ROCKINGHAM — A Richmond County radio station has been again knocked off the air due to reported vandalism.
WAYN-AM President Bill Futterer announced Wednesday afternoon that the local AM station “got hit badly this morning.” This attack, he said, was at the station’s tower.
“Various copper wires were stolen and severe damage was incurred that damaged the tower electronics,” Futterer said.
He added that the station will be off the airwaves until repairs can be made, but programming is still available online on WAYN900.com.
This attack comes four months after one on Sept. 8, 2023 where “virtually all wiring” was removed from the inside of the tower and transmitter facility on Rockingham Road.
That three-day broadcast hiatus was the longest in the station’s 77-year history, according to Futterer.
The tower and transmitter facility, near Richmond Plaza, was completed in 1957. The station moved its control, production and sales offices to IncSpace in downtown Rockingham in 2022.
Disclosure: IncSpace also houses the Richmond Observer offices and the small business incubator is owned by the Melvin family, who also own the RO.
Again, Futterer issued a reminder that “such damage to FCC licensed radio stations is a violation of federal law.”
The Rockingham Police Department is investigating.
WAYN isn’t the only North Carolina radio station to deal with vandalism.
In late 2022 and early 2023, WJSJ — the oldest station in Winston-Salem — suffered multiple attacks, including the collapse of one of its towers, according to multiple media reports.
Radioworld.com also reported that the N.C. Association of Broadcasters had issued a message to other member stations about the Winston-Salem issue, saying in part: “These recent incidents coincide with a dramatic increase in metal thefts, with copper, bronze, brass and aluminum all being targeted, according to law enforcement.”
WSOC-TV reported in 2014 about the vandalism of a Christian radio station in Morganton, causing an estimated $50,000 in damage.
