Grandfathered stations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

[ftballfan]

I noticed today that a sizable portion of the FM stations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands run at grandfathered power levels.
All of these stations are Class B (max 50kW/150m or equivalent) except otherwise marked
88.1 – WCRP – Guayama, PR – 27kW – 576m
88.9 – WPUC – Ponce, PR – 11kW – 888m
89.3 – WJVP – Culebra, PR – 50kW – 174m
89.7 – WRTU – San Juan, PR – 50kW – 244m
90.5 – WIDA – Carolina, PR – 25kW – 579m
91.3 – WIPR – San Juan, PR – 105kW – 825m
92.5 – WORO – Corozal, PR – 50kW – 365m
92.9 – WTPM – Aguadilla, PR – 50kW – 368m
93.7 – WZNT – San Juan, PR – 28kW – 560m
94.7 – WODA – Bayamon, PR – 31kW – 560m
95.1 – WEGM – San German, PR – 25kW – 600m
95.1 – WJKC – Christiansted, VI – 50kW – 241m
95.7 – WFID – Rio Piedras, PR – 50kW – 287m
96.1 – WAEL – Mayaguez, PR – 24kW – 613m
96.5 – WRXD – Fajardo, PR – 11.5kW – 852m
96.9 – WNRT – Manati, PR – 50kW – 343m
97.5 – WIOB – Mayaguez, PR – 50kW – 302m
97.7 – WNVM – Cidra, PR – 3kW – 333m (Class A)
97.9 – WGOD – Charlotte Amalie, VI – 50kW – 475m
98.7 – WUKQ – Mayaguez, PR – 25kW – 601m (just moved from 99.1)
99.1 – WPRM – San Juan, PR – 25kW – 581m (just moved from 98.5)
99.5 – WIDI – Quebradillas, PR – 22.4kW – 640m
99.9 – WIOA – San Juan, PR – 31kW – 560m
100.3 – WIVA – Aguadilla, PR – 22kW – 614m
100.3 – WSTX – Christiansted, VI – 50kW – 314m
100.7 – WXYX – Bayamon, PR – 50kW – 333m
101.3 – WWKS – Cruz Bay, VI – 50kW – 374m
101.9 – WZAR – Ponce, PR – 14kW – 789m
102.3 – WMIO – Cabo Rojo, PR – 3kW – 238m (Class A)
102.5 – WTOK – San Juan, PR – 50kW – 347m
102.9 – WDIN – Camuy, PR – 50kW – 321m
103.3 – WVJP – Caguas, PR – 28kW – 581m
104.1 – WERR – Utuado, PR – 50kW – 301m
104.3 – WZIN – Charlotte Amalie, VI – 44kW – 493m
104.7 – WKAQ – San Juan, PR – 50kW – 372m
105.3 – WVJZ – Charlotte Amalie, VI – 30.2kW – 483m
105.7 – WCAD – San Juan, PR – 50kW – 335m
106.1 – WVIS – Vieques, PR – 50kW – 170m
106.9 – WMEG – Guayama, PR – 25kW – 594m
107.3 – WCMN – Aricibo, PR – 50kW – 313m
107.7 – WVOZ – Carolina, PR – 12kW – 841m

 

[davideduardo]

I noticed today that a sizable portion of the FM stations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands run at grandfathered power levels.

Only WIPR is grandfathered, I believe.

Puerto Rico / USVI B's are 50 kw at 1000 feet.

A's are 3 kw at 1,100 feet.

 

[davideduardo]

I noticed today that a sizable portion of the FM stations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands run at grandfathered power levels.

Only WIPR is grandfathered, I believe.

Puerto Rico / USVI B's are 50 kw at 1000 feet.

A's are 3 kw at 1,100 feet.

Sorry, my heights are a bit off... it's been a few years since I filed any applications in PR:

(3) For stations located in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, the maximum ERP in any direction, reference HAAT, and distance to the class contour for each FM station class are listed below:

Station classMaximum ERPReference HAAT in meters (ft.)Class contour distance in kilometers

A
6kW (7.8 dBk)
240 meters (787 feet)
42 protection radius


B1
25kW (14.0 dBk)
150 (492)
46


B
50kW (17.0 dBk)
472 meters (1549 feet)
78 protection radius

 

[ftballfan]

I didn't know the standards for Class A, B1, and B stations were different down there than in the States.

 

[jd]

Well, you're not alone. If I ever knew it, I forgot it over the years.

Checking the classes and service contours for stations in the United States for comparison: Class A's are limited to 6kW at 328 feet* (17 mile protection radius), Class B1's 25kW at 328 feet* (27 mile protection radius) and Class B's 50kW at 492 feet* (40 mile protection radius). [* = or equivalent]

Those really are some big differences!