. 73.1680 Emergency antennas.
(a) An emergency antenna is one that is erected for temporary use
after the authorized main and auxiliary antennas are damaged and
cannot be used.
(b) Prior authority from the FCC is not required by licensees and
permittees to erect and commence operations using an emergency antenna
to restore program service to the public. However, an informal letter
request to continue operation with the emergency antenna must be made
within 24 hours to the FCC in Washington, DC, Attention: Audio
Division (radio) or Video Division (television), Media Bureau, within
24 hours after commencement of its use. The request is to include a
description of the damage to the authorized antenna, a description of
the emergency antenna, and the station operating power with the
emergency antenna
W
wooten
Guest
Has anyone heard anything out of OO other than that limp ass excuse they gave the media yesterday?
S
stevemichaels
Guest
The newpaper report....
> Has anyone heard anything out of OO other than that limp ass
> excuse they gave the media yesterday?
>
The News-Herald reported that Bill Young, OM, answered the door when Charlie and the deputy showed up and he led them to the rack room where the jamming transmitter was operating. There is no transmitting equipment in the rack room other other than STL and the Bext. The Bext XL1000 sounds like a freakin' jet airplane when it is making RF. When in operation, YOU COULD HEAR THE THING ALL OVER THE BUILDING! Draw your own conclusions as to lack of knowledge that the transmitter was on, and since Mr. Young convinced Double O that a contract engineering group from Starkeville, Missisippi would be a cost-effective alternative to having a full-time engineer because he could call them on the phone and Mr. Young could be talked through any problems the stations were having. I know for a fact that Bill was the only person in the building who had any knowledge of how to operate that transmitter, and whether or not he knew the transmitter was operating on 92.5mHz, he had to know it was on because of the noise. If one of the other stations were off the air and he figured all he had to do was to hit the big red rocker switch on the back to get some signal on the air doesn't matter. The Bext had to be manually patched to get audio to it's Optimod, and to the best of my knowledge he didn't have a clue as to how to do that. The question that has to be answered is who intentionally shifted the frequency of the transmitter off of any of the Double O frequencies on to the well-known WPAP frequency. Now I suppose they could say that someone broke in to the building, or walked in through an unlocked back door, retuned a transmitter and put it on the air, but there aren't many of these little boxes around, and you have to actually read the manual to understand how to program the transmitter for frequency and power. I also believe that most of the staff evacuated and Bill was the only one left to babysit the stations. Let it be known that I am not finger-pointing, just stating verifiable facts. BTW, a very reliable source called the contract engineering firm for Double O and verified that Mr. Young knew how to operate the transmitter that was jamming the WPAP transmitter.
More to come as verifiable details become available.
> Has anyone heard anything out of OO other than that limp ass
> excuse they gave the media yesterday?
>
The News-Herald reported that Bill Young, OM, answered the door when Charlie and the deputy showed up and he led them to the rack room where the jamming transmitter was operating. There is no transmitting equipment in the rack room other other than STL and the Bext. The Bext XL1000 sounds like a freakin' jet airplane when it is making RF. When in operation, YOU COULD HEAR THE THING ALL OVER THE BUILDING! Draw your own conclusions as to lack of knowledge that the transmitter was on, and since Mr. Young convinced Double O that a contract engineering group from Starkeville, Missisippi would be a cost-effective alternative to having a full-time engineer because he could call them on the phone and Mr. Young could be talked through any problems the stations were having. I know for a fact that Bill was the only person in the building who had any knowledge of how to operate that transmitter, and whether or not he knew the transmitter was operating on 92.5mHz, he had to know it was on because of the noise. If one of the other stations were off the air and he figured all he had to do was to hit the big red rocker switch on the back to get some signal on the air doesn't matter. The Bext had to be manually patched to get audio to it's Optimod, and to the best of my knowledge he didn't have a clue as to how to do that. The question that has to be answered is who intentionally shifted the frequency of the transmitter off of any of the Double O frequencies on to the well-known WPAP frequency. Now I suppose they could say that someone broke in to the building, or walked in through an unlocked back door, retuned a transmitter and put it on the air, but there aren't many of these little boxes around, and you have to actually read the manual to understand how to program the transmitter for frequency and power. I also believe that most of the staff evacuated and Bill was the only one left to babysit the stations. Let it be known that I am not finger-pointing, just stating verifiable facts. BTW, a very reliable source called the contract engineering firm for Double O and verified that Mr. Young knew how to operate the transmitter that was jamming the WPAP transmitter.
More to come as verifiable details become available.
W
wooten
Guest
It has been suggested that OO (meaning someone in OO's employ) may have been using this transmitter for "other puposes" besides the incident we are talking about here. It has been suggested that there is a possibility that there may have been some jammin' going on as early as during the Spring Arbitron on both WPAP and WILN during selected dayparts or times.....again this is not in ANY way confirmed.
Anyone else heard these rumors or would like to comment?
Anyone else heard these rumors or would like to comment?
H
HOMEYD
Guest
> It has been suggested that OO (meaning someone in OO's
> employ) may have been using this transmitter for "other
> puposes" besides the incident we are talking about here. It
> has been suggested that there is a possibility that there
> may have been some jammin' going on as early as during the
> Spring Arbitron on both WPAP and WILN during selected
> dayparts or times.....again this is not in ANY way
> confirmed.
>
> Anyone else heard these rumors or would like to comment?
>
If it were I, maybe query the jocks & receptionist from both
stations, to see if they remember any listerners calling
the stations complaining with reception problems during the
last several months. Especially if they mentioned they were
located in the vicinity of the OO studio.
Many times stations get calls and pass it
off as ducting or temperature inversions.
Maybe in this case it wasn't....maaayybe it was OO!
