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WTAM coverage problem

  • Thread starter Footsteps of Fessenden
  • Start date

So how much coverage does one emergency need? I just read FCC rule 73.1250 and come away that you can use your day facilities ONLY if other coverage is not happening. From listening on the Web I can hear that Fargo has 2 AM stations covering it using what they have licensed, and the FM's are still all on and a lot are simulcast with either WDAY or KFGO, then there is TV.

So what gives with WZFG providing what is very clearly at least 3rd coverage of this event and screwing WTAM to the wall like is happening here?

FCC 73.1250(f) ... Because of skywave interference impact
on other stations assigned to the same channel, such operation may be
undertaken only if regular, unlimited-time service, is non-existent,
inadequate from the standpoint of coverage, or not serving the public
need.

http://www.hallikainen.com/FccRules/2009/73/1250/
 
It sounds as though WZFG has been coordinating its operation with WTAM, dialing back power somewhat to avoid more interference than is needed.

The area affected by the latest phase of the disaster up there, the blizzards, is quite extensive - there are road closures up and down the interstates, in areas with little to no local radio coverage.

WZFG can probably make the case that its 50 kW (or even its 25 kW) can better serve that area than KFGO or WDAY's 5 kW.

And in any event, it's hard for me to have a surfeit of sympathy when a station like WTAM receives incoming skywave interference, so long as it's running nighttime IBOC and creating skywave interference to stations on its adjacent channels...
 
Is use of day facilites like this new? Will stations that have day coverage over an area that is issued a flood warning start doing this all across the country now?
 
Footsteps of Fessenden said:
Is use of day facilites like this new? Will stations that have day coverage over an area that is issued a flood warning start doing this all across the country now?
Click to expand...

No, this rule has been on the books for decades and stations have been using its provisions for decades.
 
I agree with w9wi. This rule has always been around as far as I can remember. It applies to daytime only stations also. They are allowed to operate after sun down if their is a local emergency. Growing up in Lake County I can remember WELW back when it was a day timer only remaining on after sign off time when there was a local emergency such as flooding or a blizzard.
 
Footsteps of Fessenden said:
Is use of day facilites like this new? Will stations that have day coverage over an area that is issued a flood warning start doing this all across the country now?
Click to expand...

No, this is for special emergency situations only.
 
I find it interesting that with all the gnashing of teeth that goes on on R-I about radio stations "not serving the public interest" by going wall to wall weather panic mode any time there's a dark cloud, that now one does in a genuine emergency and gets criticized because someone can't hear an Indians spring training game.
There's no financial incentive for KZFG to do this coverage..they can't run commercials. Not to mention a substantially higher electric bill.
 
gr8oldies said:
I find it interesting that with all the gnashing of teeth that goes on on R-I about radio stations "not serving the public interest" by going wall to wall weather panic mode any time there's a dark cloud, that now one does in a genuine emergency and gets criticized because someone can't hear an Indians spring training game.
There's no financial incentive for KZFG to do this coverage..they can't run commercials. Not to mention a substantially higher electric bill.
Click to expand...

Good point. For those of us that do remember radio was suppose to help serve the public.
 
Scott Fybush said:
And in any event, it's hard for me to have a surfeit of sympathy when a station like WTAM receives incoming skywave interference, so long as it's running nighttime IBOC and creating skywave interference to stations on its adjacent channels...
Click to expand...

Touche! (Mr. Savage couldn't have said it better. ;))
 
Exactly!

But, at what point is balance? Again, the community of Fargo, and all of eastern ND are very very very well serviced by many AM and FM radio stations providing information to the public. WZFG has crossed into abuse, where this station is being selfish and trying to establish this new less than full market at night station in the market of Fargo at the expense of listeners to 1090, 1100, and 1110 over a huge part of the country, and the EAS system millions of people that depend upon, depends upon this station NOT blocking reception for EAS data.

For example WDAY in the Fargo area my have only 5,000 watts but because of the frequency, soil conductivity, and more importantly because they are on a quiet channel, that signal goes from South Dakota to Canada just fine.

What if the situation was reversed in a way. What if the forcas flooding had happened and WDAY was the only station there still above water, and say we had something happen in this part of the world and a lot of stations were covering it with legal facilities, but , WFUN decided they also wanted to join in and went on at night with day facilities just to be the 3rd, or 4th, or 5th station giving the coverage. That would kill off WDAY back in Fargo and people would suffer.

