If you have access to today's (Sun May 2) Mobile Press Register, look in the Business section for a lengthy article about the problems WMOB is experiencing with its DA as a result of metal buildings going up adjacent to it. It suggests they are moving to the other AM site on the causeway, that of the old 1410. I thought a Catholic group had taken over 1410 and would put it back on the air. Can WMOB accomplish its 1360 DA-D pattern from the 1410 site? The 1410 is essentially east-west DA-N, while 1360 is DA-D protecting Monroeville to the NE and Pensacola 1370 to the SE.
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WMOB 1360
- Thread starter J Alex Bowab
- Start date
Here's a link to that story.
It's a shame that one of Mobile's better signals is being messed with. You'd think since the AM was there first, protecting their pattern would take priority. That and building so close to the water after all the trouble with Ivan and Katrina… it just seems like that area would not be a good place for a new building of any kind.
I don't know if 1410 is actually still on the air or not, but they have a CP to co-locate with WGOK off I-165 up in town.
It's a shame that one of Mobile's better signals is being messed with. You'd think since the AM was there first, protecting their pattern would take priority. That and building so close to the water after all the trouble with Ivan and Katrina… it just seems like that area would not be a good place for a new building of any kind.
I don't know if 1410 is actually still on the air or not, but they have a CP to co-locate with WGOK off I-165 up in town.
1410 has been silent for months now. The 2 towers are badly rusted. The xmtr building (which has also served as the studio) was recently repainted. Last I heard it was to come back on as WNGL (for Angel) with Catholic programming, like 1480 Irondale and 1230 Pensacola.
To follow up on this otherwise dormant topic: I just drove by the old 1410 site and the towers have been painted. They had been badly rusted. If they slapped that paint over the corrosion, I can't imagine it doing any good or lasting very long. Also noted the 1360 site nearby. A backhoe is doing some serious digging in close proximity to the towers. I assume the structures are not still transmitting, as the ground system could not survive the activity I saw. The call letter sign is down also; could one conclude the site has been abandoned and that WMOB is now transmitting from another site?
J Alex Bowab said:
The FCC is listing WMOB as having a STA to operate from the WLVV site. 1410 has a CP to move to the WGOK site in Mobile, so I assume the WMOB site has been abandoned due to the new buildings nearby and the building of a berm by FEMA nearby.
Edit to add: Upon closer inspection, the FCC shows the STA was denied, but it's listed anyway. ???
Correct, the STA request to move across the Causeway was denied. There is a letter from the FCC in the CDBS that explains why. If this were one of my stations, somebody would be IN COURT. Those new metal buildings are filled with RF??? Tough Doo-Doo. Sue me.
A few observations from my drive across the Causeway this afternoon:
One of the two towers at the old WMOB 1360 site is gone. If they're still operating from there, it's non-DA (presumably at reduced power, tho signal is still strong in Fairhope. Suppose the remaining one will come down once they activate a new site, wherever that is.
At the old WLVV 1410 site, the WMOB 1360 call letters have been painted on the building, but no vehicles are parked there, so I presume nothing is going on there... yet.
The 1410 signal, long silent, is now back on the air, as WNGL has finally started operating. Modulation is low, and signal doesn't seem particularly strong (maybe not on the full 5 kw yet).
On another forum, several people mentioned that WABB 1480 has been erratic about its operation. I checked a few times between 4 and 5 pm, and heard only an unmodulated carrier... dead air. After 5 pm, syndicated programming came on. The audio quality was so atrocious that even a right-winger couldn't listen to it. Certainly not me, as my sociopolitical persuasions aren't in that arena anyway.
The dissolution of the old WMOB site coincides with its 50th anniversary... it was built in 1960 as WLIQ. Even as a 16 year old kid then, I wondered what they were thinking: Back then the FCC required a first-class licenseholder to be at a directional site at all times, a major expense for a daytimer. FM was a non-factor then, and the AM dial already had daytimers galore: 840, 900, 960, 1220, 1270; the market didn't need another daytimer, so 1360 struggled. The only stations prospering were the 3 fulltimers, 710, 1410, and 1480.
One of the two towers at the old WMOB 1360 site is gone. If they're still operating from there, it's non-DA (presumably at reduced power, tho signal is still strong in Fairhope. Suppose the remaining one will come down once they activate a new site, wherever that is.
At the old WLVV 1410 site, the WMOB 1360 call letters have been painted on the building, but no vehicles are parked there, so I presume nothing is going on there... yet.
The 1410 signal, long silent, is now back on the air, as WNGL has finally started operating. Modulation is low, and signal doesn't seem particularly strong (maybe not on the full 5 kw yet).
On another forum, several people mentioned that WABB 1480 has been erratic about its operation. I checked a few times between 4 and 5 pm, and heard only an unmodulated carrier... dead air. After 5 pm, syndicated programming came on. The audio quality was so atrocious that even a right-winger couldn't listen to it. Certainly not me, as my sociopolitical persuasions aren't in that arena anyway.
