KNGS, Coalinga, KAAX, Avenal, KYAF, Firebaugh, KZPE, Ford City & KZPO Lindsay

[mendotatech]

Information regarding KYAF-FM (BFA Media)

All,

If I may so much as allow to digest the information.

To be clear, BFA Media is providing programming to KKDJ. KYAF-FM Firebaugh continues to be owned by Central Valley Educational Services, Inc. Translator K272GD (formerly K259CF) is owned by Gary Cocola and re-transmits KYAF Firebaugh.

BFA Media's goal is to extend their reach to multiple stations throughout the country.

The overall mission is to provide a programming and distribution service that serves the needs of underserved communities by providing employment opportunities to people who would otherwise be disqualified due to health reasons.

In a related note, BFA Media owns and operates an online station called KKNH. This is the communication arm of Natalia's house, an international organization dedicated to providing assistance to the US and International communities where poverty and homelessness are a concern. The three major areas they cover are the United States, Ukraine, and Sierra Leone. https://nataliiashouse.org/projects/

More recently, KKDJ received a refresh of their format as well as the introduction of the Motor Racing Network to Fresno. The Motor Racing Network is the official voice of NASCAR and is aired live through an exclusive contract with MRN and WestWood One.

In addition, KKDJ has ramped up their programming with more personalities on the air.

I must admit, it's been an interesting time for KKDJ to be changing the translator channel and their programming. Not too many stations tinker with the format. To see that on KKDJ, it's interesting.

 

[mofocat]

To be sure any kind of deal Verne gets involved in is bound to be interesting, to say the least. Indeed, always interesting.
Thank you for the info.

 

[Frequency1]

To be sure any kind of deal Verne gets involved in is bound to be interesting, to say the least. Indeed, always interesting.
Thank you for the info.

A FM translator cannot originate programming and has to re-broadcast a licensed station. Some sounds fishy about this deal.

 

[mendotatech]

A FM translator cannot originate programming and has to re-broadcast a licensed station. Some sounds fishy about this deal.

This is covered under 47 U.S.C. Section 325(a). The translator operator can decide which channel they wish to receive, but must receive approval from the primary station and the translator operator must notify the commission.

Also, KYAF-FM's attorney did submit a notification to the Commission that KYAF-FM would engage in commercial operation. The letter was accepted for filing by the FCC.

KYAF and KAAX are still a matter to be resolved with the Federal Communications Commission.

 

[Frequency1]

This is covered under 47 U.S.C. Section 325(a). The translator operator can decide which channel they wish to receive, but must receive approval from the primary station and the translator operator must notify the commission.

Also, KYAF-FM's attorney did submit a notification to the Commission that KYAF-FM would engage in commercial operation. The letter was accepted for filing by the FCC. Accepted is one thing but the grant is what counts.

KYAF and KAAX are still a matter to be resolved with the Federal Communications Commission.

Yes a translator operator can decide which station it will re-broadcast but it has to be a full power station.

§74.1284 Rebroadcasts.
(a) The term rebroadcast means the reception by radio of the programs or other signals of a radio station and the simultaneous retransmission of such programs or signals for direct reception by the general public.

(b) The licensee of an FM translator shall not rebroadcast the programs of any AM or FM broadcast station or other FM translator without obtaining prior consent of the primary station whose programs are proposed to be retransmitted. The Commission shall be notified of the call letters of each station rebroadcast and the licensee of the FM translator shall certify that written consent has been received from the licensee of the station whose programs are retransmitted.

(c) An FM translator is not authorized to rebroadcast the transmissions of any class of station other than an AM or FM broadcast station or another FM translator.

 

[DaveBayArea]

Yes a translator operator can decide which station it will re-broadcast but it has to be a full power station.

Kudos to REC for coming up with this, but apparently an LPFM may own up to 2 translators as long as their coverage areas overlap with the primary. Also, no "daisy-chaining". The translator must pick up the LPFM directly. The situation in Fresno is so convoluted I can't hope to recognize what really applies, but here it is:

https://recnet.com/lpfm-translators

Dave B.

