WTBS on Tower Site of the Week

[RoddyFreeman]

WTBS-TV's (WPCH-TV's) now defunct analog transmitter site is this week's "Tower Site of the Week" on www.fybush.com.

The article features photos of how the building's interior, the original home of WAGA-TV, looked back in March. And, of course, you'll see shots of the landmark tower at Peachtree and 10th Streets, which might soon be a part of Atlanta history.

I think the site's webmaster thinks I'm out of my mind right now due to my recollections (or hallucinations) of how the site looked on my first visit to Atlanta in 1975. In any case, the writing and photography is great, and it's worth visiting.

 

[fybush]

I think the site's webmaster thinks I'm out of my mind right now due to my recollections (or hallucinations) of how the site looked on my first visit to Atlanta in 1975. In any case, the writing and photography is great, and it's worth visiting.

No, no, the site's webmaster is just trying to sort out some conflicting stories about what was where when!

It seems to me that nobody has ever really written a comprehensive history of Channel 17, which seems instead to get only passing cameo appearances in several biographies of Ted Turner and books about the early years of CNN. There's an opportunity there for someone.

 

[BarryATL]

One memory I have is WTBS/WTCG (not sure which it was at the time) being off the air for at least a week in 1972-74. This is fuzzy memory because I was only 11 or 12 at the time. Apparently the heliax (I hope that is the correct word) burned out and they had to replace it all the way up the tower.

 

[Bengalsfan]

With tower space that close to downtown, I'm surprised it's not loaded up with antennas. Seems to be a waste to me.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

With tower space that close to downtown, I'm surprised it's not loaded up with antennas. Seems to be a waste to me.

Supposedly it's about to be torn down.

 

[jabba17]

With tower space that close to downtown, I'm surprised it's not loaded up with antennas. Seems to be a waste to me.

Supposedly it's about to be torn down.

I was about to ask when the execution date is. If Comcast isn't going to use the property (just what is Comcast's plan for it?), they could probably make a bunch of money renting the tower. Although, as previously discussed, the maintenance (painting, etc.) probably would not be worth it; plus, whoever is leasing the tower would probably want a very long-term lease that would prevent Comcast from selling the land when the economy recovers.

 

[littlejohn]

Across the street from the Feds = Lawyer Paradise. It will come down in favor of an office building. Sooner or later, likely sooner. The Cloud Company has vacated, and is likely no longer paying rent. There's a perfectly nice shorter tower beside it for the cable company's stuff and any cellular anyone might want. Probably the only thing holding it up is the cost of taking it down... estimate (mine, unscientific) is $1,500 Large to $2 Mil. It's built with drive bolts, it will either have to be cut apart or the bolts driven out one piece at a time. Salvaging the copper ain't likely to pay for removal.

 

[day1radio]

Thanks for posting this link, Roddy. I can see these towers right out my office windows. I'll let you know if I see them coming down!
Peter

 

[Hepcat]

I can see it from my downtown weekend condo at the Landmark, twenty-first floor, looking north. Best view in Atanta.

Some people like cabins on a lake or in the mountains. I like a downtown condo so I can go hear rockabilly music live now and then.

 

[Doctor_Technical]

If I correctly recall Dave Hultsman's story, at one time that site also housed serial number 1 of Continental's iconic 816r series FM transmitters. I'm not sure if it was installed there as-new, or was put in service as an aux for 99.7. I understand it was completely re-furbished; I wonder if Scott thought to look at the serial number of the unit in the picture.

My own memories were of the big 6-bay FM antenna precariously hanging off the side, and of the red strobes at night. First time I had seen that on a "tall" tower -- are they still there, or have they gone to LEDs?

 

[fybush]

If I correctly recall Dave Hultsman's story, at one time that site also housed serial number 1 of Continental's iconic 816r series FM transmitters. I'm not sure if it was installed there as-new, or was put in service as an aux for 99.7. I understand it was completely re-furbished; I wonder if Scott thought to look at the serial number of the unit in the picture.

I did - and it's 816R-2C, #130. But I don't think it's the original 816R at the site, either.

 

[littlejohn]

It's been moved out now... but the pair of Collins radios were repalced with a pair of 816s combined. When 99.7 moved to Shepherd's (Rochland tower), one was taken and field modified to a 35KW. The other - s/n 130 - remained at Turner as a backup. It has now migrated to he American tower site on Chester Avenue, but isn't yet connected to anything.
There's an easy way to tell if that's the first 816 series radio which was installed at Turner as half a dual - take the patent plate off and look on the rear. If it has a set of initials and a date scratched in it, it's the original, and the date is the install date.

 

[littlejohn]

I'll add, if memopry serves, the old 831G-1 (S/N 1) was refurbed by Collins and sold to Ethal Holley, who put the station on the air. After Susquehanna bought the station, they paired that one with a new Rockwell produced 831, and a 50KW combiner, and replaced the old G-4 'skyheater' antenna with a G-5. The radios were thereafter modified to solid state (Blue Box) drivers for better performance. Somewhat later they were retired in favor of an 816R series combined setup, which used the original combiner.