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Middleboro visit...

Broker man, I made a trip to Middlesboro today and tried to tune in 1490A M but all I got ws static. Nothing to serious wrong is there? The FM was going good and I couldn't pick up 1230 AM. I was glad to see that LMU got their tower back up in it's new location.
 
Nothing too serious wrong at all...the power was out at our Downtown Middlesboro studios for a large portion of the day. It took us a little longer to get the AMs re-started than the FM. We are still learning the new AudioVault system, which we run on the AMs. That has to be one of the most frustrating feelings in the world...knowing that your stations are off the air and there's nothing you can do about it! No word yet what caused the outage. You can't ever get a real person at the KU these days. We were back up and running by the early afternoon, though. I'm going to have to chat with our engineer to find out what size generators we'll need to keep this from happening again.

Too bad we weren't on the air when were in town...things are sounding really great now since we got the new transmitter, processor and automation in. I'm very proud of WFXY...it sounds great.

WANO will be next for a makeover, with a new transmitter, processor and ground system on the list. I'm just a little bit nervous about putting 36,000 feet of copper into the ground in the neighborhood the tower is in without a better fence in place. I'm seriously looking at razor-wire! :) Somebody looking to sell scrap copper has already cut every line coming out of the building they can find, except the electricity. Luckily, the actual transmission line between the transmitter and tower is "hidden" pretty well. At any rate, after the new transmitter/ground system is in, you'll be able to get 1230 in Middlesboro, no problem.

The FM, as you know, is moving to Halls very shortly, so it sounds rough now, but there's no sense throwing money at it with it going away very soon. That's why it's still on the old automation instead of AudioVault. Then again, notice which one came back online faster after the power outage! :)

That new tower for WRWB is something, ain't it! I was out of town when they put it up and almost ran off the road the first time I saw it when I got back. I just wasn't expecting to see a tower there, since I didn't know where the new site is. I realize I'm probably the only wierdo on earth so facinated with towers, but I think it's just sexy. Was it on the air when you came through? I'm curious as to why it hasn't been yet...the tower has been up for about two weeks or so now.

Next time you are in town, give us a call and we'll show you around. Somebody is even usually around on weekends. I'd love to show you our new studios.
 
Glad to hear it wasn't too serious. Nothing a good back-up generator wouldn't cure. When does the FM sale go through?

A couple of mean dogs should take care of your theft problem along with the razor wire.

I didn't get to listen to WRWB but the tower did catch my eye on the drive in. I am kind of a tower buff myself. Have you checked out www.fybush.com ? A lot of great tower sites there.

I'll drop you a line next time I plan on coming through, probably after Labor Day. Yesterday was kind of a spur of the moment type trip.
 
The FM sale has already closed...I'm just LMA'ing it back until the CP is granted. We expect it any day now.

I like your idea about the dogs over at WANO. When I take somebody with me on my periodic visits to check on the transmitter and tower, I get the strangest looks when I take my .45 out of the glove compartment of my car and stick it into my belt. But after hanging around for a few minutes, the tagalongs usually realize why. It really is in a bad neighborhood, especially after dark. Nothing a .45 won't fix, though! :)

As of today, still no WRWB on the air. But gosh that's a sexy tower! I actually buy Fybush's calendar every year. I've always been facinated with towers.

[email protected] is the email...drop me a note next time you are heading up this way!
 
Correct me if I'm wrong but the application to relocate the FM also means a Freq. change to 96.7, correct? And if that is so what happens to the translater already licensed to Knoxville on that Freq. Do thay just loose it or what?
 
Translators are not protected from licensed full-power FM stations, and as such, can be knocked off the air any-time the FCC approves a new full-power station or a change in facilities for a full-power station.
 
You are correct...the frequency will change to 96.7. Honestly, I personally had no idea there was a translator in Knoxville on that frequency. But yes, the rules state that translators get no protection from full-power stations.

I sorta walked into this deal mid-swing. The Knoxville move had already been applied for years before. As a matter of fact, when I first made an offer for the three stations, the FM included, I had no idea the proposed rulemaking existed. I discovered it during due diligence, and this forced me to completely and totally rework my deal. But it all worked out in the end, and I know the new owners of the FM will do a wonderful job serving Knoxville.
 
