A landscaper in Jasper, Alabama, was cleaning a property when workers noticed that a 200-foot-tall radio tower was missing.
Brett Elmore, General Manager WJLXall the equipment on the radio tower site It was stolen and the wires were cut.
“This will probably come out eventually, so it might be a good idea to get it out before then,” Elmore wrote. Facebook. “I’ve heard stories about thieves in this area stealing things, but this thief steals cakes. This morning my Bushhog crew went to the tower property we own. …then [they] Upon arrival, he called me and informed me that not only was my building destroyed, but the 200 foot tower was gone! ” writes the radio manager.
“They stole all the equipment from the building, severed the spur lines to the tower, and managed to destroy the 200-foot tower and remove it from the property,” Elmore added.
The tower is about 70 years old, and its absence has caused AM radio stations to disappear from the airwaves entirely. In addition to that, the local FM radio station was also discontinued.
The FCC even denied Elmore’s request to create an exception to the rule that would prohibit the operation of FM translators when the main AM station is also not on the air.
“Even considering the unfortunate circumstances you have described, W268BM must cease operations while WJLX is off the air,” the FCC’s response reads. CNN.
The radio station then switched to online-only because it couldn’t afford the cost of restoring the 1240 AM frequency.
“Until we can shut down the transmitter and restore the 1240 a.m. frequency, programming will only be streamed via the internet and app,” the station’s website says.
“We did not have insurance on the facility, and it was estimated that it would cost more than $60,000 to rebuild the building and start broadcasting.”
station started gofundme The campaign hopes to raise the $60,000 needed for new equipment.
The station’s chief told reporters that tampering with broadcast facilities is a “federal crime” and that he would be “satisfied” if the thieves were caught.
“We’ll be back bigger and stronger – and back on the air soon!!”
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