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Birmingham WJLX (Again!)

W

wattwatcher

Have you seen where the guy begging for money to replace the "stolen" radio station tower in Jasper has just suddenly been able to build a completely new radio station in Hamilton, Alabama, while still begging for more money to build a replacement tower in Jasper? I wonder how much of that GoFundMe cash went into that new station when, if he was really doing things right, should've gone into replacing that tower to keep WJLX FCC compliant?

(I know this isn't really a "Birmingham" issue but, this site forces me to choose a proof and this is as close of a choice as they get.)

https://www.facebook.com/100064804236741/posts/901679365335530
 
wattwatcher said:
Have you seen where the guy begging for money to replace the "stolen" radio station tower in Jasper has just suddenly been able to build a completely new radio station in Hamilton, Alabama, while still begging for more money to build a replacement tower in Jasper? I wonder how much of that GoFundMe cash went into that new station when, if he was really doing things right, should've gone into replacing that tower to keep WJLX FCC compliant?

(I know this isn't really a "Birmingham" issue but, this site forces me to choose a proof and this is as close of a choice as they get.)

https://www.facebook.com/100064804236741/posts/901679365335530
Click to expand...
Just looking at the picture, he appears to be channeling the late Reverend Ernest Angley.
 
wattwatcher said:
The station was silent for at least the last five of those seven years. The tower stood (unused and unmaintained) until December of 2022 when it collapsed due to neglect.
Click to expand...
If that is true, the FCC will likely cancel the license as a matter of law, since it was operating illegally for 5 years.
 
RadioGuy1864 said:
If that is true, the FCC will likely cancel the license as a matter of law, since it was operating illegally for 5 years.
Click to expand...
Sometimes I wonder if FCC really wants to enforce their own rules. It's seems pretty easy to document a station that is off the air. Just drive around in a regular car with a radio. Tune in the station's frequency. No audio go to the tower. Get the equipment out of the trunk and get the equipment and document. Call the offending station and ask to see the transmitter.
Don't they have the "right" to psychically inspect transmitters during "regular business hours".
 
That would work if the transmitter is the only electrical device on the meter. But if the owner is willing to run illegal, printing up a fake light bill isn't that far of a stretch. They sign the renewal paperwork stating they operating legal.
 
That might be the case but there needs to be a paper trail like bank account statements showing payments and such. I wouldn't put it past the FCC to call the utility to verify service.
 
I'm sure if this matter were challenged and it went before an administrative law judge, there would be witnesses willing to testify from the prior ownership until recently, that the AM station had been off the air for years. As I recall when looking at this prior, there is a pretty clear timeline of when the prior owner requested a Silent STA back in something like 2017, due to a transmitter failure. Witnesses could confirm that was likely the last time that tower ever radiated
WJLX.
 
If he hadn't made a big deal out of the "antenna theft" he might still be just running his translator. As many AM stations that a pulled the plug he should have been able to get an AM transmitter really cheap. I know an operation that got a "lease to buy" deal from a locally owned bank* for a new transmitter and generator. The bank became a sponsor too. The commission is very friendly to engineering AM STAs. Towers can last a really long time with just a little maintenance. Depending on location, a cell company is a good tenant to have on your tower.

*IMHO besides the glut of radio stations, and big box stores, the mega banks have really made it hard on local business which in turn limits the number of customers for stations in non rated markets.
 
b-turner said:
That might be the case but there needs to be a paper trail like bank account statements showing payments and such. I wouldn't put it past the FCC to call the utility to verify service.
Click to expand...
The FCC itself doesn't conduct an investigation like that. The process involves a letter of inquiry being sent out, stating a presumption ("you've been off the air for years and were lying to us") that it's then up to the licensee to present evidence to rebut.
 
How about the station/transmitter logs, that are supposed to be kept on file? But then, I suppose you could just write up a slew of fake transmitter readings for the missing years.
 
I have seen a letter from the FCC stating the licensee must provide evidence of operation for X amount of time. Specifically, the letter said 'power/electricity bills' among other things like EAS files and so on. The letter stipulated a response time.
 
In the case of an FM translator tied to an AM, can one assume one EAS unit work for both? If you have an AM simulcasting a "real commercial" fm (class A or higher) do you need 2 EAS units even if the call letters and COLs are the same.
 
Here's all we need to know about WERH in Hamilton.

Home - WERH 90.1

www.werhradio.com www.werhradio.com
www.facebook.com

WERH Radio | Hamilton AL

WERH Radio, Hamilton. 657 likes. WERH is back in Hamilton, AL! Now on 90.1 FM, the format wheel is spinning! What will we land on? Coming soon...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

It pays to surf the web.

Dan <><

P.S. And they have a link on their site telling you how to advertise. For more details visit:

Advertise With Us - WERH 90.1

www.werhradio.com www.werhradio.com

I thought it was illegal to sell ads on a Non-Commercial frequency. :mad:​
 
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