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This LPFM does not exist

R

Red Plume

With the upcoming LPFM window, many areas are without available channels for eligible licensees. However, there are a number of LPFM stations that are licensed to organizations that do not exist. My goal is to present this already-public information here for eligible nonprofit organizations to use so that they may inquire about these frequencies with the FCC. Please independently confirm any licensee's corporate status.

While there are a considerable amount of LPFM stations with paperwork in questionable order, the following LPFM stations are not licensed to an eligible organization listed in §73.853, and appear to be licensed in error.

I only surveyed the following states: AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID, NV, NM, UT, WA. I'll add more if I have time.

Potential Non-Existing Licensees:

  • KXES-LP (Alaska) : Licensee does not exist, despite claim of incorporation on FCC application.
  • KBJZ-LP (Alaska) : Licensee (Entity 70279D) dissolved in 2011. A separate organization (Entity 10025416) with an identical organization was formed in 2014.
  • KWRG-LP (Alaska) : Licensee (Entity 70021D) dissolved in 2014. A separate organization (Entity 10167300) with an identical name was formed in 2021.
  • KFNP-LP (Alaska) : Licensee (Entity 10015872) dissolved in 2018. A separate organization (Entity 10177019) with an identical name was formed in 2021.
  • KZLJ-LP (Colorado) : Licensee's corporate status is "delinquent since 2016", requires reinstatement.
  • KLNX-LP (Colorado) : Licensee dissolved in 2004, before CP grant.
  • KIOM-LP (Hawaii) : Licensee dissolved around 2008. A new organization with an identical name was formed in 2013 and later dissolved.
  • KPLL-LP (Idaho) : Dissolved in 2006.
  • KIYQ-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2022).
  • KPFF-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2021).
  • KRBV-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2023).
  • KPFV-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2023).
  • KKTT-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2021).
  • KROZ-LP (New Mexico) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked - Final".
  • KEDU-LP (New Mexico) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked - Final".
  • KVNM-LP (New Mexico) : Licensee is a Virginia foreign corporation marked as "Revoked". In Virginia, the status is marked as "Inactive".
  • KFUR-LP (Utah) : Licensee (Entity 4751890-0140) ceased existence in 2011. A separate organization (Entity 8954583-0140) with an identical name was formed in 2014.
  • KJMR-LP (Washington) : Licensee Administratively Dissolved in 2014.
  • KWHJ-LP (Washington) : Licensee Terminated in 2010.
  • KJHS-LP (Washington) : Licensee Administratively Dissolved in 2022.
  • KOUV-LP (Washington) : Oregon corporation Administratively Dissolved in 2023.
  • KWEW-LP (Washington) : Licensee Administratively Dissolved in 2023.

The following stations may be operating in a gray area, and their eligibility may vary from state-to-state:

  • KHRA-LP (Alaska) : Licensee does not match corporate records.
  • KKZN-LP (Arizona) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee. Not formed in AZ.
  • KPUP-LP( Arizona) : Had no licensee from 2008-2013.
  • KPKX-LP (Arizona) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee. Not formed in AZ. FCC documents mixed up with KKZN.
  • KNKR-LP (Hawaii) : licensee was formed after CP was approved
  • KCMG-LP (New Mexico) : licensee was formed 5 years after CP was issued.
  • KJLL-LP (New Mexico) : Application was submitted before organization existed.
  • KFDG-LP (Nevada) : Licensee listed in default status.
  • KVGK-LP (Nevada) : Unclear filings may indicate they may be a commercial entity.
  • KCUT-LP (Utah) : Licensee was formed a month after CP was granted.
  • KQUT-LP (Utah) : There was no existing licensee for part of 2016. Station was purchased from an expired corporation.
  • KXPB-LP (Washington) : Unclear organization; conflicting IRS documentation. May just be highly disorganized.
  • KTRJ-LP (Washington) : Unconfirmed Nonprofit association. Unable to find anywhere, LMS says it's an institution.
  • KWJZ-LP (Washington) : No existing nonprofit organization from 2018-2023 (however no real financial considerations in sale).
Note:
I did not include organizations that were dissolved and legally reinstated, although those stations technically had no licensee for a time period.
I like to link to documents, but most states do not allow it. A search for "<state> + SOS Entity Search" easily brings up each state's search tools.
Many of the above stations likely may just be stations that have closed down when dissolved and have not notified the FCC since there may be no human responsible for doing so.
Please call out any errors you notice.
 
