Radio Assist Ministry / Edgewater Broadcasting

[passtheword]

Without trying to open the floodgates , just wondering if anybody knew anything about Radio Assist Ministry and/or Edgewater Broadcasting. I've read a little bit about them online and how they were involved in the "great translator invasion" back a few years ago. Are they one and the same company? Looking at their websites, they have a very similar format, and aren't both of them based in Idaho Falls?

I don't know if I understood all of what I read on their websites, but the gist I got out of it was that Radio Assist/Edgewater doesn't own any stations at all (other than translators), although they do have some sort of Christian network they operate. I never could gather whether the network was fed via satellite to radio affiliates, or it was just broadcast via the internet. I've read online, too, that all these translator applications they file may be just sort of way to get the CP's approved, and then turn around and sell them off just to make money off of it. I sure hope that's not the case considering it's a Christian broadcaster, and I would hope that their main focus was to spread the gospel. Of course, they might be putting the money back into the ministry, which would be a good thing if that's really what they're really trying to accomplish. I've also read that since they don't really have any stations they actually own that they list all sorts of stations they're going to rebroadcast on the applications, most of which they have no intent on rebroadcasting. I've seen some of these applications on the recnet site, some of these are for public radio stations. That sounds sort of farfetched to me why a Christian organization would want to rebroadcast a public radio station, considering first of all, it's not christian in nature, and secondly, the fact that a lot of the ideology presented on public radio is in sharp contrast with conservative and christian beliefs.

According to the Radio Assist Ministry website, they are looking for individuals to "host" these translators for them before the CPs expire.
I've seen some of these sold off, some here in Alabama sold to WAY-FM and others to a regional christian group called Faith Radio, I suppose because Radio Assist could not find a "host" and didn't want the CP to expire. According to Radio Assist, these stations can be "hosted" for no more than the cost of a 60-watt light bulb. If that's the case, why aren't more Christians agreeing to act as "hosts" for these new translators? Is there more to it, cost or otherwise, that's involved with hosting these translators?


__________________________
Radio stations come and go.
Does anything last forever?
www.PassTheWord.net

 

[rbrucecarter5]

When you talk about Twin Falls, you are talking about the Calvary Satellite Network. While the preaching is good - the music doesn't appeal to me. So I'd have to pass - I'd love to see WAY-FM or Air One in my market instead.

 

[R.D.P.]

Edgewater and Radio Assit are two of the same.  A fellow named Clarke Parrish is either the owner and/or was.

They had a CP to build a 13 watt translator, at 103.9, here in Selma Alabama.  That CP has expired and the translator was never built. WAQU 91.1 was going to be the station this translator was to rebroadast.  This is our local AFR station, for West Central Alabama.  At this time, they still cater to the Classic Christian network.

Speaking of Faith Radio, they are located in Montgomery and own the powerful WLBF 89.1 in Montgomery, WSTF 91.5 in Andalusia, WDYF 90.5 in Dothan and a 10 watt translator in Eufaula.  This group is now buying out some of the CP's that Edgewater and Radio Assist are sellling.  This includes one in the Jemison Alabama area and others scattered throughout southern Alabama.

If that Jemison translator sees its light of day, it'll be a rebroadcast of Inspirational WLBF 89.1 "Faith Radio" from Montgomery. (Location I believe is 96.3 FM)

Radio Assit also has a application to build a 13 watt translator, at 101.5, here in Selma Alabama.  That CP has yet to be granted.  It's supposed to rebroadcast WVFJ 93.3 FM from Atlanta, if it ever sees the light of day.

R.D.P. <><

 

[passtheword]

Edgewater and Radio Assit are two of the same. A fellow named Clarke Parrish is either the owner and/or was.


If that Jemison translator sees its light of day, it'll be a rebroadcast of Inspirational WLBF 89.1 "Faith Radio" from Montgomery. (Location I believe is 96.3 FM)

Radio Assit also has a application to build a 13 watt translator, at 101.5, here in Selma Alabama. That CP has yet to be granted. It's supposed to rebroadcast WVFJ 93.3 FM from Atlanta, if it ever sees the light of day.

R.D.P. <><

The translator for Jemison, W245AU, came on the air not too long ago. It's at 96.9 and been re-licensed to Thorsby (a few miles south of Jemison), rebroadcasting WLBF. I'm about 13 miles from the xmtr, the signal that far out isn't all that great, but I can usually pick it up on my car radio. It's good to know that Faith Radio (along with WAY-FM) did buy out some of those CP's that Radio Assist/Edgewater owns. Like you said, the others..who knows if they'll ever see the light of day. My guess is no, unless they find somebody else to buy the CP's.

________________________
Radio stations come and go.
Does anything last forever?
www.PassTheWord.net

 

[justalurker]

Unfortunately the way the FCC is handling translators there was a very brief window of opportunity for filing in 2003. Radio Assist / Edgewater and others seized the opportunity and requested as many CPs as possible, sorting out what ministries would be on what translators later.

