FCC Actions

At its upcoming August Open Meeting on Thursday, August 3, the FCC intends to vote on a proposed rulemaking to improve digital FM signal quality and minimize the effect of the digital FM station signal on adjacent channel FM transmissions.

The proposal would change the methodology used by digital FM stations to determine if they are eligible to increase digital FM power up to -10 dBc, or 10% of analog power, allow such power increases without the need for additional individual special authorization, but upon basic notification to the FCC, and allow digital FM stations to notify the FCC of a power increase up to -10 dBc, using the same notification procedures as currently used for digital operation. It would also determine whether to grant blanket authorization to digital FM stations to originate digital transmissions at different power levels on the upper and lower digital sidebands without having to request experimental authorization, but instead by filing a notification, whether an FM station increasing digital power or implementing asymmetric sideband operation should be required to directly notify first-adjacent channel FM stations of these actions, or whether filing notification with the Commission is sufficient, and whether existing interference mitigation and remediation procedures are enough to to manage any reports of inter-station interference as a result of increased digital FM power or asymmetric sideband operation.

The full proposal can be read here.

Hudson-Westchester Radio, Inc. has agreed to an $8,000 penalty as part of a Consent Decree with the FCC for an unauthorized transfer of control due to failing to timely file a transfer of control application prior to the death of majority owner William O’Shaughnessy in May 2022. Two months prior, O’Shaughnessy transferred his 55% stake into a trust with his son David and daughter Kate splitting the shares upon his death, but was not filed with the FCC until after his passing. Hudson-Westchester Radio owns Brokered Caribbean 93.5 WVIP New Rochelle (in the process of being sold to Hope Media Group) and Talk 1460 WVOX New Rochelle/98.3 W252DX White Plains NY.

The FCC will complete the transition of filings to the Licensing and Management System with the the remaining filings moving to LMS as of July 26. Starting then, the LMS will be utilized for the following purposes:

• Application for Construction Permit for AM Broadcast Station
• Application for AM Broadcast Station License
• Application for Direct Measurement of AM Broadcast Station
• AM Engineering Special Temporary Authorization (STA)
• Extension of AM Engineering STA
• Application for Construction Permit for New Class D Noncommercial Educational
  FM Broadcast Station
• Application for Construction Permit for New Low Power FM Station
• Equipment Test Authority Notification
• Program Test Authority Notification
• Restoration of Licensed Operation

Silent Notifications

• Newport Broadcasting Company’s 1490 KXAR Hope AR (Storm damage)
• Newport Broadcasting Company’s 96.7 KOKR Newport AR (Storm damage)
• Newport Broadcasting Company’s 104.9 KHPA Hope AR (Storm damage)
• Open Sky Radio Corp’s 88.9 KBVD Alturas CA (Equipment overwhelmed HVAC system)
• Lincoln University’s 88.9 WLNX Lincoln IL (Transmitter issues)
• Prayers For Life Inc’s 89.3 WQPH Shirley MA (Transmitter failure)
• Estate of Mark V. Aulabaugh’s 1230 KSEY Seymour TX (Lack of staffing & financing)
• Estate of Mark V. Aulabaugh’s 94.3 KSEY-FM Seymour TX (Lack of staffing & financing)

AM Changes

The University of Arizona’s 1550 KUAZ Tucson proposes to construct a three tower array moving from northwest of the city to southeast of it, while retaining its 50kW daytime operation. The station would also add 425 watt nighttime service. KUAZ simulcasts Public News/Talk 89.1 KUAZ-FM Tucson.

FM Changes

Educational Media Foundation applies for a pair of changes in-between Austin and San Antonio.