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Let the interference complaints begin, and one with a twist.

G

Groove1670

Guest
With over 1000 translators applied for in the last AM window, we can expect to see more of this. It will be interesting to see how many of them are bumped or moved by full power stations. However this case is a little more unusual.

From the Tom Taylor Now Radio Daily Management Newsletter:

"A Pensacola AM says it’s at “serious risk” from a new FM in Fort Walton Beach."

"How’s that possible, across two different bands? Because urban AC “Touch” WRNE Gulf Breeze/980 tells the FCC it depends on its Pensacola translator to remain viable. Also, it’s put $70,000 into that translator. What this is really about is a newly-added allocation for a Class A signal at 106.9 in Fort Walton Beach, just to the east of Pensacola. WRNE owner Media One says that blows its translator W259AP, also at 106.9, out of the water. But the Commission says the rule is clear – “FM translators remain secondary to full-service FM stations.” So Northwest Florida Media LLC wins approval for the allocation – not the station, not yet – in Fort Walton Beach. But as veteran consulting engineer Clarence Beverage says on behalf of minority-owned Media One, his client needs relief because of the danger that a substitute channel won’t be available given the “number of filing windows anticipated for new translators and Low Power FM stations in the near future.” In the meantime, Northwest Florida Media won’t be getting that new 106.9 any time soon. That must wait for a filing window."
 
Since the FWB allocation has already been approved it seems that Robert should be allowed to apply for and tie up a new FM translator frequency right now. A couple acceptable channels are still available in Pensacola.
Does he actually have to wait until new 106.9A in FWB forces the WRNE 106.9 translator off the air to apply for a channel change?
 
seedless said:
Since the FWB allocation has already been approved it seems that Robert should be allowed to apply for and tie up a new FM translator frequency right now. A couple acceptable channels are still available in Pensacola.
Does he actually have to wait until new 106.9A in FWB forces the WRNE 106.9 translator off the air to apply for a channel change?
Click to expand...

Groove will know better than me, but I think he will have to wait until he can prove interference before he's allowed to plead for a non-minor move. In other words, something other than 1st, 2nd or 3rd adjacent to where he is now.

Basically all that's open to move to now is 106.5 and 106.7. And while both frequencies are for all intents and purposes "open" in Pensacola, I have a feeling both choices would garner complaints from WAVH despite the fact they put a useless signal into Pensacola. I'm sure they are going to be keen to observe any nibbling away of their fringe coverage in eastern Baldwin County. WKMX might not take issue, but everyone is so aggressively going after translators now, I can't help but think that anywhere they go, they are going to be doomed, just like the other 1,000 applicants that are wanting their own home now in the newest auction.
 
Followup from the Tom Taylor newsletter:

"That Pensacola AM “at serious risk” wins FCC quick approval to move its translator from 106.9 to 93.7. That should remove it from possible interference with a newly-approved Class A at 106.9 licensed to Fort Walton Beach. More followup from yesterday’s story – attorney Peter Tannenwald and engineer Clarence Beverage worked on getting a substitute translator frequency for translator W259AP. It’s the companion to Media One’s urban AC “Touch” WRNE Gulf Breeze/980. Media One feared that if the FCC didn’t act quickly on the translator-channel change, it might find its options limited after this year’s new-translator filing windows and a possible window for Low Power FMs. The FCC does add a condition for 93.7 – building it can’t affect the signal of La Promesa Foundation’s lay-Catholic WDWR Pensacola/1230). The placement of the translator antenna might cause an unintentional pattern change for the AM."

This was an unusual situation. Since the WRNE translator was already in operation, I think the outcome was fair. Ducting and co-channels issues were a strong possibility. WAVH and WKMX are not a factor. I think KMX downgraded or moved in preparation for this allocation. I think they also petitioned for the new allocation (someone will need to verify).
 
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That's interesting; I remember KMX's move closer to Dothan and all the pine trees and cows they were giving up in the process. Didn't know it for this FWB allocation.

93.7 might be an even worse translator frequency than 106.5/106.7 in my opinion. WMJY from Biloxi absolutely booms into Baldwin County most every summer evening. I can't imagine it's much different a few miles to my east in P'cola. I've heard it quite clearly even down in Mary Ester before.

I'm curious why the FCC would mention WDWR's pattern… 106.9 is on the tower now so there should be no actual change aside from a different antenna setup. Same height, same power, etc.

BTW while we're on the subject of translators…

I am starting to see some info on apps and the panhandle has a few worth mentioning.

WVTJ is seeking 105.3
WEBY is seeking 99.1
WTYS Marianna wants 104.3
WFTW FWB wants 107.7
WZEP in De Funnyack Springs wants 107.1
WJSB Crestview wants 101.1
WNVY wants 104.5

and for some reason these seem backwards:

WPNS Evergreen wants 106.9 in Destin
and
WNWF Destin wants 107.7 in Evergreen

Looks like they got their wires mixed up and neither of those would work, they need to be reversed.
 
As I recall the owners of WKMX submitted the application for NEW 106.9A in FWB as part of their Dothan tower consolidation project. The allocation has yet to go to auction so no one owns it. I hope Robert Hill (WRNE) buys it but today Pensacola's WRNE(AM)/WBQP(CA) combo isn't making much money.

Also, as I recall, WAAO 93.7 Andalusia has a CP to upgrade from Class A to C3. I also understand WAAO can upgrade to C2 with a tower move. That still leaves WRNE at risk on 93.7.
And what's the conflict with WDWR 1230/103.3?
How does this affect WBHY's 106.9 translator in Spanish Fort?

No translator application for WCOA? No application for 1490 in Milton? WTF?

Zach, where can I find a no subscription required list of all the new translators?
I saw on the other site that WTOF in Bay Minette was picking up a translator. WJSB on 101.1 in Crestview has to produce something cool or interesting.
 
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