Is WCHE broadcasting before sunrise and after sunset legally?

[fybush]

Is it possible for WILM to increase their power to say 5K or due to the non-directional patter they have restrict that. Because it would seem to me, that if WILM is going to compete realistically with WDEL their signal needs to get out far better than it does.

The 1450 frequency is restricted to class C (former class IV) stations in the 48 contiguous states, and class C stations are limited to a maximum power of 1 kW.

Even if class B (regional) stations were allowed on 1450, it's a tightly-packed channel without much room for WILM to increase its power. There are other stations not too far away on 1450 in Atlantic City, Thurmont MD, Washington DC, etc., as well as WNPV and WGLD on 1440 and WIFI and WEMD on 1460.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

Thanks for the explanation. One more question. Is it possible for WILM to be moved from 1450 to a more desirable frequency where those limitations wouldn't be a factor, as there are less AM stations now or as many non-comm FM's do, have a translator in a hard to hit area which would also help WILM or any other AM station with such restrictions or is that translator option only allowed for FM.

 

[w9wi]

Thanks for the explanation. One more question. Is it possible for WILM to be moved from 1450 to a more desirable frequency where those limitations wouldn't be a factor, as there are less AM stations now or as many non-comm FM's do, have a translator in a hard to hit area which would also help WILM or any other AM station with such restrictions or is that translator option only allowed for FM.

I've not done the math on it but I would be VERY surprised if a decent regional channel is available in Wilmington. If there was an upgrade possibility, someone would have already filed for it. A Class B regional-channel (or clear-channel) facility would require a directional antenna, at least at night and probably during the day. This involves a lot more land, NIMBY issues, and some expensive engineering & construction.

An FM translator would be a possibility, *if* WILM could find one. Only existing translators may be used. (they can't file for a new one - though even if they did it would probably take years for the FCC to act on the application) A cursory check of the FCC DB shows two that might be usable: W277BL-103.3 and W299BH-107.7. Whether their existing owners would consider selling I have no idea. I only checked Delaware stations - it is quite possible a NJ or PA translator is close enough to be usable.

One could potentially be moved in from elsewhere, though from what I'm hearing (from Scott IIRC) is that this process has also become impractically slow in recent weeks.

 

[fybush]

It has. The FCC has quietly revised its internal procedures so that minor changes to a translator are processed quickly on the first move...but then they drag out approval for subsequent moves for months.

And no, there's not a frequency available for WILM to move. The AM dial is packed solid all along the East Coast, and for WILM to move to any frequency that's not 1420, 1430, 1440, 1460, 1470 or 1480 would be considered a major change. Major changes can only be filed during a filing window, and the last one for AM was in 2004, with no new one planned any time soon. As for minor changes, 1420 is occupied by WCOJ, 1430 by WNAV in Annapolis and WNSW in Newark, 1440 by WNPV in Lansdale and WGLD in York, 1460 by WIFI and WEMD, 1470 by WSAN in Allentown and WJDY downstate and WTTR in Maryland, and 1480 by WUBA in Philly.

It's possible, I suppose, that CC could make some sort of move that would involve buying WCOJ and taking it silent, then swapping frequencies between WDOV and WILM to get more power on 1410 in Wilmington...but that's a lot of investment for an AM in a relatively small market for them, especially when 1450 is decent over substantially all of New Castle County already, which (IIRC) is all that matters for the ratings.

 

[satech]

1450 is decent over substantially all of New Castle County already, which (IIRC) is all that matters for the ratings.

I often hear WILM underneath the audio of 1450 WCTC in the early morning hours up here in Somerset County, NJ, some 80 miles Northeast of Wilmington. I'd say that's pretty good for a "graveyard channel" station!

 

[MikefromDelaware]

Thank you all, you're a wealth of information.

 

[MattParker]

Clear Channel paid $4million and they got call letters (brand) and a frequency and signal allocation. They can't admit they bought themselves a bad signal. There is little point now in trying to upgrade their AM signal by moving or getting more power (which they really can't do without moving). It's like buying new tires for a 20 year old car; it's still a heap. None of their FM signals cover Wilmington well and so they'd have to acquire an FM license (which the little old lady who used to own the station didn't bother getting when the FCC was begging stations to take one). If they buy and FM, then they acknowledge they flushed $4million down the toilet when they bought the AM. Both 1290, which Clear Channel owns, and 1380, which the state owns have better signals. The state could probably be persuaded to make some kind of deal but again, that would mean admitting paying $4million for a class C AM with a bad signal on 1450 was dumb. So they keep limping along until AM radio dies or everybody who listens to it dies.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

Before someone gets their Nickers in a twist over all this Wilmington radio chatter on the Philly board, I'm simply replying to Matts comments. Granted this probably would be better served being said on the Delaware Board, it is what it is.

