Here's what I know. The WABC tower in Lodi was built in 1944. If you look at the satellite photo of that area, none of those buildings were there in 1944. I've visited dozens of old AM towers all over the country, and most of them are in populated areas. But when they were built, it was all vacant land. The people who build close to those towers know what they're getting, and you can't tell some else they have to move because you want to build close to them. If they're concerned about RF, they shouldn't build there. I don't know what the FCC thinks about it, but I know legally that the broadcasters were there first. Just like the railroads. They own the right of way. You build close to them, and you're guaranteed to hear trains go by at night.
-
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
Here's what I know. The WABC tower in Lodi was built in 1944. If you look at the satellite photo of that area, none of those buildings were there in 1944. I've visited dozens of old AM towers all over the country, and most of them are in populated areas. But when they were built, it was all vacant land. The people who build close to those towers know what they're getting, and you can't tell some else they have to move because you want to build close to them. If they're concerned about RF, they shouldn't build there. I don't know what the FCC thinks about it, but I know legally that the broadcasters were there first. Just like the railroads. They own the right of way. You build close to them, and you're guaranteed to hear trains go by at night.
First, 50 kw is relatively low power for an AM station. Second, it's AM and there is nearly a century of proof that AM is not harmful.
I have not worked with high power AM for nearly 20 years, so hopefully the engineers here can check in with their observations on the subject.
I used to work at a theater about a mile from WAKR's tower location. You could pick up the intercom or the phone [when it wasn't in use] and hear the station clear as a bell. They're surrounded by house on all 4 sides [less so on the east and north sides which have I-77/Rt 224.] If they're that close, there has to be some sort of effect I would think. True, they're only pumping out 5,000 watts but even so.
I know the AM I was managing in Houston was 'out in the country' for many years. Then came the subdivisions. Finally one builder went right at our back fence. The poor people who bought the builder's homes were getting interference from us over their phone lines and cable lines. There was enough RF to cause their alarms to go off at their homes. In fact it happened frequently enough, the police said they were going to start charging for coming out.
About that time we get a call from the FCC. They were getting complaints (we didn't get any calls at the station). The FCC said they knew it wasn't our problem but asked if we would help them resolve things. We agreed to have our engineer visit those who complained to the FCC. Finally we met with the builders who were told by our engineer that unless they shielded the phone lines, cable lines and alarm systems the problem would continue. From my understanding the builder upgraded things and the issue was resolved.
While it wasn't our problem, we played nice and took on some engineering payroll to make this all go away. The homeowners appreciated it and the FCC liked the idea we would help clean those complaints off their plate. I just figured it was the right thing for a broadcaster to do. Maybe the builder cut corners or maybe they just didn't get that being in the path of a 3 tower array with one of those towers 250 feet away would create issues.
About that time we get a call from the FCC. They were getting complaints (we didn't get any calls at the station). The FCC said they knew it wasn't our problem but asked if we would help them resolve things. We agreed to have our engineer visit those who complained to the FCC. Finally we met with the builders who were told by our engineer that unless they shielded the phone lines, cable lines and alarm systems the problem would continue. From my understanding the builder upgraded things and the issue was resolved.
While it wasn't our problem, we played nice and took on some engineering payroll to make this all go away. The homeowners appreciated it and the FCC liked the idea we would help clean those complaints off their plate. I just figured it was the right thing for a broadcaster to do. Maybe the builder cut corners or maybe they just didn't get that being in the path of a 3 tower array with one of those towers 250 feet away would create issues.
Here in Atlanta, 50 KW WSB-AM's tower now sits in the middle of a shopping center parking lot. In the 80's, the station was approached by development company Trammel Crow. An industrial park had been built around 50 kw KFI's tower south of Los Angeles, and the company proposed building the shopping center at the WSB site. The construction people worked closely with WSB's engineers. All of the electric power for the stores is tied to the WSB ground system, which is inches below the parking lot.
