The following are updates to previously-reportedĀ itemsĀ 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
Eldora Broadcasting’s KDAO-FM/99.5 (Eldora) has completed a move to 92.9, which also included an upgrade from 3kW to 6kW. The frequency change will allow a future upgrade by VCY’s KVDI/99.3 (Huxley).
Faith Broadcasting/TCT’s KWKB/20.1 (Iowa City) is operating at reduced power of about 500kW, rather than its licensed 1,000kW, due to a transmitter issue. The station’s filing notes that a new transmitter has been ordered.
Powell Broadcasting’s KLEM/1410 (Le Mars) submitted a request for special temporary authority noting that it was at reduced power due to two weather events over the summer but has now returned to its full power of 1kW day and 50 Watts night.
Minnesota
FideliTV’s K20KW-D (St. Cloud) reports that it went off the air Aug. 1 and requested special temporary authority to remain silent “while upgrades related to permanent power infrastructure and EAS transmission requirements are implemented.”
Nebraska
My Bridge Radio’s K257GW/99.3 (Omaha) was granted a construction permit to move its transmitter from Springfield to a site in western Omaha, reducing power from 250 to 140 Watts directional.
North Dakota
Vision Media’s KZTK/103.9 (Arthur) has completed an upgrade from 25kW to 47kW, improving its signal to Fargo. The upgrade included a change from class C3 to class C2.
FideliTV has withdrawn a license to cover application for K18NP-D (Fargo), saying “Edge Spectrum, Inc. no longer intends to operate this facility.”
South Dakota
Nexstar’s KDLO-TV/3.1 (Florence-Watertown) reports that it resumed full-power operations on Sept. 24 after completing construction of a new tower after the old tower collapsed in 2022. KDLO-TV is licensed for 14.4kW at 531 meters above average terrain on RF channel 3.
Bridge News’ K06QJ-D (Sioux Falls) reports that it has returned to the air using 3kW. The station also has a pending application to move to RF channel 35 with 15kW directional.
The University of Northwestern-St. Paul’s KNWC/1270 (Sioux Falls) was granted special temporary authority to operate non-directionally at 25% of its licensed 5kW during the day due to a problem with one of the towers. The issue has not affected KNWC’s nighttime 2.3kW directional facility.
Midwest Communications’ K251BH/98.1 (Sioux Falls) has applied to move from its current site near Harrisburg to a tower near Rowena, remaining 250 Watts but improving its signal to Sioux Falls due to the higher antenna height.
James River Broadcasting’s K296FI/107.1 (Pierre) submitted a license to cover application indicating it has completed a frequency change to 107.3 and a move to a transmitter site west of town, upgrading from 100 to 250 Watts. The translator’s callsign will change to K297CF. It relays KGFX-FM/92.7.
Homeslice Media Group’s KKLS/920 (Rapid City) was granted an 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 work continues to implement the CP.
The FCC has approved Forum Communications’ purchase of KNBN/21.1 (Rapid City), KAUN-LD/25.1 (Sioux Falls), and four translator/low-power TV stations in the Rapid City market from Rapid Broadcasting and J.F. Broadcasting.
Wisconsin
VCY America’s WEGZ/105.9 (Washburn) reports that it returned to full power of 100kW on Sept. 20.
Civic Media’s WBZH/910 (Hayward) was granted special temporary authority to transmit with 50 Watts while it continues to investigate an issue with its tower or associated tuning unit. The station’s filing says it was in negotiations to buy the tower site but the deal fell through, and that the station is now looking for a different location. WBZH is licensed for 5kW day and 75 Watts night.
Audacy’s WMYX-FM/99.1 (Milwaukee) applied for an auxiliary facility using 3.9kW ERP from a tower that is part of the WSSP/1250 array, which is next to WMYX’s licensed site. An auxiliary facility is a licensed backup that can be used as necessary without a special temporary authority filing.
Separately, Audacy’s WSSP/1250 (Milwaukee) requested special temporary authority to transmit with 25 percent of its licensed 5kW after a lightning strike damaged an FM isocoupler on one of WSSP’s towers.
DTV America’s WTSJ-LD/26 (Milwaukee) was granted a construction permit to increase power from 10kW to 15kW.
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.