-
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
That little 100KW station in Crestview..
- Thread starter Rob
- Start date
Rob - you're gonna make CCENG cry and give yee a hug. According to Broadcasting Yearbook (check the website from David Gleason -link below- aka the huge RI poster extrordinaire David Eduardo) WAAZ signed on on July 15, 1965. You might have seen tons of our posts on here about the great owner Jimmy Whitaker. He's the real thing! Worth a trip to Crestview. He'd show you around and you'd go crazy.
The WAAZ studios, Jimmy and CCENG ARE the coolest things left in radio. I bet he might even let you turn on the strobeys. Let me know if I can help with that meeting with him (try 2 message me here, if it works....) I hope JW is well. CCENG, any updates on him? Makes me think I need a trip down after the two Charlies, to see him and bring him WSM-AM tower pictures (PS - Man, you oughta see the red strobeys on that tower, Rob. See 'em every night. Like a spaceship on c2c)
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Broadcasting_Yearbook_Summary_Page.htm
The WAAZ studios, Jimmy and CCENG ARE the coolest things left in radio. I bet he might even let you turn on the strobeys. Let me know if I can help with that meeting with him (try 2 message me here, if it works....) I hope JW is well. CCENG, any updates on him? Makes me think I need a trip down after the two Charlies, to see him and bring him WSM-AM tower pictures (PS - Man, you oughta see the red strobeys on that tower, Rob. See 'em every night. Like a spaceship on c2c)
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Broadcasting_Yearbook_Summary_Page.htm
Rob-42 said:
I don't know very much about WAAZ, but what I do know I will be happy to share with you. Originally WAAZ signed on the air as a 3kw class A FM operating on 104.9. It moved to its present 104.7 C1 frequency with 100kw sometime in the late 1980s. As far as I know, WAAZ has always been a country formatted station.
C
cd637299
Guest
...and they love their Braves, despite 2 MLB teams in FL.
I just wonder, if AM 1050 is really necessary....
cd
I just wonder, if AM 1050 is really necessary....
cd
Is WJSB still on the air? For some reason, I thought it was not. Maybe it was the "other" AM in Crestview that went away. Mark - interestingly enough, that 100kw wasn't totally upgraded for many years (if ever to exactly 100kw) by Jim, because he felt like it was a waste of electricity!
The practical man that he is. I am pretty sure it was way past the mid-90's before he started a
series of upgrades, and the FCC basically forced by him to do it with a certain time frame or he would end up having to give up the full signal.
Braves = life. That's why. It's what he loves. Same with the music.
He is just the all-American gentleman. Tells it like he see it, though. If I recall correctly, seems like he said his dad had an AM radio station going before the FCC was created and was pumping out some crazy power and when he heard he had to be governed by the government
and cut his power he said "hell no" and signed the station off.
Also seems like Jimmy was one of the first FMs allotted with four call letters and that's why he
picked WAAZ, starting from the top of the alphabet. That story may be urban legend from someone else, but it seems like I heard him say that. I think he still loves AM, "accepts" FM. Like Mark Carter, he's seen all the brilliant minds come into Destin claiming big things, to talk a big game and disappear like a strobey in the wind.
The practical man that he is. I am pretty sure it was way past the mid-90's before he started a
series of upgrades, and the FCC basically forced by him to do it with a certain time frame or he would end up having to give up the full signal.
Braves = life. That's why. It's what he loves. Same with the music.
He is just the all-American gentleman. Tells it like he see it, though. If I recall correctly, seems like he said his dad had an AM radio station going before the FCC was created and was pumping out some crazy power and when he heard he had to be governed by the government
and cut his power he said "hell no" and signed the station off.
Also seems like Jimmy was one of the first FMs allotted with four call letters and that's why he
picked WAAZ, starting from the top of the alphabet. That story may be urban legend from someone else, but it seems like I heard him say that. I think he still loves AM, "accepts" FM. Like Mark Carter, he's seen all the brilliant minds come into Destin claiming big things, to talk a big game and disappear like a strobey in the wind.
C
cd637299
Guest
^^^
Yeah it was the 1010 that signed off. 1050 is still with us. 104.7 (at least during Braves games, like I heard 3 weeks ago when we were up there) ID'd as 1050; not sure if they simulcast 100%, but if they do, 1050 oughta be sold or whatever. (Apparently 1010 couldn't survive.)
cd
Yeah it was the 1010 that signed off. 1050 is still with us. 104.7 (at least during Braves games, like I heard 3 weeks ago when we were up there) ID'd as 1050; not sure if they simulcast 100%, but if they do, 1050 oughta be sold or whatever. (Apparently 1010 couldn't survive.)
cd
Tibbs2 said:
I believe the Crestview AM in question that signed off the air is the former 10kw-NDD WCNU-AM 1010. As far as I know WJSB is still licensed and on the air during daylight hours.
