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
The FCC has approved Sinclair Broadcast Group’s purchase of KFXA/28.1 (Cedar Rapids) from Second Generation of Iowa. Sinclair has already operated the station for 23 years.
Mary’s Holy Voice submitted a new upgrade application for KMHV/89.5 (Kalona) stating that the directional antenna specifications submitted in the previous upgrade application were incorrect. While the station would still increase from 5.5kW/45m to 8.2kW/56m, the updated maps show that there would be very little change to KMHV’s coverage area and that it would not add coverage of Iowa City as the previously-specified pattern would have done.
Michigan
Minnesota Public Radio’s WGGL-FM/91.1 (Houghton) has requested an extension of temporary authority to operate at reduced power after determining that its antenna is damaged. The station had first reported in December that it reduced to 10% of its licensed 100kW ERP due to antenna icing. The filing states MPR is now “working to acquire the funds that will be needed to replace and install new antennas.” WGGL carries national feeds of public radio programming rather than MPR’s Minnesota networks.
Minnesota
Civic Media’s WELY-FM/94.5 (Ely) has requested an extension of temporary authority to remain silent. STA’s are issued in six-month intervals and its previous STA was due to expire June 18. The station explains in a June 16 filing that “Civic intends to get the station back on the air as soon as possible” but that its licensed tower has structural issues. It says Civic “continues to investigate means of getting the station back on the air either at low power or from a temporary location.”
Meanwhile, the FCC approved Civic Media’s purchase of K280AT/103.9 (Ely) from Range Paging. K280AT is already relaying Civic’s WELY/1450.
Nebraska
The FCC has approved Sinclair Broadcast Group’s purchase of KXVO/15.1 (Omaha) from Mitts Telecasting. Sinclair also owns KPTM/42.1 (Omaha), which has operated KXVO for 31 years.
North Dakota
Double Z Broadcasting’s KDVL/102.5 (Devils Lake) has requested an extension special temporary authority to transmit at reduced power as work continues at its transmitter site. The station first reported last December that a fire had destroyed its transmitter and it was operating with a backup. The latest filing says a new transmitter has been installed, but extensive lightning damage to the transmission line has been discovered. KDVL is operating at about 5kW ERP rather than its licensed 100kW.
South Dakota
Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting’s KFCR/1490 (Custer) reports that it resumed operations June 18.
Wisconsin
Gray Media’s W21DS-D (Sayner/Vilas County), which is a translator of WSAW (Wausau), returned to full power of 15kW on June 16.
Souls Harbor Baptist Church requested the callsign WILR-LP for its future low-power FM station on 90.1 in Milwaukee. The group submitted a letter from the U.S. Coast Guard confirming that the callsign is no longer associated with the vessel Euphoria.
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.