In some ways that was bad ... this "potential for ministry" filing against other ministries that knew what they wanted to do and were ready to build in 2003. MX'd applications don't get built and we have yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the FCC to solve the MX problem (many of which either have already gone away or would go away if one applicant would withdraw their CP request).

But in other ways the mass filing was good ... some ministries that missed the window either because they didn't know about or didn't exist or were not in a position to do anything four years ago have been able to buy a CP or station from these folks and put some ministry on the air. Since the FCC is not accepting applications for new translators these translators provide a path to getting A translator.

I do not believe that CSN should be tied to Radio Assist/Edgewater. "Calvary Chapel" and CSN's filings were very limited and were tied to their stations, not to just any FM they seemed to be able to find.

If a Radio Assist/Edgewater translator goes on the air it could be almost anything ... it is hard to peg down content when the final source isn't known.

 

[anotherguyTN]

Edgewater/Radio Assist has a network called Freedom Radio (http://www.freedomradiofm.com) that they are putting on some of their stations that is a mix of CCM and secular music. I've listened to them online and it sounds interesting.

In West TN their CPs appear to have lapsed for Camden, Martin, Halls, Hickory Withe, and McKenzie. From what I've seen they have a lot of CPs that will probably not make it. However there are CPs for Union City and another in McKenzie that still have some more time. Most of the CPs were planned to be for K-LOVE from WKVZ 94.9 in Ripley or WUKV 88.9 in Union City, but really aren't necessary now that EMF has bought 90.7 in Dyersburg and changed 88.9 in Union City to Air 1. There's also a potential for 94.9 in Ripley to also change to Air 1 as well. Along with that EMF has their own translators in West TN that are on or will be soon.

EMF also sold their translator at 105.5 in Millington to Radio Assist, but it will still carry K-LOVE from 94.7 in Memphis at least for now. They also sold WRRI 88.3 in Brownsville to Radio Assist. It isn't on yet, but they do have the license. WRRI looks like it will be on the Freedom Radio network, but their signal will be so weak that they may not get out of Brownsville.

 

[van hespen]

Avoiding the appearance of evil...not here. Here's a sampling....
(for some reason the links contained within these stories did not translate to this post.)

5/20/06 - Glass Houses, Etc. [link to this story]

http://www.diymedia.net/archive/0506.htm

Major-league bad blood is now gushing over at the Calvary Satellite Network, the Clear Channel of godcasting. [EDIT]
.


2/28/07 - CSN Exposé Finally Published [link to this story]

http://www.diymedia.net/archive/0207.htm

The long-awaited L.A. Times piece on the problems at the Calvary Satellite Network was published today. It doesn't include much more than we already knew, save for a few interesting factoids:

1. The CSN network is valued at $250 million, most of that in the form of the licenses for the 450+ full-power FM and translator stations it owns.

2. Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith poured some $13 million into network construction, and Chuck's son, Jeff, siphoned money from his dad's radio ministry to finance CSN in troubled times.

3. CSN's director of operations, Mike Kestler, pastor of Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls, Idaho, has a long history of friendship with Chuck Smith, which is why the split between Chuck, Jeff, and Mike has been so acrimonious.

4. Allegations of sexual impropriety against Kestler involve not one, but at least three women. Kestler wouldn't talk with the Times, and his lawyer contributed two sentences.

5. The lawsuit flurry between the parties has not yet been settled, though it seems that if CSN is split up, the Smiths will take most of the full-power FM radio stations (valued at $50 million) and Kestler gets the translators (valued at $200 million). The Smiths would like Kestler to stop using the Calvary Chapel "brand" in connection with his church, but they may need to sue him (again) to make that happen.

It's bad enough that everyone involved in CSN feels comfortable enough to squat on so much spectrum for such narrow-minded purposes. But the manipulation of women in this saga, for sex and for revenge, turns the stomach and says more about the main players than clever navigation of the FCC's licensing system ever could.

also...
"God's Word plus static" in the LA Times...http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-calvary28feb28,0,1510957,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines

"Day of Reckoning" in Christianity Today...http://www.rickross.com/reference/calvary/calvary17.html


[EDIT-post truncated because originating material appears to be copyrighted
Unauthorized use of such content is in violation of Radio-Info's
TOS.]

 

[NE Miss Radio]

When you talk about Twin Falls, you are talking about the Calvary Satellite Network.

Edgewater/RAM/ World Radio Link are HQ'd in Twin Falls, ID. You could be talking about them, too.

 

[anotherguyTN]

Apparently all of Radio Assist/Edgewater's CPs in West TN have lapsed except for the translator on 98.9 in McKenzie, TN, which got their license to cover recently and is supposed to carry WIGH, AFR's station in the Jackson, TN area. This is apparently the only CP that they've actually been able to get up and going.

