• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Is WWL still off air?

A

artsutton

I was able to listen to WWL last night here in Northeast Georgia with their typically crystal clear skywave signal. While watching the Weather Channel this morning, Dr. Steve Lyon, their hurricane specialist, mentioned around 8 a.m. Eastern that WWL Radio went off the air while he was speaking to them.

Since they are the designated emergency information station, I wondered if maybe they lost their two big towers south of New Orleans?

Anyone know what happened?

The only other skywave AM out of that area we could get was WTIX on 690, obviously on daytime pattern, as they should have been, and 1130 KWKH which was playing music. I'm disappointed Clear Channel doesn't do more with that fantastic signal which should have at least rebroadcast WWL or something. A lot of New Orleans residents who were out on the road in Texas and Florida would have appreciated that service.

What a waste of what was once a great radio station.
 
> Anyone know what happened?
>
> I'm disappointed Clear Channel doesn't do more with that
> fantastic signal which should have at least rebroadcast WWL
> or something. A lot of New Orleans residents who were out on
> the road in Texas and Florida would have appreciated that
> service.
>
> What a waste of what was once a great radio station.
>

How can you blame Clear channel for WWL's lack of backup systems? CC cant easly rebroadcast an AM signal that is not broadcasting itself. Does anyone even know if "the entercom familiy" of stations are on air at all, When listening to WWL last night here in Ohio before they went dark, they rambled off like 7 stations they where simocasting on between their many breaks of Commericals. I would think one of them had to be on air. Channel 6 is still on according to their reporters, which is also heard on 87.7 FM as ch6's audio falls on that frequency.

Honestly the best coverage I have seen so far has been from National Fox News Channel, they have had cell reports from the superdome and other various places including Burbon Street, and also had live satellite shots from Gulfport MS. The tv stations down in N.O. that ive seen on the web have just been talking about the storms and showing radars and reading wire reports from remote sister station studios.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone down there, from the shots ive seen on TV, looks like there is major damage.

<P ID="signature">______________
Lenks
Program Director/Music Director
X Music Online
The X
Today's Best Music
http://www.xmusiconline.com/</P>
 
> > Anyone know what happened?
> >
> > I'm disappointed Clear Channel doesn't do more with that
> > fantastic signal which should have at least rebroadcast
> WWL
> > or something. A lot of New Orleans residents who were out
> on
> > the road in Texas and Florida would have appreciated that
> > service.
> >
> > What a waste of what was once a great radio station.
> >
>
> How can you blame Clear channel for WWL's lack of backup
> systems? CC cant easly rebroadcast an AM signal that is not
> broadcasting itself. Does anyone even know if "the entercom
> familiy" of stations are on air at all, When listening to
> WWL last night here in Ohio before they went dark, they
> rambled off like 7 stations they where simocasting on
> between their many breaks of Commericals. I would think one
> of them had to be on air. Channel 6 is still on according
> to their reporters, which is also heard on 87.7 FM as ch6's
> audio falls on that frequency.
>
> Honestly the best coverage I have seen so far has been from
> National Fox News Channel, they have had cell reports from
> the superdome and other various places including Burbon
> Street, and also had live satellite shots from Gulfport MS.
> The tv stations down in N.O. that ive seen on the web have
> just been talking about the storms and showing radars and
> reading wire reports from remote sister station studios.
>

What you can blame them for is not having any sort of hurricane information at all. In Shreveport, they have both of the emergency management stations. For the two hours I listened to them last night, they had NO emergency information at all. I flipped back and forth between the AM and FM stations, and both were in regular programming. So much for the folks travelling up I-49 and tuning into the stations for any sort of information, especially since their stations are listed on the hurricane evacuation signs, beginning just north of Alexandria.
 
>
> Honestly the best coverage I have seen so far has been from
> National Fox News Channel, they have had cell reports from
> the superdome and other various places including Burbon
> Street, and also had live satellite shots from Gulfport MS.
> The tv stations down in N.O. that ive seen on the web have
> just been talking about the storms and showing radars and
> reading wire reports from remote sister station studios.
>
> My thoughts and prayers are with everyone down there, from
> the shots ive seen on TV, looks like there is major damage.
>

IMHO, the MSNBC coverage carried on XM was even better than the FNC coverage. CNN was pretty lame, except for Wolfe Blitzer's program.
 
If you would read my post more carefully you would see I didn't blame Clear Channel for WWL's problem. Also, don't assume WWL didn't have a backup. At least they said they did on the air, while they were on the air.

My comments about Clear Channel pertained to their own KWKH which, despite a huge 50KW day and night signal continued to broadcast automated classic country music while thousands of people from New Orleans were driving through it's coverage area. You would have thought someone at CC Shreveport would have had enough common sense to put some information programming on it when the largest and most powerful hurricane in a century was about to hit their home state. Maybe because it was a Sunday night, no one wanted to go to the station...

> > Anyone know what happened?


