FCC Actions

The FCC has issued a proposed rulemaking for how they process and license competing applications for non-commercial and LPFM stations. The rulemaking proposes to simplify the procedures by:

The full rulemaking proposal can be read here.

The requirement that licensees file paper copies of station documents including transfers of control, management agreements, LMA or Time Brokerage Agreements, and Joint Sales Agreements has been eliminated. The documents just need to be filed into each station’s Online Public File.

The agency also has eliminated the Form 397 Broadcast Mid-Term Report due to redundancy with the Online Public File.

The FCC has entered into a Consent Decree with WAGY Inc. and Marjorie Huskey over a series of unauthorized transfers of control of 1320 WAGY and 107.5 W298CZ Forest City NC between 1989 and 2004. Huskey will pay an $8,000 civil penalty over the transfers which saw her late husband and other parters in the company adjust ownership stakes without FCC approval leading to the Huskey’s gaining full control of the company in 1994. The stations also entered into an LMA without authorization between 2000 and March 2018 and failed to file biennial ownership reports between 1999 and 2015.

Deletions

Communications and Education Development Initiative’s Gospel 1540 WKDG Sumiton AL was deleted for not operating from its licensed facilities for over 365 days. WKDG went silent in August 2017 and then filed that he had resumed operations four days prior to when it would have been automatically deleted but using a temporary facility that it also filed for an STA concurrently. As the temporary location had not been previously approved it was considered to be unauthorized operation.

Triad Family Network’s 96.7 W244DO Winston-Salem NC Construction Permit expired unbuilt.

Family Stations surrendered the licenses for 90.5 K213CH Ridgecrest CA, 95.7 K239CO Parkersburg IA, and 95.9 K240ET Billings MT.

Licenses Reinstated

Claro Communications’ 1500 KBRN Boerne TX had its license restored following a Petition For Reconsideration. FCC agents noted KBRN was not operating in March 2018 and sent a letter of inquiry to Claro Communications requesting clarification of the station’s status for the past 365 days within one month. Getting no response, the agency deemed the station’s license as expired and deleted. Claro claimed it never received the letter of inquiry and submitted logs including electric bills and transmitter lease payments to show proof of operation. The FCC did notify KBRN that it must show proof of EAS and Online Public File compliance for the reinstatement to take effect. Right now the FCC is allowing the station to operate via STA.

Dismissals

Eternity Media Group’s application to move 1540 WKXG Greenwood MS to 1550 Bolton MS was dismissed as unacceptable for filing after deficiencies were not resolved.

Union-Carolina Broadcasting’s application to relocate 103.5 W278BE Union SC to 101.5 due to potential interference its current CP to move to 106.7 would cause to 106.9 WMIT-FM Black Mountain NC was dismissed as a major change outside a major change filing window.

WLOH Radio Company’s 104.5 W283BO Lancaster OH’s application to build a new 338 foot tower has been dismissed because the application was never filed or approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Revival Christian Ministries’ application to move 100.1 W261BU Talcottville CT via waiver to 104.7 to remove interference it was causing to 100.1 W261DD Springfield MA (despite the latter signing on later) was dismissed as a major change.

AM Changes

Bustos Media’s Regional Mexican “La GranD” 1150 KGDD Portland OR proposes diplexing with Multnomah School District’s 1450 KBPS Portland. KGDD would drop in power from 5kW day/10w night to 250w day/12w night with the move.

FM Changes

Three Daughters Media’s 106.3 WMNA-FM Gretna VA applies to upgrade from a Class A to a C3 with 18.5kW/117m. The station would also change city-of-license to Halifax VA.

Houston Christian Broadcasters’ 90.7 KFXT Sulphur OK applies to change antennas on tis existing tower to operate with 14kW/89m.

With its previous CP expiring unbuilt, Mildred Porter’s Urban AC 107.3 WQZZ Boligee AL reapplies to upgrade to 6kW/81.4m.

Translator Changes

Pirate Actions

Notices of Unlicensed Operation were issued to:

Call Letter Changes

92.5 WNDT Alachua FL -> WNDD
93.7 NEW Wickenburg AZ -> KFJE
93.9 NEW Big Circle AK -> KRLL-FM
97.9 WKIC Hyden KY -> WZQQ
106.1 WAFC-FM Okeechobee FL -> WLMX
107.3 WBBL-FM Greenville MI -> WTNR
1050 WLMA Alexander City AL -> WSGN
1390 WZQQ Hazard KY -> WKIC
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