American Bandscan

DTV subchannels as time-sharing: FCC doesn't buy it

2012-01-27T12:36:00.002-06:00

The FCC has denied a creative proposal to get an additional DTV subchannel on cable.

Must-carry rules allow a full-power digital TV station to require local cable systems to carry one of their program streams. The station may select which stream is entitled to carriage. However, if the station broadcasts more than one stream, only one is required to be carried.

(in many cases, stations negotiate with cable to obtain carriage for additional streams. These agreements are business contracts, not enforced by the FCC.)

ION (formerly known as "Pax" and licensee of most TV stations with the combination "PX" in their callsigns) proposed to split their licenses. They proposed to license a second station on each of their channels, and assign that license to a firm called "Urban Television LLC". The existing ION station and the new Urban station on each channel would share time, with ION using the channel part of the day and Urban using it the rest of the day.

This kind of thing has happened in the past. Growing up in Milwaukee, I remember occasionally DXing two stations sharing channel 10 in Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State University's station WMSB broadcast educational programs during the day; commercial station WILX-TV broadcast NBC and local programs in the afternoon and at night. A new timesharing situation is likely to develop in Sacramento, California in the next year or two, as two non-commercial licensees were found equally qualified, and both will receive licenses to operate on channel 43 there.

What's different in the ION case is the length of each time slot. In the WMSB/WILX case, WMSB used the channel continuously for several hours; it then signed off for the day, allowing WILX to use it continuously for the rest of the night. In ION's case, each station would operate for a few milliseconds. It would transmit one of ION's video packets, then one of Urban's audio packets, then one of Urban's video packets, then an Urban metadata packet, then an ION metadata packet, etc., etc.....

And to some degree, the FCC has on its own motion proposed doing just this. A station operating above channel 37 would give up its own channel and would share time on the transmitter of some other station operating below 37. Both stations would be entitled to a slot on cable/satellite; each would be individually responsible for what airs on their subchannel.

But in ION's case, the Commission isn't buying it. They labeled the scheme as "...a division of spectrum...", not a division of time -- and denied the license assignment.

DX Test: Ferndale, Washington

2012-01-27T12:35:00.001-06:00

PLEASE GIVE THIS INFORMATION WIDEST POSSIBLE DISSEMINATION

DX Test Alert

KRPI Radio, 1550 kHz, Ferndale, WA will conduct a DX Test on Sunday morning, Feb. 26, 2012 from 4:00 to 4:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The test will consist of voice announcements, Morse code identifications, distinctive music, and audio tones. Chief Engineer David Harris has indicated the station will be using their daytime power and antenna pattern for the test. Reception reports and digital audio recordings may be directed to 1550radio@gmail.com. DXers can receive a KRPI QSL card for correct reception reports by sending their reports along with a self-addressed envelope and return postage to the following address: Mr. David Harris, Chief Engineer, KRPI Radio, P.O. Box 3213, Ferndale, WA 98248. Many thanks to Mr. Harris who is also amateur radio operator AC7OB. (Test arranged by J.D. Stephens and Jim Pogue)

Storms destroy AM station's tower

2012-01-24T08:17:00.002-06:00

WKLF-980, Clanton, Alabama lost its tower in Sunday night's storms.

The station shows up as "license canceled" in FCC records, but is widely reported still operating as it appeals some issues with its last renewal.

(I should say, "still operating" until last Sunday!)

Permit granted for new station

2012-01-20T20:12:00.001-06:00

Star, Idaho: 1020KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
10,000 watts daytime
460 watts nighttime
Directional at night only

43-43-01N/116-34-04W
Star is near Boise.

(Automated Business Services Inc.)

Two more Canadian AMs to go away

2012-01-20T17:46:00.002-06:00

- CKMW-1570 Winkler, Manitoba has filed to move to 103.7 FM with 100kw/52m. This is probably to be on the same tower as CJEL-FM 93.5.

- The CBC proposes to move CHFA-680 Edmonton to 90.1 FM.

In theory, what's happening is:
- CHFA's current 3.9kW "embedded relay" CHFA-1-FM on 101.1FM moves to the exiting 100kw
transmitter on 90.1.
- The existing Espace Musique relay on 90.1FM moves to the old CHFA-1-FM transmitter on 101.1.
- CHFA is deleted altogether.
- CHFA-1-FM becomes the originating station for Premiere Chaine in Alberta.

In practice, what's happening is:
- CHFA moves to 90.1 FM.
- The Espace Musique relay bumped from 90.1 moves to 101.1 FM.

Either way, AM 680 goes away.

DX test scheduled in New Mexico

2012-01-20T14:04:00.002-06:00

I apologize, I knew about this one but forgot to post it...

Thanks to Saul Chernos:

Reminder - DX Test this weekend! (that's very late tonight and tomorrow night)...

1490 KRSN NM Los Alamos

Scheduled for early Saturday and Sunday mornings, Jan. 21 and 22, each startinmg at midnight MOUNTAIN time (0700 UTC).

Each test is scheduled to run for 10 minutes.

Included are sweep tones, 20 WPM Morse code at 700 Hz, telephone 'offhook' signal, and vocal IDs & announcements provided by Paul
Walker (http://onairdj.com). Thanks, Paul!

Also included is 20 WPM Morse code at 5 kHz, so those of you with the equipment can try to detect the sidebands as CW at 1485 or 1495 kHz.

The transmitter is a Harris DAX-1 at 1000 Watts into a 3-wire folded monopole antenna located at N35° 53'37.6", W106° 17'36.8"

Preferred reception report method is via email to dxtest@krsnam1490.com - please attach an audio clip of what you heard, if possible. At least give a good description.

If you simply must use snail-mail, send your report (and a CD or cassette, if you can) to:

DX Test C/O David Sutton
3801 Arkansas Ave, Ste. E.
Los Alamos, NM, 87544

With thanks to Mike Westfall of Los Alamos, NM, for arranging this.

Saul Chernos
IRCA-NRC DX Test Committee

FLASH - DX opportunity in the East

2012-01-19T23:21:00.001-06:00

WCBS-880 has reportedly announced they would go off the air at midnight Eastern Time, early Friday morning, January 20th, for maintenance.

DXers may also want to check WFAN-660, which shares WCBS's antenna.

One way to help relieve the national debt...

2012-01-19T22:18:00.002-06:00

WPLY-960 Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania has been fined $17,000 for two violations of FCC regulations.

I suppose most DXers would feel that failing to keep a public inspection file would be a relatively minor violation. (even if the station admitted they never had a public file in the eleven years it was under control of the current ownership) The FCC establishes a base fine of $10,000 for this violation; and adjusted it upwards to $12,000 because there had been no public file in over eleven years.

The violation DXers would probably find more blatant is the use of an unauthorized power level and antenna system. WPLY is licensed to operate at 1,000 watts daytime, with a four-tower directional antenna. The FCC inspector found the station operating at 250 watts and using only one of the four towers. (resulting in non-directional operation) Strangely, the base fine for operating at an unauthorized power level and antenna is only $4,000. This, too, was adjusted upwards (to $5,000) because the unauthorized technical operation had also continued for eleven years...