Red Plume said:
With the upcoming LPFM window, many areas are without available channels for eligible licensees. However, there are a number of LPFM stations that are licensed to organizations that do not exist. My goal is to present this already-public information here for eligible nonprofit organizations to use so that they may inquire about these frequencies with the FCC. Please independently confirm any licensee's corporate status.

While there are a considerable amount of LPFM stations with paperwork in questionable order, the following LPFM stations are not licensed to an eligible organization listed in §73.853, and appear to be licensed in error.

I only surveyed the following states: AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID, NV, NM, UT, WA. I'll add more if I have time.

Potential Non-Existing Licensees:

  • KXES-LP (Alaska) : Licensee does not exist, despite claim of incorporation on FCC application.
  • KBJZ-LP (Alaska) : Licensee (Entity 70279D) dissolved in 2011. A separate organization (Entity 10025416) with an identical organization was formed in 2014.
  • KWRG-LP (Alaska) : Licensee (Entity 70021D) dissolved in 2014. A separate organization (Entity 10167300) with an identical name was formed in 2021.
  • KFNP-LP (Alaska) : Licensee (Entity 10015872) dissolved in 2018. A separate organization (Entity 10177019) with an identical name was formed in 2021.
  • KZLJ-LP (Colorado) : Licensee's corporate status is "delinquent since 2016", requires reinstatement.
  • KLNX-LP (Colorado) : Licensee dissolved in 2004, before CP grant.
  • KIOM-LP (Hawaii) : Licensee dissolved around 2008. A new organization with an identical name was formed in 2013 and later dissolved.
  • KPLL-LP (Idaho) : Dissolved in 2006.
  • KIYQ-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2022).
  • KPFF-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2021).
  • KRBV-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2023).
  • KPFV-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2023).
  • KKTT-LP (Nevada) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked" (circa 2021).
  • KROZ-LP (New Mexico) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked - Final".
  • KEDU-LP (New Mexico) : Licensee is listed as "Revoked - Final".
  • KVNM-LP (New Mexico) : Licensee is a Virginia foreign corporation marked as "Revoked". In Virginia, the status is marked as "Inactive".
  • KFUR-LP (Utah) : Licensee (Entity 4751890-0140) ceased existence in 2011. A separate organization (Entity 8954583-0140) with an identical name was formed in 2014.
  • KJMR-LP (Washington) : Licensee Administratively Dissolved in 2014.
  • KWHJ-LP (Washington) : Licensee Terminated in 2010.
  • KJHS-LP (Washington) : Licensee Administratively Dissolved in 2022.
  • KOUV-LP (Washington) : Oregon corporation Administratively Dissolved in 2023.
  • KWEW-LP (Washington) : Licensee Administratively Dissolved in 2023.

The following stations may be operating in a gray area, and their eligibility may vary from state-to-state:

