The following are updates to stories previously reported here and smaller recent FCC filings and actions that do not merit a full story of their own at this time:
Iowa
Birach Broadcasting requested program test authority for K239CR/95.7 (Indianola-Des Moines), relaying its KXLQ/1490 (Indianola). A listener has reported hearing K239CR on the air. The new translator was granted during one of the AM revitalization filing windows and transmits with 250 Watts from southeastern Des Moines. KXLQ is also relayed on K295CB/106.9 (Des Moines), which transmits from northeastern Des Moines and is owned by Youngers Colorado Broadcasting.
VCY America requested program test authority for KVCI/89.7 (Montezuma), which has been working on a major upgrade. The station will transmit with 100kW/151m (class C1) from a tower near Bussey, giving it a strong signal to Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, Pella, and Knoxville. The new coverage area has little overlap with KVCI’s previous coverage area; it had previously transmitted from a site near Malcolm, about 40 miles to the northeast, with 3.1kW/103m (class A).
Wennes Communications’ KMRV/1160 (Waukon) requested an extension of special temporary authority to operate at 250 Watts from a longwire antenna at the KNEI-FM site. KMRV’s lease for its licensed site ended last year and the station has been looking for a new permanent location, but says the pandemic has slowed the process.
Michigan
Taconite Broadcasting signed on W295CX/106.9 (Marquette), relaying “ESPN UP” (WZAM/970 Ishpeming). The new 250-Watt translator was granted during the AM revitalization effort.
WZAM had previously been relayed on W227CJ/93.3 (Marquette), which is now relaying Taconite’s WMQT/107.7 (Ishpeming) after moving its transmitter to downtown Marquette.
Just a reminder that workers are climbing on our tower our signal at 107.7 FM will be in and out throughout the day today. Hopefully, it won’t take too long. And remember–if you’re in the city of Marquette, you can always hear us crystal clear at 93.3 FM, as well!
— Q107 WMQT (@Q107wmqt) October 16, 2020
Minnesota
Endurance Broadcasting’s KLBB/1220 (Stillwater) requested an extension of special temporary authority to transmit with 20 Watts using a longwire antenna. The station, in the northeastern Twin Cities metro, is licensed for 5kW day/254 Watts night but its longtime tower site was demolished in 2018. The latest filing says Endurance has located two possible new sites for KLBB, one of which would be at an existing tower, but says the pandemic has disrupted the process.
Townsquare Media closed on its purchase of WWAX/92.1 (Hermantown-Duluth) from Twin Ports Radio LLC on Oct. 9. Townsquare had been operating the station under a local marketing agreement since March.
Minnesota/North Dakota
Gopher Communications signed on K221GU/92.1 (Crookston, MN-Grand Forks, ND) relaying its KROX/1260 (Crookston). The 250-Watt translator, granted during the AM revitalization effort, is licensed to Crookston but transmits from Grand Forks. KROX is also relayed on K289CE/105.7, which is licensed to Grand Forks but transmits from Crookston.
Nebraska
Gray TV amended its upgrade applications for KOLN/10.1 (Lincoln) and KSNB-TV/4.1 (Superior/York) to specify that their newly-constructed shared tower will be the same height as the old KOLN tower. KOLN had used 28kW at 454m above average terrain before its January tower collapse; it had originally applied for 51.6kW/500m and is now seeking 66.1kW/454m. KSNB would use 260kW/430m from the new tower on RF channel 24. See the earlier report for additional background.
Wisconsin
Relevant Radio applied to convert the licenses of its WYNW/92.9 (Birnamwood-Wausau) and WMMA-FM/93.9 (Nekoosa-Wisconsin Rapids) to non-commercial status.
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