As with other FCC actions, the station has the right to appeal the fines. They also have the right to attempt to show inability to pay. This latter action is successful more often than you might think. WPLY is in bankruptcy, so I would not be surprised if they end up paying something much less than $17,000.

DX tests scheduled in Pennsylvania

2012-01-19T20:26:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Jim Pogue KH2AR:

PLEASE GIVE THIS INFORMATION WIDEST POSSIBLE DISSEMINATION:

DX Test Alert – WHP Radio, Harrisburg, PA

WHP Radio, 580 kHz, Harrisburg, PA will conduct a DX Test on Monday morning, Feb. 27, 2012 at 12:05, 12:33, 1:05, 1:33, 2:05, 2:33, 3:05, 3:33, 4:05 and 4:33 a.m. Eastern Time for one minute. The test will consist of voice announcements and Morse code identifications. Operations Manager R.J. Harris is also investigating the possibility of using WHP’s daytime antenna pattern during the test periods. More information regarding the DX Test will be provided as it is developed. Reception reports and digital audio recordings may be directed to RJHarris@ClearChannel.com . DXers can receive a WHP QSL card for correct reception reports by sending their reports along with a self-addressed envelope and return postage to the following address: Mr. R.J. Harris, Operations Manager, WHP Radio, 600 Corporate Circle, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Many thanks to Mr. Harris who is also amateur radio operator W3HP. (Test arranged by J.D. Stephens and Jim Pogue)

DX Test Alert – WTKT Radio, Harrisburg, PA

WTKT Radio, 1460 kHz, Harrisburg, PA will conduct a DX Test on Monday morning, Feb. 27, 2012 at 12:15, 12:45, 1:15, 1:45, 2:15, 2:45, 3:15, 3:45, 4:15 and 4:45 a.m. Eastern Time for one minute. The test will consist of voice announcements and Morse code identifications. Operations Manager R.J. Harris is also investigating the possibility of using WKTK’s daytime antenna pattern during the test periods. More information regarding the DX Test will be provided as it is developed. Reception reports and digital audio recordings may be directed to RJHarris@ClearChannel.com . DXers can receive a WKTK QSL for correct reception reports by sending their reports along with a self-addressed envelope and return postage to the following address: Mr. R.J. Harris, Operations Manager, 1460 The Ticket, c/o Clear Channel Communications, 600 Corporate Circle. Harrisburg, PA 17110. Many thanks to Mr. Harris who is also amateur radio operator W3HP. (Test arranged by J.D. Stephens and Jim Pogue)

Application for new AM station dismissed

2012-01-18T12:46:00.002-06:00

Longwood, Florida: 890KHz:
Application for new station dismissed.
Applicant was Family Radio, which has been selling commercial-band FM stations recently & is rumored to be in financial trouble.

AM station granted move to new city & frequency

2012-01-12T12:52:00.001-06:00

Cathedral City, California: 1200KHz:
KPSF granted move from 1220 Desert Hot Springs
5,000 watts daytime
1,300 watts nighttime
directional, different patterns day & night.
33-50-35N/116-25-39W

KPSF is a construction permit for a new station, not yet on the air.

Applications filed for new AM stations

2012-01-12T12:45:00.001-06:00

Southchase, Florida: 1540KHz:
Application filed for new station.
7,000 watts daytime
300 watts nighttime
directional, different patterns day & night
28-23-12N/81-21-54W
George M. Arroyo

Southchase is near Orlando.

Grants Pass, Oregon: 830KHz:
Application filed for new station.
5,000 watts daytime
1,000 watts nighttime
directional at night only
42-26-26N/123-17-35W
Grants Pass Radio Co.

Power increase application in Canada

2012-01-12T12:43:00.003-06:00

Ottawa, Ontario: 580KHz:
CFRA requests nighttime power increase from 10kw to 30kw.
Daytime facilities remain unchanged.

The station claims it no longer needs to protect stations CJFX (Antigonish, N.S.), CKPR (Thunder Bay, Ontario), and CHLC. (Baie-Comeau, Quebec) The stations in question have left 580KHz AM in favor of 98.9 FM (CJFX), 91.5 FM (CKPR), and 97.1 FM. (CHLC)

Application for new AM station dismissed

2012-01-12T12:42:00.002-06:00

Melba, Idaho: 1100KHz:
Application for new station dismissed.
(Kermit T. Stop Partnership)

AM call changes

2012-01-09T11:27:00.003-06:00

The following stations have changed callsigns recently:


Haleyville, Alabama        1230 WWWH  from WJBB
Tucson, Arizona            1450 KTZR  from KWFM
White Hall, Arkansas       1190 KJJI  for new station; believed to be testing..
Eureka, California          790 KEJY  from KWSW
Eureka, California          980 KWSW  from KINS
Hiawassee, Georgia         1230 WJUL  from WNGM
Hilo, Hawaii               1450 KMCA  for new station
Decatur, Indiana           1540 WJZI  from WADM
Sanford, Maine             1220 WWSF  from WPHX
Baltimore, Maryland         860 WFSI  from WBGR
Morningside, Maryland      1580 WNEW  from WHFS
Isleta, New Mexico         1510 KOAZ  from KMYN
Columbus, Ohio              820 WVSG  from WOSU
Mount Angel, Oregon        1130 KQRR  from KPWX
Columbia, S. Carolina       560 WXBT  from WVOC
Newport, Tenn.             1060 WNPC  from WGGQ
Huntington, W.Va.          1200 WEMM  from WNBL
Hurricane, W.Va.           1110 WMUX  from WIHY
Stevens Point, Wis.        1010 WPCN  from WSPT
Village of Superior, Wis.  1560 WIVS  for new station

AM station moved to new city

2012-01-09T11:15:00.002-06:00

Memphis, Tennessee: KOTC-830:
KOTC has moved from Kennett, Missouri.
New facility is 3,000 watts daytime-only, from the existing tower of WLOK-1340 at 35-07-01N/90-00-59W.

Local reports suggest the station only operated long enough to prove proper operation of the transmitter. Speculation is it may relay an existing FM station in northern Mississippi, allowing that station to install an FM translator covering Memphis. A translator owned by the station it relays may not extend the coverage of that station.

AM station deleted

2012-01-09T10:59:00.002-06:00

Burnet, Texas: 1340KHz:
KRHC deleted, license surrendered for cancellation.

Broadcast stations: growth & not...

2012-01-06T19:15:00.002-06:00

The FCC released their quarterly Broadcast Station Totals report today.

Full-power radio has grown in the last quarter. There are three more AM stations than there were in September -- I count six stations new to the air; apparently three old stations were deleted. The new ones:

KTFI-1340 Wendell, Idaho
KGGS-1340 Garden City, Kansas
WGUY-1230 Veazie, Maine
KKXA-1520 Snohomish, Washington
WLUX-1450 Dunbar, West Virginia
KKMP-1440 Garapan, Saipan

Twelve more commercial FM stations came on the air in the last quarter. The real growth has been in non-commercial FM, with 72 new stations, 2% growth in a single quarter.

