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F.C.C. Clamps Down on LPFM station For WBLS Interference

B

Barry

InsideRadio has an article stating that WBLS listeners had complained about interference from a low power FM in New Haven CT. The station was required to run no more than 18 watts, but later conceded it had been using 50 for awhile. The F.C.C. has allowed it to resume operations, under strict orders not to exceed their 18 watt limit.
It’s intersting that WBLS listeners took the initiative to make the complaints, and even try to take signal measurements.

From InsideRadio
 
I'm surprised that anyone can hear WBLS with any usable signal all the way up in New Haven. Not that it's okay for an LPFM to run more than their license grants them, but still.
 
What it boils down to is the LPFM likely was too broke to pay a fine, admitted their overpowred situation and promised to prevent that in the future. In lieu of a fine they must create a compliance booklet (the FCC gets to see) and prove everyone at the station complies by affidavit and continue to provide the same statements every quarter for, typically 3 years. It's a helluva lot of paperwork and documentation.

Good for WLBS seeing this through.
 
Xale57 said:
WBLS is 68 miles from New Haven. WBYN from Boyertown, PA also blankets WBLS in closer distances.
Click to expand...

I may be mistaken but I believe WBYN's current frequency, location, and wattage were determined before the FCC rule documenting distances and wattages between stations on the same frequency took effect. If I'm not mistaken, some of the arguments you make could also apply to the 100.7 stations in Peekskill, NY and Allentown, PA; the stations at the 104.7 frequency in Allentown, PA, and Harrisburg, PA; and maybe even the stations that share the same frequency that are in Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY, respectively.
 
ted chittenden said:
I may be mistaken but I believe WBYN's current frequency, location, and wattage were determined before the FCC rule documenting distances and wattages between stations on the same frequency took effect. If I'm not mistaken, some of the arguments you make could also apply to the 100.7 stations in Peekskill, NY and Allentown, PA; the stations at the 104.7 frequency in Allentown, PA, and Harrisburg, PA; and maybe even the stations that share the same frequency that are in Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY, respectively.
Click to expand...
You mean B 104 in Allentown at 104.1 and Wink 104.1 in Harrisburg.
 
b-turner said:
What it boils down to is the LPFM likely was too broke to pay a fine, admitted their overpowred situation and promised to prevent that in the future. In lieu of a fine they must create a compliance booklet (the FCC gets to see) and prove everyone at the station complies by affidavit and continue to provide the same statements every quarter for, typically 3 years. It's a helluva lot of paperwork and documentation.

Good for WLBS seeing this through.
Click to expand...
Interesting that you mention that … lately on the South Shore of Eastern Nassau county, I often pick up a conservative talk station on 107.7. It obliterates WEBE 107.9 and they never provide station identification. Their audio is often over modulated and distorted. Does anyone know about this station, where their transmitter is located and if they are legal?
 
Yabadabado1 said:
Can we get the FCC to clamp down on WLIB for interference with WOWO? [I kid, I know all about the sordid details of what happened to WOWO]
Click to expand...
I have heard it from many influential radio sources, who all agree that downgrading WOWO was the beginning of the end of AM radio. Nine of the 57 stations that were Class I-A and I-B have now downgraded in some way. It's not just power, but also a reduction in antenna heights. And seasoned DXers can notice the difference right away. Most unsophisticated listeners lump it in with "static". In rural areas, particularly at Night and on Weekends, there are few local stations that are anywhere near what we used to call "Full Service".
 
As far as interference from LPFMs and Translators, like the case of WIOT and its chief engineer fighting a translator, the problem areas may be in the protected service areas, but the "desired" full power stations may have signals well below the FCC F(50,50) prediction. We need to analyze the problems with Longley Rice prediction as a minimum. In the case if WIOT, it was beyond the line of sight and slight terrain obstructions from various analyses. Many full power stations in neighboring markets receive interference from super HAAT translators on television transmission towers. Often these are Class As with 3 or 6 kW that signed on when 12 of the 20 second adjacent frequencies in neighboring markets to large markets were channels originally limited to Class As. And INCREASES in distance separation requirements under Docket 80-90 and related documents have left many of those Class As unable to move or upgrade without hideously directional antennas, even Class Bs. Without David's archive of old FCC rules, most don't know that second adjacent signals only used to have to be just 40 miles from a Class B, not the current 43 and 46 miles.
 
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The LPFM applicants knew -- or should have known -- about the limitations right at the start of their voyages.
One such 'check' is: you don't mess with the FCC. If you file to serve New Haven and get licensed to do so and then turn around and play hide-and-seek, you are a pirate pure and simple.
The thought here is that WNHA got off easy despite that artist's perception of a more legal meter being entered as Exhibit BS
 


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