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
TLC Broadcasting’s KCMR/97.9 (Mason City) has been granted a construction permit to upgrade from 6kW to 15kW, with its antenna remaining at 96m above average terrain. The upgrade will change KCMR’s class from A to C3.
Vanguard Association of Sunbelt Colleges Corporation was granted the callsign KDBU for its future station on 88.9 in Dubuque.
Aquinas Communications submitted a license to cover application indicating it has completed the move of W220EQ/91.9 (Galena, Ill.) to a transmitter site in western Dubuque, relaying Aquinas’ KCRD-LP/98.3 (Dubuque).
Michigan
Michigan Civic Media Alliance’s WIMI/99.7 (Ironwood) has been granted special temporary authority to transmit at reduced power of 6.6kW, rather than its licensed 100kW, after a March 24 lightning strike damaged its transmitter and antenna. The filing explains that a backup transmitter is being used from the licensed antenna, and that replacement of both the transmitter and antenna is planned.
AMC Partners Escanaba’s WJPD/92.3 (Ishpeming-Marquette) was granted an extension of special temporary authority to transmit at reduced power of 3kW, rather than its licensed 100kW, from a reduced antenna height while it continues work to repair damage from an electrical storm. The station’s latest filing says a new antenna has already been installed but snow has been blocking delivery of a new transmitter.
West Central Michigan Media Ministries’ WIHC/97.9 (Newberry) reported that it’s operating at about half of its licensed 50kW ERP due to equipment failure. It requested special temporary authority to continue operating at reduced power while repairs are made.
Sovereign Communications’ WYSS/99.5 (Sault Ste. Marie) and WMKD/105.5 (Pickford-Sault Ste. Marie) were granted further extensions of special temporary authority to transmit at reduced power following a 2018 tower collapse. The latest filings say the licensee hopes to begin repairs after the spring thaw. Both are licensed for 100kW; previous filings indicate WYSS is using 1.3kW and WMKD is using 700 Watts.
Minnesota
Park Public Media’s KPPS-LP/97.5 (St. Louis Park) has been granted special temporary authority to remain silent. The station’s application stated that its licensed transmission site will no longer be available.
Wisconsin
K-Love Inc. notified the FCC that it has switched the feed of “K-Love” carried on W245AK/96.9 (Sheboygan) from WPFF/90.5 (Sturgeon Bay) to WLVE/93.3 (Milwaukee).
The FCC dismissed ARCJ LLC’s application for a new low-power TV station on channel 20 in Green Bay. ARCJ’s applications for LPTV stations on channels 28 and 32 in Green Bay remain pending.
HC2 Broadcasting’s W15EB-D (Charlotte, N.C.) has been granted a construction permit to move to Milwaukee on channel 26 with 15kW. HC2 sister company DTV America already owns WTSJ-LD/26 (Milwaukee); long-term plans for both stations are not clear in the FCC filing.
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.