Totals were unchanged in three of the four full-power TV categories. A new commercial VHF station (KSQA-12 Topeka, Kansas) came on the air, for the only change here.

The FCC has been "clearing out deadwood", deleting expired low-power stations in both TV and radio. In radio, fourteen FM translators and ten LPFMs have been deleted. In TV, eleven Class A stations; 62 TV translators; and 21 LPTVs have been deleted. There aren't many VHF Class A's, so the deletion of three such stations represented a more than 4% decline in this class of station.

Overall, the total number of licensed broadcast stations declined by 30 in the last quarter, leaving 30,411 stations on the air.

FCC to no longer automatically approve city-of-license changes

2012-01-06T12:01:00.002-06:00

KTIA-FM's application to move from Boone, Iowa to Johnson has been put on hold pending clarification from the applicant.

For the FCC to approve a city-of-license change, the applicant must show that the public interest is better served by the new location. This is usually shown by selecting a new city that doesn't already have stations. The FCC feels it's more important for each community to have at least one station, than for any given community to have more than one.

Where the new community is in a metropolitan area, the applicant must show that the new community is independent of the central city of the metropolitan area.

Boone is not in any metropolitan area. Johnson is 13 miles from Des Moines and is part of the Des Moines metropolitan area. KTIA argued that Johnson is independent of Des Moines -- but the FCC isn't buying it. Maybe the most telling statistic is one KTIA itself submitted - showing that 21.4% of Johnson residents work in Johnson. The FCC noted that, by inference, more than 78% work in other parts of the Des Moines metropolitan area... They also note that if KTIA's move is approved, it will cover 78% of the metropolitan area.

Basically, the FCC regards the proposal as a proposal to move KTIA to Des Moines, not to Johnson. Since Des Moines already has plenty of stations, the FCC does not regard the move as creating a preferential arrangement of allotments.

They have not yet rejected the proposal outright. They've given KTIA 30 days to come up with some other grounds on which the application might be granted.

Don't hold your breath.

It might be noted LPFM station KFMG-LP had also filed an objection against the proposed move. KFMG is on the adjacent channel (99.1 vs. 99.3) to KTIA, and would be forced off the air (or at least to a new channel) if the KTIA move were approved. The Commission said they will not rule on KFMG's objection at this time. (they may consider it if KTIA succeeds in showing the move would create a preferential arrangement)

Can you identify too often?

2011-12-25T09:02:00.003-06:00

Apparently so.

See Regulation #6 on page 19 of the 1947 Canadian Radio Annual.

This requires that each station announce its call letters at least once, but not more than four times, an hour.

(edited to fix boldface tags)

Permit for new station canceled

2011-12-19T20:15:00.002-06:00

Columbia Falls, Montana: 1400KHz:
KQDE, permit for new station canceled.

AM station deleted

2011-12-16T00:36:00.001-06:00

Field, British Columbia: 860KHz:
CBRD to go silent.
Moving to FM 97.1

AM stations deleted

2011-12-07T12:11:00.002-06:00

The FCC has been doing some housecleaning. They've also deleted a stack of inactive LPTV licenses/permits, and a number of idle LPFM stations.

This is also renewal time for most stations in the South, with hundreds of renewals going on Public Notice.

Aberdeen, North Carolina: 1350KHz:
WQNX deleted.

Wilson, North Carolina: 590KHz:
WGTM deleted.

Newberry, South Carolina: 1520KHz:
WKMG deleted.

Application for new AM station dismissed

2011-12-07T00:21:00.002-06:00

San Angelo, Texas: 1500KHz:
Application for new station dismissed.
700 watts daytime
250 watts nighttime
Directional, different patterns night & day.
31-29-55N/100-24-18W

Later amended slightly to 600 watts daytime and 31-29-58N/100-24-22W.

Cleo Broadcasting

Permits granted for new stations

2011-12-05T11:50:00.003-06:00

Paukaa, Hawaii: 1400KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
2,500 watts day & night, non-directional
19-50-19N
155-06-43W
Murphy Broadcasting System

(this is the second new Class B station to be granted in Hawaii on a "local" channel)

Village of Superior, Wisconsin: 1560KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
5,000 watts daytime
4,000 watts nighttime
Directional, different patterns day & night
Kermit Carlson

(DS: edited to note Village of Superior is in Wisconsin...)

Permit granted for new AM station

2011-12-02T19:55:00.002-06:00

Hilo, Hawaii: 1450KHz:
Permit granted for new station
5,000 watts day & night, directional, same pattern.
19-42-34N/155-06-35W
Mark C. Allen

This is authorized as a Class B station. Usually, only Class C stations (with a maximum power of 1,000 watts) are authorized on 1450KHz.

Indeed, FCC regulation 73.27 flat-out states that Class B stations are not permitted on 1450 in the Lower 48. However, they are allowed in Alaska and Hawaii. (and the territories)

Within the conterminous 48 states, the following frequencies are
designated as local channels, and are assigned for use by Class C
stations: 1230, 1240, 1340, 1400, 1450, and 1490 kHz

To my knowledge this is the only Class B authorized on a Class C channel.

AM station call changes

2011-12-01T21:29:00.003-06:00

The following AM stations have changed callsigns recently:


Wasilla, Alaska      1430 KWAP  from KMBQ
Dover, Delaware      1600 WRJE  from WAMS
Lake City, Florida   1450 WJOE  (new station)
Toccoa, Georgia      1420 WHTD  from WEJY
Philadelphia, Penna. 1480 WDAS  (back) from WUBA
Auburn, Washington   1210 KMIA  from KTBK

AM station going away

2011-11-29T14:12:00.001-06:00

Kispiox, British Columbia: 990KHz:
CBTD requests move to FM.
The station plans to move to 91.3 FM at a different site.

New stations, and not

2011-11-25T11:33:00.002-06:00

Calgary, Alberta: 1670KHz:
Application for new station.
5,000 watts daytime
1,000 watts nighttime
51-06-26N/113-58-11W
Ethnic
(Punjabi-World Network)

Ottawa, Ontario: 1630KHz:
Application for new station.
1,000 watts day & night
45-24-45N/75-37-41W
Ethnic
(Papoo Holdings)
(would displace low-power station CHYW on the same frequency)

Montevallo, Alabama: 880KHz:
Application for new station dismissed.
(Scott C. Cinnamon)

Application for new AM station amended

2011-11-24T11:10:00.001-06:00

Walsenburg, Colorado: 1180KHz:
Application for new station.
20,000 watts daytime
300 watts nighttime
Directional, different patterns day & night.
37-40-03N/104-50-13W
(Mainstreet Broadcasting)
Amendment from 1,700 watts daytime/350 watts nighttime, directional only at night.

