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
Following their recent requests to temporarily operate at reduced power due to antenna damage, Saga Broadcasting’s K252EX/98.3 (Spencer) and K273DD/102.5 (Spencer) have applied for new facilities to reflect the new antenna. Plans include mounting the translators’ new antenna at a location 22 meters lower on their existing tower. They would remain licensed for 250 Watts.
Michigan
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s W295CX/106.9 (Marquette) submitted a license to cover application indicating it has completed a move to a taller tower west of Marquette, extending its reach farther west and south. It remains 250 Watts and relays WZAM/970 (Ishpeming).
Nebraska
Armada Media’s KBRL/1300 (McCook) returned to full power on Dec. 7 after completing repairs from a spring 2023 flood at its transmitter site. KBRL uses 5kW day and 136 Watts night, directional.
North Dakota
Forum Communications’ WDAY/970 (Fargo) has requested an extension of special temporary authority to operate at reduced power of 6kW, rather than its licensed 10kW, as it continues work to repair damage caused by a June lightning strike. WDAY’s latest filing says replacement parts have been obtained but it has “identified additional technical issues that cannot be resolved without assistance from the transmitter manufacturer.”
South Dakota
Hermosa Life Style Radio Corporation was granted the callsign KHFJ-LP for its future low-power FM station on 94.5 in Hermosa.
Wisconsin
The FCC has granted Church of Christ a construction permit for a new low-power FM station on 101.7 in Manitowoc, using 100 Watts. The action comes after Manitowoc Baptist Church amended its application for a new LPFM to specify 105.3 instead of 101.7; Manitowoc Baptist Church’s application remains pending.
The FCC has granted Calvary Satellite Network station W211AY/90.1 (Menomonie) a construction permit to move to 90.3 as W212CQ, remaining 10 Watts. The application does not state the reason for the frequency change, which follows the recent sign-on of WGIF/90.1 (Rice Lake) and the potential sign-on of a new station on 90.1 in Red Wing, MN.
Disclosure: Jon Ellis was an employee of Gray Media Group at the time this item was posted. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.