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 issued a formal notice of proposed rulemaking about Iowa PBS’ proposal to move KDIN/11.1 (Des Moines) to UHF channel 34, which would include channel 21 being substituted for channel 34 at Ames as a vacant allotment.
Michigan
Aurora Media’s W280GB/103.9 (Escanaba) submitted a license to cover application indicating it has completed the move of its transmitter from Gladstone to a tower northwest of Escanaba, remaining 250 Watts. A previous application indicated it would relay the HD2 signal of WYKX/104.7.
Minnesota
Midwest Communications’ KTCO/98.9 (Duluth) is operating at reduced power of 35kW, rather than its usual 100kW, due to transmitter problems. The station’s request for special temporary authority says it’s uncertain when components will be delivered due to apparent shortages and supply chain delays.
Carpenter Broadcasting’s 100-Watt WZBY/92.7 (Grand Portage) reported that it has returned to the air and “is operating with original programming material provided by the license owner.” The nature of that programming is not immediately known.
Christensen Broadcasting’s K257FP/99.3 (Pipestone) applied to change its antenna and reduce power slightly from 250 to 205 Watts. It would continue to relay an HD subchannel of KJOE/106.1 (Slayton) from the KSMN(TV) tower south of Chandler, which is also the transmitter site for KJOE and several other Christensen stations.
Educational Media Foundation “K-Love” translators K260BA/99.9 (Coon Rapids-Minneapolis), K221ES/92.1 (Albertville), K249ED/97.7 (Alberville-Nowthen), and K288GR/105.5 (Bayport) submitted notifications that they have switched the source of their programming back to the HD2 channel of KTCZ/97.1 (Minneapolis). The translators had switched to KQQL-HD4 while work was underway at the KTCZ site this summer. Meanwhile, K288GR reported that it has returned to full power of 250 Watts; a reduction had been made since K288GR’s contour extends beyond KQQL’s.
Nebraska
Gray TV’s KSTF/10 (Scottsbluff) reports that it went off the air Aug. 23 following a transmission line burnout. The station’s suspension of operations filing says repairs are expected to be made within 30 days.
Alpha Media’s K268DF/101.5 (Lincoln) applied to increase power from 130 to 250 Watts, continuing to relay KFOR/1240.
K205CU/88.9 (Burwell) submitted a filing reporting that it has completed a move to 99.7 as K259DL, now relaying KRVN/880 (Lexington). The Nebraska Rural Radio Association is in the process of buying the translator.
CSN International is buying K208CK/89.5 (Scottsbluff), K209CF/89.7 (Kearney), and three FM translators in other states from Bible Broadcasting Network for $75,000. BBN no longer needs the translators in Scottsbluff and Kearney after signing on new full-power stations in the communities. K209CF was displaced from 89.7 by BBN’s new Kearney station, KYHK/89.5, and the translator has applied to move to 90.1. K209CF would reduce power slightly from 250 to 205 Watts.
CSN International closed on its purchase of KNEF/90.1 (Franklin) from South Central Oklahoma Christian Broadcasting on Aug. 31.
Educational Media Foundation’s K212GI/90.3 (Hastings) reports that it returned to the air Aug. 17.
MyBridge Radio’s KMBV/90.7 (Valentine) requested an extension of special temporary authority to operate at reduced power due to a damaged antenna. KMBV has a construction permit to move to a new site but reports in its latest filing that “the tower owner has encountered unexpected delays with the landowner regarding the land lease.”
Nebraska
With a future full-power station slated to start using its current frequency, Grand Forks Bible Study Group’s KEQQ-LP/88.3 (Grand Forks) applied to move to 105.9.
South Dakota
Prairie Winds Broadcasting’s K251CX/98.1 (Milbank) applied to move its transmitter to a site south of Watertown. The filing says the move would “eliminate coverage problems.” K251CX would continue to relay KPHR (Ortonville), which originates K251CX’s programming on its HD2 channel.
The FCC approved American Christian Radio’s purchase of the construction permit for future station KFCA/88.1 (Aberdeen) from Northern Plains Baptist Church on Aug. 30, and the sale closed the next day.
Wisconsin
Magnum Radio’s W267CL/101.3 (West Bend) has completed a move of its transmitter to a site west of the city, adding coverage of Hartford. It continues to relay WIBD/1470 (West Bend).
Civic Media’s WLAK/1260 (Amery) requested an extension of special temporary authority to operate at reduced power while work continues to restore the station to its fully-licensed 5kW. The station is using 1kW with its licensed nighttime antenna pattern also in use during the day. The latest filling says a new transmitter has been installed but an electrician discovered that the three-phase power to the building is not a closed system, which would void the transmitter manufacturer’s warranty. The filing says Civic is working with the power company for a solution.
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.