New AM station on the air

2011-11-24T11:09:00.000-06:00

Garden City, Kansas: 1340KHz:
New station KGGS on the air.
1,000 watts daytime
880 watts nighttime
non-directional
37-58-08N/100-55-56W
Country music, farm information.

Applications to amend existing AM stations

2011-11-24T11:04:00.001-06:00

Sylva, North Carolina: 540KHz:
WRGC has refiled to move from 680.
5,000 watts daytime
140 watts nighttime
non-directional
This station is reportedly off the air.

Memphis, Tennessee: 830KHz:
KOTC has refiled to move from Kennett, Missouri.
3,500 watts, daytime only.
34-48-22N/89-59-47W

Permit granted for new AM station

2011-11-24T11:01:00.001-06:00

Mississauga, Ontario: 960KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
2,000 watts daytime
280 watts nighttime
The decision doesn't say, but it's probably directional day & night with different patterns.
To be local news/talk for Mississauga.

New stations granted in Montreal

2011-11-22T00:07:00.002-06:00

OK, we have the winners...

Montreal, Quebec: 690KHz:
CKGM granted move from 990.
50,000 watts day & night, probably non-directional.
English-language all sports.

Montreal, Quebec: 940KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
50,000 watts day & night, directional status unknown.
French-language news/talk.

Montreal, Quebec: 990KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
50,000 watts day & night, directional all hours, different patterns day & night.
(will use the former CKGM facility)
French-language LGBT-oriented station.

The stations that were granted 940 and 990KHz had both requested 690, but the CRTC felt CKGM could make best use of the channel.

AM station deleted

2011-11-16T11:56:00.001-06:00

Young Harris, Georgia: 770KHz:
WYHG deleted.
License surrendered to FCC for cancellation.

AM station format change

2011-11-15T21:32:00.001-06:00

I don't normally report on format changes, but this station has been the first New Mexico logging for quite a few people..

KCKN-1020 Roswell, New Mexico has been sold to Radio Vision Cristiana. This is a Hispanic religious group responsible for stations like WWRV-1330 New York City and a station on 530 in the Caribbean.

New stations: one permit granted, and one on the air

2011-11-15T21:27:00.002-06:00

Winterville, North Carolina: 1570KHz:
WECU new on the air.
8,000 watts daytime
200 watts nighttime
Non-directional all hours.
35-32-15N/77-25-06W
Winterville is in Pitt County near Greenville.
(CTC Media Group)

Reno, Nevada: 1180KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
7,500 watts daytime
950 watts nighttime
Directional at night only
39-34-05N/119-45-12W
(Eastern Sierra Broadcasting)

AM stations going away

2011-11-15T21:23:00.002-06:00

Pemberton, British Columbia:1240KHz:
CBXK proposes move to 91.5 FM.

Atikokan, Ontario:1240KHz:
CFOB-1 proposes move to 95.9 FM.
This is currently an AM station relaying an FM...

National EAS Test

2011-11-10T00:29:00.003-06:00

Early reports suggest Wednesday afternoon's national EAS Test didn't fare very well.

Nearly everyone is reporting spurious audio. At our station it sounded like "printthru" on analog tape. (you could hear weak data bursts, alert tone, and voice message several seconds before the "real" data, tone, and voice happened)

At least at our station (in Nashville) the voice message was fully intelligible and of decent quality. I have heard from several parts of the country where the message was distorted or noisy to the point of being unintelligible. In other parts, the message was completely non-existent.

Reportedly the test didn't happen at all in Oregon and in several other smaller areas.

I suspect we will be seeing a repeat of this test early next year.

Please chime in with your observations.

AM station call changes

2011-11-02T11:32:00.002-05:00

The following stations have changed callsigns recently:


Haleyville, Alabama      1230 WWWH  from WJBB
Dover, Delaware          1600 WAMS  from WMHZ
Waukon, Iowa             1160 KFXE  from KSFF
Corbin, Kentucky         1600 WRSL  from WKFO
Marysville, Ohio         1270 WQTT  from WUCO
Berwick, Pennsylvania    1280 WBWX  from WFBS
Pottstown, Pennsylvania  1370 WBZH  from WPAZ
Hope Valley, Rhode Isl.  1180 WCRI  from WCNX
Paris, Tennessee         1000 WRQR  from WMUF

AM station changed frequency

2011-11-02T11:31:00.001-05:00

Kalamazoo, Michigan: 1440KHz:
WKPR moved from 1420.
Power to 2,700 watts daytime; 24 watts nighttime, non-directional.

Permits granted for new stations

2011-11-02T11:29:00.002-05:00

Wasilla, Alaska: 880KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
210 watts day & night, non-directional
61-36-14N/149-26-46W
Steve King (yes, I'm pretty sure this is the same Steven King who writes horror stories)

Fritch, Texas: 1570KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
12,000 watts daytime, directional
1,000 watts nighttime, directional, different pattern
35-37-26N/101-37-38W
La Promesa Foundation

Applications for new AM stations

2011-11-02T11:25:00.000-05:00

Tyonek, Alaska: 1360KHz:
Application for new station.
20,000 watts day & night, non-directional.
60-59-08N/150-26-54W
Radio 786 Inc.

Star, Idaho: 1020KHz:
Application for new station.
10,000 watts daytime, non-directional
460 watts nighttime, directional
43-43-01N/116-34-04W
Automated Business Services Inc.

Permit granted for new AM station

2011-10-28T08:36:00.000-05:00

Midland, Texas: 1550KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
50,000 watts daytime
300 watts nighttime
directional day & night, different patterns.
32-05-48N/101-59-08W
(Bret D. Huggins)

FCC doesn't buy smartphone as interference solution

2011-10-18T11:12:00.002-05:00

The FCC has refused to allow the licensee of an FM translator to offer smartphones as a solution to interference to FM radio reception in Michigan.

A new radio station was launched in Detroit in April. Smooth jazz station "Oasis 104.7" broadcast over the HD2 subchannel of WGPR-107.5 -- and in analog over translator station W284BQ.

FM translators are not allowed to cause interference to full-power "regular" FM stations. Even if the normal engineering methods suggest no interference should occur, if complaints of actual interference are received, the translator must either make technical changes to eliminate it, or cease operations.

Translator W284BQ operates on 104.7 in Detroit. When it began operation this spring, listeners in Ypsilanti, Belleville and Taylor, Michigan contacted full-power station WIOT, on the same frequency in Toledo, Ohio 50 miles to the south, complaining of interference to WIOT's signal.

In July, the owners of W284BQ modified its antenna to reduce signal to the south, in the direction of the complainants. This seems to have resolved five of the 28 complaints. Another thirteen could not be contacted or refused to cooperate; and one doesn't listen to WIOT anymore & doesn't care about the interference.

W284BQ offered the remaining nine complainants free smartphones with the iheartradio.com application. This can be used to listen to participating radio stations online; WIOT is one of the stations that participates in this program. The translator agreed to pay both for the smartphone hardware, and the airtime charges. Eight of the nine accepted the offer.

