[BC] Complex Pattern Change

[Jay Braswell]

> You got the broom handle into position, dropped carrier, shoved hard on the broom handle to throw the switch and then plates back on. 


WMGA/Moultrie, Georgia operated on 1130 kHz, with 10kw-ND-D, 10kw-DA-CH and 250w-DA-N. There were 4 towers...one was a 360' self-supporter dating back to 1939, and the other 3 were each 218' guyed towers, in-line, 90 degree spacing, installed in 1969. ND-D operation used the self-supporter, while CH operation used the self-supporter and the middle tower of the three guyed towers. DA-N operation used the three guyed towers.  

The main transmitter was a Bauer FB-10J, and was used for D and CH operation. For nighttime, the former main transmitter, an RCA BTA-1R, was used (WMGA had been on 1400, with 1kw-D/250w-N). As the CH and Night patterns were different, two phasor cabinets were required. Including the equipment rack, this was an 18' span of equipment. 

The pattern change from DA-CH to DA-N was an interesting site to see (and hear). At pattern change time, we ran a cart that announced we were changing patterns and lowering power "...to provide protection to other, far distant radio stations, that have priority use of this frequency. To many of our listeners, we'll now say goodnight. To those in the immediate vicinity of Moultrie...please stand-by." There was 10 seconds of silence on the carted message, and that was about how long it took to make the change...if you were swift.

30 minutes prior to pattern change time, you turned on the filaments to the RCA. That done, at the appropriate time, you killed the plates on the Bauer (which was in the center of the span), dashed over to the far phasor cabinet and depressed the 'NIGHT PATTERN" button, then dashed over to the RCA (which was at the far opposite end of the span). When all the relays had engaged, the 'NIGHT PATTERN' button would illuminate, giving you the okay to bring up the plates on the RCA. If you were too quick on hitting the RCA (as I did...more than once), the poor old BTA-1R would go "ker-chunk, ker-chunk, ker-chunk" with an unpleasant clatter, the relays vibrating the floor.

If you were too quick when going the other way (DA-N to DA-CH operation), which I did only once, the noise was deafening, and it 'broke' the big Bauer!

After suffering a severe lightning strike, we had to temporarily change patterns by affixing very heavy 'jumper cables' to the correct connection inside the rear of the phasor cabinets. THAT was just a bit scary.

In the late 80's, WMGA was granted a CP to move to 580, with 900w-D/250w-DA-N. The change was initiated, and the station operated at the new frequency for a number of years. The only problem was that they never filed for a license after making the changes. Upon discovering this, the FCC communicated the necessity of correcting this immediately with the licensee. Unfortunately, the licensee had "sold" the station to someone else, but never filed for a transfer authorization. The so-called new owners had sold to another party, who had then LMA'd the station to someone else. Of course, none of this was ever filed with the Commission. 

Initially, after receiving no response from the licensee, the station was ordered to return to operation at 1130, which was attempted. The Bauer had been replaced with an RCA, which had been replaced with a Continental, which had been sold after the change to 580, as had been one of the phasor units. The station's sole transmitter was a Gates-1. The self-supporting tower had been top-loaded by adding guy wires (to achieve 90 degrees at 580).

Somebody (no sure who) drug an ancient Westinghouse 10kw rig into the building. To the best of my knowledge, that piece of junk never worked dependably, so the Gates-1 was used for operation on 1130. Everything had been changed to operate at 580, so there was never any night operation after the change back to 1130.

Finally, after discovering all the mess regarding the status of the license, the FCC fined the licensee of record $350,000.00, and revoked the license for WMGA.

This was a sad end to one of south Georgia's pioneer radio stations. The studio/transmitter/tower-site became overgrown with weeds, and the towers rusted into a dangerous state. After legally regaining possession of the property, a principal of the station's second licensee had the towers removed, and the equipment and furnishings that remained in the building were sold. The last time I rode by there, there was still a big 'FOR-SALE' sign in front of the building. It's enough to make you cry..."The Big Voice In Deep Dixie" is no more.