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WSM SITE - HISTORIC SITE?

I listen to WSM here in Houston on my 1937 RCA 816-K, 16 tube 7 band AM/Shortwave console, The Aircastle still sounds good to me! But the FCC needs to repeal NRSC to re-broaden the band, and they need to re-activate the Class 1-A stations and make them true Clear Channels!

It is my understanding that they did this so that they could squeeze more crapper stations onto the dial (more stations no one listens to!). I would prefer that they re-visit the idea back in the 70's of all of the class 1-A's becoming 750KW. That way my friends in San Diego could listen to WSM as well (they might be able to KFI 640 in LA at that point would also be 750KW). When I lived in SD I would take the internet feed and modulate it through my signal generator so that I could listen to WSM on 650 around the house.
 
someday these historic sites will be treated just like Native American graveyards and Indian Mounds, plowed under for the newly built Foreclosure Acres
 
(You may shoot holes in the following argument, but at least it’s up there to shoot at.)

---

If your property is on the National Register, and you can't do anything to it without government permission, then the government has a controlling interest in your property, and

If the government has a controlling interest in your property, they have a responsibility for the property, and

Said responsibility includes financial assistance.


Now, if WSM is losing revenue because it's an AM station, and

If part of the loss of revenue is due to interference, and

If said interference is due to the government's deregulation of the band, and the lack of regulation of interference-causing appliances, computers and power lines, and

If such lack of regulation has made Class I-A stations useless to fulfill the service expected by its government-issued license, then

The government would OWE financial assistance to Class I-A AM stations - especially one that has its label on it as a “historic place” - to guarantee the heritage of interference-free broadcasting, which would provide the revenue needed to keep WSM on the air (and out of the red).

---

This is gonna be fun. ;D
 
Watt Hairston said:
It is a misconception that site is worth something. Cal Turner donated the adjacent property to the city because he couldn't sell it. 75% of the WSM property exist in a flood plane that was 100 year but was made worse due to the Little Harpeth River I-65 over-pass only being wide enough to accommodate the channel width of the stream. When building the adjacent playing fields, the city had to return the ground level to the exact same height as to not affect the run-off, it can't be filled. The South West edge of the property is the only part that does not flood, but it is right across the street from Lipscomb elementary school (no Shell Station or beer sales) and Brentwood strictly prohibits commercial enterprise any where near there. Believe me, I was there; had all those conversations and jumped through all the hoops over and over again. Every time a new Gaylord Executive drove past there on the way home I would get asked that question.
Click to expand...
That's the only thing that would prevent development there! :eek:
 
AM sounds better than FM. Sorry so few have radios to hear this.
FM could sound as good, almost, but would never have the ker-wham of 150% positive modulation.

And WSM really is one of the best sounding in the country.

And with the music, you can hear just how good they are.

Treat yourself to an old radio and find ouit!
 
trusty said:
(You may shoot holes in the following argument, but at least it’s up there to shoot at.)

---

If your property is on the National Register, and you can't do anything to it without government permission, then the government has a controlling interest in your property, and

If the government has a controlling interest in your property, they have a responsibility for the property, and

Said responsibility includes financial assistance.


Now, if WSM is losing revenue because it's an AM station, and

If part of the loss of revenue is due to interference, and

If said interference is due to the government's deregulation of the band, and the lack of regulation of interference-causing appliances, computers and power lines, and

If such lack of regulation has made Class I-A stations useless to fulfill the service expected by its government-issued license, then

The government would OWE financial assistance to Class I-A AM stations - especially one that has its label on it as a “historic place” - to guarantee the heritage of interference-free broadcasting, which would provide the revenue needed to keep WSM on the air (and out of the red).

---

This is gonna be fun. ;D
Click to expand...

Wow, that is well thought-out!

They can make a big dent in the noise by de-authorizing iboc between 630 khz and 670 khz.
 
600kogo said:
I listen to WSM here in Houston on my 1937 RCA 816-K, 16 tube 7 band AM/Shortwave console, The Aircastle still sounds good to me! But the FCC needs to repeal NRSC to re-broaden the band, and they need to re-activate the Class 1-A stations and make them true Clear Channels!

It is my understanding that they did this so that they could squeeze more crapper stations onto the dial (more stations no one listens to!). I would prefer that they re-visit the idea back in the 70's of all of the class 1-A's becoming 750KW. That way my friends in San Diego could listen to WSM as well (they might be able to KFI 640 in LA at that point would also be 750KW). When I lived in SD I would take the internet feed and modulate it through my signal generator so that I could listen to WSM on 650 around the house.
Click to expand...

