WINS, WMCA New York forced off air from storm

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CBS RadioCBS Radio’s all-News 1010WINS AM was knocked off the air after Hurricane Sandy flooded its antenna field at the Lyndhurst, NJ transmitter site. Since then, it has been broadcasting with continuing Sandy coverage on WCBS-FM 101.1 with the help of emergency power. The hope is to get it back on air later Tuesday or Wed AM as the waters recede. CBS Radio’s WFAN-FM High Island, NY  location was unaffected.


Salem’s WMCA-AM 570 is also off due to flooding, but that site has often had issues because of its low-lying, swampy antenna location. However, sister station AM 970 The Answer WNYM New York stayed on the air throughout. Curtis Sliwa aired expanded coverage in both morning and afternoon drive.  Salem VP Director/Spoken Word Format provided live street reports during the shows,  not just to WNYM but also to Salem stations in Dallas,  Denver,  San Diego,  and Honolulu,  while morning producer Frank Morano provided live reports for KRLA in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, “#Sandy has forced #1010WINS off AM radio,” the station tweeted. “We are now simulcasting on WCBS-FM 101.1 continuing storm coverage at http://newyork.cbslocal.com. We are not quite sure when we will have it back,” the host told listeners about the station’s AM frequency early Tuesday.

Other stations are also expected to face power and equipment issues as millions are still without electricity in the New York City area as of 10/30 in the AM hours.