The dissolution of the old WMOB site coincides with its 50th anniversary... it was built in 1960 as WLIQ. Even as a 16 year old kid then, I wondered what they were thinking: Back then the FCC required a first-class licenseholder to be at a directional site at all times, a major expense for a daytimer. FM was a non-factor then, and the AM dial already had daytimers galore: 840, 900, 960, 1220, 1270; the market didn't need another daytimer, so 1360 struggled. The only stations prospering were the 3 fulltimers, 710, 1410, and 1480.
This topic has been dormant for a while... but I was on the Bay Causeway today and observed the old WMOB 1360 site near the Bankhead Tunnel. Months ago mentioned that one of the two towers was down. Now the second one is gone, as is the building that housed the studio/xmtr, so it appears the station is now fully relocated to the former 1410 site nearby - nothing left at the old site but maybe some ground radials (anyone wanna scavenge for copper?). Radio-Locator does not show anything about the new location - CP, STA, nothing.
I don't know enough DA engineering to know whether they can accomplish their DA-D pattern (protecting 1360 Monroeville and maybe 1370 Pensacola) with 5 kw on the old 1410 towers. Also, there is a newly-erected cell tower very close by, with massive amounts of steel ... have to wonder whether it distorts the pattern.
I don't know enough DA engineering to know whether they can accomplish their DA-D pattern (protecting 1360 Monroeville and maybe 1370 Pensacola) with 5 kw on the old 1410 towers. Also, there is a newly-erected cell tower very close by, with massive amounts of steel ... have to wonder whether it distorts the pattern.
J Alex Bowab said:
Monroeville's WMFC 1360 has been silent for months. Aside from short stints with Urban Gospel and standards, the AM daytimer had simulcast the oldies format on WMFC-FM 99.3--I wonder if Monroe Broadcasting has decided its not worth the trouble to keep it on.
Nate Wesley said:
According to what I read on the ABMP silent stations page that WMOB surrendered their license back in 2010...
Speaking of WMOB... that station has the BEST of the AM signals I can pick up at night above 1300 kHz... 300 miles north near Cullman, this station has a listenable signal almost every night
-Travis
You mean WMFC surrendered its license. Yes, that happened in October last year apparently.
I'm sure 1370 out of Pensacola is a bit of an issue; here in between the stations, WMOB booms in from the 1410 site and 1370 is much weaker. They were more evenly matched from the old WMOB site.
I probably mentioned this in another thread, but someone (Tucker himself?) was on the air last week when I tuned in briefly, and was praising Jesus for delivering them a solution to their transmitter siting issue. He went into detail about the warehouse causing problems at the old site and the impression I got was he was granted the move to the 1410 site. The application list on FCC.gov paints a different picture, however. He has a new STA good until December for 1 kW from the south tower of the old WLVV site, but his last request for a CP was denied last month due to failing to meet the section 73.24(i) waiver requirements. I'm not an engineer so exactly how BTA and the FCC came to different conclusions on how much of Mobile they cover is beyond me.
The app they're trying to get granted is for a permanent home at the WLVV site with 9 kW days.
As far as I can tell, the STA is for 1 kW (or 1.25 kW) days and 500 watts night. If it's being heard in Cullman, then somehow I doubt they're reducing night power. This doesn't surprise me. Hasn't another Buddy Tucker property, 1110 WTOF in Bay Minette, been accused of doing the same thing, albeit with 10 kW? I've also heard of technical problems with his WYND AM in Deland, Florida as well. Might we have another Bishop Willis on our hands?
I'm sure 1370 out of Pensacola is a bit of an issue; here in between the stations, WMOB booms in from the 1410 site and 1370 is much weaker. They were more evenly matched from the old WMOB site.
I probably mentioned this in another thread, but someone (Tucker himself?) was on the air last week when I tuned in briefly, and was praising Jesus for delivering them a solution to their transmitter siting issue. He went into detail about the warehouse causing problems at the old site and the impression I got was he was granted the move to the 1410 site. The application list on FCC.gov paints a different picture, however. He has a new STA good until December for 1 kW from the south tower of the old WLVV site, but his last request for a CP was denied last month due to failing to meet the section 73.24(i) waiver requirements. I'm not an engineer so exactly how BTA and the FCC came to different conclusions on how much of Mobile they cover is beyond me.
The app they're trying to get granted is for a permanent home at the WLVV site with 9 kW days.
As far as I can tell, the STA is for 1 kW (or 1.25 kW) days and 500 watts night. If it's being heard in Cullman, then somehow I doubt they're reducing night power. This doesn't surprise me. Hasn't another Buddy Tucker property, 1110 WTOF in Bay Minette, been accused of doing the same thing, albeit with 10 kW? I've also heard of technical problems with his WYND AM in Deland, Florida as well. Might we have another Bishop Willis on our hands?
As for 1110 Bay Minette staying on at night, wasn't that done under a previous operator ... when Walter Bowen either owned or LMAed the station? I know he used to keep 1000 Robertsdale on past dark. I don't think 1000 has any night authorization, even with a few watts. And because of WBT 1110 50 kw in Charlotte, I think Bay Minette can't get any night power whatsoever.
