The Show must go on!!!

[WJEPPD]

Ok since we were knocked off the air last week we have been working as fast as we can to get WJEP back on the air. Transmitter parts have not arrived yet but we have programming we have to run and spots to run etc. So I will be doing my morning show as nothing happened and broadcasting on the internet. It will not be the regular show but just a bit different via webcast on the internet. Instead of taking live callers we will be taking emails at [email protected] and reading your topics on the air or questions. This should be alot of fun so tune in. We will be giving away prizes and registering people to win big prizes so tune in... The website is listed below on my signature and will run from 6 am to 10 am eastern time...see you on the radio. We will also be taking calls but not over the air at 229-584-0040

Onward and Upward,

Woody Nelson

 

[kyscott]

Why is it taking so long to get parts? Who made your transmitter? Marconi? I can't think of any major manufacture (Harris included) that would not rush parts if you were off the air. I had a guy at Continental stop what he was doing and personally drive a controller over to DFW airport to get it on the next Delta flight for me here in Louisville.

 

[WJEPPD]

Why is it taking so long to get parts? Who made your transmitter? Marconi? I can't think of any major manufacture (Harris included) that would not rush parts if you were off the air. I had a guy at Continental stop what he was doing and personally drive a controller over to DFW airport to get it on the next Delta flight for me here in Louisville.

It has been the insurance adjuster holding things up. We had alot of lightning damage and we want the building fully secure and totally protected and grounded before we put in the new equipment so we will not have to go thru this again and again and again...

 

[rcombs]

Man, you are in South GA. You could build a copper dome around your building and you will still get hit by lightning. That MW10 used to get hit two or three times a week.

 

[WJEPPD]

Man, you are in South GA. You could build a copper dome around your building and you will still get hit by lightning. That MW10 used to get hit two or three times a week.

I totally understand that, but there are measures that can be taken that were never taken in the past that we are doing now to minimize any further problems the best we can. We are sparing no expense and getting it done right...One problem I saw is a poor design of the building. Why anyone would build an all metal outside building down here to house a radio station is beyond me, but I guess they must have got a great deal on it. We might just have to tear the building down and start from scratch...

 

[radioboy]

I used to work at a station in Tallahassee with a Harris MW-5A 5kw box..we had similar problems.
One strike knocked the surge protector off the wall in the concrete block transmitter building and
another sent a Revox reel-to-reel flying off its wall mount in the control room.

Woody..the late Jimmy Keyton, who founded Lifeline Ministries, did the best he could when WJEP was built
back in the summer of 1984. That may, of course, be the last time the ground system, etc. was checked out.
Jimmy and I knew each other, and I made a sizable donation to Lifeline in exchange for the old Christian music library, which I still have.

I didn't realize until recently that Jimmy Keyton had passed away. Now I understand why Lifeline is floundering.
Jimmy was the heart, soul and vision of that ministry.

Chris Hall is an engineer right there in Thomasville, with RF Specialties. Maybe he could give you some thoughts as to how to best protect the station from lightning.

The station with the MW-5A bought a new box and the old Harris is still sitting next to the new unit. It is
getting hard to get parts for the MW units as Harris doesn't support that model now.

If there's any gospel music floating around, I might be interested..I'm in Tallahassee.

 

[WJEPPD]

I used to work at a station in Tallahassee with a Harris MW-5A 5kw box..we had similar problems.
One strike knocked the surge protector off the wall in the concrete block transmitter building and
another sent a Revox reel-to-reel flying off its wall mount in the control room.

Woody..the late Jimmy Keyton, who founded Lifeline Ministries, did the best he could when WJEP was built
back in the summer of 1984. That may, of course, be the last time the ground system, etc. was checked out.
Jimmy and I knew each other, and I made a sizable donation to Lifeline in exchange for the old Christian music library, which I still have.

I didn't realize until recently that Jimmy Keyton had passed away. Now I understand why Lifeline is floundering.
Jimmy was the heart, soul and vision of that ministry.

Chris Hall is an engineer right there in Thomasville, with RF Specialties. Maybe he could give you some thoughts as to how to best protect the station from lightning.

The station with the MW-5A bought a new box and the old Harris is still sitting next to the new unit. It is
getting hard to get parts for the MW units as Harris doesn't support that model now.

If there's any gospel music floating around, I might be interested..I'm in Tallahassee.

Thank you Alan. I am familiar with our local engineer and at this point I reserving any further public comment. As for the Gospel Music I think there is a ton of it in the station. Contact me at the station at 229-584-0040 and I will get you in touch with those that the music belongs to...

 

[radioboy]

Thanks Woody, I'll do that..but will wait til after your show.

 

[WJEPPD]

Thanks Woody, I'll do that..but will wait til after your show.

I attempted to do my show from my remote studio this morning but could not establish a connection with the studio so I am going in to make adjustments. I will do the show live tomorrow it looks like. I will be doing part of my show shortly...

 

[kenglish]

An all-metal building isn't a bad idea, but EVERYTHING has to be bonded together and grounded well. The metal acts as a "Fadaday Cage", keeping the electrical energy outside.

Kennecott Copper, near SLC, has a big explosives storage building on their property. I think it's metal, and it has a huge "cage" of wire and steel towers around it, to divert lightning.

I know a guy who designs this stuff...he did most of the lightning-proofing designs for the South African power infrastructure. I can try and get you in touch with him.

