In A Few More Weeks

[Radio Observer]

I've been telling (warning) clients about this "advice trap" for more than a year, now. Just last month, I had one call me to install and configure an older Sage/Endec with a CAP converter. He bought the older Sage/Endec (junk) for $750 and the CAP converter for $1,350.0. Total wasted (based on someone else's 'knowing advice") was $1,850.00 not including shipping and my charges for the 7 hours wasted in proving to him that it is non-compliant. The cost of a new Sage/Endec (not including receivers, etc.) was not a lot more. I have no idea how these people come up with paying $200 less for used junk that is clearly not a real savings at all as being any better than just buying new and getting a known good item that meets all of the rules and regulations and - an added benefit! - has a warranty! Some people are smart and trust their engineer. Some people are fools and trust the advice of other owners who think they've found a cheap way out until an inspector walks in the door and then it's either write the $10k check for the fine or (to avoid the fine) the $10k check to the attorney. Either way, it's a lot more intelligent to trust your engineer and spend the extra $200.00 to save the $10k. Some will never learn. I warn them once. If they still insist on taking the cheap way out of everything, I sit back and laugh and my rates for bailing them out doubles. Cheap is cheap but, at some point, the spreading of the news on "how to be cheap" needs to stop! Especially when the "advice" costs others $10k and up per pop! Giving out this advice this freely is something like, "Yes! You can drive all over town and save some money if you don't bother with maintaining your brakes!" You might get away with it for a while but, when it catches up with you, you'll wish you hadn't! Dan, if you've got an engineer on this with you (and you tell me you do), please don't ignore his advice and "cheap out" on this! What he tells you will be much more reliable than what any other "owner" tells you. With this, there is no such thing as "cheaping out". That method will cost you (at least) ten times as much as a new EAS system in the end. Especially now with online EAS reporting directly to he FCC.

 

[R.D.P.]

As of this post, Dan is getting a brand new unit. Not going to take any risks and get in trouble. My dream is being realized and want to see it through to the final competition.

Dan <><

P.S. When all is said and done, I want to have a set up that resembles the one(s) my engineer is involved with. Seen pics of them and they look really nice.

 

[Radio Observer]

Please forgive me. I posted this elsewhere in error and am unable to delete that comment. This is where it belongs so, I'll add it here. If anyone can remove the other comment on the other thread, please do?

R.D.P., until now I have defended you during several attacks by various people. Now, I'm beginning to see where I may have been wrong in so doing. I hope things get better for you soon and that you can do all that you say you can with that LPFM. I'm just not sure that RobFWB or cceng will want to get involved as I do keep in contact with engineers and, of the two who have prepared applications for filing with the FCC for you, both say they have never been paid for their work and I know for certain that one of them has spent his own money (decent amounts of it) trying to help you get started. You've been on here for so long talking about being different and now, I have two friends telling me they have worked so much for you and can't get paid. I have to ask: When do you plan to install an EAS system? You are aware that operating without one is not legal and you've been operating without one since January? That's six months of illegal operation and I'm not seeing where Jesus Radio is very Christian in these respects. I had planned on leaving this all unsaid but, with checking with my engineer friend, when I find they have been stiffed by yet another "holier than thou" who is just as bad as, if not worse than a common thief by expecting everything to be free, I just have to say something. I expect this will be deleted so, I'm asking for a full financial accounting from my friends, today. With them being meticulous engineers, I suspect what I've been told will be proven correct. (I'll be cruising through Selma within the next several days and will be checking to see a 100 foot tower on Park Avenue and also listening for EAS messages to be relayed as required by FCC regulations. I'm thinking, at this point in time, calling for an inspection of your station by the FCC may be in order. You've gone on and on for so long about "doing it right" that is like to see just how right you're doing things with what I've been hearing from my friends who have worked for you without being paid after you promised they would be paid. In the good book, there is a line, something to the effect of "the laborer is worthy of his hire". How can you purport to be a Christian station that has now refused to pay two engineers after promising that they would be paid for work they have done for you?

 

[WorldFamous]

53 years since I first set foot in a radio station. In that length of time, I've learned to pick up on "tells" -- like in a poker game. Every broadcaster, or broadcaster wanna-be has them. I was hoping my cynicism was wrong. That this case would be different. But that reads like the "tells" I've seen from day one were right about R.D.P. Heartbreaking.

 

[WorldFamous]

Were I in your friend's situation, I'd try to reach an agreement with R.D.P. on someone in the Selma church community who can attempt to mediate the situation. If that doesn't work, find a lawyer. That equipment must have some value.

