A northeastern Wisconsin FM translator is seeking a frequency change under a new FCC provision.
Previously, translators could only move to a first-, second-, or third-adjacent frequency (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 MHz away) or to an IF frequency (10.6 or 10.8 MHz away), unless the translator was displaced by a change by a full-power station. Now, translators can apply to move to any open frequency if it reduces interference.
VCY America’s W250CO/97.9 (Appleton) is seeking to move to 105.1 under the new rules. It says the number of people that would receive co-channel interference to WSPT-FM/97.9 (Stevens Point) from its licensed facility is greater than the number of people who would receive adjacent-channel interference to WPCK/104.9 (Denmark-Green Bay) if the translator changed frequency.
W250CO has actually been off the air since last fall when it lost the use of its licensed tower site in eastern Appleton, where it had used 38 Watts. The new 105.1 facility would transmit from western Appleton with 120 Watts.
W250CO previously had a construction permit to move to 97.3 from the western Appleton site with 36 Watts but asked the FCC to dismiss it.