 

[kyscott]

Why is it taking so long to get parts? Who made your transmitter? Marconi? I can't think of any major manufacture (Harris included) that would not rush parts if you were off the air. I had a guy at Continental stop what he was doing and personally drive a controller over to DFW airport to get it on the next Delta flight for me here in Louisville.

It has been the insurance adjuster holding things up. We had alot of lightning damage and we want the building fully secure and totally protected and grounded before we put in the new equipment so we will not have to go thru this again and again and again...

An insurance adjuster my ass! I don't think I'd be letting one of those clowns keep my station off the air. Get the parts and get the station back on the air, and let the insurance geek go round and round with Harris. Unless this guy is also gonna pay you for lost revenue (doubtful), I'd have the parts on the next thing smoking out of Quincy.

We had a transmitter site burn down about five years ago. We didn't wait for the insurance adjuster. We told him what we were doing and they could either go along with it, or our attorney would be in touch with them. We had been with this insurance company for over 15 years with no claims. They still made money after we put all the parts back together.

If you are letting an insurance adjuster hold you up, you might be off the air a while. Might better get ready to renew that Silent STA.

 

[radioboy]

Woody..the Lifeline person contacted me on his own..but thanks. Hope you get your show rolling soon.
I'll be offline a couple of days with step-grandkids.

 

[WJEPPD]

Woody..the Lifeline person contacted me on his own..but thanks. Hope you get your show rolling soon.
I'll be offline a couple of days with step-grandkids.

That is because I asked him to contact you. What a hoot, now those Morons on that other board are becoming weather casters. Like they would know from their caves in Michigan, and Herndon Virginia and other areas what our weather was doing at any given moment in time down here. Man, they truly do have no life. There is this one particular moron by the name of Barney Hole or whatever that is or means that is even dumber sounding than the rest of them with no knowledge or common sense. I have been very busy with wiring and grounding issues in the building and feel safer letting the automation run until everything can be fixed. Much better and safer that way not exposing myself to high voltage not properly grounded. I am working all weekend on the problems and hopefully will be able to run a morning show Monday or Tuesday. If I don't it is no big deal for now, the ads are running and the transmitter is in the shop with my new engineer.

Thanks to everyone for your positive feedback, and Thank God I found a good and honest Engineer!!!

 

[The Sage]

Woody,

You are broadcasting at 250 watts now?

I might suggest that you get your paperwork in order to be broadcasting, I believe there is an engineer who has filed a complaint against WJEP based on statements you have made verse your current status with the FCC.

Are your transmitter lights operational?

Just a few items you might be vary of, in 2003, a broadcaster lost his station and received a $50,000 fine for operating a station when it was listed as being dark.

 

[WJEPPD]

Woody,

You are broadcasting at 250 watts now?

I might suggest that you get your paperwork in order to be broadcasting, I believe there is an engineer who has filed a complaint against WJEP based on statements you have made verse your current status with the FCC.

Are your transmitter lights operational?

Just a few items you might be vary of, in 2003, a broadcaster lost his station and received a $50,000 fine for operating a station when it was listed as being dark.

No, we are not broadcasting at all right now. Our lights are perfetly operational. I am in contact with the FCC on a daily basis. The dark status of the station was never completed and according to the FCC we are not dark. The filings for dark status were never completed. We are working to fix all the past problems with the station. Thank you for your concern in Michigan as I am sure your posting will further fuel more postings on The Buzzboard. The transmitter is being repaired as we speak...

 

[WJEPPD]

Woody,

You are broadcasting at 250 watts now?

I might suggest that you get your paperwork in order to be broadcasting, I believe there is an engineer who has filed a complaint against WJEP based on statements you have made verse your current status with the FCC.

Are your transmitter lights operational?

Just a few items you might be vary of, in 2003, a broadcaster lost his station and received a $50,000 fine for operating a station when it was listed as being dark.

By the way Sage, check the FCC databases, the Remain Silent was dismissed as of 8/08/08 just as I said it would be, pass that along to the others...

 

[WJEPPD]

Man, you are in South GA. You could build a copper dome around your building and you will still get hit by lightning. That MW10 used to get hit two or three times a week.

How did you come up with your info about this transmitter being hit as much as you are claiming? This is info I would like to have...

 

[rcombs]

When I was starting my career in engineering in the 90s, I was in Bainbridge, GA. The person who was teaching me did a lot of work for WJEP and their sister station in Albany. I did a lot of studio repair training in that old studio and put up a couple of the satellite dishes in the back yard.

I also used to live in THomasville when I worked for a LPTV station there sometime around 1987.

 

[rcombs]

Also, in the past 15 years I have done engineering work for stations in Valdosta, Tallahassee, Albany, Cairo, Bainbridge, Moultrie, Thomasville, Brunswick, Hinesville and Savannah so I know how lightning hits everything in South GA. It is not a matter of if, but when.

 

[WJEPPD]

When I was starting my career in engineering in the 90s, I was in Bainbridge, GA. The person who was teaching me did a lot of work for WJEP and their sister station in Albany. I did a lot of studio repair training in that old studio and put up a couple of the satellite dishes in the back yard.

I also used to live in THomasville when I worked for a LPTV station there sometime around 1987.

Ok, well my question is why this configuration was done. In my clasees in school, now I wish I had paid more attention during engineering classes, I learned that AM transmitters are best when built in a low wet area, and FM sticks do best as this one is constructed at the highest point. Was someone smoking something when they built this AM stick at the highest point in the county? Or did the engineer just get confused, or were they originally building an FM that turned into an AM ? Are you still working in engineering?