> >
> > I'm disappointed Clear Channel doesn't do more with that
> > fantastic signal which should have at least rebroadcast
> WWL
> > or something. A lot of New Orleans residents who were out
> on
> > the road in Texas and Florida would have appreciated that
> > service.
> >
> > What a waste of what was once a great radio station.
> >
>
> How can you blame Clear channel for WWL's lack of backup
> systems? CC cant easly rebroadcast an AM signal that is not
> broadcasting itself. Does anyone even know if "the entercom
> familiy" of stations are on air at all, When listening to
> WWL last night here in Ohio before they went dark, they
> rambled off like 7 stations they where simocasting on
> between their many breaks of Commericals. I would think one
> of them had to be on air. Channel 6 is still on according
> to their reporters, which is also heard on 87.7 FM as ch6's
> audio falls on that frequency.
>
> Honestly the best coverage I have seen so far has been from
> National Fox News Channel, they have had cell reports from
> the superdome and other various places including Burbon
> Street, and also had live satellite shots from Gulfport MS.
> The tv stations down in N.O. that ive seen on the web have
> just been talking about the storms and showing radars and
> reading wire reports from remote sister station studios.
>
> My thoughts and prayers are with everyone down there, from
> the shots ive seen on TV, looks like there is major damage.
>
 
Re: In Defense Of WWL... Buffalo Perspective

> In Shreveport, they have both
> of the emergency management stations. For the two hours I
> listened to them last night, they had NO emergency
> information at all. I flipped back and forth between the AM
> and FM stations, and both were in regular programming. So
> much for the folks travelling up I-49 and tuning into the
> stations for any sort of information, especially since their
> stations are listed on the hurricane evacuation signs,
> beginning just north of Alexandria.
>
<font face="times new roman" size="3" color="330066">
If this is the case, it's plumb shameful!

Another thread pointed out that one of New Orleans' other high powered AM station was airing "colon blow" programming and such as the storm approached. A poster suggested the station should have its licensed revoked. Hard to argue with that opinion. It's a shame that AM stations like that ignore the situation and take the path of least resistance. Afterall, stations are licensed to operate "in the public interest, convenience and necessity."

I occasionally post on the Buffalo-Rochester board and even though I've been out of the business (by choice) for a few years, I still DX a lot and check out other boards to get a handle on what radio folks and radio fans are thinking.

I don't fault WWL in this situation.

Storms and natural disasters can wreak havoc on even the best laid contingency plans. By the way, ever been in a blizzard? Snow, blowing so hard it takes your breath away, wind chills so cold, the average body can sustain only a few minutes outdoors, even with the warmest clothing. Visibility so low, you can't see more than a few feet ahead of you in the middle of the day.

The WWL crew most likely did their best to provide service to their area but the power and force of the hurricane took most, if not all, of their options off the table.

Many years ago, I worked with a gentleman who eventually became the VP of Engineering at the company that owned WWL. He was a knowledgeable, hands-on type who ran a tight (meaning squared-away, not cheap) ship. The stories he told me about the WWL transmitter sight (complete with alligator buckshot, duckboats, hip-waders and anti-venon for the water mocs) lead me to believe that contingency plans were in place. 100+ mph winds and a 12' tidal wall can wreak havoc with even the best plans.</font>
 
Re: In Defense Of WWL... Buffalo Perspective

> > In Shreveport, they have both
> > of the emergency management stations. For the two hours I
>
> > listened to them last night, they had NO emergency
> > information at all. I flipped back and forth between the
> AM
> > and FM stations, and both were in regular programming. So
>
> > much for the folks travelling up I-49 and tuning into the
> > stations for any sort of information, especially since
> their
> > stations are listed on the hurricane evacuation signs,
> > beginning just north of Alexandria.
> >
>
> If this is the case, it's plumb shameful!
>
> Another thread pointed out that one of New Orleans' other
> high powered AM station was airing "colon blow" programming
> and such as the storm approached. A poster suggested the
> station should have its licensed revoked. Hard to argue with
> that opinion. It's a shame that AM stations like that ignore
> the situation and take the path of least resistance.
> Afterall, stations are licensed to operate "in the public
> interest, convenience and necessity."
>
> I occasionally post on the Buffalo-Rochester board and even
> though I've been out of the business (by choice) for a few
> years, I still DX a lot and check out other boards to get a
> handle on what radio folks and radio fans are thinking.
>
> I don't fault WWL in this situation.
>
> Storms and natural disasters can wreak havoc on even the
> best laid contingency plans. By the way, ever been in a
> blizzard? Snow, blowing so hard it takes your breath away,
> wind chills so cold, the average body can sustain only a few
> minutes outdoors, even with the warmest clothing. Visibility
> so low, you can't see more than a few feet ahead of you in
> the middle of the day.
>
> The WWL crew most likely did their best to provide service
> to their area but the power and force of the hurricane took
> most, if not all, of their options off the table.
>
> Many years ago, I worked with a gentleman who eventually
> became the VP of Engineering at the company that owned WWL.
> He was a knowledgeable, hands-on type who ran a tight
> (meaning squared-away, not cheap) ship. The stories he told
> me about the WWL transmitter sight (complete with alligator
> buckshot, duckboats, hip-waders and anti-venon for the water
> mocs) lead me to believe that contingency plans were in
> place. 100+ mph winds and a 12' tidal wall can wreak havoc
> with even the best plans.
>

WWL is "loud and clear" in Bartlett, TN (just NE of Memphis) some 375 miles from the tx site. Whatever they did to get back up, it worked!

