Re: shutting off to do transmitter work...

["Mark Watson" <markwats@attbi.com>]

    Peter Q. George wrote:

>      You would be surprised on how many FM stations
> shut down after the AM side would sign-off for the
> day.  This would be in violation of the FCC rules.
> The FCC eventually cracked down on this practice in
> the early 1970's. So that there was no mistaking it,
> FM stations (those with or without AM counterparts)
> had to stay on the air until at least 10:00 PM, local
> time.

   I recall the old WKXR AM & FM (1504 & 107.1) Exeter NH would simulcast
the AM's sign-off, complete with ownership, power, studio & transmitter
location, and a once even a cue-burned National Anthem. Then the AM shut
down and the jock picked up the regular programming on the FM, which was in
mono BTW. They would sign off at 11:25 PM, after Mutual News and 20 minutes
of 'WKXR Hometown News", a complete local police log and obituary filled
newscast. And yes, they had the full blown sign off just like the AM had
several hours earlier, complete with the National Anthem to close out the
day.

   Today WGIP (or is it WGIN??) occupies 1540, simulcasting WGIR (610
Manchester) from sunrise to sunset, and WERZ plays today's hits in stereo on
107.1.

Mark Watson