The following are updates to previously-reported items and other recent regulatory filings and actions concerning Upper Midwest broadcast stations. This report is created by the author and is not an official report of the FCC.
Iowa
The FCC approved an extension of special temporary authority for Townsquare Media’s KBOB/1170 (Davenport) to use its nighttime directional pattern both day and night. The 1kW station normally uses different day and night patterns but cannot change them due to an antenna switching issue, so it’s using the more-restrictive nighttime pattern day and night. KBOB’s most recent filing says a new RF contactor was installed but it was then found that additional parts need replacement, and shipment has been delayed by supply chain issues.
Michigan
Results Broadcasting’s WJNR-FM/101.5 (Iron Mountain) reported that it is operating at about 40% of its usual 52kW due to a problem with its transmitter tube. The station told the FCC that it has decided to replace the transmitter but has been told by the vendor that there will be a 20-week lead time.
Minnesota
De La Hunt Media reported that K242AY/96.3 (Walker) returned to the air Oct. 19 and is now relaying KPRM/870 (Park Rapids). The translator had relayed KAKK/1570 until it was replaced by K229DJ/93.7. K242AY is one of four FM translators now relaying KPRM’s hybrid Talk/Adult Contemporary format (the others are in Bemidji, Park Rapids, and Staples); the syndicated AC format used for evenings, overnights, and weekends had been heard on co-owned KQKK/101.9 (Walker) until a format change over the summer.
Nebraska
The Nebraska Rural Radio Association’s KTIC-FM/107.9 (West Point) notified the FCC that it has activated an HD Radio signal.
The NRRA also received a construction permit to move K205CU/88.9 (Burwell), which it is buying from The Praise Network, to 99.7 as K259DL with 250 Watts. The move out of the non-commercial portion of the band will allow the translator to relay the NRRA’s KRVN/880 (Lexington). Meanwhile, The Praise Network has a construction permit for a full-power station in Burwell.
K296DS/107.1 (Alliance) received a construction permit to move to 95.7 as K239DC, upgrading to 250 Watts. The University of Northwestern-St. Paul is in the process of buying the translator from International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
North Dakota
Jordan Zeller’s KQYZ/99.1 (Emerado), which recently signed on with 100 Watts, has applied to move to 98.5 with 9kW/102m (class C3) from a transmitter site just outside East Grand Forks, MN. It would continue to be licensed to Emerado. Though the proposed transmitter site would be short-spaced for a class C3 station with KLTA-FM/98.7 (Moorhead-Fargo), KQYZ would not operate at the maximum power for a C3 station and submitted a map showing there would be no prohibited overlap. It would be the third change for the allotment, which was originally at 99.1 in Gackle before being moved to Emerado. The station’s website lists the address for KMAV/KMSR in Mayville as its studio location.
South Dakota
The FCC approved a construction permit for the Educational Media Foundation’s K209EM/89.7 (Huron) to move to 88.1 as K201JA, remaining 250 Watts. The translator is slated to be displaced by new EMF station KLHU/89.7 (Huron), which will use 650 Watts.
Gray Ghost Broadcasting’s KQKD/1380 (Redfield) was granted a construction permit to upgrade from its present 500W day and 142W night to 1kW day and 400W night. It will add a third tower it its site to implement a different directional antenna pattern, improving the signal to Aberdeen.
Wisconsin
Magnum Radio’s WAUN-FM/92.7 (Kewaunee) was granted a callsign change to WYZM, effective Nov. 8. The WYZM callsign was used in the Madison market from 1992 to 2000. As noted previously, the WAUN callsign is slated to go to what has been WEZY/1350 (Portage) as the WEZY callsign moves to WCFW/105.7 (Chippewa Falls). The WEZY/WCFW callsign swap is slated to become official on Nov. 9.