 

[Radio Observer]

I was able to get a copy of some of the paperwork on this, yesterday. Including FCC applications engineered, prepared, signed and filed by my friend plus equipment that's never been paid for, People for Jesus Radio (Dan Presley) owes him just a bit more than $3k. I'm bring he never sees a penny of it. What if lime to see not happen is for this character to stick my friend (and his original engineer in Georgia) for all of this work and equipment and then manage to find someone else to piece the remainder of the station together for the cost of a case of beer. I've seen it happen.

 

[Radio Observer]

Just wondering. If I set up a gofundme to help my friend out, would anyone help me help him? These people in Selma have him to the point of losing his utilities between now and Monday. I didn't realize it was this serious but he tells me his water for his family will be disconnected today and electricity on Monday. I guess this is what he gets for working to help "Jesus Radio" in Selma. Seriously, if I set it up, would anyone help? He is owed just over $3k by these clowns and says he's just about to lose everything for lack of about $700.00. I can throw in about $200 or maybe $250. Will I be the only one taking up the slack to make up for what R.D.P. had done to a good guy who tried to help and got shafted, instead?

 

[jboyd]

I'm in for 100 bucks. Thanks

 

[Radio Observer]

I'm in for 100 bucks. Thanks

Thanks, JBoyd! So far, other than me, you're the only person interested in helping. I'm asking in several other places, too. If it stays just you and me, can we both just agree to send him the money? Last I had heard, he had until today to pay the water bill before it is disconnected. I know you know who we're talking about since he told me you are familiar with this situation, too. We do talk. I just don't want him to know that I'm doing this until it's done. Still, between the two of us, We can keep their water on and help keep things going until he can make another payday somewhere that actually pays. I think, if I was you, I'd ask for the return of your contribution to this "worthy cause".

 

[jboyd]

How do I send it to him? Or do I send it to you?

 

[Radio Observer]

I'm thinking directly to him would be best. That way, everyone knows what is sent gets to where it is needed. Do you have his contact info or, do I need to send you a PM?

 

[jboyd]

send to [email protected] and I will handle today. Thanks J Boyd Ingram

 

[Radio Observer]

Done! Between the two of us, we'll help with about half of what he needs to keep going. All we need is just another two or three who care to step up, now.

 

[tomservo]

If had the money to give, I would give. But then, I would have given to Dan early on when he was asking for donations, too.

 

[Groove1670]

I would suggest this matter is taken up off the boards, and I have reported it to the Moderator. Personal attacks are not cool.

 

[Radio Observer]

I would suggest this matter is taken up off the boards, and I have reported it to the Moderator. Personal attacks are not cool.

Is a fact a "personal attack"? I didn't know. I tend to feel that people need to know about station owners who will do them this way. Maybe, if there was a message board specifically for these situations, there would be a whole lot get rip-offs going on. As far as I can see, only people engaging in such rip-offs would want things like this kept quiet. How many times in this very thread have we seen this guy admitting to not being legal? Go back and read! At first, he brags about being on the air. Then,a week or two later, he brags about his "first ever legal ID". Then, he's begging for ways to use outdated (not legal) equipment. Are we not seeing a pattern, here?

Is this not a forum that is based on the proper ways to do radio? Then, why not discuss what people do that is "not so proper" so that others don't make the same mistakes? There are entirely too many people who will try to "nickle and dime" a radio station who end up operating illegally because of their own cheapness. Then, when caught, "It's my engineers' fault!" I've seen this many times and even list one really nice DOE position because I refused to sign a document that would've made me guilty of insurance fraud because an owner wanted a new 12-bay antenna and didn't want to pay cash so, too get one, he intentionally refused to pressurized it so that it burned in a rainstorm. Imagine that! $87,000.00 for a new antenna and transmission line and he wanted me to commit a crime so that he could have someone else pay for it. These things need exposing!

 

[davideduardo]

Is a fact a "personal attack"? I didn't know. I tend to feel that people need to know about station owners who will do them this way. Maybe, if there was a message board specifically for these situations, there would be a whole lot get rip-offs going on. As far as I can see, only people engaging in such rip-offs would want things like this kept quiet. How many times in this very thread have we seen this guy admitting to not being legal? Go back and read! At first, he brags about being on the air. Then,a week or two later, he brags about his "first ever legal ID". Then, he's begging for ways to use outdated (not legal) equipment. Are we not seeing a pattern, here?

