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
Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting requested to change the callsign of KRFH/88.7 (Marshalltown) to KJLM, effective April 9. Minn-Iowa is in the process of buying the station from Marshalltown Education Plus.
Northwestern Media’s K202CG/88.3 (Spirit Lake), formerly K210CG/89.9, reports that it has returned to the air following its frequency change. The translator was forced to leave 89.9 by the sign-on of a new full-power station in the region. It remains 250 Watts and relays KNWC-FM (Sioux Falls).
Minnesota
Northwestern Media’s K254DS/98.7 (Grand Rapids) went off the air March 20 following the sign-on of KDGR/88.1 (Grand Rapids), which carries the same programming K254DS had carried. The filing says Northwestern is assessing whether to modify the translator or sell it.
Ontario
CBC has changed its plans for the future of its stations in Manitouwadge and now plans to move them to a tower less than a kilometer away, rather than construct a new tower at its present site. Radio One station CBEB-FM/89.7 will use 4.598kW/174m, nearly identical to its current facility, while Ici Radio-Canada Première station CBON-FM-23/96.9 will upgrade from 143W/141m to 1.265kW/174m. The changes have been approved by the CRTC.
Nebraska
iHeartMedia’s KFAB/1110 (Omaha) has been granted special temporary authority to operate with 12.5kW non-directional at night, rather than its usual 50kW directional, due to antenna feed problems. KFAB’s licensed nighttime pattern severely limits the signal to the east. The station’s filing says they have a team working to solve the issue as soon as possible.
Standard Media’s KLKN/8 (Lincoln) reports that its digital replacement translator on channel 35 in Lincoln has returned to full power of 5.6kW.
South Dakota
Homeslice Media’s KKLS/920 (Rapid City) requested another extension of special temporary authority to transmit at reduced power of 3.2kW day and 70 Watts night. As noted here in previous FCC Monitor reports, the construction of a new power line impacted KKLS’ directional antenna pattern and the station has a construction permit to switch to non-directional operation with 5kW day and 65 Watts night. The station’s latest filing says Homeslice has been coordinating with its landlord and a tower crew but needs more time to complete the work.
Wisconsin
CSN International’s W211AY/90.1 (Menomonie) has moved to 90.3 with the new callsign W212CQ, remaining 10 Watts from a site in a rural area west of Menomonie.
Disclosure: Jon Ellis is an employee of Gray Media Group. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.