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Unbuilt RGV/Matamoros/Reynosa Stations

J

JustinT

I was looking into the past of KQBO 107.5 the other day (having no idea that the station previously 103.1 KCTM). As I learned from FCC records, KCTM wanted to power up to a full Class A in 1994, but couldn't because of two Mexican allocations - an unbuilt Class A for Reynosa on 103.3 FM, and an unbuilt Class A for Matamoros on 103.1 FM.

Well, it's 2012, and neither station has been built. Seems that both would be prime frequencies... so what happened?
 
Most likely, those allotments are still reserved for Mexico, and the Mexican government won't give concurrence for an upgrade in the Valley at 103.1. I believe the treaty between the US and Mexico requires Mexico to respond within a certain amount of time, but they can block upgrades and changes so long as they say that's what they're doing.
 
Kent said:
Most likely, those allotments are still reserved for Mexico, and the Mexican government won't give concurrence for an upgrade in the Valley at 103.1. I believe the treaty between the US and Mexico requires Mexico to respond within a certain amount of time, but they can block upgrades and changes so long as they say that's what they're doing.
Click to expand...

Makes sense that the allotments would still be reserved for Mexican use... it just surprises me that considering the population that the 103.1 and 103.3 would cover in both Mexico and the U.S., that neither station has been built! Seems like R Communications or one of the Mexican operators (Grupo Radio Avanzado or Multimedios) would be interested in getting their hands on those. I'm curious how Mexico handles the allocation of new frequencies...
 
Kent said:
Most likely, those allotments are still reserved for Mexico, and the Mexican government won't give concurrence for an upgrade in the Valley at 103.1. I believe the treaty between the US and Mexico requires Mexico to respond within a certain amount of time, but they can block upgrades and changes so long as they say that's what they're doing.
Click to expand...

Class and frequency changes (any 301) have to protect Mexican allocations of record just like they have to protect US stations and allocations. An application that was in conflict with a Mexican allocation would never get to the stage of asking for concurrence. It would be kicked out for not meeting the separation requirements. In other words, an application within the border zone has to be acceptable for filing before it is sent to Mexico for concurrence.

Also, too, the time limits in the treaty are never enforced because of "diplomacy", so if Mexico never responds, the only relief is a "contingent" grant that can be rescinded if Mexico eventually responds negatively.
 
Mexico is a lot more secretive of its permit process than the FCC. CPs are never published. Often, the first you know of a new station or a major upgrade is when it hits the air. There is a fat class C allocation on 102.9 in Soto La Marina, about 100 miles south of Matamoros. I wouldn't be surprise if the smaller allocations on 103.1 and 103.3 are being kept unbuilt to allow a move-in of a more powerful signal.
 
You may be onto something there, and you may have already noticed something else I found. In looking at the list of Mexican AM's that will move to FM (from a David Eduardo post on the DX Board) there's no mention of either 103.1 or 103.3 being designated for use anywhere along the border in Tamaulipas.
 
fredcantu said:
Mexico is a lot more secretive of its permit process than the FCC. CPs are never published. Often, the first you know of a new station or a major upgrade is when it hits the air. There is a fat class C allocation on 102.9 in Soto La Marina, about 100 miles south of Matamoros. I wouldn't be surprise if the smaller allocations on 103.1 and 103.3 are being kept unbuilt to allow a move-in of a more powerful signal.
Click to expand...

The two allocations mentioned were listed as part of the treaty from 1992 (Annex 2), so no one in Mexico (that we know of) has pursued them for over 20 years. I expect that becoming a broadcaster in Mexico has less to do with knowing an allocation is available, and more to do with who you know in the bureaucracy.
 
Iused2nothat said:
I expect that becoming a broadcaster in Mexico has less to do with knowing an allocation is available, and more to do with who you know in the bureaucracy.
Click to expand...

That's old thinking. Over the years Mexico has done a lot to get rid of the corruption and mordidas that used to permeate life there. With that said, American style networking has taken hold. So in that regard it doesn't hurt to know somebody who can help you.
 
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