Is this not a forum that is based on the proper ways to do radio? Then, why not discuss what people do that is "not so proper" so that others don't make the same mistakes? There are entirely too many people who will try to "nickle and dime" a radio station who end up operating illegally because of their own cheapness. Then, when caught, "It's my engineers' fault!" I've seen this many times and even list one really nice DOE position because I refused to sign a document that would've made me guilty of insurance fraud because an owner wanted a new 12-bay antenna and didn't want to pay cash so, too get one, he intentionally refused to pressurized it so that it burned in a rainstorm. Imagine that! $87,000.00 for a new antenna and transmission line and he wanted me to commit a crime so that he could have someone else pay for it. These things need exposing!

This is not the place to do CSI: Broadcasting. There is an entire legal system for such matters.

Accusations work both ways: "I was not paid" can also be seen from the other perspective as "He did not do what he promised or did it wrong".

Most businesses today will not recommend other businesses or even do anything but confirm past employment because of legal issues in our litigious society.

 

[Poledo]

I agree with all of you but I do appreciate Radio Observer"s post because RDP has solicited donations, prayer and goodwill through this board and people need to know the person behind the keyboard.
I didn't realize his LPFM was officiallly on the air. If I had know I would have already made a dontation to him.

I'm also well aware of the reputation small broadcasters have when paying bills. I have several past due accounts receivables for radio stations and their owners totaling around $17,000. In my case I "believe" I know these people well enough to know I'll eventually get paid. I trust them enough that I'm still performing work for them and adding charges to their balance due. One of the station owners with a delinquent account is a church. The church gets cut off by the end of June. They haven't paid me anything in over 3 years.

 

[Radio Observer]

The quotes don't appear properly but, you can get the idea.

This is not the place to do CSI: Broadcasting. There is an entire legal system for such matters. [/QUOTE

Agreed! Which is one of the very reasons I think this thread should stand as it is. An awful lot of the proof of wrongdoing by this operator is posted within by the operator, himself!

Accusations work both ways: "I was not paid" can also be seen from the other perspective as "He did not do what he promised or did it wrong". [/QUOTE

Please, again see the above comment. This is exactly why I think this thread needs to stand as it is. A lot of the evidence that this operator is guilty as charged is posted for all to see. Especially if "Can I do this slightly less than legal because it t is cheaper?" can possibly be seen and and then compared with "he did it cheaply".

Most businesses today will not recommend other businesses or even do anything but confirm past employment because of legal issues in our litigious society.

And, this is not a business. It is an online discussion. It is also very indicative that this license is looking for any and every possible way to save a buck at the expense of legalities. I think we can all agree that the words "cheap" and "broadcast" don't belong in the same sentence. still, we always find where people try to get by with "cheap" and, when it blows up in their faces (as it obviously has done so, here), it's always someone else's fault. Personally, I'd commend an engineer for walking off from a job or project not being done legally. I mean, it's not like the guy was being paid to build something in violation of law. Why should he be condemned for walking away from an unlawful operation and then warning others about it? I'm for giving him and others like him a medal. Most people who are out for a quick buck would install the substandard (not legal) gear and go on about their business. Here, we have someone who refused and left it without being paid. I kinda admire that! Of course,i guess that's not "politically correct" but, IDGARA about political correctness.

 

[Radio Observer]

I agree with all of you but I do appreciate Radio Observer"s post because RDP has solicited donations, prayer and goodwill through this board and people need to know the person behind the keyboard.

From what I've determined, through my own interactions with RDP, he means well and he tries to do well but, somewhere between "I can do this properly for $2,500.00" and "someone told be I might get by with paying only $3.95", he decides the cash is more important. I've seen some of the messages between RDP and his (now former) engineer in which he would ask for a quote and, when given a wholesale quote, demand an 80% to 95% discount off of that "because it's for the Lord". Now, I'm not faulting him for this but, he gets rather irate if the supplier doesn't agree and offer the demanded discount. I mean really irate. Not that very much "Christian", either! But, that's just my own opinion based on the language used.

I'll go back and add that I'm sure my engineer friend feels the same as I do. I talked with him today and he assures me the final bill to RDP is for preparing and filing two applications with the FCC. Both applications were successfully prepared, filed and granted which would tend to indicate that The work performed was good. The engineers signature is a part of both applications as evidence that he did the work. Thereforecity would tend to think that he should be paid for the work. He is charging nothing for any later work. So, regardless as to how it turns out, how can he be "wrong" for refusing to use substandard equipment to build an illegal broadcast facility and then not charging to not do it? I also find it interesting that some feel that this should not be here.