CALHOUN'S FM RADIO STATION DOWN THE TUBES

(06/26/2008)
By Bob Weaver

An FM radio station that was to be located in Calhoun is apparently down the tubes.

The successful bidder for a commercial 6,000 watt radio license in the Arnoldsburg area of Calhoun is asking that the license frequency be shifted to Fayetteville.

Officially the request is being made to the FCC for a construction permit for WSGD 100.7 FM, Arnoldsburg, to be shifted to Fayetteville.

Daniel W. Finch, Jr., a resident of Braxton County and part-owner of BOSS Radio, paid $63,000 for the frequency a few years ago, announcing that the Calhoun station would be on-the-air in 2006.

It was among the last FM frequencies available in West Virginia.

Finch said the new Calhoun station would serve Calhoun, Roane and Gilmer counties.

Sometime later, Finch indicated the station's transmitter would be moved to Mount Zion, which led to seeking a location for a transmitter tower.

Spencer Newspapers reported Finch was then the financial officer and office manager for Summit Media Broadcasting in Sutton, owners of The Boss 97 FM Radio, which broadcasts a 50,000 watt signal.

Finch indicated Summit Media was not involved with the new Calhoun station.

Spencer Newspapers said Star Communications, which operates WVRC FM and AM in Spencer, was also a registered bidder for the FCC auction.

Finch filed a complaint with the FCC asking that Star (WVRC) be disqualified because Star's reportedly failed to disclose an alleged relationship between Star and another applicant, Anita Kimes.

Finch claimed that the two applicants were in violation of the FCC's anti-collusion rule.

The FCC Web site said the commission opted not to investigate the complaint until after the auction was complete.