WCCM gets cited for not signing off at sunset.

[Wimmmex]

I guess the FCC DOES care when stations don't power down at the end of the day!

http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-332862A1.html

 

[raccoonradio]

During the blizzard of 78 didn't WCAS 740 stay on past sunset (daytimer at the time) as a public service and catch some hell for it?

 

[Wimmmex]

During the blizzard of 78 didn't WCAS 740 stay on past sunset (daytimer at the time) as a public service and catch some hell for it?

It used to be (and still may be) that a daytimer may stay on the air during a State of Emergency (as declared by the governor?)...and I think the blizzard of '78 was one of those cases.

 

[1L6E6VHF]

Yes, AM stations may use their daytime power and pattern to broadcast during emergencies (I don't know just who is authorized to decide what is or isn't an emergency).

Back in the day when my favorite listening station was a daytimer, I heard them one night when the river that goes through the town was threatening to flood it.

I've heard Jacksonville's 690 at night a few times. In my time, they have not actually been a daytimer, but when a hurricane approaches, they'll switch from their six tower DA to 50kw omnidirectional right on the seashore (BOOM!)

AMs may also test their daytime patterns during some Monday morning hours, no emergency necessary.

 

[Deleted member 64531]

In case of an emergency, a Daytime Station may stay on the air past their sheduled sign off time with Daytime power, but cannot air any commercial content. That is of course, unless they have changed the rules.

 

[davideduardo]

AMs may also test their daytime patterns during some Monday morning hours, no emergency necessary.

The test period is not limited to Monday mornings... any Midnight to 6 AM period applies.

 

[davideduardo]

It used to be (and still may be) that a daytimer may stay on the air during a State of Emergency (as declared by the governor?)...and I think the blizzard of '78 was one of those cases.

It was always the station's sole decision as to what was an emergency.

They would, however, be expected to have some justification if questioned.

 

[davideduardo]

During the blizzard of 78 didn't WCAS 740 stay on past sunset (daytimer at the time) as a public service and catch some hell for it?

I do not recall whether the station was WCAS, but there have been cases where a daytimer in a market with multiple fulltime stations was questioned about staying on when there was already ample emergency service.

OTOH, some big signal stations like 690 in Jacksonville have been known to go to their 50 kw daytime facility in storm situation because they offered coverage no other station could give to the outlying coastal areas of FL, GA and even SC.

 

[frankberry]

When I was CE at WGTO, Cypress Gardens, FL., we stayed on our 50kw day pattern during some hurricanes.
Ours was the only signal which could cover a substantial portion of the Florida coastline.

 

[Wimmmex]

It was always the station's sole decision as to what was an emergency.

They would, however, be expected to have some justification if questioned.

I guess the best justification would be that a government official declared it so.

In the WCCM case noted, it was either negligence, or they just didn't like that the sun set early in the Winter. ;-)

 

[1L6E6VHF]

@David Eduardo;
very interesting, TNX.

 

[gr8oldies]

They have been directed in the notice to provide documentation of each violation. If there really was an emergency, WCCM could document that. Otherwise it was laziness, neglect or "temporary sports authorization" (of which there is no such thing.

We have 2 daytimers in Knoxville TN that operate 24/7

 

[raccoonradio]

http://740wcas.com/

>>February, 1978 - The Blizzard of '78

A state of emergency was declared in Massachusetts for a week while we dealt with, among other things, hundreds of cars abandoned on Rt 128 and other roadways. It also provided a unique experience for WCAS staff and listeners for that week -- the station was on the air at night, a practice allowed by FCC rules in times of emergency. The staff worked long hours, and volunteers came in to help gather and organize local storm-related information. Pete Stassa has provided several hours of off-the-air recordings of the station during the emergency.
(Links available at URL above. But here's one.)
http://www.740wcas.com/smp3/blizzard78-01.mp3

 

[Sammi Brie]

Even Mexican stations are guilty of this. I helped a DXer identify his nighttime clip as XEQI 1510 Monterrey, which is listed as a daytimer by Mexico. (The FCC database says it has a 0.25 kW night authorization.)

In actuality it runs a 6am-midnight schedule which is common among Mexican noncommercial radio and television stations.

 

[davideduardo]

Even Mexican stations are guilty of this. I helped a DXer identify his nighttime clip as XEQI 1510 Monterrey, which is listed as a daytimer by Mexico. (The FCC database says it has a 0.25 kW night authorization.)

In actuality it runs a 6am-midnight schedule which is common among Mexican noncommercial radio and television stations.

Keep in mind that the FCC database for foreign country stations is not accurate except for stations in the border zones... which are only semi-accurate.

XEQI is licensed fulltime by the Mexican communications commision.

Mexican daytimers can operate from 6 AM to 7 PM all year round.