1380 today has a better signal than it did back in the WAMS days, as the state was allowed to piggy back on WILM's non-directional tower where as WAMS was stuck with, I believe it was, 5 towers with a bulk of their signal going down the Delaware River to the Bay. At night it was even worse.

1290 does have a good signal day time, but they too suffer at night when powered back, as folks in Newark or Bear who'd like to listen to the Blue Rocks can't.

So I'm not sure any of the three would be a better investment than the others as all cover the metro area fairly well during the day, all stink at night. Granted with the current set up 1380 is doing much better at night than back in the days of WAMS.

It is unfortunate that there wasn't a WILM-FM or a what would have been the sister station for AM 1290 WTUX as WTUX-FM. Unfortunately, station owners here seemed to be short sighted back then as to the future value of an FM station, so today Wilmington suffers from a lack of FM station allocations.

I'd admit that CC probably paid Mrs. Hawkins way more for WILM than it was worth, but I sure can't blame her for taking the money if CC was dumb enough to offer to pay it. She didn't hold a gun to their heads. She apparently is a better business person or negotiator than that person from CC.

The thing I never understood was why didn't CC try to buy out WJBR or even Salem's 101.7 (WJKS). They probably could have gotten 101.7 for a decent price. Granted WJBR would have been expensive.

WDSD does have a solid signal into Wilmington on 94.7, they used to be THE country station here, but during those years of WRTX being on 94.7 WDSD on 92.9 they lost that competition and now can't get that audience back. However, If WDSD offered a format that caught the Wilmington area's attention, they probably could do well again. WDSD just has to find that format.

 

[Porky Hooton]

If my memory serves me, CC did try and buy WJBR. They had a minority money guy (Frank Washington?) hold the license until they tried to consecrate the deal, but FCC station limits in Philly and Dover precluded this from ever happening. The young gentleman from CC who headed up the deal to buy WILM is a Magna *** Laude graduate from the Wharton School of the U of P, and today heads up the six CC stations in NYC , the number one media market in the world. At the time, CC thought they stole the station from EB and Mrs. H. My how times have changed. Today, the station might be worth $250,000. Remember, CC does not own the WILM real estate or tower site, and they lease the land from Mrs. Hawkins. I think EB and his mom are enjoying their retirement. Do good, be well and happy.

 

[MattParker]

As an Annenberg graduate, I was never that impressed in Wharton weenies (wearing suits and carrying brief cases to class).

Given WILM's apparent billings (or lack of them), and Hawkins' public comments about all the red ink the station generated over the years, it seems Clear Channel way over-paid. It was never a secret the Hawkins' avoided paying cash and most of the spots were trade-offs. I don't think Clear Channel was suckered. I think they just decided they had to have this station. One reason Clear Channel may have wanted the station was Hawkins was great at PR. She was somehow able to convince a lot of people, including the industry trade publications and other reporters covering broadcasting, that this station was a lot better and a lot more than it really was. She was able to make it seem like a combination of NPR News, WTOP and WKRP.

But Clear Channel is no different from all those people who paid to much for houses and are now getting foreclosed on.

 

[Porky Hooton]

Mr. MattParker. The Sally Hawkins PR part of your post, where you describe WILM as being a combination of NPR News, WTOP and WKRP is classic. LOL. Having met Mrs. Hawkins a number of times, I can only say she was a delite to be around. We were never able to make any deals, but I can tell you, she is a fine negotiator. But this has already been pointed out . When her husband Ewing became ill, she stepped in and became a real positive force both at the station and in the Wilmington non-profit community. Do good, be well and happy.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

At its prime, WILM was a lot like an NPR station and WTOP. WILM was what WDEL is today other than WILM did air more news analysis/commentary programming from DW Radio Germany, Commonwealth Club, A local Arts/Theater show, and other such programs, etc, so the comparison to NPR is correct vs WDEL fills that time with sports or national talk. Back then WILM had plenty of local spots as WDEL does today. As to how many of those spots were paid vs barter, I have no idea.

Porky is correct. Mrs. Hawkins was a delight to be with. She is a very shrewd business woman. I hope both her and EB are enjoying their retirements. They were great folks to work for. I totally enjoyed my time at WILM during the Hawkins ownership.

