One Meyersdale Station Powers Up; Another Due to Power Down

For many years, the small borough of Meyersdale in southern Somerset County had one radio station. Then came another.

Now it soon may be back to one.

Earlier this month, the American Militia Association’s WHYU moved from its LPFM channel of 102.3 to the non-commercial frequency of 89.1, which also allows it to boost its power output to approximately 3,000 watts. The station has been operating since 2019.

On the other hand, WQZS, the long-established classic hits station at 93.3 FM may be history in about a week’s time.

WQZS’ license, held by owner and founder Roger Wahl since 1990, will likely not be renewed upon its expiration at the end of this month. The FCC is slated to hold its next open committee meeting on September 29th, at which time the final word should be decided on the station’s fate.

Wahl has been navigating the FCC proceedings without an attorney, which proved fateful through a series of procedural missteps that drew the ire of the administrative law judge overseeing the case. Though Wahl had been given multiple opportunities at due process, he has chosen to follow the requirements on a selective basis, according to Judge Jane Halprin.

Wahl faces revocation of his station’s license due to character issues facing him as a result of sex-related charges that were first levied against him in 2019. FCC rules prohibit a convicted felon from holding a broadcast license. An attempt to transfer the license from his name to that of his daughter was initially approved, but then returned to pending status once the FCC learned of the charges against Wahl.