AL Radio: WJLX Returns To 1240 AM After Tower Was Stolen

WJLX Base of Missing Tower Last February

WJLX(AM) in Jasper, AL grabbed national attention last year with the sudden loss of its broadcast facilities, is back on air at 1240 AM. Jonathan Timmons has stepped in as the acting general manager following the death of the previous manager, Brett Elmore, who passed away in October at age 41.

Radio World reports the station filed for a special temporary authority (STA) after Elmore reported the theft of its 200-foot AM tower and transmitter. Timmons, who knew Elmore from their high school days in Jasper and maintained close contact even after joining the Marine Corps, took over operations to meet the one-year deadline for resuming broadcasts.

Jonathan Timmons

In a 22-day rush, Timmons cleared the vandalized and dilapidated transmitter site, installed new power poles in a swampy area, and sourced a Harris Gates One 1,000-watt transmitter from Donalsonville, Ga. After tuning it in Baton Rouge, he installed it at the site on January 30, and by February 1, WJLX was broadcasting again, albeit at 100 watts through a temporary longwire antenna setup.

Timmons has plans for a more permanent solution, including erecting a 195-foot tower. He has been supported by David Snavely, a former local station owner, and has utilized his industrial maintenance business skills to tackle the numerous challenges.

The station's revival has been partly funded by advertising dollars and a GoFundMe campaign started by Elmore, though only a portion of the funds raised has been disbursed. Timmons sees his involvement not just as a business venture but as a way to honor Elmore's legacy of community service, particularly after Elmore's personal support during Timmons' family tragedies.