FCC Report 7/27: FM Booster Origination Rule Changes Take Effect

FCC Actions

The FCC set the launch date for the new rules allowing FM booster program origination as Friday, July 25 with the rules being published in the federal register. The rules allow a booster of a full-powered FM or LPFM to originate up to three minutes of programming per hour. The time can not be aggregated to be used in a larger lump sum. It also says each booster originating programming will need to file an FM Booster Program Origination Notification form in LMS within 15 days before starting or within 30 days or terminating origination, no station will be allowed more than 25 program originating boosters and each station will be required to maintain a separate Political File for each booster in their online public file, and new booster applications will not be granted if the grant will result in interference to the reception of a regular used, off-the-air signal of any co-channel, first, second, or third adjacent station including previously authorized secondary services such as a translator or LPFM within the 45 dBu contour of the infringed station.

The FCC agreed to a Consent Decree and $10,000 fine with Om Sai Broadcasting over its transfer of control application for 540 WBWD Islip NY from Yash Pandya to Sejal Dasondi.

Pandya had acquired WBWD in December 2020 and at some subsequent point sold 50% of the station to Dasondi without notifying the FCC. In September 2023, Dasondi reached a legal settlement with Pandya in September 2023 giving him full control of the station and some of their other joint ventures, but the transfer of control would not be filed with the FCC until January 2024.

License Cancellations

The FCC has ordered the revocation of the license of Pedro Arce’s Regional Mexican “La Pantera 940” WCND Shelbyville/Louisville KY over $9,261.41 in regulatory fee debt from 2013-16 and 2022-23. An Order To Pay or Show Cause was issued to the station in April requiring a response within sixty days that went unanswered.

After taking the station silent in February for what it called preparations ahead of a sale, KITZ Radio Inc. has instead requested the cancellation of its license for the former “MegaTalk 1400” KITZ Silverdale/Seattle WA.

Townsquare Media ceased operations of “ESPN Quad Cities” 1170 KBOB/104.1 K281DB Davenport IA in March, but did not wait the one year to see if it could find a buyer for the station instead surrendering the licenses

Curtis Media’s High Country Adventures’ 1130 WECR Newland NC was cancelled just ahead of the one year anniversary of it going silent.

Radio Greenbrier turns in its license for News/Talk 1400 WRON Ronceverte WV. The company has yet to turn in the license for 100.9 W265DX Ronceverte, which is permanently tied to the AM.

Hispanic Christian Communications surrendered 90.3 KSXT Smiley TX.

Pensacola Christian College surrenders its CP for 88.5 WRRW Crawfordville FL.

WSOS Radio LLC requested cancellation of Silent 95.7 W239CN St. Augustine FL, while Pure Word Radio did the same for 105.5 W288CO Centralia IL.

Pirate Actions

A Notice of Illegal Pirate Radio Broadcasting was issued to 3 Brothers Ranch LLC for a station on 90.5 in Quinault WA originating from their property.

Silent Notifications

• Calvary Chapel of Casa Grande’s 91.1 KVNG Eloy AZ (Transmitter failure)
• Jeff Chang’s 1450 KQTE Helendale CA (Antenna system damage)
• KUTE Inc’s 100.9 KZNM Towaoc CO (Transmission failure)
• The Power Foundation’s 91.5 WJGS Norwood GA (Transmitter issues)
• Calvary Radio Network’s 91.3 WJCZ Milford IL (Electrical fire)
• Real Talk Studio’s 1400 WSIC Statesville NC (Lightning damage to antenna)
• Community Public Media’s 89.3 KKNE Valentine NE (Transmitter failure)
• Global One Media’s 1450 KSEL Portales NM (Electrical storm damage)
• Legend Communications of Wyoming’s 96.5 KLGT Buffalo WY (Intermittent power issues)
• Legend Communications of Wyoming’s 98.3 KZZS Story WY (Intermittent power issues)

AM Changes

After losing its tower in a hot air balloon crash last fall, Cumulus Media News/Talk 770 KKOB Albuquerque proposes to