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K225DC 92.9 (KGTK?) contact help appreciated.

To clear up a couple of points:

KBRD is a non-comm AM, licensed with the relevant copyright entities and pays their fees commensurate with the station's status.

K266BM is fully owned by NWR&R and carries KBRD by the their written request and the station's granted permission. KBRD has no ownership interest in the translator or NWR&R.

Re 'support': Rodeo Drive-In donates the audio path to the translator building on Capitol Peak. NWR&R takes it from there and handles the translator's operational and maintenance needs.

Radio-Locator correctly lists KBRD as being rebroadcast over K266BM, though KGTK continues to show up on other FCC documents. Perhaps this is due to the informational nature by which the FCC is notified of primary station changes?

NWR&R's translator on 92.9 may be operating as a completely different animal, but so far as I know, the relationship between KBRD and NWR&R, and the procedure by which the radio station appears on 101.1 is accurate and correctly filed. KBRD would be unlikely to support the connection if it wasn't.
 
Grounded Grid said:
To clear up a couple of points:

KBRD is a non-comm AM, licensed with the relevant copyright entities and pays their fees commensurate with the station's status.

K266BM is fully owned by NWR&R and carries KBRD by the their written request and the station's granted permission. KBRD has no ownership interest in the translator or NWR&R.

Re 'support': Rodeo Drive-In donates the audio path to the translator building on Capitol Peak. NWR&R takes it from there and handles the translator's operational and maintenance needs.

Radio-Locator correctly lists KBRD as being rebroadcast over K266BM, though KGTK continues to show up on other FCC documents. Perhaps this is due to the informational nature by which the FCC is notified of primary station changes?

NWR&R's translator on 92.9 may be operating as a completely different animal, but so far as I know, the relationship between KBRD and NWR&R, and the procedure by which the radio station appears on 101.1 is accurate and correctly filed. KBRD would be unlikely to support the connection if it wasn't.
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In other words, a freaking shell game...
 
Kelly A said:
In other words, a freaking shell game...
Click to expand...

NWR&R has nothing to do with and no ownership of KBRD

The relationship seems well explained and above board.

I have zero fight in this game

Maybe NWR&R just needed content on 101.1 and KBRD was the solution to a problem?
 
Grounded Grid said:
Seriously, Kelly?
Explain, please. Seems pretty above board to me. I detailed the arrangement specifically because i figured you'd provide a snarky response of some kind.
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Just read your last paragraph: "NWR&R's translator on 92.9 may be operating as a completely different animal, but so far as I know, the relationship between KBRD and NWR&R, and the procedure by which the radio station appears on 101.1 is accurate and correctly filed."

For starters, NWR&R filed their application and is operating their LPFM and subsequent translator deals, not as a school, or even an educational institution registered by Washington State. By definition of the Commission, just being a not-for-profit doesn't qualify as an NCE.

Brian Spencer is just in the radio business by scattering a bunch of single digit-wattage translators around. It's an LPFM and translator cellular shell game. Here's just Aberdeen:

FCCInfo Facility Search Results

And Tacoma:

FCCInfo Facility Search Results

FCC Info is a Radio and Television Station Search Engine provided by Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.
www.fccinfo.com

And Olympia:

FCCInfo Facility Search Results

FCC Info is a Radio and Television Station Search Engine provided by Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.
www.fccinfo.com
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but an LP license carries its particular set of conditions. A FX license is no different for an outfit like NWR than it would be for KJR, or you or me. As a representative of the content provider, it is not my concern how the licensee of the FX is organized. So long as the FCC considers them qualified and the structure that supports their relationship with the station is within the rules, all the rest of this is extraneous noise that I have no particular reason to be concerned about.
 
Grounded Grid said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but an LP license carries its particular set of conditions. A FX license is no different for an outfit like NWR than it would be for KJR, or you or me. As a representative of the content provider, it is not my concern how the licensee of the FX is organized. So long as the FCC considers them qualified and the structure that supports their relationship with the station is within the rules, all the rest of this is extraneous noise that I have no particular reason to be concerned about.
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Don't really care if you're concerned, feeling complicit, nor compliant. You asked about my comment, so I replied accordingly.
 
...and far be it for me to lose sleep over your approval, or lack of it, Kelly. My point is (was) that the educational representations and operational behaviour an organization needs to adopt in order to license an LP does not automatically transfer to any translators they may get their hands on down the road. What they do, and how they go about it clearly does not rest well with some, but, as applies specifically to 101.1, they hold a valid license and, so far as I know, are using that one in an manner that complies with the FCC.

Some of of this derision, pointed toward NWR&R may be warranted, but that was when the discussion was about the original topic. 101.1 shouldn't have been brought into it because there's nothing wrong with it, opinions notwithstanding.
 
Grounded Grid said:
To clear up a couple of points:

KBRD is a non-comm AM, licensed with the relevant copyright entities and pays their fees commensurate with the station's status.

K266BM is fully owned by NWR&R and carries KBRD by the their written request and the station's granted permission. KBRD has no ownership interest in the translator or NWR&R.

Re 'support': Rodeo Drive-In donates the audio path to the translator building on Capitol Peak. NWR&R takes it from there and handles the translator's operational and maintenance needs.

Radio-Locator correctly lists KBRD as being rebroadcast over K266BM, though KGTK continues to show up on other FCC documents. Perhaps this is due to the informational nature by which the FCC is notified of primary station changes?

