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Eppersons Coming "Home" to WSMX

M

Matt

I noticed that Truth Broadcasting, owned by Stuart Epperson, Jr., is purchasing a 140-watt lightbulb with the call letters WSMX in Winston-Salem.

The purchase would hardly be noticeable, except for the fact being that in the late 1960's this station (then a kilowatt daytimer with the calls WKBX) was the first station owned by Stuart Epperson SR., the largest shareholder (I think) of the Salem Media conglomerate.

My guess is that Stu Jr. cut his teeth on the air there, and that the station holds some sentimental value to him. Otherwise, I can't see why he would buy a station with 140 daytime watts that most people have long ago forgotten.

Any ideas what Truth Broadcasting might be planning for the station?

Later....
Matt Smith
WGSR-TV
 
Right now it's on the air with religion in Spanish. R U sure it can only be 140 watts? They sound much stronger than that. It is multiplexed in the same tower as the other AM down the hill off Peters Creek Parkway. The Salem Valley Hole.
 
I'd say there's a power increase somewhere in the station's future...it was put back on at 140 watts(and considerable expense- diplexers aren't cheap!) to save the license from cancellation.
 
Funny thing is that a guy named Joe Watson had 1500 on the air at 30 watts from the top of a building in East Winston for years. It was a kind of a pirate situation. He claimed he had permission from the real owners of WSMX. He did nothing legal, no eas, left the carrier on at night, etc. This is the same guy who worked at Winston Salem State radio as PD. Was fired cause he was running commercials on this educational station and pocketing the money. His pirate version of WSMX is still on the air now with peanut power even though Epperson has bought it and running it legally.
 
AM's are only allowed to remain off air for 365 consecutive days before the license is forfeited and cancelled by the FCC. Once a daytimer license is cancelled, it's nearly impossible to get it reissued as a daytime only station. (there are a VERY few exceptions) WSMX had lost the lease on the old transmitter site, so the station had nowhere to legally operate from. Epperson LM A'd the license(with option to purchase) and built the diplex site at WPOL to save the license.

I'd say the pirate operation from downtown W\S is not long for this world...
 
Back in the mid 60s, Stu put WKBX on the air in Winston-Salem, 1500 daytime with 1,000 watts. It was Stu's second station. His first was WKBA in Vinton Va. In the late 60s Stu was able to increase the power to 10,000 watts directional. The format under Stu was country and he made good money with it, then came TQR! The station was sold in the early 80s and has had a long list of owners since then. As far as Stu Junior cutting his teeth at KBX, I doubt he was ever in the building more than a time or two.
 
n_guy said:
Back in the mid 60s, Stu put WKBX on the air in Winston-Salem, 1500 daytime with 1,000 watts.  It was Stu's second station.  His first was WKBA in Vinton Va.  In the late 60s Stu was able to increase the power to 10,000 watts directional.  The format under Stu was country and he made good money with it, then came TQR!  The station was sold in the early 80s and has had a long list of owners since then.  As far as Stu Junior cutting his teeth at KBX, I doubt he was ever in the building more than a time or two.
Click to expand...
  I can guarantee :Ole Curley Howard" Bull horns on the Caddy was sur nuff in the Building..Ghost Probably is still there!!! Thank ya HOSS!
 
I checked and there is a Wikipedia article now. The template used to have 1500 AM but it doesn't now. Someone should add it.

I put a brief history section in the article based on what I remember. Maybe when I'm in Winston-Salem I should get someone to pull out the file and let me edit the article while I can see the sources.
 
;D The Epperson's need to go back up the mountain whereever they came from and take WSMX or whatever it is with them..Just more garbage on the dial!
 
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