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Super Power FM Stations in So. Cal.

G

Gregg.

Four Los Angeles-area FM stations had regular Class B power in 1990, or a bit above standard power. Today, they have much higher power, even though the FCC has most of California zoned in Class B. How did those stations convince the FCC to let them exceed the Class B standard, which is approximately 50,000 watts at 500 feet?

93.9 KXOS ... 1990 = 49,000 watts/720 ft ... Today = 17,250 watts/3009 ft

99.5 KKLA-FM ... 1990 = 30,000 watts/669 ft ... Today = 10,000 watts/2959 ft

101.9 KSCA ... 1990 = 2,360 watts/2848 ft ... Today = 4,800 watts/2831 ft

105.9 KPWR ... 1990 = 72,000 watts/770 ft ... Today = 25,000 watts/3035 ft

It's one thing for all the grandfathered stations on Mount Wilson to have high power, KPFK, KUSC, KCBS-FM, KTWV, KOST, KRTH, KBIG, KLVE, etc. They went on the air before the FCC set maximum power and height regulations for most of California. Same for KVYB Santa Barbara, which has the highest power on the West Coast, 105,000 watts/2969 ft. KPFK comes a close second, 110,000 watts/2831 ft.

But by 1990, the standards had been established. Most of the Northeast, from Virginia Beach to Milwaukee to Bangor were put in Class B territory, along with Southern and Central California, up to Chico. (From Redding to the Oregon border, that part of California is Class C.) So I really don't know how these stations were able to zoom up to super power in the last three decades.

Three commercial FM stations remain with standard Class B outputs and heights: 96.3 KXOL-FM, 97.9 KLAX and 106.7 KROQ.
 
The above stations (with exception of 101.9) may have moved up in elevation, but they also reduced power. So, their coverage area in theory remained about the same.
101.9 is a different story, and I asked about that in the 101.9 thread. Still waiting for DavidEduardo, Fybush or another industry professional to respond.
 
Gregg and Signal Geek- The stations employed FCC rules and FCC policy that permitted relocation of pre-1964 grandfathered stations. They hired communications attorneys and engineering consultants who know the rules and policy, and have a reference library of FCC decisions.
 
I asked a similar question about a year ago, the thread is Power 106 transmitter move in 1993

You also mentioned 96.3 KXOL-FM, 97.9 KLAX and 106.7 KROQ. None of these stations use Mount Wilson.
Both 96.3 KXOL and 106.7 KROQ use the Verdugo Mountains. See this link for a tour of the site.
97.9 KLAX has a transmitter in the San Rafael Hills on Flint Peak (across the 2 freeway from the Verdugos). I could be mistaken, but I think that's the same site 105.9 KPWR used before moving up to Mt. Wilson.
 
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