 

[MattParker]

At its prime, WILM was a lot like an NPR station and WTOP. WILM was what WDEL is today other than WILM did air more news analysis/commentary programming from DW Radio Germany, Commonwealth Club, A local Arts/Theater show, and other such programs, etc, so the comparison to NPR is correct vs WDEL fills that time with sports or national talk. Back then WILM had plenty of local spots as WDEL does today. As to how many of those spots were paid vs barter, I have no idea.

Porky is correct. Mrs. Hawkins was a delight to be with. She is a very shrewd business woman. I hope both her and EB are enjoying their retirements. They were great folks to work for. I totally enjoyed my time at WILM during the Hawkins ownership.

As I say, Hawkins did a good job of convincing people WILM was a lot like NPR and WTOP, as long as they didn't listen too closely. I suppose this also shows Clear Channel and others are right to cut news budgets, news staffs and to create news hubs. Promotion trumps substance and most people can't tell the difference. Besides, a lot of people like to cheer for the underdog and the idea of a "little" station in a smaller market doing something that seemed ambitious (even if was seldom done well) has an inherent appeal. Notice all the examples cited earlier didn't cost anything, filled time and seemed impressive. That was the station's formula.

 

[MarcB]

If done properly, the average listener has no idea that the newscast on their favorite radio station isn't being done in-house or that their favorite DJ is hundreds of miles away.

One more than one occasion I have heard a voice-tracked jock on Country 92.5 in Hartford mention local Connecticut things on air even though he's based down in Virginia. He mentioned walking his dog in the beautiful town of Barkhamsted in the Litchfield Hills. And another time he mentioned seeing a guy at the Brass Mill Mall in Waterbury with a mullet and couldn't believe in 2010 someone would still have a mullet.

Those things are believable. Barkhamsted is a town in the Litchfield Hills and in the fall when the leaves are changing colors some consider it to be beautiful. And I've been to the Brass Mill Mall and there are all kinds of interesting characters that go there - so seeing a guy there with a mullet is believable to me.

 

[MattParker]

Right, Marc. The champs at this are AccuWeather. Their people are doing weather reports in State College, PA for stations in several different cities throughout each shift. They come on and talk about the rain, the cold, the heat and even the autumn colors - always saying "we" or "our."

Then there are the traffic reporters who sit in another city, looking at a web page much like the ones that come up on websites end users can access, and rattle off "jams" in some city they've never been to.

And talk show hosts who do a local show in one city (like Chicago) and walk down the hall and do another local show for another city (like Minneapolis). And remember the guy in Toledo who moved to Virginia and nobody told the audience he wasn't in town any more. Twenty years ago there was a guy who did a morning show in Dallas and afternoon drive in Chicago and flew the round trip each day. Satellite's gain is the airline's loss.

Broadcasters sometimes say "local" is the one thing terrestrial radio offers that satellite and Internet radio can't matching. Only so little radio is local and broadcasters keep hoping nobody notices.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

As I say, Hawkins did a good job of convincing people WILM was a lot like NPR and WTOP, as long as they didn't listen too closely.

WILM never claimed to be like NPR, but it offered programming, whether it was free or not is immaterial, that couldn't be heard anywhere on Wilmington, Philly, or the rest of Delaware's radio stations. It may not have appealed to you, but there were folks who tuned in for the Commonwealth Club, Delaware's Performing Art's Show, etc. WILM had its niche, even if it was a small niche, somehow Mrs. Hawkins kept that station a float for quite a while doing something different from the other commercial news/talkers. Today, WILM is almost a carbon copy of the typical news/talker today.

WILM back then never had the nice state of the art equipment that WDEL had, so that would affect quality of the product, but had the largest news staff of any station in Wilmington and Baltimore (only KYW in Philly and WTOP in Wash DC had larger news staffs). WILM did a great job of being Delaware's news station back then as it operated on a shoe string budget, but we got the job done. Back then, if you will recall WDEL wasn't really doing all that much with news. It wasn't until after CC started dismantling WILM that WDEL started growing their news department and now has become what WILM was, except that they've got far better equipment and probably more money available, not exactly apples to apples, but I'm glad WDEL picked up the gauntlet and has become what WILM had been.

Now under CC, WILM now has all that great equipment in a state of the art studio with few or no employees to use the equipment, so big deal, what a waste. It probably was bought as a tax write off.

 

[MattParker]

As I say, Hawkins did a good job of convincing people WILM was a lot like NPR and WTOP, as long as they didn't listen too closely.

WILM never claimed to be like NPR, but it offered programming, whether it was free or not is immaterial, that couldn't be heard anywhere on Wilmington, Philly, or the rest of Delaware's radio stations. It may not have appealed to you, but there were folks who tuned in for the Commonwealth Club, Delaware's Performing Art's Show, etc. WILM had its niche, even if it was a small niche, somehow Mrs. Hawkins kept that station a float for quite a while doing something different from the other commercial news/talkers. Today, WILM is almost a carbon copy of the typical news/talker today.