Agreed! Bring on the big guns that actually have money to put some programing in place (if that exists anymore).

As I get older I perceive less difference between AM and FM quality. I also will listen to AM over FM if they are playing music I like better.
 
Bob E. Nelson said:
Those who know me have heard this story before but it might be of interest to all reading this thread.

While still a young pup at MTSU, I wrote a long-since-lost paper on WSM's history, focused solely on the technical side. Jack DeWitt was still living and I arranged for an interview with him at his Green Hills home.

His wife greeted me when I rang the doorbell and told me that Mr. DeWitt was out back in the garage/workshop. I was so excited to meet him that I started babbling away thanking him profusely for the opportunity. He said, "Slow down, young man...we can get started in a a few minutes. First I want you to meet a friend of mine that dropped by...".

It was Eddy Arnold.
Click to expand...

What a GREAT story!
 
Bob E. Nelson said:
Those who know me have heard this story before but it might be of interest to all reading this thread.

While still a young pup at MTSU, I wrote a long-since-lost paper on WSM's history, focused solely on the technical side. Jack DeWitt was still living and I arranged for an interview with him at his Green Hills home.

His wife greeted me when I rang the doorbell and told me that Mr. DeWitt was out back in the garage/workshop. I was so excited to meet him that I started babbling away thanking him profusely for the opportunity. He said, "Slow down, young man...we can get started in a a few minutes. First I want you to meet a friend of mine that dropped by...".

It was Eddy Arnold.
Click to expand...

What a great story. This board should have the Facebook "Like" Button on it.
 
I just spent 3 days in Nashville on vacation and because I may be moving there with my job.
The whole time we were there all we listened to was WSM!
I listen to it a lot online but it was so special being able to hear AM650 on AM for a change. I love WSM and the classic country music.
I will add I just turned 29,
 
ncscradiogeek said:
I just spent 3 days in Nashville on vacation and because I may be moving there with my job.
The whole time we were there all we listened to was WSM!
I listen to it a lot online but it was so special being able to hear AM650 on AM for a change. I love WSM and the classic country music.
I will add I just turned 29,
Click to expand...

If 650 could just get 125,000 more 29 year old "money demo" listeners. I have to agree that WSM's audio is a "island" in a sea of RF garbage. They really sound good at night north of Atlanta.
 
You know I think there are actually a lot of us young ones who are discovering and enjoying older country.
I had the joy of being raised by my great grandparents, so I got an early education about real music.
My great grandmother used to make sure she bought me several classic country cds for Christmas each year.
 
While living in Texas we had some decent classic country stations, but it was far better DX'ing on my 1937 RCA 816K console and listening to the Aircastle Of The South! The first ap I loaded on my new iPhone is WSM's ap so that I can listen to her everywhere I go! Including when I go to work here at the radio stations.

Why Gaylord can't make money with WSM is ridiculous! Maybe some of those country stars that owe their fortune to the Opry and WSM should give back, and buy that station and keep her as the piece of history that she is! Long Live WSM
 
There is one thing I've always loved about WSM and many other AM's: At night I can listen to them all the way up here in Virginia. An FM WSM won't be able to do that except by streaming online, and I really don't enjoy online audio.
 
I, too, love WSM-AM and listen any Saturday night when I'm in the car to the Opry. I also occasionally listen to weeknight programming because the format is so unique.
I like the imaging too....it really is a true Legend!
WSM is a really good sounding AM station even on a crappy radio. It sounds like a very well engineered station.
I understand when others speak of the inferior quality from a typical AM radio. But I still kinda like the skywave fades.....the static crashes on a stormy night....and all the other romance of ancient modulation.
 
e :-\I am actually totally blind, and I have always used the noise of lightening on AM to kind of help me judge how close a storm is to me.
I love being able to stream radio like WSM online but in someways it is almost to perfect audio.
I miss the things that make AM special.
 
600kogo said:
Why Gaylord can't make money with WSM is ridiculous! Maybe some of those country stars that owe their fortune to the Opry and WSM should give back, and buy that station and keep her as the piece of history that she is! Long Live WSM
Click to expand...

The leading authority says there are 17 viable signals in Nashville. WSM is 24th in 25-54 listening. It would be highly unusual under these circumstances for it to make money.
 
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