Over the years, I've been amazed at how much territory WMOB covers at night; I've suspected they were running more than the authorized 212 watts.
Perhaps the FCC is not policing the daytimers, and acting only when another station complains of interference. I think that was the case with WBT.
Over the years, I've been amazed at how much territory WMOB covers at night; I've suspected they were running more than the authorized 212 watts.
Perhaps the FCC is not policing the daytimers, and acting only when another station complains of interference. I think that was the case with WBT.
If WMFC 1360 has shut down, then there is a trend in the area to abandon small town AM stations. Monroeville's other AM (which was on 1510, then moved to 930) is also dark, isn't it?
Nearby Atmore saw both its AMs leave town: WASG (1140, then 550, then relocated to Cantonment) and WATM/WSKR/WGYJ/WPHG (1590, then 1620, then relocated to Gulf Breeze).
In Andalusia, haven't both 920 and 1400 gone dark?
Flomaton's 990, later 1090, also moved to Cantonment.
Evergreen's 1470 has had its lengthy periods of silence also.
Dunno how Brewton's 1240, a stand-alone AM, hangs on.
Nearby Atmore saw both its AMs leave town: WASG (1140, then 550, then relocated to Cantonment) and WATM/WSKR/WGYJ/WPHG (1590, then 1620, then relocated to Gulf Breeze).
In Andalusia, haven't both 920 and 1400 gone dark?
Flomaton's 990, later 1090, also moved to Cantonment.
Evergreen's 1470 has had its lengthy periods of silence also.
Dunno how Brewton's 1240, a stand-alone AM, hangs on.
Actually, hasn't a third Andalusia AM shut down, the one on 1530? That's 3 out of 3. Given that, is nearby Opp, a smaller town, still supporting two AMs - 860 and 1290 - and has a CP for a third one, on 1590? Strange.
And moving one more town over, is Enterprise's 600 also silent?
Zach said:You mean WMFC surrendered its license. Yes, that happened in October last year apparently.
I stand corrected... I meant to say WMFC went silent rather than WMOB
Speaking of WTOF AM 1110, I used to hear them all the time, but haven't heard them in a year or so.
Regarding the Monroeville station, I believe it was WEZZ 930 which had a CP to move to New Orelans; however, that has now changed since there is a CP to move over to Brantley.
-Travis
I keep thinking WTOF has nighttime power but I'm wrong; it merely has 2.5 kW critical hours. I haven't been north of I-10 after dark in a while, but the last time I was, 1110 was blasting away with programming if I remember correctly. 1000 in Robertsdale has been off the air once at night in probably 20 times in 20 weeks that I've checked them. They have no night auth either. They put a great signal into Foley during the day and not a bad one at night. Better than WHEP's night signal in a lot of areas.
WEZZ Monroeville is silent. Their last STA was dismissed in March 2009, but they do have a CP for Brantley, with a shift to 920 as a day only operation. Apparently Great South Wireless bought the station and is using it as part of a shuffle of stations involving WAOQ in Brantley moving to Goshen and WGZZ moving from 100.3 in Dadeville and relicensing to Waverly on 94.3. Somehow I reckon it all makes sense. 8) The move to New Orleans was nixed when the station was sold by Joe McKissick to Great South.
WEBJ in Brewton seems to be doing OK. Last time I was through there the station was very strong way up towards Evergreen and had some local commercials that sounded very country-homey. I think there were even a few live break-ins during the talk show they were carrying.
I don't have any info at all on record for a 600 in Enterprise. Can someone fill me in?
WAMI (AM) has an application on file to move to Kanab, Utah with 250 watts at 1540 kHz.
WEZZ Monroeville is silent. Their last STA was dismissed in March 2009, but they do have a CP for Brantley, with a shift to 920 as a day only operation. Apparently Great South Wireless bought the station and is using it as part of a shuffle of stations involving WAOQ in Brantley moving to Goshen and WGZZ moving from 100.3 in Dadeville and relicensing to Waverly on 94.3. Somehow I reckon it all makes sense. 8) The move to New Orleans was nixed when the station was sold by Joe McKissick to Great South.
WEBJ in Brewton seems to be doing OK. Last time I was through there the station was very strong way up towards Evergreen and had some local commercials that sounded very country-homey. I think there were even a few live break-ins during the talk show they were carrying.
I don't have any info at all on record for a 600 in Enterprise. Can someone fill me in?
WAMI (AM) has an application on file to move to Kanab, Utah with 250 watts at 1540 kHz.
Zach said:
The last time I drove through Opp (June 2010), WAMI AM was silent. They also were the previous time I drove through, also in June 2010.
-Travis
About AM 600 in Enterprise - WIRB AM was on 600 in Enterprise until the early 1980s I believe. It was co-owned with 96.9 FM (WIRB-FM) if I'm not mistaken, long before they upgraded to 100 kw, but I don't believe they simulcasted. WIRB, surrounded by the 600 AM stations in Memphis, New Orleans, and Jacksonville, was limited to daytimer status.I think the new station in Level Plains took the WIRB call letters.
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