WILM back then never had the nice state of the art equipment that WDEL had, so that would affect quality of the product, but had the largest news staff of any station in Wilmington and Baltimore (only KYW in Philly and WTOP in Wash DC had larger news staffs). WILM did a great job of being Delaware's news station back then as it operated on a shoe string budget, but we got the job done. Back then, if you will recall WDEL wasn't really doing all that much with news. It wasn't until after CC started dismantling WILM that WDEL started growing their news department and now has become what WILM was, except that they've got far better equipment and probably more money available, not exactly apples to apples, but I'm glad WDEL picked up the gauntlet and has become what WILM had been.

Now under CC, WILM now has all that great equipment in a state of the art studio with few or no employees to use the equipment, so big deal, what a waste. It probably was bought as a tax write off.

Mike, I don't recall off-hand when WDEL grew its news department but it goes back at least the past decade (and maybe a bit longer) - several years before Clear Channel took over WILM.

One of WILM's PR "talking points" is the "largest staff between Philadelphia and Washington" (which you referred to). Quantity is not the same as quality. WILM often hired inexperienced people willing to work cheap. Some of them got experience there and went on to bigger and better things. WILM wasn't exactly an internship; more like a residency in medicine or clerkship in law. That in itself was a valuable contribution to the careers of those people and to the industry. Organizations like UPI and City News Bureau in Chicago used to be an invaluable training ground but they, like the former WILM, aren't around any more. Journalism as a profession is poorer for that. But operating as a training ground also allowed the Hawkins' to operate cheaply and resulted in some shaky on-air product.

People talk about corporations buying a white elephant as a tax write-off. They say much the same about buying a house with a mortgage. What does it profit someone to lose a dollar in red ink (or pay a dollar in mortgage interest) in order to save about thirty cents in taxes. Like a lot of home owners, Clear Channel bought something for more than it's worth and took on debt they can't afford. People make bad deals all the time.

WILM was frequent called a "hobby station." Not that there's anything wrong with that. I hear all sorts of people wanting their own radio station so they can do what they want with it (like having your own candy store). Hawkins could afford the hobby. But I suspect she got lucky when Clear Channel came along with money to burn.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

Yes, I was one of those inexperienced people hired at WILM. I had experience DJ'ing at numerous other stations, at WAMS I also did write up and read news headlines. WILM gave me the opportunity to grow in my radio skills as I did anchor, go out on stories as a reporter, write up stories, even edit others stories from time to time, and I even hosted a talk show that did beat out whatever national show WDEL was airing at the time opposite of my show on Saturday nights. Yes, I know, not exactly prime time, but I had a decent amount of listeners for that time period, many of whom were babyboomers and quite a few females in that mix, rather than being mostly over 70 as WILM does tend to skew older. Not too bad for an inexperienced amateur.

You seem determined to bash or paint a negative image of what WILM was doing. A small 1K mom and pop radio station that from the 1970's until the end with CC was the leading news/talk station for Delaware. WDEL's news department hadn't been nearly as active and they weren't doing full news blocks for quite some time- they were a shell of their former glory days of the 1950's, 60's, and early 70's when WDEL was the NBC radio affiliate and the place to turn for news. WDEL started rebuilding their news department under Chris Carl's leadership.

Today, WDEL's got a top notched operation and have taken over the mantle of being Delaware's leading news/talk station. Chris Carl has done a great job with the news department at WDEL. However, I'm hearing more and more very young, inexperienced sounding people now at WDEL too on weekends and evenings. Maybe in this sized market, it's hard to attract the more qualified due to the salaries offered for part time and weekend help. So the inexperienced used WILM and today WDEL as their stepping stone for bigger things. Many WILM alumni have moved on to CBS radio, CNN radio, WTOP, KYW, WCBM, WHYY- FM and TV and other major market stations, etc, so they had the talent it just needed to be developed and the former WILM did that as today's WDEL may be doing the same thing. Granted WDEL's top on air folks both talk and news are probably doing fine salary wise for this market, as experienced quality talent they should do fine.

Call it hobby radio if you will, the old WILM did serve this community very well given their resources. Many of us at WILM then used to dream of what it would be like to have our staff, but with good modern equipment - I'd been to WDEL and realized the handicap we all had vs Chris Carl's news team at WDEL with their modern state of the art facility. The handicaps of using old equipment from the 1970's, this wasn't just old technology it was literally old equipment that was held together by a skilled engineer. Frankly considering the lousy equipment at WILM then, I think we all did an amazing job doing what we did. The point is, we made it work, the public was served.

