KRPU 1210 AM STA

[RF101]

The FCC authorized an STA for KRPU to broadcast from its six-tower daytime site as its one-tower nighttime site is being sold. It's unclear which alternative is being authorized: (1) Daytime Only (2) Night-time at 125 watts from the daytime site in non-directional mode.

-------------------------- STA Request --------------------
KRPU is currently licensed to operate from two transmitter sites, one for
daytime operation and the other for nighttime operation (see attached facility
license). The KRPU nighttime site is being sold and after the closing will no longer
be available to the licensee.

Therefore, we are requesting a 180 day special temporary authorization (STA)
for KRPU not to operate between local sunset and local sunrise, and to operate with
its licensed daytime facility between local sunrise and local sunset (the times are
listed on the attached license); in the alternative, we would seek authority to opereate
KRPU between local sunset and local sunrise non-directionally from its daytime site
with a power of 125 watts (0.125 kW), which is 25% of its currently authorized
power of 500 watts (0.5 kW).

The public interest, convenience and necessity would be well served by a
grant of this STA, which will give a minority-owned broadcast station providing
programming of interest to the south Asian communities in the Sacramento
metropolitan area the opportunity to determine whether nighttime operation is
possible from its daytime site, and, if so, whether that would be economically
feasible. If such nighttime operation is not possible, the licensee will for an
application for a modification of its liceense to specify daytime-only operation.

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

Serving Sloughhouse and Rancho Murieta with 125 watts of power!

 

[DaveBayArea]

From a 2022 shot - looks like there's some STL antennas on that tower, nothing else. But things have grown up around them.

Dave B.

 

[Big D]

The STA authorization states non-directional nighttime operation at 125 watts from the daytime site. From the request, it appears the owner would ultimately prefer to be daytime only.

 

[K.M. Richards]

The STA authorization states non-directional nighttime operation at 125 watts from the daytime site. From the request, it appears the owner would ultimately prefer to be daytime only.

That last paragraph of the STA request is worded in such a way that they are on the proverbial fence about that. I believe the daytime-only request was made first because that is likely to be quickly approved by the FCC, but they appear willing to continue nighttime operation if the reduced ERP from the daytime site is sufficient to attract audience and revenue.

I think they are hedging their bets well here in responding to an involuntary loss of their authorized night facilities.

 

[ajaynejr]

Since the original nighttime operation has been non-directional, it appears that minimal engineering would be needed to determine the feasibility of (continued) non-directional operation, in the future to use the daytime site.

It might be as simple as specifying a single parameter, the power, so the signal strength in no direction is greater than the past signal strength from the former tower site, without having to enumerate all of the co-channel and adjacent channel stations that might be affected.

Meanwhile it is routine to apply for and be granted an STA to operate non-directionally with 25% of the licensed power prior to getting the construction permit. KRPU would choose whether to pursue continued nighttime service unless the FCC prohibited that or if KRPU got interference complaints during the STA period.