 

[mofocat]

Convoluted you say? LOL. KJOI-LP Biola is rebroadcasted on K263BH-FM 100.5 MHz. KJOI-LP covers mostly grapevines and very few people with 66w at only 120'. K263BH-FM 100.5 MHz is 20w @ Meadow Lakes 4500' elv. overlooking Fresno.Radio-Locator is incorrect in saying that K263BH-FM 100.5 MHz carries K-LOVE. It gives KJOI-LP a much larger coverage. All easy listening - Beautiful Music non-commercial.

 

[Tiger Cox]

Convoluted you say? LOL. KJOI-LP Biola is rebroadcasted on K263BH-FM 100.5 MHz. KJOI-LP covers mostly grapevines and very few people with 66w at only 120'. K263BH-FM 100.5 MHz is 20w @ Meadow Lakes 4500' elv. overlooking Fresno.Radio-Locator is incorrect in saying that K263BH-FM 100.5 MHz carries K-LOVE. It gives KJOI-LP a much larger coverage. All easy listening - Beautiful Music non-commercial.

True, 100.5 is not even near 104.3 KJOI-LP, which doesn't even serve West Fresno, Their signal dies west of Highway 99, So 100.5 doesn't sound very legal at all to be rebroadcasting 104.3, and KMEN Mendota keeps the signal east of 41, and also K263BH is terrible in the car driving around in Fresno, both KMQA Porterville and KMEN bleed in and out as you're driving, but works good if you're stationary.

I also noticed that KZPO Lindsay is still on the air, I thought they were suppose to shut it down.

Is KYAF 94.7 Firebaugh even on the air? I think Translator 102.3 gets the signal directly from the studio, not KYAF.

 

[mendotatech]

True, 100.5 is not even near 104.3 KJOI-LP, which doesn't even serve West Fresno, Their signal dies west of Highway 99, So 100.5 doesn't sound very legal at all to be rebroadcasting 104.3, and KMEN Mendota keeps the signal east of 41, and also K263BH is terrible in the car driving around in Fresno, both KMQA Porterville and KMEN bleed in and out as you're driving, but works good if you're stationary.

I also noticed that KZPO Lindsay is still on the air, I thought they were suppose to shut it down.

Is KYAF 94.7 Firebaugh even on the air? I think Translator 102.3 gets the signal directly from the studio, not KYAF.

With the difference in terrain between Biola and Meadow Lakes, it is possible to receive 104.3 from Biola at K263BH. Even so, that does not prevent atmospheric conditions from killing the reception.

K272GD is receiving their signal from Firebaugh. I heard their EAS go off this morning for a Weekly Test.

As far as KYAF Firebaugh is concerned, it is a Class A "Full Power" at it's construction permit ERP of 900 watts. 900 watts to you and me may sound like a blow dryer; in other words nothing compared to say a full B or B1 station to which you might say "now those are "Full Power" stations".

Both translators are non-fill in stations owned by completely different entities from the primary station. KDPT-LP Dos Palos had this similar arrangement with a Translator owner from Merced (this was several years ago). It was a non-fill in owned by a completely different party. However, the KDPT board had no idea that their signal was being "re-broadcasted".

To say you cannot rebroadcast LPFM's could be splitting hairs as it isn't expressly mentioned in the FCC rules. Otherwise, the FCC would not permit such applications from going through, Dos Palos being one of them. Now-days you have some FM Translators re-broadcasting AM stations, so the prohibition on cross-service would be a moot point. Example, the KWRU AM 1300 being rebroadcasted on 104.5 FM K283CY.

 

[Tiger Cox]

With the difference in terrain between Biola and Meadow Lakes, it is possible to receive 104.3 from Biola at K263BH. Even so, that does not prevent atmospheric conditions from killing the reception.

Oh so very true, I had friends that lived in Meadow Lakes back in the 70s and 80s, and they had A Ham Radio set up and multi- antennas VHF UHF and FM directional with a rotor, and the only local TV they received was 30, 47 & 53, because 24 and 26 were blocked by mountains, but they got the Sacramento-Stockton TV Market with no problem and KNTV look to 11 ABC and KSBW NBC 8 all of the time, and many FMs from the Valley, Bay Area and Central Coast down South to SLO.

 

[b-turner]

By the way, it is legal for an LPFM to own up to two translators. The FCC is pretty picky on the location of those translators in reference to the host station.