I recently read that a theme park will be built on the grounds of WLW's iconic tower north of Cincinnati.
I recently read that a theme park will be built on the grounds of WLW's iconic tower north of Cincinnati.
Too bad the "young skulls full of mush" won't get to hear Rush through the wires at the amusement park while waiting to ride the rides...
Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
I wonder if the FCC had ever looked at owners track record. It was my understanding that if you were an “input” station on the old EBS / EAS the commission would sometimes turn a blind eye to minor infractions. Conversely if you had multiple serious infractions you could be inspected a little more frequently. I personally have never been at a station when the FCC inspector was physically at the station. I just wonder if an operator consistently shuts down AM stations, would the commission “take a serious look” at that operator’s filings. A delisted station does not generate any business for the commission. I guess a FM can be reallocated but I haven’t heard of a lot of filings for new AM’s. I seriously doubt there is much interest in an AM unless there is a FM translator involved. I can see a fund set up just to buy AM’s for their property.
How many other stations have been shut down by Family Radio? This is the only one I know of.
They've sold off a few, and theyve taken a few silent for technical or financial reasons.. but as long as you abide by the rules, even if you hand in a license.. its yours to do with what you want, whatever that want is.. and i dont think the commission would really care, unless the disappeared licenses were because of seirous fcc compliance issues
I don't see why there'd be a problem. Shutting down an AM isn't a breach of license. If a station files an STA and then doesn't come back within a year, the licence gets canceled, but no one has broken any rules there. Nor is it a breach of rules if a license is handed back in. The FCC have used discretion to shorten, cancel or require divestment of licenses in cases where a licensee has switched on for one day a year to keep the paper license active, but Family Radio have never done that as far as I'm aware.
They don't routinely issue new AM licenses, but the latest auction has the frequencies formerly used by the four "Bob Romanik" AMs in St Louis on the block. This is probably because so many AMs were taken out of a large market simultaneously.
What you are hearing is a few folks who still think that all radio stations should be live and local 24/7/365 with full engineering staffs and news departments, etc. There are others who just have an axe to grind with religious broadcasters in general, or Family Radio specifically. I'm not personally a fan of religious broadcasting, but they're pretty much the only ones in buying mode these days. The practical business aspects and actual listening habits are completely ignored.
I see that WFME had a CP for an FM Translator on 106.3. It expires on 06/08/2021. Does the Silent STA for the AM toll the expiration date of the CP?
Couldn't they just modify the CP to associate it with another facility?
No. It was applied for as part of the "AM revitalization" window and can only be used in conjunction with WFME. My guess is it will die unbuilt. It would have been a pretty tiny signal, since we know the 106.3 on the Jersey shore objects to anything bigger on the channel that can reach southern Brooklyn or Queens.
A lot depends on the ground system. At 1560, the height of a quarter wave slant wire (sounds like and insulated guy wire) is not much, so they could do well with that part if the ground is adequate.
Of course, the purpose is to keep the license active, and this move will achieve that purpose.
[/QUOTE]
Why am I not surprised? Let's go back to post #8 in this thread from November 2020:
At that time, I was told what we all know, that it's an FM site, not useful for AM. But if that's what you've got, that's what you use.
My only question is why did they wait this long, and I guess the answer is to save money.
Why am I not surprised? Let's go back to post #8 in this thread from November 2020:
At that time, I was told what we all know, that it's an FM site, not useful for AM. But if that's what you've got, that's what you use.
My only question is why did they wait this long, and I guess the answer is to save money.
"The application states that a slant wire feed extending to an intermediate level of the grounded 203 foot tapered self-supporting tower, which also supports the pole mounted FM antenna for the FM stations, is proposed. The base of this wire will be terminated on the roof of the adjacent equipment building, and the matching network installed in an antenna tuning unit at this location. The installation will have minimal ground system, and this has been taken into account in the efficiency analysis."
- Status