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Pompton Lakes to Acquire WGHT-AM

It looks like it's not going to be off the air forever. Check this out: https://mailchi.mp/tomtaylornow/tom-taylor-now-123845?e=588c8e2cb1

From Tom Taylor Now: The FCC moves on over 150 new translator applications, including two in Dallas (at 92.9 and 95.3), one in Chicago (106.3) and two around Seattle (92.9 and 96.1 in Bellevue). These are “tendered for filing,” meaning they’ve got some miles to go before a grant. One of the curiosities is from the Borough of Pompton Lakes, NJ. Last year it accepted the donation of WGHT/1500 and then took it silent last December. We thought the local government just wanted the land – but Monday’s filings included its application for a translator at 98.3. You can’t license a new translator to a dead AM, so there’s more to this story. Scan the list of translator construction permits “tendered for filing” beginning on page 20 here. https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2018/db0423/DOC-350345A1.pdf
 
AMRocks said:
It looks like it's not going to be off the air forever. Check this out: https://mailchi.mp/tomtaylornow/tom-taylor-now-123845?e=588c8e2cb1

From Tom Taylor Now: The FCC moves on over 150 new translator applications, including two in Dallas (at 92.9 and 95.3), one in Chicago (106.3) and two around Seattle (92.9 and 96.1 in Bellevue). These are “tendered for filing,” meaning they’ve got some miles to go before a grant. One of the curiosities is from the Borough of Pompton Lakes, NJ. Last year it accepted the donation of WGHT/1500 and then took it silent last December. We thought the local government just wanted the land – but Monday’s filings included its application for a translator at 98.3. You can’t license a new translator to a dead AM, so there’s more to this story. Scan the list of translator construction permits “tendered for filing” beginning on page 20 here. https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2018/db0423/DOC-350345A1.pdf
Click to expand...

Those 50 watts don't cover much, but certainly help whatever value Pompton Lakes can get for the AM. If the city wants to bulldoze the three sticks, then what becomes of the station? Tough to run non-D with any kind of power on that frequency.
 
WGHT isn't dead yet, but it's pretty close -- its current Special Temporary Authority to remain off the air expires on August 15th. So if they wish to retain the license, they have to either get an extension to the STA or return to the air by then.
 
The FCC accepted for filing an extension to WGHT's STA on August 14th.

WGHT stated:

"Reason for extension of silent STA

The borough of Pompton Lakes closed on the sale of WGHT on December 15, 2017 (FCC file no. BAL-20170922AAD). The borough took the station silent for financial reasons and to explore ways for the station to best serve the public. Since then the borough has considered a variety of options to return WGHT to the air, including ongoing discussions of the sale of the station to an experienced broadcaster. The borough filed for and recently received FCC approval for a new FM translator station (W252ED) in the hope to make WGHT financially viable. The borough is confident it can return WGHT to the air in the near future and combined with W252ED, better serve the public."
 
kevtronics said:
The FCC accepted for filing an extension to WGHT's STA on August 14th.

WGHT stated:

".. The borough filed for and recently received FCC approval for a new FM translator station (W252ED) in the hope to make WGHT financially viable..."
Click to expand...

should have read "financially marketable". Not too many people interested in the daytimer AM, but add the translator and that opens the door to possible suitors.
 
Meanwhile former WGHT hosts Jimmy Howes and Greta LaTona have both made their way about 30 miles southwest and 10 kHz up the dial to 1510/92.7/104.7 WRNJ in Hackettstown, with Jimmy doing the morning show (5:30-10 AM) and Greta doing the afternoon show (3-7 PM).
 
kevtronics said:
Meanwhile former WGHT hosts Jimmy Howes and Greta LaTona have both made their way about 30 miles southwest and 10 kHz up the dial to 1510/92.7/104.7 WRNJ in Hackettstown, with Jimmy doing the morning show (5:30-10 AM) and Greta doing the afternoon show (3-7 PM).
Click to expand...

About five years ago I contacted Jimmy and told him my memories of Kerr Radio, WKER (the predecessor of WGHT). Jimmy was kind enough to send a WKER coffee cup all the way west to the Buckeye Media Hut. Back in the early days, WKER was 500 watts and really struggled at sunrise and sunset with 50kw WTOP booming in to WKER's service area. Glad to hear Jimmy and Greta are back on their feet at WRNJ.
 
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