KOFY

[Chuck]

Today's FCC Daily Digest shows an Application for License Renewal for "DKOFY" by Jerry Jussell, as "Accepted for Filing."

"Accepted for Filing" doesn't mean that it is a done deal, but I'll be interested to see if he can pull it off. I hope so, since it is a shame to lose a frequency forever. Perhaps if he gets it back on the air, he will sell it to someone who wants to make it work. I hope so.

 

[C414B]

Today's FCC Daily Digest shows an Application for License Renewal for "DKOFY" by Jerry Jussell, as "Accepted for Filing."

"Accepted for Filing" doesn't mean that it is a done deal, but I'll be interested to see if he can pull it off. I hope so, since it is a shame to lose a frequency forever. Perhaps if he gets it back on the air, he will sell it to someone who wants to make it work. I hope so.

It would be nice to get one back on the air. Especially one that has somewhat of a history/legacy.

I can see this happening: he gets the license renewed and then files an STA to keep it off the air. Or worse yet, it's silent and there's no STA. Or worse still, overmodulated audio with a ground loop in the (not so) background.

With him having asked such an astronomical price for KWRD, any speculation as to what kind of price tag he'll put on it if he lets go of that license? And speaking of KWRD, is it still being "the little engine that could"? (This bugs me...I can see the guy's face that LMA'd it but can't call his name for nothing!)

BTW, saw/heard via website/stream that you're now in Tyler via translator. Congrats! How's the signal there?

 

[Chuck]

With him having asked such an astronomical price for KWRD, any speculation as to what kind of price tag he'll put on it if he lets go of that license? And speaking of KWRD, is it still being "the little engine that could"? (This bugs me...I can see the guy's face that LMA'd it but can't call his name for nothing!)

It's Phillip Burd. He was supposed to "close” on the KWRD sale a few weeks ago. I haven't seen anything about it on the Daily Digest. They were off the air for a while recently. I haven't checked to see if it is back. Maybe tomorrow, I'll remember to check.

BTW, saw/heard via website/stream that you're now in Tyler via translator. Congrats! How's the signal there?

In a word, "weak." But there is a remote possibility we may be able to raise the power in the future. On the other hand, I had three phone calls today from listeners in Tyler, so somebody has found it.

 

[snoman]

Any word on KZEY? ???

 

[dx7]

Chuck, I can't find anything in the FCC database about a pending sale of KWRD. Unless I'm looking in the wrong place, I can't locate the Transfer of Ownership application or an Asset Purchase Agreement for KWRD.

Just curious if it was ever officially filed with the FCC, which as you know would be a requirement. How much was KWRD being sold for? Was it being LMA'ed?


dx7

 

[Chuck]

Chuck, I can't find anything in the FCC database about a pending sale of KWRD. Unless I'm looking in the wrong place, I can't locate the Transfer of Ownership application or an Asset Purchase Agreement for KWRD.

Just curious if it was ever officially filed with the FCC, which as you know would be a requirement. How much was KWRD being sold for? Was it being LMA'ed?


dx7

I've never seen anything on the FCC web site either. Phillip was operating it under a LMA supposedly with an agreement to purchase it. A month or so ago, he told me that they were going to "close" in the next day or two. I haven't seen or heard anything since then. I just took my GE Super Radio outside, and someone is playing country music on or about where they ought to be, so it looks like the station is on the air.

 

[LABreeze]

Chuck, I cannot believe that Russell is trying to resurrect 1060. My burning question is what is he going to do with the frequency? I mean is he going to attempt to simulcast it with KZEY so that he can get a bigger coverage with it? And speaking of KZEY, any word on what's been happening at 690 kilohertz lately?

Please shed some light to this.

 

[Chuck]

Chuck, I cannot believe that Russell is trying to resurrect 1060. My burning question is what is he going to do with the frequency? I mean is he going to attempt to simulcast it with KZEY so that he can get a bigger coverage with it? And speaking of KZEY, any word on what's been happening at 690 kilohertz lately?

Please shed some light to this.

I don't have any light to shed. I just noticed it on the Daily Digest. It is at the bottom of this page: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-281008A2.txt

Which says:

AM STATION APPLICATIONS FOR RENEWAL ACCEPTED FOR FILING
-------------------------------------------------------

TX BR-20050408ABH DKOFY 34558 JERRY RUSSELL D/B/A THE RUSSELL COMPANY Renewal of License.
E 1060 KHZ GILMER, TX


fcc
I'd like to know too.

 

[Chuck]

And speaking of KZEY, any word on what's been happening at 690 kilohertz lately?

As far as I know KZEY has been of the air for a very long time. I've looked through the window at their downtown Tyler studios/office, but it appears to be abandoned. All you can see is a dusty looking desk and a couple of pieces of furniture.

 

[dx7]

Here's the link to the actual application for renewal of KOFY:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101055684&formid=303&fac_num=34558

Two things of note: I don't see the name of a law firm or attorney on the Contact Information part of the application. Usually you'll see the name of a firm that is qualified to practice broadcast law before the FCC. I find it foolish that he would try this without an FCC lawyer.

