WALE NOT LOWERING POWER AT NIGHT

[w9wi]

It looks as though they're not running 50 kW during the day either ; more like 15 kW, becaue of the power bill....

Is it true that if a station runs less than its authorized power (without permission
from the commission) for an extended period of time--say 15 kw instead of 50 kw,
in order to "save on the power bill"--Uncle Charlie can decree the station is now
stuck at 15 kw forever?

There's no specific provision to that effect.

Assuming you DO take the proper steps with the FCC:

If you operate at less than 90% power for more than 10 days, the FCC must be notified. FCC permission must be obtained to operate at less than 90% power for more than 30 days.
(see http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2008/octqtr/47cfr73.1560.htm, FCC regulation 73.1560)
There's nothing in there about a time limit for such reduced-power operation, but there's nothing that requires the FCC to allow it either.

I would imagine their patience would run out at some point. You have to show that you're taking concrete steps towards returning to full power. And at that point, if someone else proposed an upgrade or new station compatible with 15kw operation but not with 50kw, the upgrade would be approved -- and you'd be stuck at 15kw.

It's a bit different for commercial FM. It would depend on whether operation at 15kw would be in the same "class" as operation at 50kw. If it's a maximum-facility Class B station (50kw/150m), at 15kw it would still be Class B and nothing would happen - you'd remain Class B, would be protected as Class B, and could return to 50kw. If you dropped below the Class B minimum (11kw for an antenna height of 150m) you'd be reclassified B1 and new stations/increased service elsewhere might prevent you from getting it switched back to Class B. Non-commercial FM works the same way as AM.

Assuming you ignore 73.1560 and DON'T notify the FCC:

Good question.

What I *think* would happen when the Commission found out... is that the FCC would treat the situation as if you *had* notified, and would authorize new service if requested by someone else. (thus precluding you from returning to your original facilities) Simultaneously, they would take enforcement action against you as appropriate for the failure to notify.

 

[Dighton Rockhead]

If I remember correctly, the intention of "ownership" back in 2006/07 was to have 990 remain silent. The only problem was that the Commission didn't agree, and denied thier STA to remain silent.

So now, what we appear to be seeing is a kind of half-baked attempt at staying on the air.

Seems to me the Commission is so focused on "new media / new technologies"...especially broadband, that the actions of a 2nd. rate (3rd. rate?) AM station in a medium size market might not be all that high on thier priority list.

 

[necrat123]

Is it true that if a station runs less than its authorized power (without permission
from the commission) for an extended period of time--say 15 kw instead of 50 kw,
in order to "save on the power bill"--Uncle Charlie can decree the station is now
stuck at 15 kw forever?

To further expand on what Doug said, they need an engineering STA to run at any power under 45kW, if they have been operating for more than 30 days.

Uncle Charlie won't decree the station as a lower powered AM, however they can go after them for willfull unauthorized operation based on their license. (Operating outside of the terms of the license is unauthorized).

I'd love to see how far out of tolerance the monitor points on the station are as well.

 

[MarcB]

If you want some action taken against WALE 990 for not powering down, I suggest sending an email to Rene Tetero Chief Engineer at WNTP 990 in Philly. Someone contacted him about WXCT 990 in Connecticut not powering down at night for a few months and with-in a few days of the email being sent WXCT began powering down again.

 

[MissAM]

They never lowered the power at night, lied to the paid show people and hoped they would never find out, which did happen once, with no consequence. I guess the FCC knows there is no money to be had by fining the owners. They just ran at 5000 all the time, and it sounds like they are still doing that.

 

[Kenny Atkinson]

They never lowered the power at night, lied to the paid show people and hoped they would never find out, which did happen once, with no consequence. I guess the FCC knows there is no money to be had by fining the owners. They just ran at 5000 all the time, and it sounds like they are still doing that.

I got into a fight with Francis one night in the early 90's about lowering the power.After a few F'U's . I agreed to keep the power at full blast and someone else was signing the transmitter log.I wanted nothing to do with it.

As for now. I am surprised no one has complained yet with the amount of people Reposa has screwed over in the past 3 or 4 years.

 

[MissAM]

They never ran 50K... their equipment would explode.

 

[Skynet74]

They never ran 50K... their equipment would explode.

I hope they try it then.

 

[Dighton Rockhead]

They never ran 50K... their equipment would explode.

I hope they try it then.

I second that emotion!

 

[MissAM]

Fireworks in January!