The FCC sent out a notice this week reminding analog LPTV stations that they must complete their digital conversion by 11:59pm on July 13.
This will mean the end of all low-power television stations on channel 6 using the analog loophole to operate as a radio station on 87.7 MHz such as “87.7 MeTV-FM” WRME-LP Chicago, “La Nueva 87.7” WDCN-LP Washington DC, “Streetz 87.7” WMTO-LP Norfolk VA, and “Drake Hall Memphis Radio” WPGF-LP Memphis TN. While WMTO-LP operator Core Radio Group is in the process of purchasing 102.1 WXTG-FM Virginia Beach, none of the other so-called “Franken-FMs” have announced anything yet to keep their brand on the air past the July 13 deadline.
By 11:59 p.m. local time on July 13, 2021, all LPTV/translator stations must terminate all analog television operations regardless of whether their digital facilities are operational. Stations that have not yet constructed a digital facility must cease analog television operations no later than July 13, 2021, and remain silent until construction is completed. If a station goes silent prior to completing construction of its digital facility, it may file a request for silent authority.
All of the stations are being given the opportunity to file for a 180 day extension of their Construction Permits for digital operation by March 15, however the FCC is mandating that all stations must go Silent on July 14 should they not have their new facilities ready.
A pair of Orlando area signals have been issued Notices of Violation for spurious emissions onto the airplane band creating interference at Orlando International Airport. Cornerstone Broadcasting Corporation’s 97.3 W247AK Deland FL was noted on 133.0626 MHz with a field strength level of -66.53 dBm. Sucremedia’s 99.7 WBVL-LP Kissimmee had spurs on six frequencies including 114.145, 115.850, 118.385, 120.995, 134.585, and 135.765 MHz.
The FAA reported the interference from WBVL-LP to the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau on December 26, 2020 at 3:30pm. It took numerous attempts to contact station personnel before the station turned off its transmitter around 9:00am on December 28 taking 41 hours, more than the three required by FCC rules.
The FCC continues to issue fines to stations for failing to timely file license renewals.
School District of Bay City’s 91.3 WCHW-FM Bay City MI was required to file its license renewal application by June 1, 2020. However the station did not until September 29 just ahead of its October 1 license expiration date. WCHW-FM was fined $3000.
Carroll University, Inc.’s 104.5 WCCX Waukesha WI was fined $1500 as a secondary Class D service. WCCX was to have filed its renewal application by August 3, 2020 but did not until November 12.
The following translators and LPFM’s were fined $1500 as being secondary services:
- Clinton Educational Association’s 92.5 KXJK-LP Clinton IA was to have filed its license renewal on October 1, 2020 but did not submit it until December 28, 2020.
- Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana’s 106.3 KWRJ-LP Elton LA filed its renewal on May 29, 2020 just ahead of its license expiration of June 1 after its required deadline of February 3.
- Amazing Grace Church’s 99.1 KILB-LP Paron AR was required to file by February 3, 2020 but did not until March 11.
Heritage Media of Kentucky’s 103.9 W280FH Leitchfield KY was fined $1125 with its penalty dropped for what the licensee states was a clerical error during the initial chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic causing the company to forget to file along with parent 870 WMTL Leitchfield.