Also, I don't see any explanation as to why they missed their original renewal deadline or any explanation why the license shouldn't be deleted.

I still hope the FCC renews the license and Russell sells it to someone who cares.

 

[C414B]

Here's the link to the actual application for renewal of KOFY:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101055684&formid=303&fac_num=34558

Two things of note: I don't see the name of a law firm or attorney on the Contact Information part of the application. Usually you'll see the name of a firm that is qualified to practice broadcast law before the FCC. I find it foolish that he would try this without an FCC lawyer.

Also, I don't see any explanation as to why they missed their original renewal deadline or any explanation why the license shouldn't be deleted.

I still hope the FCC renews the license and Russell sells it to someone who cares.

I don't profess to be an expert on things, but did he lie about the station when he certified it has not been silent in a 12-month period and that the station was currently operating? Seems to me that the answer to Section III.5 would land him in some water seeing as how the license was not renewed in a timely fashion and that even the FCC deleted the calls. Am I reading this right?? ???

 

[billyg]

Again???! I thought DKOFY was "considered moot" and dead by the FCC. Interesting to note there is a phone number and address and email for a "Gwendolyn Walker".

I've haven't been out to the KOFY transmitter site on FM 2767 in a couple years to see if the tower and x-mitter building was still there. I hope something good happens with it, if Jerry would only spend $$$ on a good-new 10K transmitter and good enough processing gear you could something with that 10K signal.

And I hope KWRD stays on the air, somehow. The guy who's running it has been doing it mostly by himself, but he should have rigged up some kind of simple automation system (even a laptop playing Mp3's would have worked) to fill up some hours.

 

[136kgb]

Concerning KOFY's transmitter it is less than 10 years old and completely solid state. It was putting out 10kw without fail. The transmitter is not the problem. The problem is the poor soil conditions throughout all of East Texas for a grounding system.

Concerning KOFY's license it is gone. After a day timer has lost its license (unless it can make 250 watts or better at night) it cannot be re-issued. An FCC attorney was consulted and he confirms that no matter what the excuse that it can not be re-licensed by Russell.

KZEY has been off the air for almost 3 years. I was called to put it back on the air and due to their business practices I refrained from accepting the challenge.

KZEY should have lost it's license 2 years ago, and according to friends of mine in Tyler the two towers on Lake Park Drive were dropped last year after Russell lost the land in a tax auction. The Sheriff auctioned the land for a small amount like 10k.

KZEY has an FCC of $11,000 for failure to maintain a public file and for operating a directional array in non-directional mode without an STA.

If I was Phillip Burd I would get a really good attorney, because if Russell hasn't filed a change of ownership for KWRD yet, he never will!

By the way KWRD also has an FCC fine against it for failure to maintain EAS and to run EAS.


When Dudley Waller tried to buy KOFY he offered 550,000 for KZEY he offered 725,000 and Russell stupidly refused, saying KZEY alone was worth 1.2 million.

 

[LABreeze]

Wait a minute....let me get this straight.....Waller offered Russell a reasonable amount of money for both KOFY and KZEY and Russell wanted too much for both of the stations. I mean KZEY worth 1.2 million? That is SO RIDICULOUS! Shoot, KRLD in Dallas cost more than that. Only a fool like him (Russell) would sell it that outrageously. I guess the man is still desparate to sell them so he can stay in business.....or can't he? That, I'm afraid is hard to tell.

About this resurrecting of KOFY license-wise. That's not going to happen as you and I know.

Speaking of KZEY's twin towers, where exactly are they currently located other than the Lake Park location being invisible now?

 

[dtilley]

Concerning KOFY....first of all the FCC allready surrendered the license which means that Mr Russell has lost it forever. Secondly, KZEY has been off the air over two years now and as the rules clearly state that if a station is off air for longer than 12 months the license is pulled....no acceptions.
It's a pitty that both stations were lost to irresponsiblity.

 

[nuzguy]

If to observe is observance, is to ignore ignorance. Ask Russell.

 

[musicsweep]

License or no license, the stations will remain silent and unsold. No one wants stations with that many problems, and Russell is not willing to invest the money it takes to put a viable product in the market place.

If, by some chance, either station wound up on the air, it would be automated with an old lap-top computer running an outdated version of Windows Media Player, if they are so lucky. More than likely, you'd be looking at a six-disc changer with copies of an old syndicated R&B show. Know what I mean LaBreeze?

 

[LABreeze]

License or no license, the stations will remain silent and unsold. No one wants stations with that many problems, and Russell is not willing to invest the money it takes to put a viable product in the market place.

If, by some chance, either station wound up on the air, it would be automated with an old lap-top computer running an outdated version of Windows Media Player, if they are so lucky. More than likely, you'd be looking at a six-disc changer with copies of an old syndicated R&B show. Know what I mean LaBreeze?

LOL......Musicsweep, you are a mess, man! You said it about right! ;D

 

[musicsweep]

Russell has had several violations which have resulted in FCC fines. It'd be interesting to see all those fines listed with an explanation as to why the FCC isn't taking more interest in an operation that has no regard for communications law whatsoever.