Also, they apparently backed out of the deal for 88.3 in Brownsville, and that permit has been cancelled, so it looks like that station won't be coming on. I had really hoped that this station would come on and carry either Air 1 or Freedom radio, but it apprently won't be happening.

Also, 94.9 in Ripley, TN is still carrying K-LOVE and hasn't changed to Air 1.

I haven't heard yet whether the translator that Radio Assist has on 105.5 in Millington, TN is on or not. I haven't been in that area recently.

 

[justalurker]

I haven't heard yet whether the translator that Radio Assist has on 105.5 in Millington, TN is on or not. I haven't been in that area recently.

Per FCC filings, the station was built April 9th, 2007, following a CP Modification on April 6th.
Translating KKLV Turrell, AR

The FCC has not yet approved the license, which is odd after four months but not unheard of. (They can legally broadcast as long as they have the license to cover application on file.)

If this was CSN I'd question whether they were on the air or just filed to say they were on the air. I don't suspect EMF is making false filings with the commission.

Some day I'll have to make a list of all the CANCELED applications. The FCC tends to cancel them in batches if there was no timely license to cover filed.

 

[justalurker]

Recent Canceled Applications (All translator applicants, not just Radio Assist/Edgewater.)

Officially canceled 8/16/2007 ...
CITRONELLE, AL 92.5 W223AY Expired 7/29/2007 WAOY 91.7 FM GULFPORT, MS
SYLACAUGA, AL 106.5 W293AQ Expired 7/29/2007 WJSP-FM 88.1 FM WARM SPRINGS, GA
EARLE, AR 98.5 K253AP Expired 7/29/2007 KBDO 91.7 FM DES ARC, AR
PATTERSON, CA 104.9 K285FV Expired 7/30/2007 KMRO 90.3 FM CAMARILLO, CA
SAN BERNADINO COUNTY, CA 105.5 K288FM Expired 7/30/2007 KNLB 91.1 FM LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ
CREEDE, CO 105.9 K290AW Expired 7/26/2007 KRZA 88.7 FM ALAMOSA, CO
SOUTH FORK, CO 100.9 K265ED Expired 7/26/2007 KRZA 88.7 FM ALAMOSA, CO
WALDEN, CO 101.9 K270AX Expired 7/26/2007 K237EJ 95.3 FX SIDNEY, NE
HOMESTEAD, FL 107.1 W296BI Expired 7/28/2007 WAZQ 88.3 FM KEY WEST, FL
RED OAK, IA 93.1 K226AT Expired 7/28/2007 KVSS 88.9 FM OMAHA, NE
REINBECK, IA 95.1 K236AQ Expired 7/30/2007 KSKB 99.1 FM BROOKLYN, IA
FAIRBURY, IL 103.7 W279BI Expired 7/28/2007 WCIC 91.5 FM PEKIN, IL
VIENNA, IL 99.1 W256AW Expired 7/27/2007 WVHM 90.5 FM BENTON, KY
VIRDEN, IL 93.5 W228BP Expired 7/26/2007 KSIV-FM 91.5 FM ST. LOUIS, MO
CLINTON, KY 107.5 W298AX Expired 7/26/2007 WVHM 90.5 FM BENTON, KY
HICKMAN, KY 96.5 W243BO Expired 7/26/2007 WVHM 90.5 FM BENTON, KY
MOREHEAD, KY 98.5 W253AU Expired 7/27/2007 WAXG 88.1 FM MOUNT STERLING, KY
BOOTHVILLE-VENICE, LA 95.3 K237DU Expired 7/27/2007 WAOY 91.7 FM GULFPORT, MS
GECKO, LA 94.9 K235BB Expired 7/27/2007 KVTZ-LP 92.9 FL BREAUX BRIDGE, LA
WARREN, MI 96.7 W244BT Expired 7/28/2007 WAKL 88.9 FM FLINT, MI
BOONVILLE, MO 103.7 K279AX Expired 7/27/2007 KMCV 89.9 FM HIGH POINT, MO
EL DORADO SPRINGS, MO 103.1 K276FA Expired 7/26/2007 KSCV 90.1 FM SPRINGFIELD, MO
DECATUR, NE 100.5 K263AO Expired 7/28/2007 KVSS 88.9 FM OMAHA, NE
MONTOYA, NM 105.1 K286BA Expired 7/30/2007 KFLQ 91.5 FM ALBUQUERQUE, NM
IMLAY, NV 96.3 K242BF Expired 7/26/2007 KQMC 90.1 FM HAWTHORNE, NV
LUNING-MINA, NV 94.5 K233BH Expired 7/27/2007 KQMC 90.1 FM HAWTHORNE, NV
CUTCHOGUE, NY 97.1 W246BG Expired 7/26/2007 WALK-FM 97.5 FM PATCHOGUE, NY
LONDON, OH 103.7 W279BJ Expired 7/30/2007 WCYC-LP 105.1 FL LONDON, OH
UNIONTOWN, PA 94.1 W231BH Expired 7/26/2007 WWSW-FM 94.5 FM PITTSBURGH, PA
GRAHAM, TX 99.7 K259BC Expired 7/28/2007 KYRE-LP 92.7 FL BRECKENRIDGE, TX
FARMVILLE, VA 100.3 W262BC Expired 7/29/2007 WCPE 89.7 FM RALEIGH, NC
HOPEWELL, VA 96.1 W241AN Expired 7/28/2007 WRTP 88.5 FM ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC
ASHLAND, WI 96.3 W242BC Expired 7/30/2007 KDNW 97.3 FM DULUTH, MN