The translater is for the Kingston non-comm WKTS. Knoxville is over radioed as it is. Ron needs to keep it with WYSH and serve Anderson County which has four FM's but none serving it. Maybe he could trade it for the Norris FM 106.7 and his stick would be closer to home.
 
Thanks for the tour this morning, I really enjoyed the visit. Cudos to your engineering staff for the on air quality and the distance for the signal on WFXY 1490. That's the first graveyard channel stations that I listened to that got that far.

Spindoctor;
If you ever give up your day job you could probably do well in home improvement. For those who would like to know what I'm talking about go by and check out the studio's in Middlesboro.
 
Knoxbob:

Thanks so much for stopping by! I have to confess, I love showing off my "babies". Stop by any time you are in town. Spindoctor called me yesterday afternoon from Morristown, and said he was still picking up the station. You are right, graveyard channels usually don't get out that far, but our house is definitely in order technically. The little things like good connections make all the difference in the world. We started at the microphone and replaced just about everything in the airchain all the way to the base of the tower. Kudos, too, to Frank Fulsom, who tuned up our ATU after the new transmitter was installed.

Oh, and Spindoctor is a better carpenter than probably just about any contractor I could have hired. He doesn't know it yet, but I'm ready to start on the upstairs now! At least I bought him a power collated screwdriver and a nail gun!
 
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM power tools!
I thought about doing it the 19th century way, but I really wanted to get on the air this decade. Thanks for the kudos boss, is this gonna cost me a garnishment now? How exactly get blood out of a turnip on a diet?
The Spindoctor
 
A power collated screwdriver is probably pretty nice.. but get him the old fashioned human powered kind, those are the best:)
 
It was in the bill you were paid for.

Kidding, just kidding! Lighten up.

With all do respect to several people who put this new endeavour together, we truly could not have completed the project without Mediatech. We give each other hell constantly, but the guy knows his stuff and other than dipping everything in cheese he's a great engineer.
In the end, after all the joking, Mediatech has his act together and unlike other engineers I know he sincerely cares about doing things right the first time and doesn't gouge you on the bill. He has forgotten more than I will ever learn.

The Spindcotor
 
AWWWWW, thanks guys... you do love me!!! I am going through withdraw not being able to pick on you guys in person. Plus I am not a good typer.


From a different perspective, it is amazing what has become of these LOCAL stations in less than a year. I went to go see them in December 05, 10 months ago, and was amazed they were on the air. Unlike CC or other similar empire, all of the work on these was done with just a handfull of people. Broker and Tink err uh Spindoctor have a lot to be proud of.

By the way if your ever in that area, and are curious as to what local radio is like, stop by. They still know their listners by name.

ghost
 
One of these days, I'll have to come down and meet y'all.... Who knows where my career will take me.
 
Okay, here goes, for the record...

Were it not for the hard work and talent of MediaTech, my stations would not be on the air. Long before I ever even signed the paperwork to buy the stations, I began consulting him. He walked me throught he process, helping me prioritize what needed to be done first. He came up the week I took over the stations to help me make my plans...stayed for three days, and refused to send me a bill. Now THAT is a true demonstration of dedication to your friends, and I appreciate it.

If I had been a Clear Channel or Cumulus, I would have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars more than I did on this upgrade. MediaTech helped me build what I believe to be a top-notch facility, within a budget that's reasonable for a small-market operation such as mine. Just as importantly, when I wanted to be cheap and he knew I shouldn't, he didn't let me. I remember very heated arguments at 3am sometimes, but he took enough time to explain why I needed to spend the extra money, and what it would save in the long run. We have some nice features that stations in much larger markets don't have, and we did it on a budget.

When MediaTech comes to work, he truly works. It's normal for him to work somewhere else all day, drive here all afternoon/evening, then work half the night when he gets here. We DO make things work here with just a handfull of people...you have to in any small market...but we do it in part thanks to the engineering work of MediaTech. You can't "work smarter" when you don't have your engineering house in order.

The only bad side is feeding him, really. The man loves his starches, and if you don't feed him every two hours, he gets a little pink around the ears.



We miss you being here to pick on us in person, too! When are you coming up again? Tink keeps telling me "Pierce will be here next week" and you never come! You need to come see what we've done since last time you were here! It no longer looks like Beiruit downtstairs!
 
MMMMM Foooooodd.. I know you love good eating there, Mr Wilkey.
 
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