On WBCQ’s Twitter feed, Allan Weiner announced that the station’s transmitter building suffered a fire on December 10, 2017:
Lost one of our main transmitters in a fire. Total loss. Need to replace. Please help. https://t.co/DItb23ZHE0. Donate what you can. pic.twitter.com/x6K0XwxXDF
— Allan Weiner (@AllanWBCQ) December 15, 2017
Allan has set up a Go Fund Me campaign to begin the process of raising enough money to purchase a used transmitter. Here’s the note from their Go Fund Me page:
Free speech radio WBCQ international shortwave suffered a fire in its main transmitter building on December 10th. The building was saved but our main 50 killowatt trasnmitter completely burned up inside and is a total loss.
We are dedicated to the cause of free speech radio and have been for 19 years. There was no insurance and we have limited funds. We need to replace this transmitter to insure there is at least one free radio station broadcasting programs of individuals wishing to express their free speech rights to the world.
At least $20000 is required to buy a used transmitter and have it shipped to the radio station in Maine. We are on a reduced power backup transmitter and need to return to full 50KW power as soon as possible. Thank You.
Click here to view WBCQ’s Go Fund Me campaign and support the purchase of a transmitter. [Link Removed]
Many thanks to Dave Zantow for the tip!
This situation is important. Personally, I’d rather WBCQ purchase a used DRM SW transmitter as this opportunity has presented itself. DRM IS the future of shortwave.
Within a week, I’ll donate to WBCQ’s cause regardless, though.
DRM means Doesn’t Really Matter. Shortwave and even more so DRM has no future..
SW has no future? It will certainly come quicker by making it a sel-fulfilled prophecy. I guess that includes PCJ?
Well, I believe DRM for all its hype is already showing its future. Where can just an average SWL get such a radio? Answer: No where, yet look at the watts filling spectrum with DRM nobody can decode anyway.
They didn’t have insurance???
Allan noted on the show tonight that they couldn’t find an insurer that would take them on. Their remote location was one of the factors he mentioned.