Monday, October 09, 2006

More Signs from Canton

To update our earlier item about both rock WRQK/106.9 and incoming (current) WJER-FM 101.7, both soon to join the Clear Channel Akron/Canton cluster...

We were curious about the construction we'd heard mentioned at the WRQK tower site, so we dropped by the end of 22nd Street off Whipple Avenue with the Official OMW Photographer over the weekend and sure enough...

...here it is.

(OK, so the "Official OMW Photographer" is actually your Primary Editorial Voice[tm] with a modest digital camera, but play along with us, OK?)

This timing coincides with the appearance, finally, of the construction permit application to move now-WJER-FM/101.7 to North Canton, which we saw show up in the FCC's online database on Friday.

We're no experts, but it appears the filing was actually accepted Friday, as a "minor change" application to fulfill the COL move.

And, as we already knew, the new, to-be-built WRQK tower is indeed cited in the WJER-FM CP application as the station's new home under the North Canton COL. Which, of course, brings us back to the construction picture we've brought you here.

Since the WRQK construction permit has been approved since 2004, Cumulus can go ahead and build the tower, then Clear Channel - by that time, presumably in control of both 106.9 and 101.7 - can erect the 101.7 antenna on the tower as soon as THAT CP is approved.

The bottom line? The construction season in Northeast Ohio probably only has a couple of months or so, if that, depending on the weather...so they're likely hoping that the tower is up before major winter weather...

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

nice photography, OMW... any glamour shots next? : ) thanks for the info as always!

Anonymous said...

I hope Clear Channel takes WJER AM out of the hands of Former owner Gary Petricola and into their control. It's time for a well overdue and needed change.

Anonymous said...

Mark my words...My sources tell me that Mr. Petricola is in the midst of re-purchasing th AM. Listening recently- the format sounds like a college station. depending who is on the air determines what format you hear.I do not believe they hired a new PD after the old one left earlier this year.I think it will be WJER AM-Jack radio "we play anything"

Anonymous said...

Well, The license needs surrendered to the FCC then.
My own opinion of it

Anonymous said...

As of Monday afternoon, the clearing in the trees is now twice as big as in the picture. Apparently they're clearing the whole woods out - so they've probably got 2-3 days of work left just to do that.

Anonymous said...

Can't help but ask..how long would it take to construct a tower? Since its pretty much a given that snow will be on the ground by thanksgiving, can it get completed before Winter sets in for the next six months?

Anonymous said...

Depending on the weather and the construction crew it can take as little as a month.

Anonymous said...

oh come on..it's clear channel..by the time the people in Canton ask their bosses in Cleveland...then they ask the regional people...and whenever it finally makes it to San Antonio...and they get it to their people and finally make a decision...then get the info back to Canton.I am guessing this tower and the staions involved to be in the Clear Channel building in Canton....MAYBE 2010 or so.

Anonymous said...

I was speaking in REAL time. I don't care either way. In the REAL WORLD.....that is a realistic time frame.

Anonymous said...

Just curious...Is there anything positive that can be said about Mr. Petricola????

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding? The only thing Mr. Petricola (Gary) is guilty of is having too big of a heart! He has always worried about all of his employees aand their families.After entering into the deal with CC and thinking all of the employees would find a better future with them-then finding all they (CC) wanted was to move north without most if not all of the people in Dover, he tried relentlessly to cancel the transaction.I believe the only reason he is trying to keep the AM is to offer some employment locally for his people.If he did not care for his people why does he continue to employ almost 20 fulltime people at his station?.To turn your question around.Is there anything negative you can say about this man- other than being too soft hearted. In todays big corporate radio world-it's a shame there are not more people like him.

Anonymous said...

Steve, the reason I asked is because of the posts earlier on this thread. They are very strongly negative. It's good to get the positive side on here as well.