In this letter to the editor, the author replies to our story “Have You Been Hit by Copper Theft?” Radio World welcomes letters to the editor on this or any story. Email radioworld@futurenet.com.
Hello,
We’ve been hit three times in a five-year period (2016-2021).
Our five-tower array is on top of a mountain just outside of town. It’s remote enough that anyone there can simply step off the tower field into the woods and you’d never know where they went. The tower field covers about eight acres.
We have a PTZ camera, but at night it still doesn’t grab enough to identify anyone. Fortunately, insurance has covered all three of these thefts.
The first one was a local guy and Pennsylvania State Police did track him down with video from our local scrap yard. They couldn’t prove he stole it — only that he had “come upon it” while he was walking in the woods and thought he’d take it to the scrap yard. Um … yeah right.
The second time was more coordinated, but not very “clean.”
The third time I believe was professional. There were three different ways they got into the tuning houses at each tower base. Also, they took every little scrap of copper. Even 1-inch-long jumper wires. They did not touch anything non-copper. Ground copper straps and screens were completely pulled out.
The third time this happened, I decided to apply for non-directional day and night. Although insurance covered the full costs, it was more and more difficult to get my ground system company to show up to do the work. I pay all invoices on-time or even early, but I was getting lower on their priority list.
I figured if they steal copper again, at least I only need one tower repaired and not five.
Although our wattage took a hit with the re-licensing to non-directional, our coverage is better. Being non-directional has given our AM station a more uniform pattern and much better coverage for our community. This is for both day and night patterns.
FYI, we also installed an FM translator in 2018 that has 250 watts to supplement our AM station. We did a survey in 2023 and, at the time, 52% of respondents said they listened to us on the FM translator. We do a lot of local high school sports coverage and people really like the coverage our translator provides as opposed to the previous high and low-power and directional change we were required to do before going non-directional.
Good luck catching these thieves.
Regards,
Argie D. Tidmore, Owner/GM, WPPA & WAVT, Pottsville Broadcasting Company
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