Thank you for the information.
The station, I presume, is a ministry of the Spanish language portion of the Church. This would not explain the lack of action regarding the poor signal or no signal. Usually poor signal or no signal indicate a small inexperienced group without any radio contacts. They were smart enough to hire an engineering firm well known to the FCC to apply for the station, however. Attached to a Church, if it is, it will likely not be reliant on listener donations or underwriting.
If I might speculate, many LPFM stations are under the umbrella of an organization in name only. Nothing illegal here. A few applicants I know actually were involved with the non-profit their station was attached to. For example, one fellow on a non-profit board obtained permission to establish a LPFM under that non-profit's umbrella with the understanding the non-profit could create greater awareness through the station in return. The board made it clear the station was something they would not be responsible for. It functioned as an independent entity loosely connected to the non-profit via a common board member that spearheaded the station. In such instances, after the three year mark, when a transfer can occur, a new non-profit created by the LPFM assumes control. The reason for taking this route is the length of time the non-profit has been around. If it has had a presence in excess of two years, the applicant can get a 'point' should there be competing applicants file for the same frequency. The point system is used to determine who gets the construction permit when more than one applicant applies for the same frequency.
Perhaps the KHJS applicant is truly separate from the Church. It seems prior calls did not wind up at the Church but an individual's phone. Likely the applicant is a member of the Church and chose to get a LPFM to further the Church's ministry (not an uncommon thing at all).
If my speculation is correct, it is likely the station will attempt at some point to raise money to operate. In other words, fellow Church members and maybe the Church itself might make a donation here or there to keep the station operating but at some point, that seed money, so to speak, becomes less and less over time.
My speculation is based on: no website but a Facebook page; no mention of the Church or any denomination on Facebook or on air; seemingly nothing more than music and liners (if run by the Church, most have rather extensive audio/video capabilities so a live or tape delay service would be likely) and at least an announcement saying it is a ministry of the Church; prior calls to station were not answered at the Church but went elsewhere; as a money saving strategy, most Church stations place the tower on their property at the Church grounds versus leasing tower space.
It is good they have filed for the license. You can bet the engineering firm saw to reminding them and maybe completed the form on their behalf. Now they can get their act together and put their plan in action with a bit of breathing room.