However, WIOT doesn't buy in to this plan. They gave the FCC several areas of concern:
- WIOT may discontinue participation in iheartradio.com;
- The wireless network may fail;
- Smartphone listeners won't hear unstreamed content; (some material may not be licensed for broadcast over the Internet, where it may be heard in other markets where someone else has the rights)
- It's not entirely certain W284BQ would continue to pay the airtime fees indefinitely.

WIOT also mentioned 58 additional complaints. While they didn't explicitly say so, it would seem the smartphone solution doesn't do anything for listeners who might not listen to WIOT now, but who might hear the station & decide to listen to it in the future -- unless they can't receive it due to interference from W284BQ.

The FCC raised three additional issues:
- WIOT only forwarded complaints from listeners living within the station's "protected contour". The translator is responsible for resolving all complaints. (and given the densely populated area in which such interference is likely to occur, there are likely to be many such complaints.)
- Who's responsible for maintenance? If one of the smartphones is damaged or lost, will the translator pay for its repair or replacement?
- How can a cash-strapped FCC monitor & enforce compliance with such an unusual solution?

=====================================

The Commission has decided W284BQ's solution is not workable. Pursuant to regulation 74.1203, a translator that interferes with a "regular" station must be shut down -- and the FCC has so ordered.

New AM station on the air

2011-10-14T19:37:00.002-05:00

Garapan, Saipan: 1440KHz:
New station KKMP on the air.
1,100 watts day & night, non-directional.
15-09-28N
145-43-05E

Application for new AM station

2011-10-14T18:35:00.001-05:00

Grants Pass, Oregon: 830KHz:
Application filed for new station.
5,000 watts daytime
1,000 watts nighttime
directional at night only
42-26-26N
123-17-35W
Grants Pass Radio Co.

AM station deleted (eventually)

2011-10-07T20:11:00.002-05:00

Droitwich, England, U.K.: 198KHz:
(does the BBC *have* callsigns?)

As part of a large round of budget cuts, the BBC has announced they will not maintain their longwave transmitters on 198KHz. The move "...will lead to the end of Radio 4 on LW in the long term."

BBC Local Radio on AM will also be closed, where it duplicates FM coverage. I believe that would involve the following frequencies:

* BBC Radio Cumbria - 756, 837, 1458
* BBC Newcastle - 1458
* BBC Radio Lancashire - 855, 1557
* BBC Radio Merseyside - 1485
* BBC Radio Leeds - 774
* BBC Radio York - 666, 1260
* BBC Radio Humberside - 1485
* BBC Radio Nottingham - 1584
* BBC Radio Gloucestershire - 1413
* BBC Somerset - 1566

Transmitters in Guernsey (1116) and Jersey (1026) are reportedly exempt and will continue. None of these frequencies are particularly powerful; only the most well-equipped American DXers would stand much chance of logging any of these.

Non-commercial stations not allowed to air commercials

2011-10-07T11:23:00.002-05:00

The FCC has denied a petition to waive the underwriting rules for non-commercial FM stations, to allow five stations owned by Network of Glory, Inc. to air commercials. Network of Glory claims that the poor economy has made it difficult to obtain grants and underwriting for the operation of their stations.

FCC regulation 73.503 allows non-commercial stations to acknowledge contributions on the air -- so-called "underwriting" announcements. This page explains what's acceptable in an underwriting announcement. Basically, non-commercial stations may identify their contributors, indicate where contributors' businesses are located, and indicate what type of business the firm conducts. They may not compare their contributors' products/services to those of other firms or issue a "call to action", asking listeners/viewers to buy something from contributors.

Network of Glory apparently feels these regulations are too restrictive, are making it difficult for them to obtain enough support to continue operation.

The Commission disagrees. Firstly, they state that Section 399B of the Communications Act prohibits the broadcast of commercials by non-commercial stations. The FCC cannot waive the Communications Act; only Congress can do that. The Commission also notes that having difficulty raising funds is hardly unusual among non-commercial stations. Network of Glory's situation is hardly unique; the right place to address their issues would be in a request to amend the FCC Regulations. (and before that, to amend the Communications Act)

The five stations involved are:
KEJA-91.7 Cale, Ark.
WAKP-89.1 Smithboro, Ga.
KEIS-90.3 York, Nebr.
KJOG-91.1 Cleveland, Okla.
WGBQ-91.9 Lynchburg, Tenn.

All five are fairly recent stations.

New look of this blog

2011-10-05T12:09:00.002-05:00

Blogger kept bothering me about upgrading my template, so I upgraded my template. I don't expect much else to happen with that, although I do intend to try to find a more relevant background. Would love to have a decent shot of an inline array of AM towers, if I can find one that's photographable and not too horribly far from Nashville. (I drive past one every day, but there's no publicly-accessible location from which it can be photographed!)

AM station (permit) deleted

2011-10-05T12:02:00.001-05:00

Casa Grande, Arizona: 650KHz:
Permit for new station expired.
(no call letters had been assigned)

AM station call changes

2011-09-30T13:59:00.003-05:00

Call letter changes released today.. Note the disappearance of the legacy KFRC San Francisco calls from AM. They will live on on KFRC-FM 106.9, although it's my understanding the calls are almost never used on FM. (the station relays KCBS 740 AM)


ALAB Eufaula 1240 WNRA CC from WULA
CALI San Francisco 610 KZDG CC from KFRC
COLO Denver 1340 KVOQ CC from KCFR
GEOR Toccoa 1420 WEJY CC from WLET
MINN Bemidji 1300 KPMI CC for NS
MINN Minneapolis 1130 KTCN CC from KFAN
MINN Rochester 1270 KFAN CC from KTCN
MISSO Waynesville 1270 KIIK CC from KOZQ
OHIO Columbus 820 WVSG CC from WOSU
PENN Connellsville 1340 WBGI CC from WYJK
TEXA Pearsall 1280 KMFR CC from KVWG
TEXA Stockdale 1520 KQQB CC from KHLT

AM station (permit) deleted

2011-09-28T11:22:00.001-05:00

Easton, California: 1150KHz:
KWDO deleted.
This was not an operating station, but a permit for a new operation.

AM station deleted

2011-09-26T10:55:00.000-05:00

Carrollton, Alabama: 590KHz:
WREN deleted.

AM station going away

2011-09-21T00:59:00.000-05:00

Stettler, Alberta: 1400KHz:
CKSQ applies to move to 93.3 FM.

AM station deleted

2011-09-15T12:46:00.001-05:00

White River Junction, Vermont: 910KHz:
WNHV deleted.

FCC authorized "Controlled Carrier" AM

2011-09-13T10:39:00.001-05:00

FCC DA-11-1535A1:

Some hams may remember something called "controlled carrier". ISTR this feature was installed in my Heathkit DX-60 ham transmitter.

The idea was to adjust the level of the AM carrier signal dynamically, as the level of the modulating audio changed. If your 500-watt AM transmitter is only being modulated 50%, you only need 250 watts of carrier to avoid overmodulation; the remaining 250 watts are essentially wasted.

