The FCC has set the timeline and procedures for the upcoming non-commercial FM filing window.
The window, for new applications of FM’s on 88.1 to 91.9 will commence at 12:01am on Tuesday, November 1 and run until 6:00pm on Tuesday, November 9. A freeze of minor change applications for the non-commercial band, adjacent channels (92.1 to 92.5) and intermediate frequency channels (98.7 to 102.7) will commence at 11:59pm on October 4 and run until the end of the filing window.
The full procedures including tiebreakers for MX’d applications can be read here.
The FCC has released its revised fee schedule for all Media Bureau related filings. The filing fee guide can be seen here.
Adams Radio Group Oldies “Kool Oldies 106.1” WQTL Tallahassee was issued a Notice of Violation for spurious emissions. The spur on 121.249 MHz had a signal level of -54.89 dBm, and on 136.41 MHz had a signal level of -75.50 dBm.
Multiple stations have been issued Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture with $3000 fines.
- WPGS Inc.’s Classic Rock 840 WPGS Mims FL was expected to file its renewal by October 1, 2019 but did not do so until January 31, 2020 one day ahead of its expiration on February 1.
- Corporation for Native Broadcasting’s 89.9 KXSW Sisseton SD was expected to file its renewal by December 1, 2020 but did not do so until January 14, 2021 ahead of its April 1, 2021 expiration.
- Redrock Broadcasting’s “102.3 Coyote Country” KUTQ La Verkin/St. George UT renewal was due on June 1, 2019 ahead of its license expiration on October 30, 2019. It did not file its renewal application until September 22, 2020 stating is was an oversight and has been operating via STA while awaiting its renewal to be processed.
Two previous recipients of proposed fines for late renewals have had them rescinded. Gerard Media LLC’s 106.7 W294CY Valparaiso IN was issued a $1500 fine in February for late renewal, however owner Larry Langford stated his inability was due to a technical issue with the FCC’s LMS. The database had listed the translator’s expiration date as July 9, 2021 and not April 1, 2020 as it should’ve been preventing the renewal application from being filed. FCC staff told Gerard Media that the error was corrected, although it was not, but Langford did not attempt to refile until July 2020 after the expiration leading to the error finally being fixed and the renewal filed. The FCC withdrew the fine, but has admonished the licensee for willful violation of the rules.
Amazing Grace Church’s 99.1 KILB-LP Paron AR had its $1500 fine withdrawn due to submitting proof of financial hardship.
The FCC continues to reach consent decrees with operators over missing documents from their online political files. Each of the groups have agreed to admission of liability and compliance plans:
- Brewer Media Group LLC licensee of KPLZ Ooltewah TN
- Chadrod Communications licensee of KCSR Chadron and KBPY Hay Springs NE
- Dakota Communications Ltd. licensee of KIJV and KOKK Huron and KJRV Wessington Springs SD
- First Republic Broadcasting Corporation licensee of KREP Belleville KS
- Flood Broadcasting Inc. licensee of KBIE Auburn and KNCY Nebraska City NE
- Glasgow Broadcasting Corp. licensee of KLAN and KLTZ Glasgow MT
- Greeley Broadcasting Corporation licensee of KRYE Beulah CO
- KOFI Inc. licensee of KOFI and KMZN Kalispell and KOLK Lakeside MT
- Seward County Broadcasting Co. Inc. licensee of KLDG and KSCB-FM Liberal KS
- Wayne Radio Works LLC licensee of KTCH Emerson NE
Deletions
In October 2020, The Pala Band of Mission Indians sent a letter to the FCC stating that Activist San Diego’s 89.9 KUMI Ramona CA was never given permission to enter their reservation, let alone build a transmitter site on it. KUMI had filed for a license to cover for the station on the tribal land in July 2019 but the land indicated as the transmitter site had nothing constructed nor was not heard on the air. Following an inquiry by the FCC last month seeking documentation of the station’s operating status from the point it filed its license to cover on 7/19/2019, the organization surrendered the license failing to acknowledge the station was never built. Activist San Diego also owns 89.1 KNSJ Descanso CA.
Eastern Oregon University has surrendered the license of Alternative 91.7 KEOL La Grande OR.
Big River Public Broadcasting’s Construction Permit for 96.3 KCNN Central AK expired unbuilt.
AM Changes
iHeartMedia applies to diplex News “BIN 970” KHVN Fort Worth TX
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com