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WPMP 1580 Pascagoula-Moss Point, MS

D

DonReelSteal

Guest
I'm curious... why does Clear Channel own land that WPMP uses for its two towers? Which are 158 and 360 feet tall.. they are a two tower DA, why are the towers different in height?

Also, the new licensee has an email address with the usaradio.com domain.... How/Why is USA Radio Network associated with WPMP, ex WZZJ?

By the way, the total price for the deal was $88,000

$36,610.00 to Clear Channel for back rent
$51,390.00 to the owner

What is WPMP programming now? Do they have a website?

I'm not intendin' to stir up any trouble or get any mad, I'm just curious...
 
> I'm curious... why does Clear Channel own land that WPMP
> uses for its two towers? Which are 158 and 360 feet tall..
> they are a two tower DA, why are the towers different in
> height?

I can't comment why CC owns the land (other than to say it was probably part of the package CC bought a while back), but I can tell you about the towers...

WPMP used to have an FM, of course. 99.1 was in the building before the move to Biloxi, and the taller tower was used for it.

Prior to the addition of the second tower, the shorter tower was a non-directional radiator @ 1000w. To increase to 5kw, they had to go directional (which made sense, anyway; it favors the coastline). I suppose the array protects Hattiesburg?

> What is WPMP programming now? Do they have a website?

See discussion below.

I know of AT LEAST one other former WPMP employee here. Perhaps he can futher illuminate the discussion.

DE
 
Im assuming the taller tower was the original, right? When they added a second tower, why wasnt it made the same height.

Thanks for your insight DE.


> > I'm curious... why does Clear Channel own land that WPMP
> > uses for its two towers? Which are 158 and 360 feet tall..
>
> > they are a two tower DA, why are the towers different in
> > height?
>
> I can't comment why CC owns the land (other than to say it
> was probably part of the package CC bought a while back),
> but I can tell you about the towers...
>
> WPMP used to have an FM, of course. 99.1 was in the
> building before the move to Biloxi, and the taller tower was
> used for it.
>
> Prior to the addition of the second tower, the shorter tower
> was a non-directional radiator @ 1000w. To increase to 5kw,
> they had to go directional (which made sense, anyway; it
> favors the coastline). I suppose the array protects
> Hattiesburg?
>
> > What is WPMP programming now? Do they have a website?
>
> See discussion below.
>
> I know of AT LEAST one other former WPMP employee here.
> Perhaps he can futher illuminate the discussion.
>
> DE
>
 
> Im assuming the taller tower was the original, right? When
> they added a second tower, why wasnt it made the same
> height.

No, the shorter one was. I assume the second tower was made higher simply to add height to the Class C FM. That upgrade happened (I think) in 1978 or 1979.

99.1 was still WPMO while I was there.

A previous poster mentioned how the equipment was old and tired. That's a shame. When I was there in the early 80s, equipment wasn't bad. AM transmitter was a late-model Harris MW5A (nice stuff) and the FM was a Harris FM 20k. Control room and production were new about that time, though I am not sure what got moved out when the FM moved to D'Iberville.

Now, there was some automation that was something out of the Jurasic, but, that's another story.

We didn't have the 51 watts at night, either. Last time I was in Pascagoula (which was a while ago), I did hear the night signal. It was surprisingly good, for what it was. I wonder how they make the 51 watts.

DE
 
All your questions answered!!!!

I am the new owner of WPMP! I can give you some background on the station and the situation.

> I'm curious... why does Clear Channel own land that WPMP
> uses for its two towers? Which are 158 and 360 feet tall..
> they are a two tower DA, why are the towers different in
> height?

This property was the original site for the FM/AM combo. The FM was sold 17 years ago and the new owner couldnt figure out a way to move the AM. So, they donated the towers and equipment to a non-profit for a tax write off. CC inherited the land when they purchased K99. It was serving as a back up tower and transmitter for the FM should a hurricane knock down their primary. CC dosent want to be a landlord, but the station is not yet in a position to be able to afford to purchase it. The towers are different height to conform to our FCC license.

>
> Also, the new licensee has an email address with the
> usaradio.com domain.... How/Why is USA Radio Network
> associated with WPMP, ex WZZJ?