Apparently this feature has been available in broadcast transmitters for some time, and used by high-powered stations overseas. It's also been tested domestically on KOTZ-720, Kotzebue, Alaska.

The FCC has now authorized its use in general by U.S. AM stations. Stations wishing to use it must request a "MDCL Waiver" of 73.1560(a).

("MDCL" = "Modulation Dependent Carrier Level")

(I gave up on AM phone with the DX-60 & went back to Morse Code when I got a 5 by 4 report from a station six miles away...)

Applications for new AM stations in Montreal

2011-09-07T11:57:00.002-05:00

As you may remember, a few months ago proposals were filed for new AM stations to occupy the clear channels 690 and 940 in Montreal. These are going to a hearing on October 17. The following applications were filed:

690: Dufferin Communications, for a LGBT-oriented station, in French.
CKGM, to move their English all-sports station from 990 to 690.
7954689 Canada Inc., for a French news/talk station.

940: Metromedia CMR, for the originally-planned English-language traffic station.
7954689 Canada Inc., for an English news/talk station.

Metromedia CMR dropped their application for a new French traffic station on 690; they have instead converted their existing French news/talk station CKAC-730 to an all-traffic format.

CKGM's application is a bit of a surprise; can't say I'd expect the CRTC to approve an application that would involve changing the language of the big 690 signal.

I'm not entirely sure whether there's a well-known company behind "7954689 Canada Inc.". The email address on the application is that of a Nicholas Tetrault, who comes up on Wikipedia as a BQ candidate for Parliament in the 2000 election.

AM station going away

2011-09-01T00:34:00.002-05:00

Grande-Anse, New Brunswick: 540KHz:
CBGA-1 going away.
This 10,000 watt AM relayer of FM 102.1 from Matane, Quebec is to be replaced by four FM transmitters in Quebec.

AM station call changes

2011-09-01T00:30:00.002-05:00

The following AM stations have recently changed callsigns:


Sacramento, California       1240 KCVV from KRJY

Boise, Idaho                  950 KMHR from KNJY

Glencoe, Minnesota           1310 KTWN from KGLB

Rochester, Minnesota         1270 KTCN from KWEB

Middletown, New York         1400 WMJQ from WYNY

Berwick, Pennsylvania        1280 WBWX from WFBS

Milford, Pennsylvania        1450 WYNY from WMJQ

Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania    1240 WVSL from WYGL

Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania   720 WHYF from WWII

Beaver, Utah                 1230 KBEV (new station)

KXEL-1540 off

2011-08-26T13:17:00.004-05:00

This 50,000-watt station in eastern Iowa suffered transmitter damage as the result of a July windstorm. There is no timetable for returning to the air.

At my Nashville-area location, CHIN Toronto will probably be the main beneficiary of KXEL's absence. I would imagine WDCD Albany, NY will the the most heard 1540 station in the east, and ZNS-1 in the Bahamas is another likely target.

Here is a link to KXEL's website.

AM station going away

2011-08-26T13:14:00.002-05:00

Atikokan, Ontario: 1240KHz:
CFOB-1 going to FM
This 50-watt station, previously known as CKDR-6, has applied to move to 96.9 FM from the same site and with the same power. Such moves are almost always granted, especially in rural places like Atikokan where there is little risk of technical conflict.

AM stations deleted

2011-08-20T18:44:00.001-05:00

Ticonderoga, New York: 1250KHz:
WIPS license canceled at request of licensee.

Somerset, Pennsylvania: 1330KHz:
WBHV license canceled

AM technical changes on the air

2011-08-02T10:34:00.002-05:00

Isleta, New Mexico: 1510KHz:
KMYN on air with new facilities.
5,000 watts daytime
4,200 watts critical hours
25 watts nighttime
non-directional all hours.
34-58-46N/106-44-13W

KMYN moved from 1500 at Alamo Community. (where it was replaced with an FM station)
Isleta is just south of Albuquerque.

AM stations deleted

2011-08-02T10:33:00.001-05:00

Bald Knob, Arkansas: KAPZ-710;
Blakely, Georgia: WBBK-1260;
Waterloo, Iowa: KXGM-850:
Licenses canceled.

Arkansas station sued for misleading advertiser

2011-08-01T14:14:00.002-05:00

A Little Rock radio station has been sued for failing to inform an advertiser of reduced coverage due to a transmitter failure. According to this article on the ArkansasBusiness.com website, KARN failed to inform Custom Satellite Solutions that their transmitter was operating at 2,500 watts, instead of the normally licensed 50,000-watt facility.

(while the article cites KARN-AM 920, that station is only licensed for 5,000 watts. A local DXer says it was KARN-FM, which is licensed for 50,000 watts, that was affected.)

Permit granted for new AM station

2011-08-01T12:57:00.001-05:00

Prescott Valley, Arizona: 1330KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
800 watts daytime
250 watts nighttime
directional, different patterns day & night.
34-34-14N/112-18-46W
RAMS I

As you might guess, Prescott Valley is just east of Prescott in north-central Arizona.

Montreal 690/940 applications are on again

2011-07-29T21:56:00.003-05:00

If you've been following this blog for awhile, you've followed the on again, off again saga of 690 & 940 in Montreal.

- First, these two major stations went silent;

- Then, they surrendered their licenses for cancellation;

- Then, it was announced applications were filed for new stations to take their place;

- and, just a few days ago, that the applications had been removed from the agenda for the next CRTC hearing.

Well, now we know why... and it does not mean the new applications are dead. Rather, after reading interventions filed by third parties, the Commission felt they needed to solicit competing applications for new AM service in Montreal. Only the 690 and 940KHz frequencies are involved.

Recent AM call changes

2011-07-29T21:51:00.006-05:00


Birmingham, Alabama     960 WERC     (back) from WVVB
Evergreen, Alabama     1470 WEVG     from WPGG
Juneau, Alaska         1330 KXXJ     from KXLJ
Sacramento, California 1240 KCVV     from KRJY
Estes Park, Colorado   1470 KRBR     from KEPL
Honokaa, Hawaii        1010 KXFX     (new station)
Boise, Idaho            730 KINF     from KBSU
Boone, Iowa            1260 KDLF     from KTIA
Delta, Utah             540 KYAH     from KNAK
Fredericksburg, Va.    1350 WNTX     from WYSK
Forks, Washington      1490 KRKZ     from KBIS
Durand, Wisconsin      1430 WRDN     (back) from WQOQ
Casper, Wyoming        1600 KLNQ     (new station)

AM station "undeleted"

2011-07-29T21:51:00.003-05:00

Winona, Mississippi: 1570KHz:
WONA license reinstated.

Permit granted for new AM station

2011-07-29T21:49:00.001-05:00

Beaver, Utah: 1230KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
1,000 watts day & night, non-directional.
38-12-55N/112-38-45W
Beaver is in southwestern Utah.