Regarding the FM, it may very well have been sometime in the 90s when it was ugraded to full authorized C1 power levels. I do know it was after the Docket 80-90 cutoff for licensed class Cs to upgrade to the new minimum full C power levels or be foreced to downgrade to the class that best fit the existing power level and antenna height at the time of the application deadline. Everyone was given till March 2, 1987 to at least file an application to upgrade to mimimum standards or face a downgrade. As a result, many class A stations were able to take advanatge of upgrading to a higher class. Many class A FMs upgraded to class C2s while some, such as WAAZ, were able to take advantage of upgrading to 100kw C1 status.
OK, then why the 12:15 am sign off? It's a shame they could be airing the trucker radio network (forgot what the name of that is..) or put something on vs me hearing Birmingham overnights? I think they could stay on 24/7.
I know they are working on a new studio with full stereo and automation.I'll miss the old sound though. Call me old fashioned. I'm a radio guy and when they move everything, they will sound better.
I love their RDS tags! GO BRAVES!
Yes, I hear 1050 on my CC radio plus, (and only that) as it's very weak down here. I wonder WHO listens to AM anymore for music? (I listen for news)
-Rob
I know they are working on a new studio with full stereo and automation.I'll miss the old sound though. Call me old fashioned. I'm a radio guy and when they move everything, they will sound better.
I love their RDS tags! GO BRAVES!
Yes, I hear 1050 on my CC radio plus, (and only that) as it's very weak down here. I wonder WHO listens to AM anymore for music? (I listen for news)
-Rob
C
cd637299
Guest
I think I was tuned in to the Braves game on 104.7 while driving thru Two Egg, FL. No joke!
cd
cd
cd637299 said:
Very well could be... WAAZ reaches Two Egg easily. The real question is, Two Egg is so far off the Hwy, why the hell were you up there? Just following the signs to Two Egg so you could tell people your were there? Not much to see eh?
I've been swimming in the Pea River (U.S. 231, south of Troy/Brundidge, AL) and the Yellow River (Eglin AFB). People used to get a kick out of that one.
Rumor on this board was that WJSB had an FM translator locked up and they would be splitting it off when they got the Translator on the air. I don't know any details whatsoever, I just remember a board regular posting that back around new years.
C
cd637299
Guest
poledo said:
Can't answer that; we don't live there....we were on vacation.
As to Two Egg, yes, I wanted to show my wife the signs. We also went beyond the Alabama state line, but came right back; had a reservation at Panama City that night. WAAZ's signal at Two Egg wasn't the greatest, but I wanted to hear the game.
Edit: It's possible that 1050 has a more serviceable night signal (flea power as it may be) than 1010 would. Don't know. I don't even know who would listen to 1050 at night.
cd
been pretty busy so I have seen this topic until today.....
There was nothing at the WCNU site that was worth moving....I don't know who got that info....but it is wrong....Tibbs, JW is doing fine...talked to him about 2 weeks ago. JW bought one of those fancy Harris Digital AM 10 KW transmitters a couple of years ago....he still believes in AM....that new transmitter takes up 1/6 the space of the old Gates 10 KW....but the old Gates still works great.
As far as the midnight sign off is concerned, Jimmy doesn't have a remote control system.....so there is someone at the station when it is on the air (what a novel concept ;D ). JW probably doesn't think it is worth the money to hire someone to be there overnight since he isn't running and spots at that time....JW is a business man..
that's all for now...I am sure Rob will piss me off about something I said here and I will have more to say....back to the soldering iron
cceng
There was nothing at the WCNU site that was worth moving....I don't know who got that info....but it is wrong....Tibbs, JW is doing fine...talked to him about 2 weeks ago. JW bought one of those fancy Harris Digital AM 10 KW transmitters a couple of years ago....he still believes in AM....that new transmitter takes up 1/6 the space of the old Gates 10 KW....but the old Gates still works great.
As far as the midnight sign off is concerned, Jimmy doesn't have a remote control system.....so there is someone at the station when it is on the air (what a novel concept ;D ). JW probably doesn't think it is worth the money to hire someone to be there overnight since he isn't running and spots at that time....JW is a business man..
that's all for now...I am sure Rob will piss me off about something I said here and I will have more to say....back to the soldering iron
cceng
I wonder how many stations that are left in this day/age that still sign off (FM) I kinda wish the FCC would kill the international agreement so the AM's can be at full pwr at night.
(another rant..)
Me piss you off? never! I'm still new to the radio biz and wanted to learn about this station which I do listen.. I DO wish the were full stereo as on Sundays they play "music for a beautiful Sunday" the fidelity of the records is awesome. (yes, LPs.. not CD's or remasters.. bleh)
As a listener, I kinda wish they would be thinking about a format change from "the good country" to maybe soft rock 104. Were now flooded with country and I think losing one would actually build their audience as not too many people that I'm aware of listen to radio except in emergency due to the 250X playlist they have
I know there's a lot of farm land up in that area and they can still keep the local taste but play a variety of music.
-Rob
(another rant..)
