"We don't get offered crises, they arrive."
- Elizabeth Janeway
I never saw it coming. No one did. The temporary loss of WNCW’s 100.3 FM was a shock, an end-of-the-year blow polishing off 2007, a year of substantial challenges for the station. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on whether you rely upon the 100.3 translator to receive WNCW’s signal in Charlotte, its status is one of the last lingering challenges from 2007 that remain unresolved.
But, resolve it we will.
First, a little background…
For the last few years, WNCW supplemented its 88.7 FM main signal – which reaches parts of Charlotte – with a small translator that rebroadcast WNCW on 100.3 to areas unable to receive 88.7(mostly east and southeast of the downtown area). The translator system was located atop an office building near Colwick Ave. where it happily hummed away bringing WNCW’s unique programming to our friends and supporters in Charlotte.
Late in 2007, we received a notice from the building’s new owners requesting that we remove our broadcast tower, antennae and translator gear. The owner was about to undertake a substantial renovation project and a 60’ tower atop the building was not part of that plan. Their request - though disheartening - was legal and well within the parameters of the lease agreement. It had to be done.
So, on a Friday morning in early November, I joined a tower crew atop the building, called Morning Music Mix host Joe Kendrick via cell phone, asked him to give a legal ID for the Charlotte translator, and upon hearing it, I – with great sadness - flipped the switch that temporarily silenced 100.3. The tower was dismantled and lowered to the ground by Tower Guys, Inc. (thanks, y’all!) and I disconnected the translator and wrestled it into the back of my car. It’s here in Spindale awaiting a new home.
“Temporary” has now lasted nearly 3 months…far longer than I – or anyone else – anticipated. I’d venture to say the e-mails and phone calls asking about the status of 100.3 began within minutes of shutting off the translator and they haven’t stopped.
Our search for a new home for our tower, antennae and rack of transmission equipment continues on a daily basis. Negotiations are underway with one potential host and phone calls have been placed to others who are considering our needs.
Our needs are relatively simple. If you look at a map of Charlotte, draw a line from the central (downtown) campus of Central Piedmont Community College to our former location near Colwick Ave - that's our target area.
Any further north or west and the location won't serve those most in need of a little "boost" of our signal. Any further south or east and we might interfere with a fellow broadcaster. We're good neighbors. We'd like to avoid that.
Tall buildings along that route are of interest to us. The WNCW 100.3 translator doesn’t take up much space and our tower/antennae array is pretty small and needs little attention compared to larger broadcast systems. We seek height, security, a source of electricity, access to our gear on short notice, a long-term agreement and – here’s the fun part – either a donation, a trade-out agreement or what could be referred to as “more-than-reasonable” terms for the space.
That’s not too much to ask. Is it?
To our listeners in Charlotte, we truly appreciate your continued support, concern and patience. WE SHALL RETURN! When we do, I assure you, we’ll make a public spectacle of the event and come celebrate with you.
For the time being, please bear with us, tune us in on 88.7 when you can and stream us on the web at http://www.wncw.org/ListenLive.html when you can’t.
I want this issue resolved at least as much as you do.
The silver lining is: WNCW knows – more than ever – just how much Charlotte respects and supports what we’re doing here in Spindale. That warms our hearts and makes us want to work even harder to provide the unique, creative programming only WNCW can produce.
WNCW and Charlotte were meant for one another. We’ll be back. You have my word on that.
Tune in. Turn on. But, don’t drop out.
This is WNCW Spindale.
DEW
But, resolve it we will.
First, a little background…
For the last few years, WNCW supplemented its 88.7 FM main signal – which reaches parts of Charlotte – with a small translator that rebroadcast WNCW on 100.3 to areas unable to receive 88.7(mostly east and southeast of the downtown area). The translator system was located atop an office building near Colwick Ave. where it happily hummed away bringing WNCW’s unique programming to our friends and supporters in Charlotte.
Late in 2007, we received a notice from the building’s new owners requesting that we remove our broadcast tower, antennae and translator gear. The owner was about to undertake a substantial renovation project and a 60’ tower atop the building was not part of that plan. Their request - though disheartening - was legal and well within the parameters of the lease agreement. It had to be done.
So, on a Friday morning in early November, I joined a tower crew atop the building, called Morning Music Mix host Joe Kendrick via cell phone, asked him to give a legal ID for the Charlotte translator, and upon hearing it, I – with great sadness - flipped the switch that temporarily silenced 100.3. The tower was dismantled and lowered to the ground by Tower Guys, Inc. (thanks, y’all!) and I disconnected the translator and wrestled it into the back of my car. It’s here in Spindale awaiting a new home.
“Temporary” has now lasted nearly 3 months…far longer than I – or anyone else – anticipated. I’d venture to say the e-mails and phone calls asking about the status of 100.3 began within minutes of shutting off the translator and they haven’t stopped.
Our search for a new home for our tower, antennae and rack of transmission equipment continues on a daily basis. Negotiations are underway with one potential host and phone calls have been placed to others who are considering our needs.
Our needs are relatively simple. If you look at a map of Charlotte, draw a line from the central (downtown) campus of Central Piedmont Community College to our former location near Colwick Ave - that's our target area.
Any further north or west and the location won't serve those most in need of a little "boost" of our signal. Any further south or east and we might interfere with a fellow broadcaster. We're good neighbors. We'd like to avoid that.
Tall buildings along that route are of interest to us. The WNCW 100.3 translator doesn’t take up much space and our tower/antennae array is pretty small and needs little attention compared to larger broadcast systems. We seek height, security, a source of electricity, access to our gear on short notice, a long-term agreement and – here’s the fun part – either a donation, a trade-out agreement or what could be referred to as “more-than-reasonable” terms for the space.
That’s not too much to ask. Is it?
To our listeners in Charlotte, we truly appreciate your continued support, concern and patience. WE SHALL RETURN! When we do, I assure you, we’ll make a public spectacle of the event and come celebrate with you.
For the time being, please bear with us, tune us in on 88.7 when you can and stream us on the web at http://www.wncw.org/ListenLive.html when you can’t.
I want this issue resolved at least as much as you do.
The silver lining is: WNCW knows – more than ever – just how much Charlotte respects and supports what we’re doing here in Spindale. That warms our hearts and makes us want to work even harder to provide the unique, creative programming only WNCW can produce.
WNCW and Charlotte were meant for one another. We’ll be back. You have my word on that.
Tune in. Turn on. But, don’t drop out.
This is WNCW Spindale.
DEW
0 comments:
Post a Comment