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
CSN International’s K206BW/89.1 (Adel) has been granted a construction permit to change frequency and move closer to Des Moines. It will move to 89.7 with the new callsign K209GI using 205 Watts from a tower in Waukee, improving its signal to the western metro. It will continue to carry “Effect Radio Network” from CSN’s KEFX (Twin Falls, ID) via satellite.
The FCC approved American Family Radio’s purchase of KJMC/89.3 (Des Moines) from Minority Communications.
Manitoba
The CRTC has authorized Pattison Media’s CHNW-FM/94.3 (Winnipeg) a transmitter site move. The station currently transmits with 100kW/111m from a Bell Media-owned tower on the southwest side of the city; CHNW will move to a Pattison-owned tower at Birds Hill northeast of Winnipeg using 100kW/145m. It will share a directional antenna with CFQX-FM/104.1 (Selkirk) and CICY-FM/105.5 (Selkirk) and also begin transmitting an HD Radio signal.
Michigan
Queen Bee’s Knees/Morgan Murphy Media’s WIKB-FM/99.1 (Iron River) notified the FCC that it is operating at about 75% of its licensed power while it works to repair damaged power amplifiers.
Minnesota
The University of Northwestern-St. Paul’s K254DS/98.7 (Grand Rapids) returned to the air on Sept. 23.
The FCC granted R&J Broadcasting’s KRWB/1410 (Roseau) a construction permit to discontinue the use of a directional antenna at night, going non-directional 24 hours per day. KRWB will continue to be 1kW during the day but will drop to 72 Watts at night.
WRVM Inc.’s WJRF/89.5 (Duluth) was granted a construction permit to increase from 1.65kW to 2.25kW, continuing to use its existing antenna at 181m above average terrain.
Edge Spectrum’s K35JN-D (Duluth) was granted an upgrade from 100 Watts to 15kW.
Nebraska
The FCC approved Muñoz Media’s purchase of KMMQ/1020 (Plattsmouth-Omaha) and K258DC/99.5 (Omaha) from NRG Media.
Edge Spectrum’s K20NE-D (North Platte) has been granted a construction permit to upgrade from 2kW to 15kW.
Wisconsin
VCY America’s WVCY/690 (Oshkosh) has been granted special temporary authority to return to the air at reduced power as it continues repairs. WVCY has been off the air since Jan. 3. It normally transmits with 250 Watts day and 77 Watts night with a directional antenna pattern. Instead, WVCY will temporarily transmit non-directionally with one-quarter of normal power, 62 Watts day and 19 Watts night. The station’s filing explains that a new transmitter has arrived but more work is needed on the directional array.
Edge Spectrum’s W26FG-D (Eau Claire) has applied to upgrade from 100 Watts to 15kW.
Gray Media’s W21DS-D (Sayner/Vilas County) reports that it has been operating at reduced power since Sept. 15 due to an amplifier issue.