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
Community Public Media’s KPVL/89.1 (Postville) was granted another extension of special temporary authority to operate at an unknown reduced power. The station’s latest filing repeats the narrative presented in an extension request last August. The latest extension is through Aug. 18.
Michigan
CTB Spectrum Services Two LLC requested an extension of the construction permits for W32EL-D (St. Ignace), W33DS-D (St. Ignace), W40DK-D (St. Ignace), and W42EL-D (St. Ignace). For W32EL and W33DS, CTB cites a provision in an FCC public notice that allows low-power TV permittees to seek a one-time extension due to an unforeseeable circumstance such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, W40DK and W42EL are now on out-of-core channels and need to seek modifications for channels between 2-36 before they can be built. CTB proposes extensions to Jan. 13, 2022.
Minnesota
Townsquare Media’s KROC-FM/106.9 (Rochester) is operating at about 10 percent of its usual 100kW following antenna damage. Its request for special temporary authority says the station has not yet been able to thoroughly inspect and troubleshoot the problem due to winter weather. KROC-FM transmits from the KTTC(TV) tower about 30 miles south of Rochester and is also heard on K293CV/106.5 (Rochester).
CTB Spectrum Services Two LLC requested an extension of the construction permits for K23MQ-D (Duluth), K24OF-D (Duluth), K43ON-D (Duluth) and K49LU-D (Duluth). For K23MQ and K24OF, CTB cites a provision in an FCC public notice that allows low-power TV permittees to seek a one-time extension due to an unforeseeable circumstance such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, K43ON and K49LU are now on out-of-core channels and need to seek modifications for channels between 2-36 before they can be built. CTB also says it is looking for a new tower site for the stations. It proposes extensions to Jan. 13, 2022.
Nebraska
Platte River Radio has signed on new FM translators K224FK/92.7 (Hastings) and K281CW/104.1 (Hastings). The 250-Watt signals were granted as part of the AM revitalization effort, with K224FK to relay KICS/1550 and K281CW to relay KHAS/1230. KICS simulcasts a Sports format with KXPN/1460 (Grand Island), which has a translator on 92.1.
ABC affiliate KLKN/8.1 (Lincoln) requested special temporary authority to operate its digital replacement translator on channel 35 in Lincoln at reduced power. The station says its transmission line needs to be replaced to support the authorized 5.6kW and proposes temporary operation of 3.3kW.
North Dakota
Bakken Beacon Media applied to move future translator K222DF/92.3 (Dilworth, MN) closer to the core of Fargo-Moorhead. The 250-Watt translator, which will relay WZFG/1100, was originally permitted to transmit from the WZFG site southeast of Moorhead but would only have fringe FM coverage to Fargo-Moorhead from that location. K222DF proposes moving to a Forum Communications-owned tower in Fargo that is also used by Forum’s K226CL/93.1 (Fargo), a translator of WDAY/970 which is now operated by Bakken Beacon Media. One other FM translator is also at the site and three others have construction permits to move there.
South Dakota
Prairie Winds Broadcasting told the FCC that K252FB/98.3 (Milbank) left the air in November when its transmitter was repurposed so K236CU/95.1 (Milbank) could sign on. K252FB had relayed KMSD/1510, which is now heard on K236CU. Prairie Winds said a new transmitter for K252FB has been ordered and that it will relay KPHR/106.3 (Ortonville, MN) when it returns to the air. K252FB also has a construction permit to move to the KPHR tower site near South Shore and K236CU has also applied to move to that site.
Wisconsin
FCC databases have removed the “D” from the beginning of the callsign of W269DZ/101.7 (Eagle River) after licensee Heartland Communications applied for a license to cover the construction permit for the new FM translator. The removal of the the “D” from the callsign indicates that the FCC no longer considers W269DZ to be deleted. As previously reported, the FCC cancelled the CP for W269DZ last month after the Jan. 22 construction deadline passed with no application for a license to cover. The newly-filed application, submitted on Feb. 18, is listed as pending as of the posting of this report. W269DZ, originally W285FS/104.9, was granted during the AM revitalization window to relay WERL/950.
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