1968 Engineering Statement
For WJZB-TV to move to Boston.
Here is some fantastic updated information regarding WJZB-TV, Channel 14 in Worcester, MA., courtesy of Mike Fitzpatrick, webmaster of NECRAT and Engineer Extraordinare at WWLP-TV, Channel 22 in Springfield, MA. Channel 22 was at one time owned by Springfield Television Broadcasting Corporation, parent owner of the late, WJZB-TV. Apparently, WJZB-TV had BIG, BIG plans to move into the the more lucrative Boston market. Had these plans have gone into fruition, the Boston/Worcester area would have had 2 extra UHF channels. The Channel 20 allocation (later moved to Channel 66 when WATR-TV/20 in Waterbury, CT moved from 53 to 20) also was allocated to Worcester for yet another commercial station (WAAB-TV/20, never built in the 1950's). But when Channel 14 disappeared from the radar screen, Channel 20 went to 66 as the FCC, in 1969, removed the unused UHF Channels 14-20 for land-mobile use in the 20 largest television markets. However, Channel 20 is now in use in Boston with WCVB-DT/20 for digital television purposes.
We thank Mike for his generous help in helping us remember Channel 14! As you may know, Channel 14, WJZB-TV was to never realize the day of full-power. The transmitter at Asnebumsket Hill in Paxton, MA was destroyed by fire in the Spring of 1969. Apparently, the FCC did not approve the move to Boston and therefore the BIG plans for WJZB-TV went up in smoke. Word has it, that the modern COLOR transmitter earmarked for Channel 14 eventually went to Worcester's Channel 27, (WSMW-TV), for their first air-date in January, 1970. Chances are that this transmitter is still in operation to this day!
The site proposed in this application for the transmitter-tower and
antenna
is that location at which the Stainless Corporation of North Wales,
Pennsylvania proposes to erect a common tower, or candelabra structure
to
support the antenna's of the three existing Boston UHF stations, namely
Channels 56, 38 and 25. The erection of a tower and antenna structure
with a
total elevation above mean sea level of 1349' has already been approved
by
the Federal Aviation Administration as a result of the aeronautical
study
BOS-OE-67-204. Correspondence with Mr. Henry Guzewicz, President of
Stainless, indicates that space will be available to (put) WJZB on this
tower, pending approval of the commission.
Capital Communications Corporation wishes to call the Commissions
attention
to the fact that WJZB, Channel 14, as contained in this application,
will
fall short of the minimum mileage separation required in the
Commissions
Rules.
Channel 28, which is presently assigned to New Bedford,
Massachusetts
with have a total distance of 47.8 miles from the site specified in
this
application for WJZB. Therefor Capital Communications Corporation
respectfully requests that Channel 28, New Bedford be deleted from the
Table
of Assignments and be re-assigned to Barnstable, Massachusetts.
Barnstable
represents a distance of 73 miles and will meet the minimum mileage
separation necessary to comply with the Commissions Regulations.
It should be noted that several years ago Channel 25 was allotted to
Barnstable but was deleted leaving that community without a Channel. At
approximately the same time Channel 6 was allocated to New Bedford,
increasing the number of Channels available in the New Bedford-Fall
River
Area. Therefore, by moving Channel 28 from New Bedford where it is not
used,
to Barnstable, where a channel was deleted would appear to be in order.
John A. Fergie.
Editor: then the document contains form 301 filed by "Capital Communications
Corp
P.O.Box 2210 Springfield, MA 01101. The form calls for 810kW licensed
to
Boston, MA. The application Main Studio Address was filled out
"DEPENDANT
UPON APPROVAL".
Transmitter TOWNSEND TA-50A, HAGL 1197', HASL 1345',
Antenna
type RCA TFU-30J.
Filed February 14, 1968. by John Fergie V.P. Engineering.
Then Exhibit shows E-2
The site proposed in this application for the transmitter, tower and
antenna
is that location at which the Stainless Corporation of North Wales,
Pennsylvania, proposes to erect a common tower or candelabra structure
to
support the antennas of the three existing Boston UHF stations, namely
Channel's 56, 38, and 25. The exact Channels that will occupy the space
on
this tower is at present undetermined due to technical and economic
problems
still to be explored. As the plan for tenants on this tower becomes a
reality the effects produced by each station will be studied in detail.
A vertical sketch is provided in this application as exhibit E-3 to
show the
probably antenna configuration to be used atop the tower. If it should
be
come necessary to relocate the Channel 14 antenna on the tower
structure,
the exact location and effect upon other stations, whether on the tower
or
in the immediate area, will be brought to the attention of the
Commission in
a subsequent application for modification of Construction Permit.
John A Fergie
Vice President Engineering
SPRINGFIELD TELEVISION BROADCASTING CORPORATION.
And now.... back to WJZB-TV, Channel 14!!!