> employ) may have been using this transmitter for "other
> puposes" besides the incident we are talking about here. It
> has been suggested that there is a possibility that there
> may have been some jammin' going on as early as during the
> Spring Arbitron on both WPAP and WILN during selected
> dayparts or times.....again this is not in ANY way
> confirmed.
>
> Anyone else heard these rumors or would like to comment?
>
If it were I, maybe query the jocks & receptionist from both
stations, to see if they remember any listerners calling
the stations complaining with reception problems during the
last several months. Especially if they mentioned they were
located in the vicinity of the OO studio.
Many times stations get calls and pass it
off as ducting or temperature inversions.
Maybe in this case it wasn't....maaayybe it was OO!
W
wooten
Guest
gee, everything got quiet.....did I hit a nerve?
> gee, everything got quiet.....did I hit a nerve?
>
How do you respond to this?
If you say no, you sound defensive.
If you say yes, you are stupid.
ok...what to do, what to do...ok...
you didn't hit a nerve with me.
I am following this closely and will
contribute when I have something worthy.
The "going on for some time theory" is intriguing.
phr8trayn
"The engineer's favorite train"
>
How do you respond to this?
If you say no, you sound defensive.
If you say yes, you are stupid.
ok...what to do, what to do...ok...
you didn't hit a nerve with me.
I am following this closely and will
contribute when I have something worthy.
The "going on for some time theory" is intriguing.
phr8trayn
"The engineer's favorite train"
S
stevemichaels
Guest
From a former OO slave...edited to protect the innocent
(((Edited)))))
Some things I have noticed since I left (and I am GLAD I left that sinking
ship):
I guess they have no engineer now. Smooth Jazz is playing hotter in one
channel than the other. Balance is off. For a period of about one week
processing was completely distorted.
Last Mon JB&B was playing with the 9 AM hour music log playing too. No one
caught it til after 8 AM. Sat morning it did the same thing. DO THEY NOT
LISTEN?
And funniest of all, last night the roof fell in on the Kat studio and
rained on ALL the equip. As far as I know everthing shorted out and does not
work. XXXXX said there were inches of water in the floor and the equip
was soaked. XXXXXXXX was in Alabama and told XXXX to figure it out
himself. XXXXX called here to tell me about it for a good laugh and said
"and water is leaking into the rack room so it is a matter of time before
they all go". XXXXXXX (MANAGEMENT OUT PLAYING TUNES AT A WEDDING)was MIA and "not to be bothered".With no engineer
they are screwed.
And I heard a CHRISTMAS liner on Smooth Jazz this morning. "52 hours of a
Smooth Jazz Christmas".
WHat are they doing?!?
They are killing those stations.
Addendum to the note--Zeus, the Arrow station voice for years, has not cut anything new for the station since October. He still gets his check, so somebody at OO trying to cut expenses forgot something.
(((Edited)))))
Some things I have noticed since I left (and I am GLAD I left that sinking
ship):
I guess they have no engineer now. Smooth Jazz is playing hotter in one
channel than the other. Balance is off. For a period of about one week
processing was completely distorted.
Last Mon JB&B was playing with the 9 AM hour music log playing too. No one
caught it til after 8 AM. Sat morning it did the same thing. DO THEY NOT
LISTEN?
And funniest of all, last night the roof fell in on the Kat studio and
rained on ALL the equip. As far as I know everthing shorted out and does not
work. XXXXX said there were inches of water in the floor and the equip
was soaked. XXXXXXXX was in Alabama and told XXXX to figure it out
himself. XXXXX called here to tell me about it for a good laugh and said
"and water is leaking into the rack room so it is a matter of time before
they all go". XXXXXXX (MANAGEMENT OUT PLAYING TUNES AT A WEDDING)was MIA and "not to be bothered".With no engineer
they are screwed.
And I heard a CHRISTMAS liner on Smooth Jazz this morning. "52 hours of a
Smooth Jazz Christmas".
WHat are they doing?!?
They are killing those stations.
Addendum to the note--Zeus, the Arrow station voice for years, has not cut anything new for the station since October. He still gets his check, so somebody at OO trying to cut expenses forgot something.
Re: From a former OO slave...edited to protect the innocent
If half of this true, which I assume it is, the torch has
been passed from the curse of FWB's 98.1 (WWSF/WXCR/WTKE)
for a "radio station that should have never been born" to
this new Cluster-F that should have never been born -
Double "O." Contact me, I have a group that'll straighten
those trainwrecks out. They don't deserve to use the WPFM
calls if this garbage continues. When's the bankruptcy?
Then again, how many radio B/R have occured in PC or FWB/Destin
in the last 20 years? This is sad. Ah! The days of 50kw stations
selling for $250,000 are approaching again. Truly sad.
It just never stops on the world's most beautiful beaches.
I love the hills and mountains! Safer and saner, but fewer
bikinis. Merry Christmas. Geez.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by tibbs on 08/02/05 05:05 AM.</FONT></P>
If half of this true, which I assume it is, the torch has
been passed from the curse of FWB's 98.1 (WWSF/WXCR/WTKE)
for a "radio station that should have never been born" to
this new Cluster-F that should have never been born -
Double "O." Contact me, I have a group that'll straighten
those trainwrecks out. They don't deserve to use the WPFM
calls if this garbage continues. When's the bankruptcy?
Then again, how many radio B/R have occured in PC or FWB/Destin
in the last 20 years? This is sad. Ah! The days of 50kw stations
selling for $250,000 are approaching again. Truly sad.
It just never stops on the world's most beautiful beaches.
I love the hills and mountains! Safer and saner, but fewer
bikinis. Merry Christmas. Geez.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by tibbs on 08/02/05 05:05 AM.</FONT></P>
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