The past few weeks we’ve written about some low power FM (LPFM) application dismissals due to various discrepancies, most notably false addresses listed on the applications. The FCC is making its way through the remaining LPFM candidates from the 2013 application window and is sussing out some shenanigans that have happened along the way. This week, an application from Wichita Falls Hispanic American Family Fundation in Wichita Falls, Texas was dismissed.
One of the applications affiliated with serial filer Antonio Cesar Guel (which generated an informal objection from REC Networks), the Wichita Falls Hispanic American Family Fundation application was dismissed by the FCC because the address given for the station and for three of its directors is the site of the Wichita Star Hotel, which the FCC determined has never been the headquarters for the organization applying for the license.
There have also been a flurry of Petitions for Reconsideration/amendments filed with the FCC regarding some recently dismissed applications in an attempt to change the original addresses listed. One such Petition for Reconsideration for North San Antonio Community Radio argues that the FCC used improper procedures in contacting the church which was listed as the headquarters for the radio station, stating,
…the Bureau rushed to judgment, taking the draconian step of dismissing the NSACR application without first affording NSACR the basic right or privilege of (i)learning the exact questions posed to the Church; (ii) seeing or hearing the exact response provided by the Church; (iii) contesting the information provided by the Church; or (iv) contacting the person contacted, thereby allowing NSACR the opportunity to refresh the memories of the person contacted or to direct them to the party who has been in contact by NSACR.”
The application originally listed the headquarters for North San Antonio Community Radio at the Alamo Heights Christian Church. In an amendment this week, the address was changed to the site of another church.
NFCB’s 40th Annual Conference to Feature LPFM Summit
The National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB) is hosting its 40th annual community media conference in Denver, Colorado from June 8 to June 11 (early bird registration discounts are available through April 15). As part of the proceedings, there will be a free LPFM summit on Wednesday, June 8 from 1pm to 5pm.
WDIF Switches to Blues Format
LPFM stations are embracing a wide variety of formats and WDIF-LP in Marion, Ohio has announced that it is switching to all blues music. According to The Marion Star, “On April 1 the low-power radio station WDIF 97.5 FM changed formats to broadcast blues music 24/7 and is looking for Ohio-based blues artists to feature their music in the regular blues rotation.”
Classic Country Music Programming at WDXD-LP in Tallahassee
WDXD-LP Station Manager Alan McCall wrote to Radio Survivor this week to share news about the “totally locally-focused and programmed LPFM” broadcasting a classic country music format over FM in Tallahassee, Florida. For the time being online streaming is down, following the closure of Live365. McCall says, “I plan to relaunch in the future if/when we have the funding to do so.” According to McCall, “The primary format includes classic country and softer crossover pop tunes from around 1950 to the present. On Sundays, classic contemporary Christian music is aired. The Christian music collection was donated by WCVC Radio and the now-defunct WJEP of Ochlocknee, Georgia.” The station is set up to play vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and digital files and hopes to reach listeners who have been missing country music on the local radio dial. If you are in the area, you can tune in over 101.9FM.