  • KHRA-LP (Alaska) : Licensee does not match corporate records.
  • KKZN-LP (Arizona) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee. Not formed in AZ.
  • KPUP-LP( Arizona) : Had no licensee from 2008-2013.
  • KPKX-LP (Arizona) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee. Not formed in AZ. FCC documents mixed up with KKZN.
  • KNKR-LP (Hawaii) : licensee was formed after CP was approved
  • KCMG-LP (New Mexico) : licensee was formed 5 years after CP was issued.
  • KJLL-LP (New Mexico) : Application was submitted before organization existed.
  • KFDG-LP (Nevada) : Licensee listed in default status.
  • KVGK-LP (Nevada) : Unclear filings may indicate they may be a commercial entity.
  • KCUT-LP (Utah) : Licensee was formed a month after CP was granted.
  • KQUT-LP (Utah) : There was no existing licensee for part of 2016. Station was purchased from an expired corporation.
  • KXPB-LP (Washington) : Unclear organization; conflicting IRS documentation. May just be highly disorganized.
  • KTRJ-LP (Washington) : Unconfirmed Nonprofit association. Unable to find anywhere, LMS says it's an institution.
  • KWJZ-LP (Washington) : No existing nonprofit organization from 2018-2023 (however no real financial considerations in sale).
Note:
I did not include organizations that were dissolved and legally reinstated, although those stations technically had no licensee for a time period.
I like to link to documents, but most states do not allow it. A search for "<state> + SOS Entity Search" easily brings up each state's search tools.
Many of the above stations likely may just be stations that have closed down when dissolved and have not notified the FCC since there may be no human responsible for doing so.
Please call out any errors you notice.
Click to expand...
Wow, impressive work! On behalf of real broadcasters, we thank you.
 
There are 4 LPFMs in Kansas City that have been off for a while, and just keep the licenses active. I have heard these on-air before though.

KLHW-LP, 90.5, seemingly off since last year but I have heard it before.

KNIU-LP, 97.7, off since January... They texted me that they maybe need a new transmitter because their current one only went a couple blocks.

KPPZ-LP, 98.5, off since March 2022... It has come on a few times with dead air but I never heard any audio on it all since then, dead air doesn't count.

KOJH-LP, 100.5, on at it's new channel since last year but it's very weak when compared to KONN-LP (which has similar height and power).
 
I know one of these LPFM's quite well..not intimately.. but quite darn well.. but im not adding any fuel to the fire.
 
I was able to complete a survey of California LPFMs, nearly doubling the number of non-existing licensees, and tripling the number of questionable licensees. This leaves only Oregon unfinished in the Western US (of the 50 states).

Potential Non-Existing Licensees:
  • KELR-LP (California) : Suspended in 2017
  • KFBA-LP (California) : Texas corporation: “FRANCHISE TAX INVOLUNTARILY ENDED” (not currently existing)
  • KFFW-LP (California) : Suspended in 2016
  • KGCE-LP (California) : There is a similarly named organization, but no clear match.
  • KGFI-LP (California) : Suspended in 2019
  • KHDZ-LP (California) : Formed 4 years after CP issued; Suspended 2020; Similarly named organization formed in 2019, but delinquent.
  • KHMV-LP (California) : Corporate articles submitted to FCC do not match this organization. Organization does not appear to exist.
  • KIPW-LP (California) : Suspended in 2020
  • KJVA-LP (California) : Formed 2 years after CP issued; Organization suspended since 2010
  • KLBP-LP (California) : Suspended in 2021
  • KMOB-LP (California) : Suspended in 2003 (20 years ago!)
  • KNVU-LP (California) : Inactive since 2013, before CP was issued (or applied for)
  • KOFP-LP (California) : Suspended in 2018
  • KPFN-LP (California) : Suspended in 2018
  • KQLH-LP (California) : Suspended in 2008; A similarly named corporation was formed in 2019, but is delinquent.
  • KVLP-LP (California) : Suspended in 2013
  • KWRS-LP (California) : Suspended in 2015
  • KZLQ-LP (California) : Texas foreign corporation status in CA forfeited. Corporation is active in Texas.


