[BC] Two weeks off air ...

[Broadcast List USER]

>From: Barry Mishkind <barrym at oldradio.com>
>
>Interesting item ... two AM stations will be off the air for two weeks while the tower is replaced.
>http://poststar.com/news/local/am-radio-antenna-to-be-replaced-in-queensbury/article_4bc6cc62-4a1e-11e1-8865-0019bb2963f4.html

Well, I once approached an owner of an AM/FM combo, with a 1 kW FT ND  
AM, and a Class A FM to use his co-located tower for a Cell site.  At  
the time, Cellular companies would not locate within a mile of an AM.   
His studio, was at the tower, with the FM side mounted.

We asked, hat in hand, if he would consider turning off the AM to get  
the Cellular revenue.  He said, "not only yes, but hell yes."  This  
guy was a long time broadcaster, and spent an entire career as a  
Washington, DC newscaster.  He was no dummy.

Considering the revenue of a cell site, versus the profit of an AM,  
this is really a no-brainer.

While I know some local cell site developers around me offer $600 a  
month for the ability to erect a tower on their land, I will give them  
$7000 a month, or just under 12 times as much money.  Hey, I am happy  
with half.

Considering I know two AMs that made a profit of less than $1000 over  
the past few years, giving them $7000 a month is really something they  
cannot turn down, especially if they can keep broadcasting.

Even if they have to turn it off, $800 profit for the year, versus  
$7000 a month is not a hard decision.

The bottom line is, it is pretty hard to get local government approval  
to erect a new tower.  It is generally pretty easy to get permission  
to replace a tower.

If you have an AM in an area where there isn't good cellular coverage,  
I would love to talk with you.

Oh, don't overlook the fact that those AMs are likely getting a new  
ground system and will give over the tower light monitoring and  
maintenance to the cellular company -- Verizon.  Verizon actually  
wants to do it as it allows them to do whatever they want and not get  
fined for tower light outages because they will keep the lights  
working, and properly notify the FAA if the lights fail.

--chip