August 7th ...
FORT SHAFTER, HI 107.5 K298AU Expired 8/3/2007 KHRI 90.7 FM HOLLISTER, CA
VERNON, MI 106.9 W295AT Expired 8/2/2007 WAKL 88.9 FM FLINT, MI

August 6th ...
REDDING, CA 103.7 K279AW Expired 7/23/2007 KLVC 88.3 FM MAGALIA, CA
OPA LOCKA, FL 102.1 W271AV Expired 7/23/2007 WAFG 90.3 FM FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
COTTAGE GROVE, MN 96.3 W242BA Expired 7/23/2007 KTLK-FM 100.3 FM MINNEAPOLIS, MN
EMINENCE, MO 102.1 K271AM Expired 7/23/2007 KSIV-FM 91.5 FM ST. LOUIS, MO
IRONTON, MO 92.7 K224DG Expired 7/23/2007 KSIV-FM 91.5 FM ST. LOUIS, MO
FAIRBURY, NE 96.5 K243AY Expired 7/23/2007 KLCV 88.5 FM LINCOLN, NE
NORTH CREEK, NY 104.3 W282AV Expired 7/23/2007 WXLG 89.9 FM NORTH CREEK, NY
SCHROON LAKE, NY 95.3 W237BR Expired 7/23/2007 WXLG 89.9 FM NORTH CREEK, NY
ALPINE, WY 96.5 K243AZ Expired 7/23/2007 KMTN 96.9 FM JACKSON, WY

July 30th ...
BEMENT, IL 103.9 W280DS Expired 7/28/2007 WOLG 95.9 FM CARLINVILLE, IL
LACON, IL 95.1 W236AZ Expired 7/28/2007 WOLG 95.9 FM CARLINVILLE, IL
MOUNT STERLING, IL 100.7 W264BL Expired 7/28/2007 WOLG 95.9 FM CARLINVILLE, IL
NEWTON, IL 94.5 W233AZ Expired 7/28/2007 WOLG 95.9 FM CARLINVILLE, IL
OBLONG, IL 106.3 W292CX Expired 7/28/2007 WOLG 95.9 FM CARLINVILLE, IL
TUSCOLA, IL 95.5 W238AZ Expired 7/28/2007 WOLG 95.9 FM CARLINVILLE, IL
VIRGINIA, IL 106.3 W292CW Expired 7/28/2007 WOLG 95.9 FM CARLINVILLE, IL
MORRICE, MI 100.1 W261AV Expired 7/29/2007 WAKL 88.9 FM FLINT, MI
BOWLING GREEN, MO 107.9 K300BQ Expired 7/28/2007 WOLG 95.9 FM CARLINVILLE, IL

 

[anotherguyTN]

justalurker,
THanks for the information. I didn't see anything from TN listed in there, but most of the permits that lapsed in my area were due in June, so I'd probably have to go back further. Do you have the link where you're getting your info? Thanks!

 

[justalurker]

I am pulling it directly from the downloadable FCC databases.
It takes a little work to pull the data together and format the output.

 

[varedhead]

These people used us as the station to broadcast on their translators in our area. They only said that to keep from paying a fee for not having a station to broadcast on their translators We fell for their Christian lie.They wooed us telling us they wanted to help out other stations so we let them put us on the application thinking it would be a great deal for all of us and we could buy the translators. We called after they received their construction permits and they didn't know who we were. They have stations listed on other applications for this area that wouldn't even reach here. They are not part of Calvary Chapel - they a group of ex Calvary Chapel and not highly thought of according to Calvary.

We bought 3 translators previously that were already up(with equipment and tower space) from another source for much less than Edgewater /Radio Assist wanted for their translators with no equipment and in areas that would never be approved (many would have to be moved).
They made some great money off of gobbling up translators other stations could have used and put on the air by now. I understand though the FCC is looking into the situation. By the way one of their translators that received a construction permit here was in a cemetary........Stay away from these people!