I am am Mississippi native and grew up in Columbia. for the past five years I have been employed as a Affiliate Sales Manager for USA. I had been looking for a station to purchase for some time, and the network was understanding of that. They allowed me to continue with my duties after the purchase and in fact I have been back living in Mississippi for two years getting the station in a position to be self sufficient. When I took over the station we had $700 on the books and no listeners. It was imperative that I keep some sort of job that would actually pay me since the station couldnt and still hasnt paid me a dime. USA Radio has no controlling interest in the station other than the fact they are my employer and as such will be given consideration for programming about others for obivious reasons. We will program the best possible content as long as its available and I can find the equipment/$$$ to pick it up.
>
> By the way, the total price for the deal was $88,000
>
> $36,610.00 to Clear Channel for back rent
> $51,390.00 to the owner

As you can see the station had big problems. We made a deal for the debt.
>
> What is WPMP programming now? Do they have a website?

News/Talk, website is down due to the hurricane. Hopefully we will get that back soon.
>
> I'm not intendin' to stir up any trouble or get any mad, I'm
> just curious...
>

Some may think I'm a bit strange, but I operate with an open door. Nothing we do is underhanded ect, If you have a question dont hesitate to e-mail me. My intention is to grow the station back to how radio used to be. We use two slogans "talk that makes sense" and "Jackson County's hometown radio station" I cover a wide area during the day, but my bread and butter is Jackson County which no one else is taking care of the way it needs to be, so we will program with that understanding...... locally first, then regionally to include all the MS Gulf Coast.

Thanks for your interest!

Tim Lee
President
Flagship Radio Group
[email protected]
 
> > Im assuming the taller tower was the original, right? When
>
> > they added a second tower, why wasnt it made the same
> > height.
>
> No, the shorter one was. I assume the second tower was made
> higher simply to add height to the Class C FM. That upgrade
> happened (I think) in 1978 or 1979.
>
> 99.1 was still WPMO while I was there.
>
> A previous poster mentioned how the equipment was old and
> tired. That's a shame. When I was there in the early 80s,
> equipment wasn't bad. AM transmitter was a late-model
> Harris MW5A (nice stuff) and the FM was a Harris FM 20k.
> Control room and production were new about that time, though
> I am not sure what got moved out when the FM moved to
> D'Iberville.

We still have all the Harris equipment that was bought in late 79'
The MW5A is a workhorse, but now obselete as Harris no longer supplies parts, so we are working to replace it. Studio same equip, and likely just like you remember it from the 80's, (ha ha) Building is in bad bad shape, even more so now because of the Hurricane, and something will have to be done to rectify its condition. Most likey a new studio location in Pascagoula and modular Transmitter doghouse!
>
> Now, there was some automation that was something out of the
> Jurasic, but, that's another story.
>
> We didn't have the 51 watts at night, either. Last time I
> was in Pascagoula (which was a while ago), I did hear the
> night signal. It was surprisingly good, for what it was. I
> wonder how they make the 51 watts.


We use the Harris for the 51w, its very ineffecient but the only option we have. The power bill is high, but a new transmitter is the only option to change that to be more cost-effective


>
> DE
>
 
> We still have all the Harris equipment that was bought in
> late 79'
> The MW5A is a workhorse, but now obselete as Harris no
> longer supplies parts, so we are working to replace it.
> Studio same equip, and likely just like you remember it from
> the 80's, (ha ha)

Sorry to hear the MW5A is past its prime. That was a Cadillac when it was purchased. The owners at the time were VERY proud of it.

I took a nasty shock from it once while helping the engineer; but, that's another story. :)

Wow... turning that thing down to 51 watts. That is inefficient; I wasn't even sure it was possible! Glad it works. But, again, the night signal is better than I would have expected.

Of course, as you know, Post-Sunset transmitters at that power level can be had for a couple thousand dollars. But, that's probably a couple grand more than you can afford right now. Plus, it has to have a switching system.

As to the studio... do y'all still have the shiny brushed aluminum 10-pot Harris with the HUGE VU meters, installed in (I think) 1983? There was also a dark gray (I think) 8 pot board that used to be the old AM. Was it Gates, maybe? It was old in 1983, but pretty well maintained.

Next time I am in Pascagoula, I would love to stop by and take that walk down Amnesia Lane. Of course, since my mother's house is now a muddy shell, that may be a while.

DE
 
Re: All your questions answered!!!!

I'm curious about the history of the station. when did it come on the air, what was the original format and call letters. I've heard it many times when on the coast, but it seems the last time I was down there it was a christian format.
 
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