Three AM Signals Silenced Due To Pandemic-Related Financial Difficulties

[Kelly A]

And so it begins: From Inside Radio. Involves Busto's Media:

http://www.insideradio.com/free/thr...cle_b6bb6784-72a7-11ea-856a-db206e91c8c8.html

 

[bobdavcav]

What's the third signal? The report I saw last week from Radio Insight only said two signals were affected, 1210 here and 1130 in Portland. The 1130 shutdown has me wondering about simulcaster 1150.

 

[KeithE4]

What's the third signal? The report I saw last week from Radio Insight only said two signals were affected, 1210 here and 1130 in Portland. The 1130 shutdown has me wondering about simulcaster 1150.

WGL 1250 Ft. Wayne IN, owned by Adams Radio Group. It was three days short of its 95th birthday, and had used the WGL calls since 1928.

 

[Bongwater]

What's the third signal? The report I saw last week from Radio Insight only said two signals were affected, 1210 here and 1130 in Portland. The 1130 shutdown has me wondering about simulcaster 1150.

KGDD 1150 is still on last I heard (I've occasionally heard them over KKNW whilst scanning in vain across the AM band in NW Washington.)

I see on Radio-Locator, Bustos is planning to drop KGDD's power to 250 watts. It's 99 watt 93.5 FM translator appears to get out farther via the projected R-L map. Dropping AM power vastly is already becoming the new normal everywhere on AM stations with FM translators. Not sure if this is the smartest thing (Emergencies in the hinterlands and such.) But then again, I have never witnessed anyone while going out of the signal reach of an AM/FM translator on the road instinctively switch to the AM frequency to continue listening. They usually find another FM station or Spotify.

There's a religious AM station (WITH FM translator) in Charlotte, NC that pulled the plug and is either going on STA to stay dark while this virus thing continues or about to turn the licenses in completely. And WGL 1250 in Fort Wayne has also gone dark. REALLY painful to watch a historic three-letter call sign AM station on the cusp of it's 100th birthday in jeopardy.

 

[semoochie]

KGDD 1150 is still on last I heard (I've occasionally heard them over KKNW whilst scanning in vain across the AM band in NW Washington.)

I see on Radio-Locator, Bustos is planning to drop KGDD's power to 250 watts. It's 99 watt 93.5 FM translator appears to get out farther via the projected R-L map. Dropping AM power vastly is already becoming the new normal everywhere on AM stations with FM translators. Not sure if this is the smartest thing (Emergencies in the hinterlands and such.) But then again, I have never witnessed anyone while going out of the signal reach of an AM/FM translator on the road instinctively switch to the AM frequency to continue listening. They usually find another FM station or Spotify.

There's a religious AM station (WITH FM translator) in Charlotte, NC that pulled the plug and is either going on STA to stay dark while this virus thing continues or about to turn the licenses in completely. And WGL 1250 in Fort Wayne has also gone dark. REALLY painful to watch a historic three-letter call sign AM station on the cusp of it's 100th birthday in jeopardy.

The license of Portland's 1150AM was sold in 1998. The antenna system was not included and continued to be leased from the former owner. Not long ago, they lost access to the site and had to find a new one. In order to operate from the KBPS antenna, they had to reduce power to 250 watts, ironically to avoid interference to 1130, which at 25KW, hadn't been interfering with their 5KW signal in Vancouver!

 

[Kelly A]

Anymore with AM stations, the value of the transmitter site as property for development is worth much more than the station itself. That, and once a land lease is lost, it's become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to find an equal piece of land within the protection constraints to move an AM station on to. One option is to diplex or triplex with another AM station, but that's assuming the directional antenna system can be designed to meet protection requirements. Combining operations means a HUGE capital investment too.

Given the economic situation we find ourselves in, combined with the AM band aging-out, the cost of keeping an AM signal active, probably isn't worth the expense and effort.

 

[semoochie]

The license of Portland's 1150AM was sold in 1998. The antenna system was not included and continued to be leased from the former owner. Not long ago, they lost access to the site and had to find a new one. In order to operate from the KBPS antenna, they had to reduce power to 250 watts, ironically to avoid interference to 1130, which at 25KW, hadn't been interfering with their 5KW signal in Vancouver!

It occurred to me that my reference to "Vancouver" may have been confusing. Prior to 1968, the station was licensed to Vancouver Washington and additional towers were installed to reach Portland with 5KW.

 

[boombox4]

Anymore with AM stations, the value of the transmitter site as property for development is worth much more than the station itself. That, and once a land lease is lost, it's become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to find an equal piece of land within the protection constraints to move an AM station on to. One option is to diplex or triplex with another AM station, but that's assuming the directional antenna system can be designed to meet protection requirements. Combining operations means a HUGE capital investment too.

Given the economic situation we find ourselves in, combined with the AM band aging-out, the cost of keeping an AM signal active, probably isn't worth the expense and effort.

I think we'll be seeing a lot of AM stations going off the air over the next year or two due to the virus's effect on the economy. Possibly some FM's also. Radio will probably take a hit.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

I think we'll be seeing a lot of AM stations going off the air over the next year or two due to the virus's effect on the economy. Possibly some FM's also. Radio will probably take a hit.

Of course the major owner groups already using this as an excuse to downside, etc. Seems unlikely most of the "downsized" will return when the economic conditions do. I don't think, by any means, it is ALL based on the P/L statement.

 

[boombox4]

Of course the major owner groups already using this as an excuse to downside, etc. Seems unlikely most of the "downsized" will return when the economic conditions do. I don't think, by any means, it is ALL based on the P/L statement.

In the downturns since Telecom 1996, I don't think many mass-layoff radio people returned. None of the ones I personally know did, and it was more than a handful of people -- admittedly anecdotal. The industry is changing, as we know from IHeart's AI / digital centralized distribution model. I suppose a lot of victims of layoffs could do podcasts and the like, and still be part of the business. But stations may go under. Can't run a station with no advertising revenue.