COL changes for WPLA & WJBT

[RickRose]

I just noticed that Clear Channel has applied to move 92.7 WJBT to a Hastings city of license and move the tower south and away from Jacksonville but would blanket St. Augustine. I also see they are applying to change the 107.3 signal city of license to Green Cove Springs with no facility change.

Is this an attempt to boost 92.1,92.5 or 93.3 to better Jacksonville coverage?

 

[Attorney]

I just noticed that Clear Channel has applied to move 92.7 WJBT to a Hastings city of license and move the tower south and away from Jacksonville but would blanket St. Augustine. I also see they are applying to change the 107.3 signal city of license to Green Cove Springs with no facility change. Is this an attempt to boost 92.1,92.5 or 93.3 to better Jacksonville coverage?

It's no act of brilliance. We documented this opportunity twelve years ago and the ideal time to effectuate the COL move was just after the year-2000 census. Last week, the FCC slightly relaxed the rules pertaining to COL changes but didn't strictly remove all prior burden.

Here's the deal: Shed 92.7 far to the south and change the COL. As I recall after 12 years, it was geographically possible to move it south along the coast - south of St. Augustine. The window of opportunity narrows the further south one moves the transmitter. Then, take 93.3 and move it into or near downtown Jax. In fact, I recall it was possible to upgrade 93.3 into C1 facilities near downtown Jax. Some of this data is now dated but completely possible back in the mid '90s even without the FCC's recent change. Of course, the real issue is dealing with the Green Cove Springs COL issue and ensuring that the current 93.3 COL can be covered by ~ 80% with a 70 dBu signal contour. By changing 107.3's COL to Green Cove Springs, there's no COL abandonment. And, since Jacksonville has many existing FMs licensed to it, the 107.3 abandonment is effectively meaningless as far as the Commission is concerned..

At the end of the day, we will likely see 93.3 upgrading facilities with a significantly stronger footprint over Jacksonville.

 

[TommyR]

Just curious. Assuming 93.3 is ever upgraded...how would this affect WFBO-LP (also 93.3) in Flagler Beach? Would WROO have to take precautions to keep its signal from traveling that far south, or is the smaller station screwed--as in no protection for LPFM?

 

[mhsbroncos2005]

Its sounds like to me that Clear Channel is going to sell 92.7 off if they are doing this. Where did you find this out at?

Later.

 

[Radio-X]

Just curious. Assuming 93.3 is ever upgraded...how would this affect WFBO-LP (also 93.3) in Flagler Beach? Would WROO have to take precautions to keep its signal from traveling that far south, or is the smaller station screwed--as in no protection for LPFM?

LPFM has no protection...they are very similar to a class "D" license that many colleges and schools picked up in the 70's.

But, in this whole thing, we would probably say goodbye to the rooster and WFBO-LP while saying hello to 93.3 the Beat

Radio-X

 

[Radio-X]

ALSO...If CC has to shed off an FM station, when would they have to do it? If they can't get this whole thing done before they have to sell, than 92.7 could be sold off to a broadcaster who wants to keep a metro signal, unless there's a lot of grea$e on that $queaky wheel.

Also, this could mean 92.5 can move closer towards Jacksonville, maybe with the same strength (on paper) as WHJX.

Radio-X

 

[mhsbroncos2005]

Intresting info here....WPLA will go to Green Cove at the same power of 98kw (or is it 99kw) and WJBT to Hastings with a power increase from 2.6kw to 6kw in which will give Palatka and St. Augustine a new radio station to rejoice over. I agree that we will end up saying hello to 93.3 The Beat Jamz in the near future and goodbye to WROO the Rooster. 92.7 will def be something different. Later