WLXT tower down! More problems for Mac-Garber

[Tyler]

Now the Lite 96 tower has collapsed. Unreal.

From their facebook page:

If you were not listening to the Breakfast Show this morning, let's get caught up on what's going on. We are currently streaming on our app and online at Lite96.com. You can download the app on your phone, iPad and if you have Apple CarPlay, download the app in your car and listen there too. Our tower took a real beating from the ice. We're hoping to be back on your radio sometime next week. And we will keep you updated as we find out more. But in the meantime, you can enjoy another Mix Tape Weekend while you're out picking up sticks and cutting limbs. Be safe!

[MWmetalhead]

That's terrible news. Is it a collapse or something else? They seem optimistic about returning to OTA broadcasting very soon.

[radio_sparty]

You can add WMJZ Gaylord to the growing list of towers that have collapsed. MAB newsletter today reports they plan to broadcast with a temporary antenna at their studio. Can't even imagine the amount of insurance claims from this storm.

[MWmetalhead]

Indeed, the WLXT tower collapsed.

Sounds like the 93.5 site (knocks on wood) is up and running? Based on the below comments, it appears Midwestern might be offering some equipment to Mac-Garb.

https://www.9and10news.com/2025/04/04/l ... -collapse/

[ADD in TC]

WKHQ is back on air at105.9, Just finished listening to them while driving from Cadillac to Traverse City.Signal seemed to be at full strength.A little staticey in Cadillac but very clear about 10 miles to the north heading up 131.

[MWmetalhead]

That is amazing.

I wonder whose tower they are using? My guess would be the WSRT tower unless they are using one closer to Traverse City (in which case they'd be using greatly reduced power). I mean, there's no way the WKHQ tower could've been reassembled so quickly, correct?

[TC Talks]

That is amazing.

I wonder whose tower they are using? My guess would be the WSRT tower unless they are using one closer to Traverse City (in which case they'd be using greatly reduced power). I mean, there's no way the WKHQ tower could've been reassembled so quickly, correct?

I would have guessed WMBN's tower, but not now...

WSRT makes sense, it was south of the Ice Storm so they could easily access it. My guess is that they reprogrammed the 106.7 transmitter. They would have to retune the antenna.

[radio_sparty]

Wondering if WSRT, WLXT, and WKHQ could all relocate to the same tower site? The Gaylord site may be best positioned to house all three, at least on a temporary basis.

[TC Talks]

Wondering if WSRT, WLXT, and WKHQ could all relocate to the same tower site? The Gaylord site may be best positioned to house all three, at least on a temporary basis.

From a cost perspective, this may be a great time to consolidate to one tower?

[ADD in TC]

Looking at the FCC data base,it looks possibley like the tower that housed WFDX andWPHN may of also collapsed.

[radio_sparty]

Looking at the FCC data base,it looks possibley like the tower that housed WFDX andWPHN may of also collapsed.

I believe these two stations were on a Silent STA prior to the ice storm. WFDX is in the process of being sold to Northern Christian Radio and WPHN suffered a fire a while back.

[MWmetalhead]

More info:

https://www.promisefm.com/ice-storm

[TC Talks]

More info:

https://www.promisefm.com/ice-storm

Is this where I say "It's God's Will"?

[statmanmi]

That is amazing.

I wonder whose tower they are using? My guess would be the WSRT tower unless they are using one closer to Traverse City (in which case they'd be using greatly reduced power). I mean, there's no way the WKHQ tower could've been reassembled so quickly, correct?

I would have guessed WMBN's tower, but not now...

WSRT makes sense, it was south of the Ice Storm so they could easily access it. My guess is that they reprogrammed the 106.7 transmitter. They would have to retune the antenna.

Indeed, 105.9 is being broadcast from WSRT's equipment. MW and TC theorized correctly.

The FCC filing of a STA occurred today: https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/datae ... 7bc9c602e6

Excerpt from the first attachment:

"...Therefore, during this interim period, WKHQ-FM (FAC ID: 214) will assume operation from the co-owned WSRT(FM) (FAC ID: 1159)
licensed antenna on the tower bearing Antenna Structure Registration Number (ASRN) 1005404. WSRT(FM) concurrently taken
silent. A temporary diplexer/combiner is presently being ordered; which will allow both WKHQ-FM and WSRT(FM) to resume
operations under future Special Temporary Authorities to be filed at later dates. Regardless, at this time WKHQ-FM desires to
operate with 15.0 kW ERP (circular polarization) into an existing ERI model SHPX-10AC (fully-spaced) antenna mounted at
550.3 meters AMSL (108.0 m AGL)...."

The full text of the attachment notes that WKHQ-FM is licensed for 100.0 kW ERP. But per the engineer's calculations, using the requested 15.0 kW ERP keeps the service contour of the STA within the allowed contour.

There's gotta be a few rolling over in their graves at this! When I was growing up in Northern Michigan, the rivalry between 106KHQ and 106.7 "The Peak" was very real.

Cheers! ~~ Statmanmi

[KalamazooClown]

As I was heading north today I noticed WLXT is back on the air. According to the STA filed 04/15 they are broadcasting at 2.75kw from the WBCM tower. Signal was strong North of Gaylord on I-75 for the 20-30 miles I tuned in.