Many radio folks owe their great careers to that WILM. Even though I didn't go any further in radio, I had a great time and truly enjoyed my 7 years at WILM. As it turned out for EB and Mrs. Hawkins, they managed to get the golden parachute for retirement from CC. So it's just how you look at it. You saw a hobby station, I saw an operation that has provided many radio people with good careers today, a fantastic retirement for the owners, and for me a great time of living out some of my radio dreams as a part timer doing news and doing a talk show. Where else would someone like me get that opportunity, only at a station like the old WILM.

I'm amazed, but I still run into people who, when they know my name will ask if I was the guy who did a talk show on WILM and when will I be back doing a talk show. I was the minor league broadcaster at the station, think of how many of the others from the old WILM who were the real talent are missed by former listeners. Allan Loudell is at WDEL doing pretty much as he did then at WILM. Mark Eichmann, Tom Burns, and Mark Fowser can still be seen and heard at WHYY. The rest are in other markets, other than the few still at the new WILM (Ted Efay, John Watson, and Allan Krakcour (sp) yes I know its misspelled. Maybe WILM was a hobby for EB and Mrs. Hawkins, but WILM touched many people in the Wilmington area during those years and THAT is something.

 

[MattParker]

You seem determined to bash or paint a negative image of what WILM was doing.

I might say you seem determined to inflate the importance and quality of what WILM was doing. Given your own involvement in the station, I suppose that's natural. People often have nostalgia for "the good old days," even if - maybe especially if - the good old days weren't that good. I happened to look at some of the old posts on this board. I saw some anecdotes about antique equipment, people with an unusual management style and even water bottles. It may not have seemed like fun at the time but that's what makes great war stories. I can understand people being proud of being able to do something under adverse conditions (no a/c or windows, a sewer opening in the newsroom), even if - maybe especially if - the pay is poor and the audience is small but devoted.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

I've heard many of those stories too, here at RI. I never experienced any of that. I don't remember any of the full timers complaining about such things as I'd see a number of them on Saturdays when I worked. If those stories are true, and frankly I doubt most are, and not exaggerated or totally made up stories made up by a disgruntled employee who may have been "let go" then the station managed to get them fixed or repaired before I showed up on Saturdays or the occasional weeknight I'd fill in for someone who was on vacation, sick, etc.

No argument the building was old and needed to be demolished or totally rehabbed. The equipment literally was the same stuff I used in 1972 on AFRN Alaskan Forces Radio Network while in the Air Force. It worked better in 1972, but it was the same old stuff. Again, I give much credit to the station's engineer, who must have been like a "Mr. Scott" from Star Trek to keep all that old junk working, but he did.

Odd management styles is in the eye of the beholder. Anyone who's worked somewhere, be it in radio, industry, or retail probably has some stories of strange stuff done by management. I didn't experience any odd styles from any of the people over me, which was every one as I was a part timer, this included EB and Mrs. Hawkins. I was treated with total respect as a broadcast professional by all, never was talked down to or had anyone ever say, weekend shifts don't really count because no one listens on the weekends, or other such stuff. If I had a question about something whomever I asked always gave me an intelligent respectful answer. I was never blown off by anyone. When the Hawkins gave out gifts at Christmas time or had a station wide party, etc, I was always included. Maybe that was considered odd management by some, I don't know, but I sure appreciated it.

For Philly and the larger radio world WILM was and is nothing, but for the under served radio-TV market of Wilmington Delaware, WILM was something for those who took advantage of what they offered as their radio product. Granted that audience has shrunk over the years, but when school closings came, many who never listened any other time would tune in, Allan Loudell's wall to wall coverage of Delaware election results pulled in many who'd not usually listen, or when 911 happened many who normally didn't listen knew they'd hear exactly what was going on via CBS Radio with wall to wall coverage at 1450 WILM newsradio. The station had that type of reputation back then. It was there when you needed it, even if you didn't normally listen. To each his/her own.

It isn't nostalgia for my time there, even though I sure miss those times and would love to have another opportunity like that. I was a loyal listener to WILM before I went to work there. This was great, I could listen to some of my favorite shows and get paid to do it, plus get to do radio, even a talk show. I got to interview Dr. Robert Ballard - the guy who found the Titanic, Christian Amanpore (sp) then of CNN, and Rev. Demond Tutu. Man, what a deal for an inexperienced weekend part timer.

It's OK that we see this differently, but we'll just have to agree to disagree. You're looking at this with a different set of lenses than I, which is fine. Thanks for your insights.