Cary Grant sings FCC regulations

2011-07-21T12:49:00.001-05:00

MP3 recording.

background on above recording.

Yes, this *is* exactly what the message subject says it is: a link to a MP3 recording of Cary Grant singing the 1939 legal ID regulations over the NBC network...

Application for new AM station dismissed

2011-07-21T12:10:00.003-05:00

Medford, Oregon: 830KHz:
Application for new station dismissed at request of applicant.
(Hill & Glover Broadcasting)

AM stations deleted

2011-07-21T11:55:00.001-05:00

Wiggins, Mississippi: 1420KHz:
WIGG license canceled.

Saluda, South Carolina: 1200KHz:
WJES license canceled.

AM station to be deleted

2011-07-19T00:41:00.001-05:00

Lillooet, British Columbia: 860KHz:
CBUL has applied to move to 92.7 FM.

Applications filed for new AM stations (Canada)

2011-07-15T11:34:00.002-05:00

Montreal, Quebec: various frequencies:
Four applications filed for new AM stations in Montreal:
1. 600KHz: 250 watts daytime, 50 watts night, South Asian.
2. 1400KHz: 1,000 watts day & night, South Asian. Would go to 1610KHz when existing CJWI moves to 1410. Mutually exclusive with #4.
3. 1530KHz: 1,000 watts daytime only, French contemporary Christian.
4. 1610KHz: 1,000 watts day & night, Spanish. Mutually exclusive with #2.

Mississauga, Ontario: 960KHz:
Application filed for new AM station.
2,000 watts daytime; 280 watts night.
News/talk format.

Permit granted for new AM station

2011-07-11T11:02:00.001-05:00

Coral Springs, Florida: 1120KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
9,500 watts daytime
6,700 watts critical hours
1,100 watts nighttime
Directional, three different patterns.
26-16-54N/80-17-39W
Langer Broadcasting Group

Return of Montreal 690/940 delayed

2011-07-08T19:11:00.002-05:00

The applications to reactivate the 690 and 940 frequencies in Montreal have been withdrawn from the agenda for the CRTC hearing on July 18th. At this time they have not been completely withdrawn -- they will be heard later -- so the return of these frequencies is still possible.

AM station deleted

2011-07-08T19:10:00.000-05:00

Tulia, Texas: 1260KHz:
KTUE license canceled.

New AM station on the air

2011-06-23T20:40:00.002-05:00

Helendale, California: 1450KHz:
New AM station on the air.
KQTE has filed for a license to cover.
250 watts day & night, non-directional from a single tower at 34-44-26N/117-21-50W.
Helendale is near Barstow.

AM stations deleted

2011-06-23T20:36:00.002-05:00

DeWitt, New York: 720KHz:
WVOA permit canceled (at request of permittee)
This was a permit for a new station, never built.

Clarksburg, West Virginia: 1400KHz:
WOBG license canceled.
Station had been off the air for more than a year.

New AM stations; one granted, one applied for

2011-06-19T00:22:00.002-05:00

Terre Haute, Indiana: 1230KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
1,000 watts day & night, non-directional.
39-29-21N/87-25-10W
Bott Broadcasting, a national religious broadcaster.

This is one of the frequencies silenced when the FCC revoked three Terre Haute licenses when the owner was convicted of serious crimes in state court. (the other AM frequency, 640, was recently awarded to an ethnic broadcaster)

Reno, Nevada: 1180KHz:
Application filed for new station.
7,500 watts daytime;
950 watts nighttime;
directional at night only.
39-34-05N/119-45-12W.
Eastern Sierra Broadcasting

New AM stations: one granted, one dismissed

2011-06-10T20:39:00.001-05:00

Olivehurst, California: 890KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
350 watts daytime, 250 watts night, directional day & night with different patterns.
39-03-28N/121-34-38W.

Competing application at Chico, California dismissed.

AM station deleted

2011-06-10T20:38:00.000-05:00

Haines City, Florida: 930KHz:
WLVF license canceled.

Application for new AM station amended

2011-06-10T20:37:00.000-05:00

Prescott Valley, Arizona: 1330KHz:
Application for new station amended.
From 1,000 watts non-directional day & night on 1340,
to 800 watts daytime, 250 watts nighttime. Directional day & night, different patterns. Frequency amended to 1330, and site changed slightly.

AM station deleted

2011-06-09T23:44:00.002-05:00

Valparaiso, Florida: 1340KHz:
WFSH license canceled.

AM station major change on the air

2011-06-07T12:11:00.002-05:00

Isleta, New Mexico: 1510KHz:
KMYN moved from Alamo Community
Frequency changed from 1500.
New tower site 34-58-46N/106-44-13W;
power to 5,000 watts daytime, 25 watts nighttime, non-directional day & night.
4,200 watts critical hours. (2 hours after sunrise, and 2 hours before sunset)

The operation at Alamo Community has been replaced with KABR-FM 88.1.

Isleta is an Albuquerque suburb.

AM station deleted

2011-06-06T11:22:00.001-05:00

South Bend, Indiana: 1490KHz:
WPNT deleted.

This is (was) the standard-band side of expanded-band station WDND-1620.

Chattanooga's oldest station gone

2011-06-03T20:28:00.001-05:00

WDOD-1310, the first radio station in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has permanently left the air. The transmission facility has been sold to a local school; the towers will be removed.

WDAY-970 Fargo off

2011-06-02T09:38:00.003-05:00

One of your better opportunities to log North Dakota is temporarily off the air.

The Upper Midwest Broadcasting website reports the station's three towers in West Fargo suffered serious damage in a Memorial Day storm. Photos on the station's blog show at least one tower collapsed completely, and the upper portion of another tower bent over.

WDAY radio programming is being temporarily broadcast over subchannels of WDAY-TV (channel 6.3) and its relay station WDAZ-TV Devils Lake. (channel 8.3)

The blog says

...we’ll be back on 970 WDAY earlier instead of later… perhaps much earlier!

, whatever that means...

AM call changes

2011-05-27T16:44:00.001-05:00

The following stations have changed calls recently:


Dover, Delaware     1600 WMHZ  from WAMS
Boone, Iowa         1260 KDLF  from KTIA
Waukon, Iowa        1160 KSFF  from KHPP
Ocean City, Md.     1590 WAMS  from WMHZ
Rome, New York      1450 WRUY  from WYFY

Permit granted for new AM station

2011-05-24T12:21:00.002-05:00

Rowe, New Mexico: 1420KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
2,500 watts daytime
103 watts nighttime
non-directional all hours
35-29-51N/105-40-20W, about 25 miles southeast of Santa Fe.

This station must propose a rather unusual antenna system...

The FCC requires new AM stations to have a minimum nighttime power of 250 watts, or a minimum nighttime signal of 141mV/m at 1km from the antenna. This station obviously proposes a lot less than 250 watts, but a signal of 441mV/m. How they are able to do this with a non-directional antenna I have no idea.

