RadioInsight - FCC Report 6/23: FCC Seeks Comments About Proposal For New 10kW Class A Maximum

FCC Actions

Following a proposal submitted last week from Commander Communications Corporation on behalf of its “Smooth Soul 100.5” WRTM-FM Sharon MS, the FCC is seeking comments in regards to creating a new station class “A10” with a maximum of 10,000 watts effective radiated power (ERP) and 100 meters height above average terrain (HAAT).

The proposal also seeks to amend existing facility requirements and minimum distance separation requirements to accommodate the new FM station class. The Class A10 stations would be required to operate with between 6kW and 10kW ERP at the equivalent of 100 meters HAAT. The proposal is another attempt to create a station class between a Class A and C3 following the rejected Class C4 proposal that would’ve created a class of stations operating at 12kW from a reference antenna height of 100 meters above average terrain in Zone II. Unlike that proposal, the A10 class is meant to be utilized across all zones.

The proposal with the proposed spacing requirements can be read here.

License Cancellations

Dockins Broadcast Group has turned in the license for Classic Rock “The Zone” 960 WGRO/99.7 W259CU Lake City FL. WGRO had gone silent in February due to technical problems with voltage relative to its directional towers. Dockins had surrendered WGRO’s license in February before asking for it to be rescinded and replaced by a Silent STA.

Townsquare Media’s Tri Cities Divestiture Trust has turned in the license of the former Classic Hits “97.5 Kool-FM” KOLW Basin City/Kennewick WA.

Harold Sudbury Jr.’s Newport Broadcasting Company has surrendered the licenses of 104.9 KHPA and 1490 KXAR Hope AR as they near the one year anniversary of going silent due to storm damage. Sudbury sold his six other stations last September.