Posted on 02/07/2024 9:39:41 AM PST by plain talk
Exactly. Lots of concrete block walls, big steel gates, glass shards in the top of walls. The whole shit-hole country mess.
If this was an AM station there would be multiple towers to shape the signal. The loss of one would change the pattern but could happen. By law, the transmitter must have the ability to shut down and notify the primary operator if there is no audio detected. It also has to notify the primary if the parameters change. Since a lot of these features are part of the transmitter, stealing it would negate the ability to notify.
If an FM station, some of the same rules apply to especially if the transmitter is relatively newer and less than 5000 watts. Some of the sub 5000 watt transmitters are not the huge boat anchor that were used back in the 50’s
However, the fact that the owner didn’t notice makes me wonder if this was a repeater as opposed to the main transmitter. Most of these are remotely situated with just a receiver, transmitter, in a small prefab building.
I gather it was AM and FM. Problem was with AM. Strange situation, for sure. I often listen to Rollye James, out of Chicago, on WGN. She is a walking encyclopedia on all things radio. It is interesting, and I even understand a little tiny bit.
It reminds me of a WKRP in Cincinatti episode where they found out they were off the air.
Les Nessman, their stupid news guy said,
“I have to put out a news flash that we’re OFF THE AIR !”
Johnny Fever said,
“You can’t put out a news flash that we’re off the air because we’re OFF THE AIR!”
Nessman said, “oh...”
I would look for something that’s 200 feet tall.
The tower was built in sections. Bolts probably rusty by now. They would have cut it up to take it down and transport it out.
-- You, Mr. Holden?
Yes, sir.
-- You'd ruin your manicure! Here.
Uh, don't let my manicure fool you, sir. I was born and raised in a neighborhood called Noah's Ark. If you didn't travel in pairs, you just didn't travel.
Thieves stole the radio transmitter in the hut but also somehow dismantled and stole the 200 foot tower.
🤔
Well done. An old one I had forgotten about and had to look it up. :-)
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