The following stations may be operating in a gray area, and their eligibility may depend on California definitions:

  • KACR-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KARC-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KBQS-LP (California) : Non-compliant organization (no registered agent)
  • KBUU-LP (California) : Organization formed after CP applied for
  • KCAN-LP (California) : Unable to confirm existence, checked CA, AZ & NV
  • KCCQ-LP (California) : Formed after CP was applied for. Attached an ungranted formation application.
  • KCLA-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KCMU-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KDPT-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KDRT-LP (California) : Name is incorrect
  • KFEP-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KFOK-LP (California) : Formed 4 years after CP grant; Active but delinquent.
  • KGIG-LP (California) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee.
  • KIIW-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KILN-LP (California) : Appears to have been formed 6 years after CP grant.
  • KIMU-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KJBU-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KKDS-LP (California) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee.
  • KLDI-LP (California) : No licensee for 2022, sale for no consideration in 2022
  • KLLG-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KNFS-LP (California) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee.
  • KNGS-LP (California) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee.
  • KNYO-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KOCC-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KOCI-LP (California) : Licensee was formed after CP was approved. Active but delinquent.
  • KPCR-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KPHD-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KPHT-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KQBM-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KRLY-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KRYC-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KSTG-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KSVG-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KTEH-LP (California) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee.
  • KUPV-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KVBB-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KVIB-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KVVC-LP (California) : Unconfirmed association
  • KXWS-LP (California) : Unable to confirm current status.
  • KYFC-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KYGS-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KYLO-LP (California) : Unable to confirm existence of licensee.
  • KYRR-LP (California) : Unable to confirm existence. Not clear that it's a nonprofit.
  • KZAA-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
  • KZNQ-LP (California) : Active but delinquent
 
Gosh--

California, Alaska and Nevada all seem to have more than one-third of their LPFMs without their state papers in order. Nevada is actually more than half (7/12).
 
We just recently had a golden opportunity to speak up about these.. It was the renewal cycle. No one did. These organizations are responsible for keeping their state statuses current.
 
Michi said:
We just recently had a golden opportunity to speak up about these.. It was the renewal cycle. No one did. These organizations are responsible for keeping their state statuses current.
Click to expand...

If a renewal was issued to a non-existent organization, was the renewal actually valid?

If the station is on the air, and the station doesn't have a licensee, is the licensed station legally off the air, with an individual/entity running an unauthorized station on the same frequency?
 
Red Plume said:
If a renewal was issued to a non-existent organization, was the renewal actually valid?

If the station is on the air, and the station doesn't have a licensee, is the licensed station legally off the air, with an individual/entity running an unauthorized station on the same frequency?
Click to expand...
If you want to push the issue between renewals, then go for it. The renewal period is the best time to do it as the books are open and the FCC is on the ball, especially if the corporate standing lapsed during the last license term.
 
speer360 said:
Looking forward to Oregon!
Click to expand...

Overall, Oregon LPFM stations looked good, but there are some really extraordinary ones, like one dissolved more than 2 decades ago, one that used a dissolved corporation for the local points, and a K-8 school that does not appear to exist.

Potential Non-Existing Licensees:

  • KBAV-LP (Oregon) : Dissolved in 2002, 4 years before CP grant. (21 years!)
  • KFFP-LP (Oregon) : Used a dissolved corporation for CP application that was reinstated immediately before submission, likely for localism points. Started second corporation with similar name. Both corporations are now dissolved.
  • KFYL-LP (Oregon) : Dissolved in 2010
  • KGBZ-LP (Oregon) : Dissolved in 2006
  • KJAJ-LP (Oregon) : Dissolved in 2023
  • KMAB-LP (Oregon) : Unable to find existence of this school. Mailing address appears to be a private residence. (Can anyone confirm this? This seems quite unusual. I also can't locate the antenna on Google Maps, which shows the location as civic property)
  • KRAD-LP (Oregon) : Dissolved in 2020
  • KSXM-LP (Oregon) : Dissolved in 2023
  • KUMP-LP (Oregon) : Dissolved in 2020
The following stations may be operating in a gray area, and their eligibility may depend in part on Oregon definitions:

  • KQRZ-LP (Oregon) : Station was transferred to a corporation that had not yet assumed the name it was transferred to (in 2011)
  • KRRC-LP (Oregon) : Dissolved in 2016; renewed license by dissolved corporation. Reinstated in 2023. Name is incorrect on license and shows similarly named, but unrelated, corporation.
  • KVBE-LP (Oregon) : Name of organization changed in 2017 to “APANO COMMUNITIES UNITED FUND”
  • KYQT-LP (Oregon) : Current organization was dissolved, pre-LPFM ownership, in 2021; Station purchased by dissolved corporation in March 2022. Corporation reinstated in October 2022.
 
