Looks like Rhon 25. 10 ft sections. 2 people can assemble and disassemble 200' in a few hours if they have any experience. Could fit the whole tower in a couple pickup trucks. Might be worth used, $20 a section. Easy to sell.
Since you would have to disassemble from the top down, wouldnt the radio stations signal have ceased with removal of the first section? This was done in a night if it was done at all.
This looks like comms as much as anything. Incredulous events usually are. Communications cut.
It was sitting out in the country in a very rural area. It wasn't like some cell tower it was simply a small frame guyed tower. Here's a picture of the tower and maintenance building before the act.
My little brother, years ago, could have had that thing down very quickly in the early dawning hours. He had an antenna tower very much like that back in the 90s.
After speaking with several other broadcast professionals and also with one former "employee" of WJLX, here is a summarized version of the "Vanishing Tower of Jasper".
I've received numerous emails and phone calls in the past several days, prompting me to provide some clarity. I'm in Birmingham and local. Here's the condensed version of the real story:
About five years ago, the station manager, as always, posing as the owner, deemed the AM operation too high-maintenance. Consequently, he shut down the AM transmitter when it required significant repairs. The site was neglected for all these years.
Recently, rumors of an FCC complaint about the silent AM led him to believe there might soon be an inspection, revealing the tower's sad state and inability to operate.
During all of this time, the tower "rotted" and fell so that local individuals were able to gradually dismantle it over a period of months.
To mask the prolonged (unlawful) non-operation, the manager claims the damage occurred "within the past several days or weeks."
He's seeking $60k, but networking within engineering groups could get him back on air for $10k or even less. However, despite offers of a free tower and transmitter, he insists on cash. I, myself, possess a 250-foot Rohn 45-G tower I'd give him if not for his neglect and refusal of free equipment since shutting down WJLX AM intentionally. This was no "accident" or "mistake" or "act of God". What has befallen him is sheer and willful neglect.
His actions point to a local scam now spiraling out of control due to media exposure, and investigators must now play a role and I do hope they will actually do their jobs. Personally, I'm amazed that investigators have not already obtained power consumption records from the site which will prove the AM transmitter has not operated during the past several years and this would put to rest the ridiculous claims that this is a situation which occurred suddenly and unexpectedly and which "caused the shutdown of a small town radio station". The AM station was shut down at least four years ago by Brett Elmore. The FM translator was operating unlawfully (illegally) ever since. (I'm still waiting for the advertisers who paid for illegal advertising to realize they are all due refunds.)
Personally, I refrain from arguing any of these points, choosing only to observe.
The lack of any details about the transmitter and equipment supposedly "stolen" raises questions. It seems even the station manager can't specify what was there, only further emphasizing his disinterest in the AM site since his decision five years ago to shut it down and to ignore it.
Ron Johnson - AlNewsBeacon
Looks like Rhon 25. 10 ft sections. 2 people can assemble and disassemble 200' in a few hours if they have any experience. Could fit the whole tower in a couple pickup trucks. Might be worth used, $20 a section. Easy to sell.
Exactly. In my younger days a friend and I took down a 100' ROHN guyed tower and were driving off in less than two hours.
Where is your friend now lol?
That was around 30 years ago. He has a good alibi. He went to be with his Maker 5 years ago.
People don’t give the crafty ingenuity and stealth skill of the great North American methhed enough credit.
You said a few hours, I bet they were in and out in one
Also, this is in the middle of nowhere and they say overnight, but another article I read said no one had been there for a week.
Since you would have to disassemble from the top down, wouldnt the radio stations signal have ceased with removal of the first section? This was done in a night if it was done at all.
This looks like comms as much as anything. Incredulous events usually are. Communications cut.
Great comment. I like the way you think.
Correct. In a small town like this many things can happen. Cut communications can cost all these residents their lives.
True, I used to erect and maintain HAM radio towers years ago.
It was sitting out in the country in a very rural area. It wasn't like some cell tower it was simply a small frame guyed tower. Here's a picture of the tower and maintenance building before the act.
https://files.catbox.moe/k6mt6x.png
My little brother, years ago, could have had that thing down very quickly in the early dawning hours. He had an antenna tower very much like that back in the 90s.
I believe the tower was down and this is an insurance scam...
Here's an article from the Alabama News Beacon:
After speaking with several other broadcast professionals and also with one former "employee" of WJLX, here is a summarized version of the "Vanishing Tower of Jasper". I've received numerous emails and phone calls in the past several days, prompting me to provide some clarity. I'm in Birmingham and local. Here's the condensed version of the real story: About five years ago, the station manager, as always, posing as the owner, deemed the AM operation too high-maintenance. Consequently, he shut down the AM transmitter when it required significant repairs. The site was neglected for all these years. Recently, rumors of an FCC complaint about the silent AM led him to believe there might soon be an inspection, revealing the tower's sad state and inability to operate. During all of this time, the tower "rotted" and fell so that local individuals were able to gradually dismantle it over a period of months. To mask the prolonged (unlawful) non-operation, the manager claims the damage occurred "within the past several days or weeks." He's seeking $60k, but networking within engineering groups could get him back on air for $10k or even less. However, despite offers of a free tower and transmitter, he insists on cash. I, myself, possess a 250-foot Rohn 45-G tower I'd give him if not for his neglect and refusal of free equipment since shutting down WJLX AM intentionally. This was no "accident" or "mistake" or "act of God". What has befallen him is sheer and willful neglect. His actions point to a local scam now spiraling out of control due to media exposure, and investigators must now play a role and I do hope they will actually do their jobs. Personally, I'm amazed that investigators have not already obtained power consumption records from the site which will prove the AM transmitter has not operated during the past several years and this would put to rest the ridiculous claims that this is a situation which occurred suddenly and unexpectedly and which "caused the shutdown of a small town radio station". The AM station was shut down at least four years ago by Brett Elmore. The FM translator was operating unlawfully (illegally) ever since. (I'm still waiting for the advertisers who paid for illegal advertising to realize they are all due refunds.) Personally, I refrain from arguing any of these points, choosing only to observe. The lack of any details about the transmitter and equipment supposedly "stolen" raises questions. It seems even the station manager can't specify what was there, only further emphasizing his disinterest in the AM site since his decision five years ago to shut it down and to ignore it. Ron Johnson - AlNewsBeacon
Think he's trying to bribe the investigators now? Lol
Release the footage or fuck off. (they say police reviewing it)
Must be a camera somewhere or else its negligence. Sort of a dumb share but thats my opinion <3 still love ya
No cameras in the boonies.
In the UK that would be those lovely Gypsy's they could steal the wheels of your truck while driving 70mph down the motorway
I grew up in this town, no shit. Based on some of the people I grew up with, this isn't that far fetched lol.
so who noticed the station was not broadcasting? no one?
I guess someone beat Superfly
We shifted into a timeline where there is no radio tower there. Or, someone just took it apart overnight.
My question is… What were they saying that people didn’t want to hear?