I worked for this cluster from 2000-2005. Back in 05 I had sense enough to jump off the sinking ship. Some of my time there was quite fun but I felt it was time for a career change.
Moved to Michigan in June of last year but was in PC back in May attending my daughter's graduation from FSU-PC. Tuned in to 95.9 just to check it out and it still seems as if it is operating at low power. I could barely pick it up (which had been the case since the hurricane). Surprised they are still around as it seems the 3 stations that are left in that cluster are strictly on auto pilot and I have no clue where they even operate from since moving from Gwyn.
They are currently at low power….
In October of 2018, Hurricane Michael destroyed the tower from which WRBA, Springfield, FL (Fac. Is. 63584) broadcast. Then licensee Powell Broadcasting Company, LLC obtained a STA to remain silent. In February 2019, along with a STA request to operate on a different tower with temporary facilities at low power (BSTA-20190219ABJ).
Subsequently, Powell sold the station (and two others) to Great American Media, LLC (“GAM”) who obtained its own engineering STA to operate at the temporary site and at low power BSTA- 20190930ABF). GAM obtained extensions to that STA on multiple occasions; the last being granted in April 2022 (BESTA-20220401AAC)
On July 1, 2022, current licensee, RoRo Investments, LLC acquired WRBA (and two other area stations – one of which, WKNK, is also operating pursuant to a low power STA) from GAM. While RoRo has acquired a new transmitter for WKNK and is currently working to have said transmitter installed, RoRo is still evaluating GAM’s plans for and, the progress made in, replacing the WRBA tower. Given that RoRo has only owned WRBA for approximately three (3) months it is difficult to give any type of estimate as to when the WRBA tower will be reconstructed.
Therefore, RoRo Investments, LLC requests that the STA originally granted in October 2019 (BSTA-20190930ABF) and most recently extended upon Great American Media, LLC’s request in April 2022 (BESTA-20220401AAC) be extended again for a period of not less than 180 days so that, as the new licensee, it can fully evaluate its options before embarking on the effort to bring the station back to full power.