NWR&R's translator on 92.9 may be operating as a completely different animal, but so far as I know, the relationship between KBRD and NWR&R, and the procedure by which the radio station appears on 101.1 is accurate and correctly filed. KBRD would be unlikely to support the connection if it wasn't.
Click to expand...
1) Radio-Locator is good, but unless I'm missing something, not connected with the Federal Communications Commission.
2) As an educational institution, Grays Harbor LPFM hasn't published their "curriculum" lately. In fact, their "school" seems to be a locked-up vacant building off Myrtle Street in Hoquiam.
3) The 92.9 FM translator seems to be operating without benefit of a legal station ID.

My two primary problems with LPFMs and FM translators being used as hobby stations under the guise of being educational institutions:
1) I pay thousands of dollars each year and abide by stringent Rules and Regulations, while the hobbyists run amuk and skirt all the rules.
2) 100 watt LPFMs, licensed to provide service to a specific small geographical area, can feed multiple 250 watt FM translators in areas far removed from the LPFM's coverage area. As the broadcaster that pays the FCC costs of operation, my 250 watt FM translator must "fill-in" within my coverage area.
 
It is interesting that non-comms get that magic translator loophole…Whether they run 100w or 100kw. I thought LPFMs were limited in the amount of translators they could have retransmitting, however.

My biggest concern with LPFMs are the distinct lack of “community service” which they are supposed to remedy. I can’t particularly a long-time locked up old radio studio (which I do believe, are the original commercial KGHO studios) is particularly better than a place with actual employees that actually engages with the community.
 
bossbill said:
My two primary problems with LPFMs and FM translators being used as hobby stations under the guise of being educational institutions:
1) I pay thousands of dollars each year and abide by stringent Rules and Regulations, while the hobbyists run amuk and skirt all the rules.
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Totally agree with you Bill. The way many LPFM's game the system, starting with filing bogus applications with made-up organizations to appear as some sort of educational institution, is a travesty. If the Commission were to actually audit all LPFM's to make sure they started-with, and have remained compliant with licensee requirements, I'd be willing to bet that 75% would have their licenses pulled. Would be a good start at taking out the trash and cleaning up the band.
bossbill said:
2) 100 watt LPFMs, licensed to provide service to a specific small geographical area, can feed multiple 250 watt FM translators in areas far removed from the LPFM's coverage area. As the broadcaster that pays the FCC costs of operation, my 250 watt FM translator must "fill-in" within my coverage area.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Another way of gaming the system. More broadcasters should step up and call this scam to the attention of the Commission. Guy's like my example up thread, where what used to be a commercial broadcaster gone 'non-commercial', is expanding his LPFM coverage like Johnny Appleseed through translators.
 
seattlesarchiebunker said:
It is interesting that non-comms get that magic translator loophole…Whether they run 100w or 100kw. I thought LPFMs were limited in the amount of translators they could have retransmitting, however.
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The assumption was that qualified non-commercial broadcasters were providing news and educational content to communities that wouldn't be large enough to support their own NCE station, via translators. Certain former commercial-gone non-commercial broadcasters have abused that loophole to play music you could hear on a stream or any other station. Essentially they're taking a station with limited coverage, and spreading it out to compete with other commercial and non-commercial stations. Total scam.
seattlesarchiebunker said:
My biggest concern with LPFMs are the distinct lack of “community service” which they are supposed to remedy.
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In my mind proper NCE stations should provide one or both services: Either educating students through a curriculum like KNHC or other school stations, or provide educational programming via a community college or university. (aka High school or college radio)
 
The translator issue isn't limited to LPFM. Just look at CSN and I'm not sure what the other religious network is that operates out of WPCS. Both of those networks have translators thousands of miles from their parent station.
 
Radio-Locator , while a great resource, does take "outside" information from its readers. The fact that KBRD is listed as the signal source for K266BM may have come from reader input. What coumts is the content found in the FCC files...
 
An example of an LPFM that is totally legal... KAHS -FM Aberdeen, WA operates properly within the FCC Rules and Regulations
This station is operated by the school district, has an instructor, with courses in broadcasting as part of the Career/Technical Education programs at Aberdeen High. Many of the students have gone on to receive awards at Skills USA conferences.

This is a far cry from the hobbyist wannabees that make a mockery of the entire process and intent of the LPFM service. I noted some years ago that at least one violator had his mother signing FCC applications several months after she had died.

Like I've said before, I'm one of the many that go to the trouble of obtaining licenses, playing by the rules, and paying thousands and thousands of dollars each year to the FCC, ASCAP, BMI, Sesac, GMR, etc.

Maybe we need to assess a tax on the hobbyists, with the proceeds going to the ones that play by the rules.
 
MWDXER said:
I would like to QSL the translator if I could.
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Remember, the average radio station staff member has no idea what "QSL" means. That is a ham term. Even the Medium Wave (AM) DX clubs don't use the term, although they understand it.
 
The FCC on 6/23/2023 approved the license renewal of K225DC. Once KVNW lights up K225DC it will be subject to the 45dBu Translator Interference Complaint Zone..

I am sure plenty of complaints can be flushed out down Tumwater-way to silence K225DC. NWRRPS should file for another frequency ASAP.

A good example of a translator battle was the recent turmoil in Fresno (see California Central Valley). KVNW's new owners are clealy willing to carryout protracted legal battles if you look at all the paperwork thay went into the failed Threshold-Premier litigation.

This will be a case where it is "better to switch than fight"..
 
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