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FCC Visits WGTM
- Thread starter RFGuy
- Start date
B
B Lewis
Guest
I did some part-time work there in the early '90s while I was in college. In fact, WGTM is the one and only time I had to produce (get this!) a TEN MINUTE COMMERCIAL for a fortune teller. Isn't Christian music and teaching on the opposite end of the theological spectrum from Astrology?
Even then, their equipment was very old, the audio quality was rough, and the programming...well! I have just joined the board after quite a while away from it. What did they bust WGTM for? Or, did they bust them for anything? I did go through Wilson just before last Christmas. Their signal (at night) when quite a bit further south than their coverage map shows they should. So, I wondered then if they were changing patterns at sunset...but, that could've been a one time instance of the transmitter-turner-downer falling asleep or something like that.
Even then, their equipment was very old, the audio quality was rough, and the programming...well! I have just joined the board after quite a while away from it. What did they bust WGTM for? Or, did they bust them for anything? I did go through Wilson just before last Christmas. Their signal (at night) when quite a bit further south than their coverage map shows they should. So, I wondered then if they were changing patterns at sunset...but, that could've been a one time instance of the transmitter-turner-downer falling asleep or something like that.
Here is what I got today:
No Tower Lights
Paint Faded On Towers
Transmitter Site Not Locked (someone had broken the lock and hasp off the door)
Operating Station Out Of Licenced Values
No EAS
No EAS Log
No Tower Light Log
No Public File
No Designation Of Chief Operator
Those are the Biggies
As I understand, They have 15 Days to fix it.
No Tower Lights
Paint Faded On Towers
Transmitter Site Not Locked (someone had broken the lock and hasp off the door)
Operating Station Out Of Licenced Values
No EAS
No EAS Log
No Tower Light Log
No Public File
No Designation Of Chief Operator
Those are the Biggies
As I understand, They have 15 Days to fix it.
RFGuy said:Here is what I got today:
No Tower Lights
Paint Faded On Towers
Transmitter Site Not Locked (someone had broken the lock and hasp off the door)
Operating Station Out Of Licenced Values
No EAS
No EAS Log
No Tower Light Log
No Public File
No Designation Of Chief Operator
It sounds to me like the feds visited a pirate radio station.
But sadly, that sounds like our hometown Willis station.
Z
ZAX Double J
Guest
I doubt they could make that 15 day recovery with that. And they probably wouldn't be able to pay the fines either. They're shall we say history.
Even if they DO fix those problems, they'll still be fined.
Once the inspector walks in and sees this, it's too late.
Which is something I once told the owner of a station I worked for.
He didn't believe it either until an inspector came and saw some problems (but not as many as those you just listed). Despite his promise to "fix them immediately" the FCC fined that station $7k.
Once the inspector walks in and sees this, it's too late.
Which is something I once told the owner of a station I worked for.
He didn't believe it either until an inspector came and saw some problems (but not as many as those you just listed). Despite his promise to "fix them immediately" the FCC fined that station $7k.
B
B Lewis
Guest
Provided they can not fix this long to-do list (and it is quite a list), what happens to 590 AM? Does it go silent? up for auction? can Willis sell it off?
The real problem is that whoever bought it would have to spend a few bucks (yeah...a few bucks!) to replace studio equipment, probably the transmitter... So, whatever the selling price, plus a cool half-million...and you have yourself a radio station!
Really sad to see! What happenned to the days of 'licensed radio operators'...and having to actually know what it takes to ensure the station is operating within legal limits to even sit in the air chair??!
The real problem is that whoever bought it would have to spend a few bucks (yeah...a few bucks!) to replace studio equipment, probably the transmitter... So, whatever the selling price, plus a cool half-million...and you have yourself a radio station!
Really sad to see! What happenned to the days of 'licensed radio operators'...and having to actually know what it takes to ensure the station is operating within legal limits to even sit in the air chair??!
If a station operator has no idea how to give an hourly Legal ID, its a safe bet that they have no public file, no logs, etc.
And if your towers aren't lit, then you are ASKING for a visit from Norfolk. Its the same as driving your car without the license plate.
Sooner or later, you will be pulled over. And the trooper will look for other violations.
And if your towers aren't lit, then you are ASKING for a visit from Norfolk. Its the same as driving your car without the license plate.
Sooner or later, you will be pulled over. And the trooper will look for other violations.
F
firecop947
Guest
Did you say on this board that Willis owns WGTM? If so, that is why these violations have been allowed to go on this long. WELS in Kinston, I hope will not see the same fate. WGTM is going the way of BIG Tobacco. Yes, it's very,very sad!
Z
ZAX Double J
Guest
Truly sad to see a station go. If I had a few million to spare I think I could make it make money. Given all the problems I would just start over rather than try and "fix" the problems.
The old girl is silent today.
I hope this means E.H. or someone of his caliber is putting her back together again.
I hope this means E.H. or someone of his caliber is putting her back together again.
Filed Thursday with the FCC...
WGTM'S 5KW TRANSMITTER HAS FAILED AND ITS 1KW BACK-UP IS NEED OF REPAIRS. AS SUCH, THE LICENSEE IS TEMPORARILY TAKING WGTM SILENT TO OVER-HALL THE TRANSMITTING SYSTEM AND RELATED BROADCAST EQUIPMENT. IT IS THE LICENSEE'S HOPE TO HAVE THE STATION AT LEAST BACK ON IT'S BACK-UP TRANSMITTER BY APRIL 1, 2010, BUT OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, THE LICENSEE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS 90 DAYS IN WHICH TO REMAIN SILENT.
I didn't fix the grammar.
This is exactly how it was filed.
WGTM'S 5KW TRANSMITTER HAS FAILED AND ITS 1KW BACK-UP IS NEED OF REPAIRS. AS SUCH, THE LICENSEE IS TEMPORARILY TAKING WGTM SILENT TO OVER-HALL THE TRANSMITTING SYSTEM AND RELATED BROADCAST EQUIPMENT. IT IS THE LICENSEE'S HOPE TO HAVE THE STATION AT LEAST BACK ON IT'S BACK-UP TRANSMITTER BY APRIL 1, 2010, BUT OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, THE LICENSEE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS 90 DAYS IN WHICH TO REMAIN SILENT.
I didn't fix the grammar.
This is exactly how it was filed.
Z
ZAX Double J
Guest
ToddJenkins said:Filed Thursday with the FCC...
WGTM'S 5KW TRANSMITTER HAS FAILED AND ITS 1KW BACK-UP IS NEED OF REPAIRS. AS SUCH, THE LICENSEE IS TEMPORARILY TAKING WGTM SILENT TO OVER-HALL THE TRANSMITTING SYSTEM AND RELATED BROADCAST EQUIPMENT. IT IS THE LICENSEE'S HOPE TO HAVE THE STATION AT LEAST BACK ON IT'S BACK-UP TRANSMITTER BY APRIL 1, 2010, BUT OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, THE LICENSEE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS 90 DAYS IN WHICH TO REMAIN SILENT.
I didn't fix the grammar.
This is exactly how it was filed.
WOW! sounds like a good engineer could make a small fortune in Wilson with all these stations needing upgrades and all. That is IF the station owners have the $$ to fix them up which is doubtful given their states of disrepair.
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