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Woody Nelson Scam?

jmtillery said:
Witchlover said:
I see that WSBX is not on the current list of dark stations maintained on the FCC web site. That is current as of 11/2 - last week. I'm reading the Commission's web site now just trying to satisfy my own curiosity about this. Could be they gave it one good last shot, failed and gave up. I don't see the station ever coming back. I hate to see another AM station go away.

The clock is still running on that December deadline, but I doubt it really matters now.
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Do you have the link to the FCC link where you got your information?
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http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/silent-am-and-fm-broadcast-station-lists
 
To be on that list, you have to file a silent STA with the FCC. I can think of three silent stations off the top of my head that are not on that list.
 
I don't think anyone much files for "Silent". They (the creditors) just pull the switch and walk away.
Probably plenty of un-lit towers out there because of that, too.

Gonna take a major air disaster to fix the problem.
 
jmtillery said:
Witchlover said:
I see that WSBX is not on the current list of dark stations maintained on the FCC web site. That is current as of 11/2 - last week. I'm reading the Commission's web site now just trying to satisfy my own curiosity about this. Could be they gave it one good last shot, failed and gave up. I don't see the station ever coming back. I hate to see another AM station go away.

The clock is still running on that December deadline, but I doubt it really matters now.
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The licensee can file for an STA to operate at reduced power and that will save the license if the licensee actually returns the station to the air at something such as 500 watts prior to the December deadline. WSBX can always return to full power at a later date.
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Paperwork has been filed which claims WSBX has returned to the air (I think the date given was 9-1-11.) It has been (unofficially) reported that the station has NOT returned to the air.
I know you don't have the details (and, of course, the devil is in the details) but what is your opinion here? What would be the ramifications of a false filing? Would the commission go though the bother to check/inspect WSBX to verify accuracy of the filing and/or compliance with the stipulations filed/granted? With all on their plate these days do they even have the manpower or interest to involve themselves beyond the paperwork they receive from the licensee?
It seems to me the FCC only selectively cares about enforcement of the R&R. Our Woodrow has developed quite a reputation and almost cult status amongst us radio folk-geeks. I wonder if he is a person of interest to commission?
 
taylorengineer said:
What would be the ramifications of a false filing? Would the commission go though the bother to check/inspect WSBX to verify accuracy of the filing and/or compliance with the stipulations filed/granted?
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Generally speaking, and not specifically towards any particular station or licensee, the FCC will not follow-up on an inspection unless an official complaint has been filed with the Commission due to reasons you have already given.

As for filing false documents, anyone who files an application or any form with the FCC is required to swear or affirm the statements given are accurate. If anyone is later caught making a willful false statement on an FCC form, the person signing the form may be charge with and later found guilty of perjury and could be sanctioned accordingly in whatever manner a Federal court deems appropriate.

Again this is meant to be general and not directed towards any specific licensee or station.
 
taylorengineer said:
Would the commission go though the bother to check/inspect WSBX to verify accuracy of the filing and/or compliance with the stipulations filed/granted? With all on their plate these days do they even have the manpower or interest to involve themselves beyond the paperwork they receive from the licensee?
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I seriously doubt the FCC cares one way or the other unless someone complains. The perfect example of them not caring is WYKC, Grenada, Mississippi. I lived there for four years and in that time the station remained listed as on the air and active.

Only thing was, it was off when I got there and there was no studio or transmitter to speak of. Just a forlorn tower in a residential part of town. Just down the road in Winona, was WONA. The FM was blasting away but the AM was dark despite being listed as on-air. There were probably a half-dozen more in Mississippi at one time or another like that, including WSJC in Magee, authorized 50 kW but never on the air for more than a moment. (They're actually back on as of this writing but are still listed as silent.)

Compliance in Alabama is better but still not perfect, especially with regard to translators. There are dozens and dozens listed as on air that are in the process of being moved/sold that haven't seen activity in ages. The owners just move them, file a license to cover, then file a new application right behind it. They almost never go on the air from their "temporary" locations. The religious broadcasters are the worst offenders there, imho.
 