Michi said:
If you want to push the issue between renewals, then go for it. The renewal period is the best time to do it as the books are open and the FCC is on the ball, especially if the corporate standing lapsed during the last license term.
Click to expand...

In situations like Portland, Oregon, where there are no frequencies available but multiple non-existent licensees, I think interested groups should seriously look into this, now, before the LPFM window opens.

In my opinion, an LPFM station isn't really existing if it's not owned by an existing entity listed in §73.853. It would be similar to a commercial station that abruptly goes out of business and dissolves, but the deejays continue to broadcast on their own.

Otherwise, in most cases, this list is probably proactive for the next renewal cycle, for when modifications are proposed, or for when an LPFM is behaving badly.
 
Red Plume said:
In situations like Portland, Oregon, where there are no frequencies available but multiple non-existent licensees, I think interested groups should seriously look into this, now, before the LPFM window opens.
Click to expand...
Even if someone was to contact the Audio Division or the FCC complaint system that an LPFM has been off the air, the full due process that the FCC performs cannot be completed by the window. Let's imagine today, September 3, 2023, was actually a work day and the stars are completely in alignment, the moon is exactly where it should be in Jupiter and the weather outside is perfect. You call your attorney friend who just happens to be in the Audio Division and you play golf with every week. You tell them about your situation with an LPFM station being silent. So, as a favor to their golf buddy, they decide to stop working on their queued work, including settling objections from the last radio renewal cycle a few years ago to work on your case of a silent LPFM. They immediately decide to prepare an Operational Status Inquiry on the station. That letter has a 45 day response time. Fast forward to October 18, no response. By the time the license cancellation makes to the Deputy Chief and Bureau Chief of the Audio Division for approval and action, it is October 19. The license is cancelled and you may think.. "yes! I got it before the window!". Well, the cancelled licensee now has 30 days to file a Petition for Reconsideration. 30 days passes, no pleadings filed. Cancellation is finalized. Oops, it's November 17.. filing window already passed. I guess they will try again in 10 years in the Fourth Generation LPFM Window.
 
The FCC dumps tons of manure on the folderol that is LPFM, with the hope that something beautiful will grow. I'd be more concerned about the number of LPFM's that are currently silent, as opposed to all of this cloak and dagger "let's tattle to the FCC" over paperwork nonsense.

Ever since COVID, renewing corporate status in Colorado has been no easy task. If you're lucky, you might get some churlish dame on the phone, still working from home, who sounds like she has you on speaker, in a tiled bathroom. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions about someone else's circumstances.
 
Voicetrack of Reason said:
The FCC dumps tons of manure on the folderol that is LPFM, with the hope that something beautiful will grow. I'd be more concerned about the number of LPFM's that are currently silent, as opposed to all of this cloak and dagger "let's tattle to the FCC" over paperwork nonsense.
Click to expand...
Silent stations is one thing, but you believe that LPFM licensees which licensed their stations as phony, or scam organizations, or ones whose original organizations have expired, is nothing more than paperwork nonsense?
Voicetrack of Reason said:
Ever since COVID, renewing corporate status in Colorado has been no easy task. If you're lucky, you might get some churlish dame on the phone, still working from home, who sounds like she has you on speaker, in a tiled bathroom. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions about someone else's circumstances.
Click to expand...
And real, actual radio stations have laid out millions to build and protect their businesses. They need to keep and publish documentation about their organizational structure, keep lawyers on retainer, pay federal, B&O taxes, administration fees, and music licensing fees. It's coming to light how many of these LPFM's are shams, yet continue to occupy real estate next door to actual broadcasters. I relent that not all are bogus, but an alarming number of them might be.
 
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