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.
The FCC adopted rules for an upcoming filing window for new non-commercial FM translators in the reserved portion of the band (88 to 92 MHz). The window will be limited to owners of existing non-commercial AM, FM, and low-power FM stations for translators that would relay those stations. There will be a cap of ten applications from owners of full-power stations, four applications from tribally-owned LPFM stations, and two applications for other LPFM stations. Translators that are granted will not be able to change the station being rebroadcast for the first four years of operation, and they cannot be sold within four years unless the parent station is also sold to the same entity. The filing window will be opened sometime this year.
Iowa
BFAM LLC applied for a new low-power TV station on channel 36 serving the Quad Cities area with 15kW. The proposed station would transmit from a site near Lynn Center, Ill., though the application lists the community of license as Lynn Center, Iowa.
Michigan
Gray Media applied for a low-power TV station on channel 25 in Marquette using 15kW.
Minnesota
Lakeland Media’s KBMO/1290 (Benson) was granted an extension of special temporary authority to transmit with 100 Watts day and 24 Watts night while tower repairs continue. KBMO normally transmits with 330 Watts day and 24 Watts night.
Nebraska
Nebraska Public Media’s KPNE-FM/91.7 (North Platte) tells the FCC that it left the air May 19 due to antenna damage. KPNE-FM has requested special temporary authority to transmit with 7.5kW ERP at a reduced antenna height while repairs are made. The filing says the temporary facility is expected to be operational by June 1. KPNE-FM normally transmits with 88kW vertical and 18kW horizontal from an antenna 288m above average terrain.
Independent Omaha Radio Project’s KIRA-LP/98.1 (Omaha) went off the air May 22 as it works to complete a move to a new site and a frequency change to 91.9. It has been granted special temporary authority to remain silent.
Theatre Organ Preservation of Nebraska’s KEZL/89.7 (Culbertson-McCook) has applied for a slight change from its current 15kW/102m to instead use 14kW/105m, which would replace a previous construction permit to upgrade to 100kW/105m.
North Dakota
Radio Bismarck Mandan’s KKBO/105.9 (Flasher-Bismarck) reports that it returned to full power of 100kW on May 21 after completing repairs to power service at the site.
South Dakota
Mount Rushmore Broadcasting’s KFCR/1490 (Custer) reports that it returned to the air May 28.
There were no new noteworthy actions or applications from Wisconsin in the past week.
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.