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There Might Still Be Life For WKAJ

M

MHVRadiofan

Believe it or not Cranesville Broadcasting still has not given up on WKAJ 1120 St. Johnsville Scott Fybush reports in Northeast Radio Watch that Senator Chuck Schumer has intervened on their behalf with the FCC asking what harm will be done if the station is allowed to sign on the air. He cites the fact that Cranesville has invested over $300K and there have been unforeseen problems beyond their control. FCC chairman Julius Genachowski has directed the Bureau’s Office of Communications to investigate and respond.
Will the FCC bow to pressure from a Senator to wave on of their hard and fast rules?
 
Well if the FCC does back down and authorize this, Congressman's Hanna and Tonko ought to cry "foul"."Why wouldn't you do it for us when we requested this?" Why would the FCC bow to pressure for Sen. Schumer when they would not for the 2 congressman? This certainly is not going to win anyone many votes, besides Schumer is not up for re-election anyway. That along with the fact NY is 2-1 democrat anyway.
 
Federal agencies are required to respond to Congresssional inquiries in a timely manner. Chairman Genachowski is doing diligence by directing the FCC staff to promptly investigate and respond.
 
For the sake of WKAJ and older radio listeners to have another station to listen to, I would hope that a US Senator has more pull than two congressmen. But will the FCC risk setting a precedent here opening the door to a lot more appeals? I fear not.
 
Chuck Roast, you got that right about setting a precedent. I had a similar feeling that they could be opening themselves up to a deluge of appeals.
 
Of course you are right about setting a president for appeals the FCC or any other agency loathes to do that. I doubt they will here. I wonder however how many of those appeals would involve stations nearly complete or as in this case essentially complete albeit after the permit lapsed. Some groups never even start and the FCC cannot indefinitely let them drag the process out. It goes to the matter of being able to responsibly operate the station. I think Cranesville Broadcasting got some bad legal advice, had problems with their contractor as well as flooding from Irene all added up to them finishing late and being on the hook for $300K.
 
Senator Schumer’s intervention seems to have worked
Scott Fybush's NERW reports that the FCC has accepted for filing Carnesville’s 1120 WKAJ application for a license to cover on the signal. The application reportedly contains copious documentation on the causes of the delays getting the station on the air, which likely will be occurring soon. Initially at least WKAJ is likely to simulcast WCSS 1490, Amsterdam. Which begs the question why go through all the trouble for another AM simulcast?
 
Simulcast would be a good idea. The WCSS tx site is about 25 miles from St Johnsville. Would give better coverage for all of Montgomery county.
 
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