The FCC has begun to clear out the list of translator applications from 2003 that have been stuck in limbo while LPFM rules were set. With those now in place, hundreds of applications have been dismissed. Recnet features a list of the applications that remain active following the purge.
Chicago Public Media has completed the move of 90.5 WRTE Chicago to 90.7. With the move to downtown Chicago, the station has relaunched with the user-generated programming of “Vocalo“, which is also heard on 89.5 WBEW Chesterton, IN. Its previous Spanish “Radio Arte” programming remains online.
With it about to be bumped from its current home at 106.7 due to interference issue, Alternative KWSS-LP Scottsdale will relocate to 93.9 on March 10. The LPFM covers northern parts of Phoenix with a maximum ERP of just 3 watts but at 177 meters.
Results Radio’s 101.5 KMJE Gridley, CA has completed its move-in to the Sacramento market. Now licensed to Woodland, the station is currently testing its new signal by simulcasting sister Classic Hits “92.1 K-Hits” KCCL. Its former Yuba City targeted AC format continues on K238AV as “Sunny 95.5“.
Also near Sacramento, EMF Broadcasting’s 107.1 K296GB North Highlands has applied to upgrade from 19 to 250 watts. As part of the application, the translator will change its originating station to Clear Channel News/Talk 1530 KFBK, perhaps rendering the use of 92.5 KFBK-FM as a 24/7 simulcast unnecessary upon approval and construction.
Clear Channel has been getting busy on the translator front the past few weeks. The company has signed-on 94.5 W233BG Port Union, OH as a simulcast of News/Talk 700 WLW Cincinnati, used a translator to bring Alternative Rock to Roanoke, and launched a Classic Rock simulcast in Tampa.
The company has filed to purchase 106.9 W295BF Midlothian, VA from Liberty University for $50,000. The translator already has a construction permit to move to 96.1 and last month applied to upgrade from 10 watts to 145 where it will rebroadcast an HD subchannel of 106.5 WBTJ.
The long-delayed plan to launch a new Classical station in St. Louis via HD subchannel and translator continues to evolve. 96.1 K241BS High Ridge completed its move and upgrade to 96.7 where it now operates as K244EP St. Louis but has applied to move again; this time to 107.3 where it will continue to operate with 250 watts.
In the Washington, DC suburbs of Northern Virginia, Metro Radio’s Regional Mexican “La Ley 1460” WKDV Manassas has begun simulcasting on 95.9 W240BH Gainesville. The translator was acquired from Liberty University in October for $70,000 and currently has a CP to increase from 4 to 55 watts.
Jason Nassour is a partner in the Texas/Classic Country KOKE-FM that launched in Austin last year via leases of a rimshot, HD simulcast, and in market translator. Now his Genuine Austin Radio has agreed to acquire 105.5 K288FJ Austin for $250,000 from Big Bend Broadcasting.
96.7 W244CN Enterprise, AL has completed its upgrade into Montgomery where it is now operating on 96.5. The translator has begun simulcasting Cumulus’ “Sportsradio 740” WMSP.