FCC Monitor: KARE Move to UHF Gets Final Approval

Posted on by Jon Ellis

The following are updates to stories previously reported here and smaller recent FCC filings and actions that do not merit a full story of their own at this time:

Iowa

MTN Broadcasting signed on new 250-Watt translator K224FM/92.7 (Grundy Center), which relays the Oldies format of KDAO/1190 (Marshalltown). KDAO is also relayed on K279AN/103.7 (Marshalltown).

Youngers Colorado Broadcasting applied to move K295CB/106.9 (Des Moines) to 94.1, remaining 132 Watts from its present transmitter site. The frequency change is needed because of the impending upgrade of KNWI/107.1 (Osceola). 94.1 was recently vacated by the former KDRA-LP. As previously reported, K295CB went off the air in November. It continues to list Birach Broadcasting’s KXLQ/1490 (Indianola) as is primary station even though KXLQ recently signed on K239CR/95.7 (Indianola-Des Moines) with a coverage area overlapping K295CB.

The FCC cancelled the construction permit for K234CX/94.7 (Cherokee), which had been granted in 2018 as part of the AM revitalization window to relay KCHE/1400. K234CX was not built by a Jan. 2 deadline.

The FCC cancelled the construction permit for K268DA/101.5 (Webster City), which had been granted in 2018 as part of the AM revitalization window to relay KZWC/1570. K268DA was not built by a Jan. 2 deadline. KZWC is also relayed on K225BZ/92.9.

Minnesota

Tegna NBC affiliate KARE/11 (Minneapolis) was granted final approval to move its RF frequency to UHF channel 31 with 1,000kW, a move intended to resolve long-running issues with its current VHF signal. The station has three years to implement the change. KARE’s move will leave KMSP/9 as the only Minneapolis station transmitting on VHF, though KMSP’s FOX channel is simulcast on the UHF transmitter of co-owned WFTC.

Asian American Broadcasting’s KFXN/690 (Minneapolis) was granted a construction permit to upgrade to 1.7kW non-directional daytime, with just 5 Watts at night. As detailed here earlier, the station is making the change following the collapse of one of the three towers at its longtime site in New Hope. Meanwhile, the FCC has cancelled the construction permit for would-be KFXN translator K285CQ/104.9, which was granted in 2018 as part of the AM revitalization filing window but was not built by the Jan. 11 construction deadline. (KFXN/690 is unrelated to iHeartMedia’s KFXN-FM/100.3).

Townsquare Media requested program test authority for K234DB/94.7 (Owatonna), meaning the new translator will sign on when the FCC grants the authority. The 250-Watt translator was approved as part of the AM revitalization effort to relay KRFO/1390.

PBS member station KSMQ-TV/15.1 (Austin) updated the FCC on its reduced-power situation, saying it anticipates returning to full power within 30 days. KSMQ informed the FCC last month that it is broadcasting at 80% of licensed power due to a transmitter problem. The station’s latest filing says it has diagnosed the problem to be a failure of the power amplifiers and the power supply.

North Dakota

Delphine Larson, the 50% owner of Devils Lake broadcaster Double Z Broadcasting, died in September, according to an application seeking approval for the transfer of her shares to her estate. Double Z owns two FM stations, one FM translator, and one AM station.

Wisconsin

The FCC cancelled the construction permit for W255DE/98.9 (De Forest), which was granted in 2018 as part of the AM revitalization window to relay WPDR/1350 (Portage). W255DE was not built by a Jan. 8 deadline.