Know of a LPFM (at least i began that way) that started leasing translators, then buying stations. I think their trick was separating portions of the operation in to different entities. The original LPFM is still around with the same programming heard on all their stations.

 

[mofocat]

Can someone check to see if KZPO 103.3 has gone OFF THE AIR as was ordered by the FCC? Could it ever return under a new owner?

 

[Tiger Cox]

Can someone check to see if KZPO 103.3 has gone OFF THE AIR as was ordered by the FCC? Could it ever return under a new owner?

Just checked 103.3 KZPO and yes, they are still on the air.
I think the 103.3 freq will always be allocated to Lindsay, If it goes off, i'm sure someone can apply for it.
Was ever happened to 96.1 Visalia? it's been off for years, I would have thought KVMI 1270 would have got it instead of translator 97.5.

 

[b-turner]

The FCC has auctions for commercial frequencies. They are few and far between. Every class of station has what we call a 'filing window'. It can be a decade or more between filing opportunities. Just because a license is vacated does not mean one can file for it. You have to wait until the FCC announces an auction or a filing window.

 

[mofocat]

Just checked 103.3 KZPO and yes, they are still on the air.
I think the 103.3 freq will always be allocated to Lindsay, If it goes off, i'm sure someone can apply for it.
Was ever happened to 96.1 Visalia? it's been off for years, I would have thought KVMI 1270 would have got it instead of translator 97.5.

96.1 in Visalia. ?? Wow! I am having a brain freeze!! Was there one? Only because you mention it, it seems, I have a very vague recollection of such a thing. If there was a 96.1 in Visalia, what can anyone recall of it, jog my memory please.

 

[Tiger Cox]

96.1 in Visalia. ?? Wow! I am having a brain freeze!! Was there one? Only because you mention it, it seems, I have a very vague recollection of such a thing. If there was a 96.1 in Visalia, what can anyone recall of it, jog my memory please.

96.1 Visalia about 10- 15 years ago (maybe 20 years)and was known as KSLK (K-SILK) and had an Adult Standards/Beautiful music format, the owner originally had 105.1 with same calls and format, and sold it to Lotus, and started 96.1, but the last I remember the station had a Spanish language format, then went dark.
I remember going to LA a few times and hearing it, one time in December 2006 they were playing Christmas music.

 

[mofocat]

96.1 Visalia about 10- 15 years ago was known as KSLK and had an Adult Standards/Beautiful music format, the owner originally had 105.1 with same calls and format, and sold it to Lotus, and started 96.1, but the last I remember the station had a Spanish language format, then went dark.
I remember going to LA a few times and hearing it, one time in December 2006 they were playing Christmas music.

OH YES! You nailed it LOL. Now, I remember all of that. That was Bob? Darling's station, and he died. He was really into the Standards/Beautiful music. I seem to recall that his association with that format goes back to the KKNU/KNNU 'K/NEW' simulcast of the early 70s. (102.7/106.7) I wonder what other stations he was maybe associated with besides being an owner.

 

[ExKynoJox]

OH YES! You nailed it LOL. Now, I remember all of that. That was Bob? Darling's station, and he died. He was really into the Standards/Beautiful music. I seem to recall that his association with that format goes back to the KKNU/KNNU 'K/NEW' simulcast of the early 70s. (102.7/106.7) I wonder what other stations he was maybe associated with besides being an owner.

Bob Eurich sold the station in the mid to late 2000's. He and I worked together at KJOI when we were running Bonneville's BM format. Some good people went through that Dinuba station...

 

[mofocat]

That KSLK 96.1 signal coverage was a disappointment as I recall. I think it barely got to Dinuba. I wonder what class license it was and what were its ERP and HAAT? And back to Ken's original question, I didn't mean to hijack, why was 96.1 never reactivated? No interest due to market saturation? It just seems the allocation should've remained.

 

[Tiger Cox]

That KSLK 96.1 signal coverage was a disappointment as I recall. I think it barely got to Dinuba. I wonder what class license it was and what were its ERP and HAAT?

I remember 96.1 was a Class A and located In the foothills East of Visalia, I think it's were My 97.5 K248BX (KVMI) is now. 97.5 has 250 watts at 1600 ft. Sea Level.