FCC Actions

The FCC has rejected Reno Media Group’s application for review seeking a waiver request to increase power on 96.9 K245DC Carson City NV from 40 watts to 250 watts.

K245DC, which rebroadcasts 1270 KBZZ Sparks, currently operates as Classic Rock “The Hog” along with 92.5 K223AL Reno/106.9 KRNO-HD2. The company filed its application in January 2021 to allow the translator “to better serve its core market” claiming that due to the shape and size of the Reno market as defined by Nielsen and intervening terrain there is low conductivity and diminished reception for KBZZ in Carson City. The FCC dismissed the application stating that neither were unusual circumstances that warranted deviation from the FM Translator Siting Rule authorizing a translator rebroadcasting an AM to be within the greater of 25 miles or within the AM’s daytime 2 mV/m contour. The application sought to place the translator’s contour 42 miles from KBZZ’s translator site and beyond its 2 mV/m contour.

In dismissing the application for review, the commission finds the waiver request in direct conflict with the FCC rules and it was properly denied as there was no reference to a Nielsen market or to suggest that translators could be placed to provide service throughout a market as defined by Nielsen.

GeoBroadcast Solutions is promoting that after the FCC permitting FM Boosters to originate a limited amount of programming, a number of operators have applied to utilize their ZoneCasting technology.

Among the groups seeking to add boosters are:

• Roberts Broadcasting Hip Hop 97.7 WRBJ-FM Brandon/Jackson MS, which has held CPs for boosters in Jackson, North Jackson, and Flowood MS since January 2023.
• Ashley Communications’ “Eagle Country 105.5” KLCY Vernal UT, which intends to target portions of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation with four booster applications in Fort Duchesne (1, 2, 3, 4).
• Radio Activo Broadcasting’s Regional Mexican “La Mejor 93.5” KADD Logandale NV was granted three CPs for boosters in Henderson, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas.
• Evans Broadcast Group’s “99.1 FM Talk” KKFT Gardnerville-Minden/Reno applied for a new booster in Stateline to target Minden and to modify its existing one covering Lake Tahoe, while co-owned AC “Fun 101” 100.9 KRFN Sparks applies for three covering different parts of Carson City (1, 2, 3).

Roberts Broadcasting owner Steve Roberts stated in a release, “ZoneCasting has already proven successful for WRBJ-FM during our testing phase, significantly enhancing our ability to serve the Jackson community with localized content. With full FCC approval now in place, we are eager to roll out this innovative technology on a larger scale. It will allow us to provide more targeted and relevant programming, while also creating new advertising opportunities for local businesses. This is a pivotal moment for our station and for the future of broadcasting.”

Silent Notifications

• Volunteer Broadcasting’s 89.7 WJHO Alexander City AL (Complete license transfer to RadioAlabama Foundation)
• GBI Communications’ 97.5 WBBA-FM Pittsfield IL (Loss of programming source)
• Nicholls State University’s 91.5 KNSU Thibodaux LA (No staff until school resumes in August)
• Penfold Communications’ 89.9 KMWC Bethany MO (Feed station issue)
• Carolina Catholic Radio Networks’ 1270 WCGC Belmont NC (Financial issues, seeking sale)
• University of Texas at Tyler’s 99.7 KVUT Cuney TX (Financial reasons)

FM Changes

Salem Media Group Christian AC “95.5 The Fish” WFHM-FM Cleveland seeks to relocate