Permit granted for new AM station

2011-05-23T11:27:00.001-05:00

Craig, Colorado: 1450KHz:
Permit issued for new station.
250 watts day & night, non-directional
40-32-50N/107-33-39W
Better Life Ministries

AM station deleted

2011-05-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

Gaffney, South Carolina: 1180KHz:
WFGN deleted.

FCC broadcast station totals

2011-05-17T10:27:00.003-05:00

The FCC has released a count of authorized broadcast stations as of the end of March:

AM: 4,778 stations (down 4 from the end of 2010)
FM: 6,533 stations (up 7)

non-commercial FM: 3,417 stations (up 106, as the Commission continues to act on a a PILE of applications from a recent filing window. They're not done yet, expect another significant increase next quarter.)

UHF commercial TV: 1,022 stations (no change)
VHF commercial TV: 360 stations (down 8, probably due to deletion of already-defunct stations in the rural West.)
non-commercial UHF: 285 stations (up 1)
non-commercial VHF: 107 stations (no change)

FM translators: 6,141 stations (up 10, they're still working on a filing window for these too.)

UHF TV translators: 3,043 stations (down 30. They've been canceling defunct translators & LPTVs lately.)
VHF TV translators: 1,411 stations (down 43)
UHF LPTV: 1,656 stations (down 11)
VHF LPTV: 516 stations (down 8)
UHF Class A TV: 439 stations (down 2)
VHF Class A TV: 76 stations (down 5)

LPFM: 859 stations (no change)

ALL broadcast stations: 30,643 stations (up 13)

Montreal 690/940 to return

2011-05-17T09:58:00.002-05:00

A message on Radio-Info.com quotes a local TV report as stating two new AM stations will launch in Montreal later this year. The former all-news, and before that, CBC, frequencies 690 & 940 will be used. Both frequencies will carry continuous traffic reports.

Looking in the Industry Canada database, both licences were canceled on February 22nd of last year, after their previous owners took the stations silent.

Last Tuesday, May 10th, new technical proposals were filed for use of the 690/940 frequencies.

940 would operate in English, from 45-38-58N/73-42-51W.
690 would operate in French, from 45-30-00N/73-35-58W.

Yes, it's ironic that two different sites are proposed. Neither proposed site is the same as that previously used by the stations, and neither site is the same as any other current or recently-defunct station. No power or antenna pattern is given for either frequency.

(I suspect the 690 site coordinates are a typo. It turns out those coordinates are in Mont Royal Park -- a very suitable location for an FM station (and where most Montreal FMs are) but not so much so for AM, especially at high power.)

On April 14th, another proposal was filed, for use of 1530KHz at the same site as this month's 690 proposal. Again, no power was given, nor is there any indication of who proposed 1530. (whether it was the same group responsible for the 690/940 proposal)

I haven't seen anything clear the Canadian Radio-television and Communications Commission yet. I would expect they will need to sign off on this.

These stations were of course widely DXable in both their previous incarnations. The other side of the coin... is that if you're east of the Rockies, you need to clean up on 690KHz now, while the big Montreal signal is still silent. Real plums like Vancouver and the low-powered station in western Nebraska may be ripe for the picking.

AM station granted frequency change

2011-05-13T22:36:00.000-05:00

Soda Springs, Idaho: 800KHz:
KBRV granted move from 790.
10,000 watts daytime
150 watts nighttime
non-directional

AM stations deleted

2011-05-06T00:00:00.002-05:00

The following AM stations have been deleted:

KCLA-1400 & KOTN-1490 Pine Bluff, Arkansas
WDSK-1410 Cleveland, Mississippi
KZEY-690 Tyler, Texas

All four stations were deleted for remaining off the air for over a year. Three of them are co-owned. Seven FM stations, most if not all co-owned with the three AMs, were also deleted for the same reason.

Permit granted for new AM station

2011-04-29T00:40:00.001-05:00

Osceola, Indiana: 1210KHz:
Permit granted for new station.
2,500 watts daytime
219 watts nighttime
Directional, different patterns day & night.
41-38-33/86-03-13
Edwin C. Moore

Osceola is just east of Elkhart in northern Indiana.

AM call changes

2011-04-29T00:35:00.002-05:00


Anniston, Alabama           1490 WGBZ from WSYA
Anaheim, California         1190 KGBN from KXMX
Beverly Hills, California   1260 KMZT from KGIL
Notus, Idaho                1450 KWEI from KIOV
Kansas City, Kansas         1660 KUDL from KXTR
Big Rapids, Michigan        1590 WODJ for new station
Pascagoula, Mississippi     1580 WPMO from WPMP
Portland, Oregon             970 KUFO from KXFD
Waldport, Oregon             820 KWDP from KORC
Danville, Virginia           970 WMPW from WVOV
Leesburg, Virginia          1200 WCRW from WAGE
Snohomish, Washington       1520 KKXA for new station

American Bandscan

DTV subchannels as time-sharing: FCC doesn't buy it

DX Test: Ferndale, Washington

Storms destroy AM station's tower

Permit granted for new station

Two more Canadian AMs to go away

DX test scheduled in New Mexico

FLASH - DX opportunity in the East

One way to help relieve the national debt...

DX tests scheduled in Pennsylvania

Application for new AM station dismissed

AM station granted move to new city & frequency

Applications filed for new AM stations

Power increase application in Canada

Application for new AM station dismissed

AM call changes

AM station moved to new city

AM station deleted

Broadcast stations: growth & not...

FCC to no longer automatically approve city-of-license changes

Can you identify *too often*?

Permit for new station canceled

AM station deleted

AM stations deleted

Application for new AM station dismissed

Permits granted for new stations

Permit granted for new AM station

AM station call changes

AM station going away

New stations, and not

Application for new AM station amended

New AM station on the air

Applications to amend existing AM stations

Permit granted for new AM station

New stations granted in Montreal

AM station deleted

AM station format change

New stations: one permit granted, and one on the air

AM stations going away

National EAS Test

AM station call changes

AM station changed frequency

Permits granted for new stations

Applications for new AM stations

Permit granted for new AM station

FCC doesn't buy smartphone as interference solution

New AM station on the air

Application for new AM station

AM station deleted (eventually)

Non-commercial stations not allowed to air commercials

New look of this blog

AM station (permit) deleted

AM station call changes

AM station (permit) deleted

AM station deleted

AM station going away

AM station deleted

FCC authorized "Controlled Carrier" AM

Applications for new AM stations in Montreal

AM station going away

AM station call changes

KXEL-1540 off

AM station going away

AM stations deleted

AM technical changes on the air

AM stations deleted

Arkansas station sued for misleading advertiser

Permit granted for new AM station

Montreal 690/940 applications are on again

Recent AM call changes

AM station "undeleted"

Permit granted for new AM station

Cary Grant *sings* FCC regulations

Application for new AM station dismissed

AM stations deleted

AM station to be deleted

Applications filed for new AM stations (Canada)

Permit granted for new AM station

Return of Montreal 690/940 delayed

AM station deleted

Can you identify too often?

Cary Grant sings FCC regulations