Might be fun to start a thread (maybe one each for AM, FM and TV) on silent/dark stations, and have everybody scan their local "dials" against what the FCC License files say. The posted results might be interesting to see.
 
Here in Morganton, NC, the silent list shows WCIS as having been silent since 2008.

It actually was only silent for a couple of months following a fire that destroyed thier transmitter site and studio. They now have a new, remote studio and the transmitter is in a shack at the base of the antenna. I'm not sure why the FCC list shows them as silent, perhaps they failed to file some document properly??
 
jtudor said:
I'm not sure why the FCC list shows them as silent, perhaps they failed to file some document properly??
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Most likely the FCC has not yet updated its public online information regarding the current status of the station in question. Had this station not filed the necessary FCC forms indicating the station had returned to the air, the station license would have been canceled after 12-consecutive months of silence. Since the station is still showing as licensed, the database that counts is showing the FCC the station is active and operating.
 
Witchlover said:
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=32660

They have to be up by 26 FEB 2013.
Apparently not only cats have nine lives.
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Actually, it says 180 days from the date of that letter. The letter is stamped March 9th of 2012 which gives them September of this year before they have to file requesting an extention or filing to show the station is back on the air. I'm wondering if the FCC does not hear back from her on it, if they will pull the license after the 180 days have expired.
 
A quick check shows the license has not been renewed yet. I wonder if the commission will investigate Ga Triangle's operational record. According to people in the area WSBX has not been on the air in quite some time - well over a year. They have filed that they were on the air when they filed for renewal.
There are a few of us who have enjoyed the Woody Show for several years now. I, too, am ready for some new episodes.......
 
You're right, Bengalsfan; I read it wrong. GTB has access to some fine legal-engineering services, no doubt. Whatever they are able to accomplish, as the letter states, WSBX's license will automatically expire on the 2013 date, unless a renewal is issued. That give them a nominal 13 weeks to get on the air. I'd like to see them make it, but I do not see it happening. As to the Woody Show, well, friends, it is hurricane season .....
 
taylorengineer said:
A quick check shows the license has not been renewed yet. I wonder if the commission will investigate Ga Triangle's operational record. According to people in the area WSBX has not been on the air in quite some time - well over a year. They have filed that they were on the air when they filed for renewal.
There are a few of us who have enjoyed the Woody Show for several years now. I, too, am ready for some new episodes.......
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It usually takes the FCC a couple of months to "officially" renew the licenses. If they find the station was indeed off the air when the renewal was filed, that's grounds for a fine based on lack of candor with the FCC. However, unless someone complains, it's doubtful the FCC will catch it. They have more important things like public file issues to deal with. /snark.
 
A site inspection would have to show that it was simply not possible for the station to have been on the air as the filing states. If the radial system is gone as Woody once said and has not been repaired, what were they doing, feeding the transmitter output into a dummy load? Does this count as being on the air?

Also, who would qualify as one competent to complain? For example, I would not be, for I am well out of the station's range; I wouldn't be affected by anything they do. A competitor would not be very likely to complain, and the public probably has forgotten the station even exists, nor would anyone care. WSBX makes for a fascinating puzzle.
 
Witchlover said:
A site inspection would have to show that it was simply not possible for the station to have been on the air as the filing states. If the radial system is gone as Woody once said and has not been repaired, what were they doing, feeding the transmitter output into a dummy load? Does this count as being on the air?

Also, who would qualify as one competent to complain? For example, I would not be, for I am well out of the station's range; I wouldn't be affected by anything they do. A competitor would not be very likely to complain, and the public probably has forgotten the station even exists, nor would anyone care. WSBX makes for a fascinating puzzle.
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I don't know if there are any "qualifications". A well placed call to the Atlanta or Detroit field office explaining what's going on might just do the trick.
 
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