Impressive. Just wish all the other stations took their license (and responsibility to the public) as seriously as these guys do.

Congrats to the engineering group!

PR680
 
Re: In Defense Of WWL... Buffalo Perspective

> Another thread pointed out that one of New Orleans' other
> high powered AM station was airing "colon blow" programming
> and such as the storm approached. A poster suggested the
> station should have its licensed revoked. Hard to argue with
> that opinion. It's a shame that AM stations like that ignore
> the situation and take the path of least resistance.
> Afterall, stations are licensed to operate "in the public
> interest, convenience and necessity."
>
During the days of the old EBS, stations that were part of the EBS had to suspend their own programming and carry information passed on to them from the EBS stations. Stations that don't belong on EBS had to leave the air.

These days, all stations must have EAS equipment, but are no longer obligated to suspend programming, though it must be interrupted for EAS bulletins.

(Disclaimer: "...I think.")

To be honest, while it's utterly riduculous to just ignore the emergency and just continue on with pre-recorded brokered programming and voice-tracked crap, there was many choices for New Orleanders to choose from, plus stations in adjacent markets and within the storm zone that could relay information for the benefot of New Orleans refugees. Of course, the further away from the storm zone, the less sensitive they are to the situation (such as Shreveport's KWKH, even though they're listed as an EAS station for hurricanes).

If WLNO was the only station (or one of two to four) in New Orleans, then we would've looked at this as a more serious offence.
 
Re: In Defense Of WWL... Buffalo Perspective

> > > In Shreveport, they have both
> > > of the emergency management stations. For the two hours
> I
> >
> > > listened to them last night, they had NO emergency
> > > information at all. I flipped back and forth between
> the
> > AM
> > > and FM stations, and both were in regular programming.
> So
> >
> > > much for the folks travelling up I-49 and tuning into
> the
> > > stations for any sort of information, especially since
> > their
> > > stations are listed on the hurricane evacuation signs,
> > > beginning just north of Alexandria.
> > >
> >
> > If this is the case, it's plumb shameful!
> >
> > Another thread pointed out that one of New Orleans' other
> > high powered AM station was airing "colon blow"
> programming
> > and such as the storm approached. A poster suggested the
> > station should have its licensed revoked. Hard to argue
> with
> > that opinion. It's a shame that AM stations like that
> ignore
> > the situation and take the path of least resistance.
> > Afterall, stations are licensed to operate "in the public
> > interest, convenience and necessity."
> >
> > I occasionally post on the Buffalo-Rochester board and
> even
> > though I've been out of the business (by choice) for a few
>
> > years, I still DX a lot and check out other boards to get
> a
> > handle on what radio folks and radio fans are thinking.
> >
> > I don't fault WWL in this situation.
> >
> > Storms and natural disasters can wreak havoc on even the
> > best laid contingency plans. By the way, ever been in a
> > blizzard? Snow, blowing so hard it takes your breath away,
>
> > wind chills so cold, the average body can sustain only a
> few
> > minutes outdoors, even with the warmest clothing.
> Visibility
> > so low, you can't see more than a few feet ahead of you in
>
> > the middle of the day.
> >
> > The WWL crew most likely did their best to provide service
>
> > to their area but the power and force of the hurricane
> took
> > most, if not all, of their options off the table.
> >
> > Many years ago, I worked with a gentleman who eventually
> > became the VP of Engineering at the company that owned
> WWL.
> > He was a knowledgeable, hands-on type who ran a tight
> > (meaning squared-away, not cheap) ship. The stories he
> told
> > me about the WWL transmitter sight (complete with
> alligator
> > buckshot, duckboats, hip-waders and anti-venon for the
> water
> > mocs) lead me to believe that contingency plans were in
> > place. 100+ mph winds and a 12' tidal wall can wreak havoc
>
> > with even the best plans.
> >
>
> WWL is "loud and clear" in Bartlett, TN (just NE of Memphis)
> some 375 miles from the tx site. Whatever they did to get
> back up, it worked!
>
> Impressive. Just wish all the other stations took their
> license (and responsibility to the public) as seriously as
> these guys do.
>
> Congrats to the engineering group!
>
> PR680

I listened to WWL this evening after our daytime station in Farmville, Virginia (WFLO-AM, also on 870) signed off...it's amazing to just hear the stress in the guests and announcer's voices, some of whom have not slept for over 24 hours...

Good luck to all of you

Radio-X
<P ID="signature">______________
If a DJ talks into a microphone, and no one's there to listen to him, does he make a noise?</P>
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom