The following are updates to stories previously reported here and smaller recent FCC filings and actions that do not merit a full story of their own at this time:
National
Edge Spectrum submitted dozens of filings saying that it intends to construct its unbuilt low-power TV stations in ATSC 3.0 using distributed transmission systems (DTS), which means the stations will use multiple transmitter sites. However, the company says it cannot seek construction permits for DTS facilities until DTS rules for LPTV stations are published in the Federal Register. It’s seeking six-month extensions for the current ATSC 1.0 facilities until January 2022 with intentions of seeking modifications to ATSC 3.0 once the new rules are released.
The FCC set an April 12 deadline for petitions to deny Gray TV’s proposed purchase of 14 full-power stations in 11 markets from Quincy Media, including stations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Iowa
Edge Spectrum requested six-month extensions to the construction permits for K20KF-D Davenport, K22LJ-D Mason City, K27MI-D Mason City, K35PA-D Mason City, and K31PP-D Sioux City. See above for more information.
DTV America applied for a six-month extension of the construction permit for K17MH-D Cedar Falls. The licensee says it has contracted to use a tower near Allison, northwest of Cedar Falls, and is committed to finishing construction by Dec. 13.
Hispanic Family Christian Network applied for an extension of the construction permit for DK03IS-D Sioux City until Jan. 13, 2022.
Minnesota
Range Paging filed for license renewal of W280AT/103.9 (Ely) after it was listed on an FCC public notice saying that its license would expire April 1 if a renewal application wasn’t filed. W280AT relays non-commercial KAXE/91.7 (Grand Rapids).
We Have This Hope Christian Radio’s WYNJ/89.5 (Blackduck) was granted an upgrade from 800W to 10kW directional, keeping its present 100m antenna height above average terrain. The upgraded facility will use a directional antenna to prevent any additional signal towards KBSB/89.7 (Bemidji), increasing its coverage in rural areas west, north, and east of Blackduck. WYNJ will upgrade from class A to C3 with the change.
In a followup to an application previously reported here, K233DL/94.5 (Ortonville) was granted a construction permit to move its transmitter to Milbank, SD, but it will continue to be licensed to Ortonville and operate as a translator of KDIO/1350 (Ortonville).
Julie Huang’s SagamoreHill of Kansas City Licenses, LLC is buying the construction permit for K17OJ-D (St. Cloud) and eight other unbuilt low-power TV stations from HC2 Broadcasting/DTV America for $260,000. The other stations are outside of the Upper Midwest. DTV America is also seeking a six-month extension for the deadline to construct K17OJ to Jan. 13, 2022.
DTV America also requested extensions to construct K20KW-D (St. Cloud), K26PF-D (St. Cloud) and K31LP-D (St. Cloud) until Jan. 13, 2022.
Starcom’s WCMN-LP/13 (St. Cloud) requested an extension of its construction permit to build a digital facility on channel 14 to Jan. 13, 2022. The station says construction will take extra time because, due to being at the bottom end of the UHF band, it will will be required to mitigate any interference to two-way radio operations and says there are about 100 who will need to be contacted.
Edge Spectrum requested six-month extensions to the construction permits for K19MS-D Alexandria, K29NY-D Alexandria, K44GH-D Alexandria, W22FD-D Dodge Center, K20OP-D Duluth, K21KZ-D Duluth, K28QJ-D Duluth, K48KJ-D Geneva, K38MM-D International Falls, KTCJ-LD/13 Minneapolis, KHVM-LD/18 Minneapolis, K47JE-D Olivia, K31LN-D Rochester, K47JC-D Wadena, and K15IS-D Willmar. See above for more information. KTCJ-LD and KHVM-LD were previously on the air on channels 50 and 48, respectively, but channels 38 and up have since been discontinued.
EICB-TV East filed the same narrative for K14QM-D Duluth, saying it intends to construct the station in ATSC 3.0 once allowed and seeking a six-month extension.
Nebraska
DTV America requested a six-month extension to construct KIUA-LD/15 (Lincoln). The licensee says it has contracted to use a tower near Aurora, west of Grand Island, and is committed to finishing construction by Dec. 13.
Michael J. Flood requested an extension until Jan. 13, 2022, to construct KGHK-LD/30 (Hastings). Flood operates the regional News Channel Nebraska network.
Edge Spectrum requested six-month extensions to the construction permits for K16NO-D Beatrice, K14SY-D Columbus, K36MO-D Lincoln, and K49LK-D (20) North Platte. See above for more information.
North Dakota
G.I.G., Inc. requested an extension of special temporary authority for analog low-power TV station KCPM-LP/2 (Fargo) to remain silent. The filing says the licensee has been devastated by the coronavirus but has obtained financing to return the station to the air with a digital signal. It proposes a plan that would have the station back on the air by Jan. 1, 2022.
DTV America and HC2 Broadcasting have requested six-month extensions to construct K15MR-D Fargo, K22OG-D Fargo, K25LY-D Fargo, K23MB-D Minot, and K27LX-D Minot. K15MR’s filing says it has contracted to use a tower site in Moorhead and is committed to finishing construction by Dec. 13.
Edge Spectrum requested six-month extensions to the construction permits for K34LO-D Bismarck, K43JQ-D Bismarck, K09AAC-D Fargo, K10RQ-D Fargo, and K42IM-D Minot. See above for more information.
South Dakota
G.I.G., Inc. requested a six-month extension of the construction permit for KCPO-LP/26 (Sioux Falls) to flash-cut to digital. The filing says the licensee has been devastated by the coronavirus but has most of the necessary equipment already on hand, and anticipates beginning digital broadcasting by Jan. 1, 2022.
Edge Spectrum requested a six-month extension to the construction permit for K22KD-D Sioux Falls. See above for more information.
Wisconsin
VCY America requested program test authority for W260DL/99.9 (Oshkosh), indicating the new FM translator will sign on soon, if it has not already. W260DL was granted during the AM revitalization window to relay WVCY/690.
VCY America returned the license for analog low-power TV station W04CW (Tigerton), which was replaced by W26EE-D (Wittenberg).
Polnet Communications requested an extension of the construction permit to upgrade WPVS-LD/9 (Milwaukee) until Jan. 10, 2022. Polnet’s filing says it is actively seeking a new site after the owner of a tower specified in a previous construction permit “revoked” a commitment for Polnet to use the tower. It is currently using a temporary site that is not available for long-term use.
DTV America and HC2 Broadcasting requested six-month extensions to construct W14ER-D Eau Claire, W23FC-D Eau Claire, W33DH-D Eau Claire, and W31EV-D Wausau. DTV America says it has obtained a contract for a tower site just northwest of Eau Claire to use for W23FC and is committed to completing construction by Dec. 13. The other three permits are in the process of being sold to Gray TV.
Edge Spectrum requested six-month extensions to the construction permits for W26FG-D Eau Claire, W19DP-D La Crosse, W30BU Green Bay, W02CF Minocqua, and W36EI-D Wausau. See above for more information.