In the world of low power FM (LPFM) this week, news centers around some current and former college radio groups, a few license cancellations, and a number of construction permits granted for stations that will operate with time-share arrangements. The total number of construction permits granted from the 2013 window is now 1,622.
The Return of KUSF and WRVU to FM?
A number of college radio-related groups are entrenched in the process of acquiring new low power FM (LFPM) licenses. On the 4th anniversary of the shutdown of college radio station KUSF, I visited San Francisco Community Radio (aka KUSF-in-Exile), a station that is in the running for a new LPFM signal in San Francisco. See my full report from that visit.
Further along in the process is WXNA-LP in Nashville. Matthew shared news about the new LPFM being built by WRVU Family and Friends. The station is being developed by supporters and former DJs from Vanderbilt University’s college radio station WRVU. After WRVU left FM and the license was sold, students have continued doing radio over WRVU.org, while those protesting the station’s FM license sale are preparing for the new terrestrial radio station WXNA-LP after being granted a construction permit last month.
WHWS-LP Ownership to Shift to Hobart and William Smith Colleges
In other college radio LPFM news, existing LPFM station WHWS-LP in Geneva, New York has submitted paperwork with the FCC in order to assign ownership of the station from Smith Center for the Arts to Hobart and William Smith Colleges. It’s already a student-run station, although it’s been owned up to this point by an outside non-profit. The deal involves “no consideration” and after the license is transferred, “WHWS-LP will be managed and operated on a day-to-day basis by students of Hobart and William Smith Colleges,” according to paperwork filed with the FCC.
KBCP-LP License Cancelled
Existing LPFM station KBCP-LP in Brookshire, Texas had its license cancelled by the FCC this week. Licensed to the Royal Independent School District, the station had been off the air since at least August, 2013, according to a letter from the FCC. In 2013, Body of Christ Christian Church donated the radio station license to the Royal Independent School District and the sale was consummated in January 2014. It’s unfortunate that this donated license is now cancelled.
Existing LPFM at Fort Valley State University Turns Back License and a Full Power FM will be Established
An existing LPFM at Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, Georgia) recently had its licensed cancelled. WFVS-LP (Power Jamz 104.3), owned by the school’s Broadcasters Club, surrendered its license by letter on December 29, 2014. There’s good news, though. Fort Valley State University recently purchased a full power FM construction permit from Calvary Chapel Heartland for a new station (to be named WFVS-FM) at 96.9 FM in Reynolds, Georgia. As part of the agreement with the FCC, the Broadcasters Club was required to divest all interest in the LPFM station. Program Test Authority was just granted on January 16, 2015 for the new full power FM station.
According to the WFVS Facebook page, “Shirley L. Ellis, the University’s television station manager initiated the process to start the station and the Broadcasters Club was granted a permit to begin constructing the station in June 2003. Construction of the station was completed in August 2004 during which time the station began broadcasting on frequency 104.3.” The station also streamed online and was a sister station to the AM carrier current station WFVS 530 AM. It’s unclear if the former station’s programming will resume activities as WFVS-FM, but the new station is intended to again be focused on student learning.
Numerous Time Shares Granted This Week:
Sonoma/Napa Area of California
Sonoma Charter School (Sonoma, CA), Petaluma Community Access (Petaluma, CA) and the Jean Arnold Group Foundation (Napa, CA) were granted a time-share at 103.3 FM.
Santa Rosa, CA
Redwood Justice Fund and Santa Rosa Community Media Access Center, Inc. will be sharing the 92.3 FM frequency in Santa Rosa, CA.
Columbus, OH
Ohio Hispanic Coalition and Christian Media, Incorporated to share in Columbus, OH
Philadelphia, PA
South Philadelphia Rainbow Committee Community Center, Inc, Germantown Life Enrichment Center, Germantown Unified Community Development Corporation, and G-Town Radio are all set to share 92.9 FM in Philadelphia.
Omaha, NE
North Omaha Loves Jazz Cultural Arts and Humanities Complex will be sharing 101.3 FM with Malcolm X Memorial Foundation
Wilmington, DE area
Sanford School (Hockessin, DE) and Afro-American Historical Society of Delaware (Wilmington, DE) were granted construction permits to share 95. 3 FM.
Milwaukee, WI
Inner City Development Project, Inc. and Faith Community Development Corporation to share 101.3 FM.
Other LPFM Grants This Week:
In addition to the time-shares, LPFM construction permits were granted to the following groups:
Oakwood Community Center (Troy, NY) at 92.7 FM
Mutual Musicians Foundation, Inc. (Kansas City, MO) at 104.7 FM
Middletown Area Bible Church (Middletown, PA) at 95.5 FM
City of York (York, PA) at 95.7 FM
Historic Takoma (Takoma Park, MD) at 94.3 FM
Masque Informed (Charleston, WV) at 88.1 FM
Enlance Adventista (St. Paul, MN) at 98.1 FM
Dismissed Applications:
This week’s dismissals include: Fondren Community Voices (Jackson, MS), Roman Catholic Bishop of Santa Rosa D/B/A Cardinal Newman HS (Santa Rosa, CA), City of Palm Beach Gardens (Palm Beach Gardens, FL), Historic Germantown Preserved (Philadelphia, PA), Central Baptist Church (Center, TX), Nueva Esperanza, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA), NAACP Social Justice Law Project (Philadelphia, PA), TAP, Inc. (Troy, NY), Slavic Pentecostal Evangelic Christian Church (York, PA), ALIVE MKE (Milwaukee, WI), Waukesha Media Arts Foundation, Inc. (Waukesha, WI), The Washington Peace Center (Washington, DC), HR-57 Foundation (Washington, DC), Irish, Inc. (Charleston, WV), Cultivate Tulsa Foundation (Tulsa, OK), and Westside High School (Anderson, SC).
LPFM Watch is a weekly feature on Radio Survivor appearing every Thursday.
