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
Good News Radio, operator of the “Great News Radio” network based in Illinois, closed on its purchase of KMDY/90.9 (Keokuk) on May 23.
Hubbard Broadcasting’s KAAL/6.1 (Austin, Minn.) notified the FCC that its digital replacement translator on channel 33 in Mason City left the air on May 16 due to technical issues. The translator is authorized as part of KAAL’s main license and does not have a separate callsign. KAAL’s main signal remains on the air.
Edge Spectrum submitted license to cover applications stating that new facilities have been constructed for K22LJ-D (Mason City), K35PA-D (Mason City), and K31PP-D (Sioux City). All three moved to new sites and the Mason City stations made slight changes to their power levels. The filings state K31PP is relaying KTIV/4.1 (Sioux City) while the Mason City stations are originating their own programming.
Michigan
AMC Partners Escanaba’s WUPF/107.3 (Powers) has applied to move to a tower a few miles south of its present site and increase its antenna height above average terrain from 97 to 130m, while remaining 50kW. It would use a directional antenna to limit the signal towards WOCO-FM/107.1 (Oconto, Wis.) and WHTO/106.7 (Iron Mountain). An earlier construction permit for the same facility expired earlier this year.
Minnesota
One Day Church Project requested program test authority for new station KBQA/88.1 (Rochester). The new station will use 4kW/44m (class A) from a site southwest of Rochester. One Day Church Project also owns KCJL-LP/95.1 (Dodge Center), which, as reported here two weeks ago, it is donating to Ascent Adventist Academy.
R.R. Larson & Associates requested special temporary authority for K236CO/95.1 (Northfield) to remain on the air originating programming while its primary station, KYMN/1080 (Northfield), is off the air for guy wire replacement. The special temporary authority would last for two weeks beginning June 15. FCC rules prohibit an FM translator from staying on the air while the AM is off, except for FM translators continuing programming overnight when AM daytimers are off the air.
Edge Spectrum submitted license to cover applications stating that new facilities have been constructed for W22FD-D (Dodge Center), K35LN-D (Duluth), K31LN-D (Rochester), and K15IS-D (Willmar). The Dodge Center, Rochester, and Willmar stations moved to new sites, while the Duluth station remained at its previous site and reduced power. The filings indicate K35LN is relaying KCWV (Duluth), K31LN is relaying KTTC/10.1 (Rochester), and W22FD and K15IS are originating their own programming.
Edge Spectrum notified the FCC that K25QV-D (Alexandria) went off the air May 27 due to overheating in the transmitter building, which is owned by Selective TV. The filing states that Edge has agreed to increase cooling in the building and has taken K25QV off the air while the improvements are made.
Edge was also granted a construction permit to move K29NY-D (Alexandria), which is currently off the air, to the Selective TV site, where it will share an antenna with K25QV. K29NV then filed a license to cover application on May 30 indicating that the new facility had been constructed and that K29NV is relaying KONC (Alexandria).
Gray Media’s KMNF-LD/7.1 (Mankato) is requesting conversion to Class A status. The station’s facility will remain unchanged but conversion to Class A will give it more rights and protections than a low-power TV station.
South Dakota
Edge Spectrum submitted a license to cover application stating that a new facility has been constructed for K22KD-D (Sioux Falls), which moved to a new site. The filing states K22KD is relaying KDLT/46.1 (Sioux Falls).
Wisconsin
Edge Spectrum submitted license to cover applications stating that new facilities have been constructed for W26FG-D (Eau Claire), W19DP-D (La Crosse), and W36EI-D (Wausau). All three stations moved to new sites and W36EI increased power. Filings indicate W26FG is relaying WEAU/13.1 (Eau Claire), W19DP is originating its own programming, and W36EI is relaying WSAW/7.1 (Wausau).
Gray Media Group was granted the callsign WNWE for its future TV station on channel 26 in Eagle River.
Manitowoc Baptist Church was granted a callsign change for future low-power FM station WBJR-LP/105.3 (Manitowoc) to WBMB-LP.
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.