There has to be some limit. If a station is the "only game in town" providing a service, well that is what the rule of 73.1250 was written to allow, not this. Not a station who SIGNED ON JUST MONTHS AGO, as WZFG did, and needs to make a name for itself and is doing so by hurting services to others. The FCC needs to step up to the bar and say what is abuse of process and what is not. If this is the new standard, then every time there is a floodwatch, or an Amber alert, then someone who is not happy with his night service is going to abuse rule and hurt someone else.

Yes, IBOC (IBAC?) causes problems. But.. that amount of power is 1/100th what WZFG is throwing out. Plus.. the type of noise made by digital is not as distracting as another signal right under what you want to hear.

And.. while I have the soap box.. how the heck did WZFG get a "W" call on that side of the big river? WZFG is not "grandfathered" as it is a new start up applied for just a few years ago? Who paid off the FCC to allow that to happen?

Grump, back to the den.
 
As pointed out by others, this is not unprecedented. Is the station getting some promotion by being on 24-7? Yes. Darn all that local service. Power down and back to computer-in-a-closet radio... NOW!
 
gr8oldies said:
my bad yes it is WZFG. and I don't know why they have a W. Must be a conspiracy
Click to expand...

The FCC has had these emergency rules in affect since the early/mid seventies. I can recall daytime stations in coastal Louisianan staying on all night long
when there were approaching hurricanes in Summer of 1975. In some cases, these were small towns that had only one AM daytime station licensed to to the area.

As far as the W vs K calls, KMOL-TV in San Antonio changed back to the their original WOAI-TV call letters a few years ago. It seems like the FCC will make exceptions on a case-by-case situation these days. I doubt they routinely issue W calls West of the Mississippi these days.

This letter from the WZFG C.E. should answer a few questions here:

> Artie;
>
> The first CP for the station was KKFL. It was then changed to WZFN by the
> the party that held the CP and constructed the facility. When it was
> purchased by the current owner the call was changed to WZFG. I don't know
> how they got it changed to a "W". I've been told that some stations have
> just applied for a "W" call where it should be a K and the FCC approves it.
> I'm not certain that is true, but it's what I've heard.
>
> The FCC rule provide that a station operating under 73.1250 may operate at
> full daytime facilities during nighttime hours without further authority,
> which means no need to ask permission. All that is required is that the FCC
> be notified upon ending emergency operation and a showing provided as to why
> it was necessary. Our owner did however inform the FCC informally of our
> action the day after we began. Also as a courtesy we communicated with WTAM
> and we agreed that 25kw was sufficient to cover the geography needed. Your
> comment that ND is a pretty rural state is accuarte and the Red River runs
> from the SD border to the Canadian border.
>
> WTAM was more than cooperative and understanding.
>
> Jim Offerdahl
 
gr8oldies said:
I find it interesting that with all the gnashing of teeth that goes on on R-I about radio stations "not serving the public interest" by going wall to wall weather panic mode any time there's a dark cloud, that now one does in a genuine emergency and gets criticized because someone can't hear an Indians spring training game.
There's no financial incentive for KZFG to do this coverage..they can't run commercials. Not to mention a substantially higher electric bill.
Click to expand...

This did cost WZFG in more ways than one as mentioned above. No ads at night, Higher power bill, staffing for 7 days,
Food, Provisions & Equipment.

It was done out of WZFG's obligation to serve the public interest in the time of a "Regional" emergency as more than the Red River of the North was flooding, but many many rivers connected to it, as well as overland flooding.
IF it hadn't been for this rule I believe that the word would not have gotten out as effectively, and Residents of 10 counties would have been trying to replace homes, property, and the loss of life would have been felt.

The Fargo Media knows that they do not want to repeat what happened in Minot, ND some years back. and I can honestly say that the EAS system did it's job in Fargo, as well as being very effective.

Criticise what you want, There will always be baseball on XM, or TV, would you rather lose your life and family to a baseball game? I would think not.
 
Besides, WTAM gave The Flag permission and it was temporary.

The Flag's owner, former WDAY GM/talk host Scott Hennen (a frequent fill-in for Hannity) was in nearby Grand Forks during the 1997 flood (KCNN/KZLT).  And the flooding affected much more than just Fargo-Moorhead.

Speaking of which, The Daily Show could've done without the movie reference, but it was all in good humor.  I just get sick of when traveling is when you tell people you're from North Dakota (although I no longer live there), they make a reference to that movie, every time. But I guess it's all people know of us. ;D
 
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