Me piss you off? never! I'm still new to the radio biz and wanted to learn about this station which I do listen.. I DO wish the were full stereo as on Sundays they play "music for a beautiful Sunday" the fidelity of the records is awesome. (yes, LPs.. not CD's or remasters.. bleh)
As a listener, I kinda wish they would be thinking about a format change from "the good country" to maybe soft rock 104. Were now flooded with country and I think losing one would actually build their audience as not too many people that I'm aware of listen to radio except in emergency due to the 250X playlist they have
I know there's a lot of farm land up in that area and they can still keep the local taste but play a variety of music.
-Rob
Rob-42 said:As a listener, I kinda wish they would be thinking about a format change from "the good country" to maybe soft rock 104. Were now flooded with country and I think losing one would actually build their audience as not too many people that I'm aware of listen to radio except in emergency due to the 250X playlist they have
I know there's a lot of farm land up in that area and they can still keep the local taste but play a variety of music.
-Rob
Why do you say WAAZ should drop country because of market saturation? Maybe WHWY should flip to classic rock? Maybe WYZB should flip to News/Talk? Maybe Dothan, Panama City, or Pensacola need to move one or more of their country stations to weaker frequencies? All good ideas... but WAAZ going to soft AC? I think my ideas are better than yours.
My memories are a little foggy on this, but here's what I remember about Crestview radio:
WCNU signed on with a kilowatt on 1010 in 1948. I don't know the original owner, but French Brown and Grady O'Neal bought it in the early 50's (Brown built WFBS on 950 in Ft. Walton Beach in 1956. M.D. Smith changed the calls to WNUE and moved it to 1400 in the early 60's).
Jerry Milligan moved from Eufaula in the early 70's (he'd owned WULA with Bill Vogel), and bought into WCNU with owner Sam Townsend (who had worked at WCNU from the beginning). I think Milligan was the mayor of Crestview in the late 80's. The increase to 10kw came in the late 70's, and they bought an old Collins 21M to accomplish the increase. The station was off the air for a long time before the license was finally cancelled.
WJSB signed on with 250 watts on 1490 in 1954. I think Jimmy Whitaker had applied for the permit (maybe on behalf of Clayton Mapoles from Milton, who he worked for), but the permit was granted to someone else. In 1957, a guy named Everett McCrary (who had worked at WCNU) bought the station. His family owned a chain of grocery stores, and the station sounded like a network with all the national advertisers. It seems that the level of grocery store purchases were tied to how much advertising the manufacturer bought on WJSB.
The move to a kilowatt on 1050 happened within a couple of years after the station signed on. 1,000 watts daytime was better than 250 watts fulltime.
Jimmy Whitaker helped Mapoles put 1460 on the air in DeFuniak in 1955, but later ended up working for WCNU, where he worked until he bought WJSB and WAAZ in 1970. Jimmy didn't choose the WAAZ call-sign...that was McCrary.
Whitaker increased the power on WJSB to 5kw in 1981. He bought the Gates BC-5E that was the original transmitter at WMTM in Moultrie, Georgia.
WJSB and WAAZ has/had several "guard" cats that provide security 24/7. One of the older cats used to lay on top of the control room console...a nice, warm spot to keep a watchful eye.
WCNU signed on with a kilowatt on 1010 in 1948. I don't know the original owner, but French Brown and Grady O'Neal bought it in the early 50's (Brown built WFBS on 950 in Ft. Walton Beach in 1956. M.D. Smith changed the calls to WNUE and moved it to 1400 in the early 60's).
Jerry Milligan moved from Eufaula in the early 70's (he'd owned WULA with Bill Vogel), and bought into WCNU with owner Sam Townsend (who had worked at WCNU from the beginning). I think Milligan was the mayor of Crestview in the late 80's. The increase to 10kw came in the late 70's, and they bought an old Collins 21M to accomplish the increase. The station was off the air for a long time before the license was finally cancelled.
WJSB signed on with 250 watts on 1490 in 1954. I think Jimmy Whitaker had applied for the permit (maybe on behalf of Clayton Mapoles from Milton, who he worked for), but the permit was granted to someone else. In 1957, a guy named Everett McCrary (who had worked at WCNU) bought the station. His family owned a chain of grocery stores, and the station sounded like a network with all the national advertisers. It seems that the level of grocery store purchases were tied to how much advertising the manufacturer bought on WJSB.
The move to a kilowatt on 1050 happened within a couple of years after the station signed on. 1,000 watts daytime was better than 250 watts fulltime.
Jimmy Whitaker helped Mapoles put 1460 on the air in DeFuniak in 1955, but later ended up working for WCNU, where he worked until he bought WJSB and WAAZ in 1970. Jimmy didn't choose the WAAZ call-sign...that was McCrary.
Whitaker increased the power on WJSB to 5kw in 1981. He bought the Gates BC-5E that was the original transmitter at WMTM in Moultrie, Georgia.
WJSB and WAAZ has/had several "guard" cats that provide security 24/7. One of the older cats used to lay on top of the control room console...a nice, warm spot to keep a watchful eye.
- Status