Part 15 And The Big Time

Like a dream come true! Kudos, my friend..

I don't understand the Mt. Rushmore thing. Are you part of that organization?

Hi RFB! Yikes!

Good for you!

I'll listen to LPH #55 first,
and then maybe I'll know what
kinds of questions to ask.

Best Wishes,
Bruce, 1020 CC

"I don't understand the Mt. Rushmore thing. Are you part of that organization?"

I used to work for all 13 stations in the Mt. Rushmore group as the corporate engineer. That was in 2008.

Now I just contract and consult engineer for Mt. Rushmore..and of course, am now the pilot for the ship KMLD 94.5, transmitting 15 watts from my coordinates.

Gonna be a wild ride!

It certainly is like a dream come true. I think it is the ultimate example of how Part 15 can make a real difference in a community.

A whole new world for sure. I have implemented major policy changes too. I mean operating a Part 15 station on the level of licensed stations is what I always did, but actually having FCC STA for KMLD on their frequency at 15 watts from an antenna sitting in my backyard, there are even more strict rules and responsibilities on my shoulders now!

Little things like program content, keeping a public file here and in duplicate for the "main studio" as well. Soon advertising will be run as well. An EAS/CAP box is on it's way and will be installed, as well as 250 feet of RG 214 coax to extend the antenna and mounting structure out to the front yard area away from a nearby tree and utility pole to aid in city uniform coverage. Oh boy can't wait to drag that ol HP 8590 and Motorola R2012D analyzer out and do field strength measurements, coordinating with traffic at the main studio, keeping track of the SAM generated program log for billing. I've even copied some of the KMLD liners, bumpers and official station ID's to put into the automation.

I did discover that my old 5/8 wave ground plane antenna has an issue with matching. So I am currently operating with a quick slap together 1/2 wave dipole made out of TV rabbit ear antennas, a piece of RG 8X to serve for a balun, and getting very good city wide coverage, though touchy in a couple areas, but the new 5/8 wave ground plane will cure those little multi-path fuzzies.

Carl just published LPH episode 55. I took some pictures of the transmitter system while on the workbench in preparation for on air use, though a couple of them came out fuzzy due to a camera that just decided to go south. But the transmitter consists of a CSI Electronics FM-20 exciter serving as the final amplifier, and a Panaxis FM-10 exciter serving as the main frequency generating/PLL lock and stereo generator deck.

The RF, set at 15 watts TPO (10.5 for 5/8 GP) feeding the dipole through RG 214 coax up a 25 foot "quick set" mast used for ENG remotes. Seems to be doing quite well that slap together in a crunch dipole. I just hope it will stay intact with all this wind we have today! (50mph gusts).

Ahh..it will hold together. 🙂

RFB

RFB wrote: It certainly is like a dream come true. I think it is the ultimate example of how Part 15 can make a real difference in a community.

Could you please explain how a short-term STA from the FCC to anyone for 15 watts ERP to respond to the "emergency" situation of a licensed FM broadcast station about to lose their license will benefit (legal) Part 15 FM operators?

Perhaps it is an example of how useful Part 15 can be. Even to Part 73 in trouble. And the short term more than likely will turn into a permanent deal..considering several factors to which currently you are not aware of, but if you did know, I think you too would conclude the short term will end up becoming much more than that.

What answer are you really looking for?

RFB

How about this as an answer.

KMLD has a very long history in Casper. Many dj's out there in major markets started at KMLD. And a number of engineers who now own their own consulting firms worked at KMLD. The citizens of Casper deserve KMLD to stay, and if a Part 15 FM station like mine can help preserve that license, to which you know if that license get's lost, so does the call letters and frequency.

Why not help when asked to help?

I hope that explains it a little better. 🙂

Adding: This also shows that the FCC would rather see a station retain it's license and presence on the air rather than let an entire community loose a piece of it's history and most favored and listened to station.

RFB

RFB wrote: Perhaps it is an example of how useful Part 15 can be.

Note that a legal ERP of 15 watts for unlicensed stations in the FM broadcast band would need considerable changes to §15.239 to permit such facilities, and would greatly increase the potential for their interference to existing, licensed FM broadcast stations.

I think your attempting to reach at thin air Rich. This has nothing to do with trying to push for Part 15 FM to get 15 watts.

And I do not think I even eluded to that at all.

Please don't attempt to twist this up into..what another assumption filled person at another forum calls "pretzel" the issue and facts here.

BTW, how you been? Hope everything is well.

RFB

What you have posted and what was on
LPH #55 answered all of my questions
about what you are going to do.

I think it's really cool.

Enjoy the ride!

Best wishes in general, and also for this
experience.

Bruce, 1020 CC

So I read the history of KMLD and see it was a buy/sell/buy/sell operation.

Then there was the $8k fine for operating their STL from a location not listed on the license. Seems their engineer couldn't convince the owner to remain current on the paperwork. Probably figured no one would notice.

"THE STATION MUST RETURN TO BROADCAST OPERATIONS BY OCTOBER 27 OR THE STATION LICENSE WILL BE CANCELED BY LAW. KNOWING THIS, THE OWNER OF THE LICENSED TOWER SITE HAS MADE ITS TOWER UNAVAILABLE TO THE STATION. THUS,THE STATION INTENDS TO OPERATE WITH TEMPORARY FACILITIES UNTIL IT CAN OBTAIN A DIFFERENT TRANSMITTER SITE TO LICENSE. THE PROPOSED TEMPORARY FACILITIES COMPLY WITH THE FCC'S SEPARATION AND CITY COVERAGE RULES. BECAUSE OF THE SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME REMAINING, THE STATION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS EXPEDITED PROCESSING OF ITS STA REQUEST."

So it looks like KMLD was pushed into a corner. The company that owns the tower they're on wanted them out and knew KMLD would lose their license in the process. So, the FCC granted the STA until another antenna site can be located and built out.

And you, you lucky stiff, get to run the show until they return to full power.

So what happened to KMLD's studio operation? Seems they could have put up the 15 watter on rabbit ears and fed their current studio programming to it.

I need to cue up LPH 55 FOR DETAILS!

The studio! What studio? What programing source? What dj's? What staff? What studio equipment?

In a nutshell, you got it right. I am IT!

What other choice is there...let the license expire automatically by law and the community loose KMLD for good, or try to do something to prevent that from happening?

Would any of you refuse to help if you found yourselves in such a situation?

The goal is to keep that license and allow for time to find the new tower site. That won't happen anytime this year I guarantee it because around here, when the cold seasons start and the snow begins to fall, you won't get up there to any tower site, especially when the road is closed off by the state and if you get caught on a road closed off due to weather conditions, your going to sing the radio blues from behind bars and fork out for one heck of a fine.

I would expect that there will be a new tower site before April 2013. But if not, the owner can always apply for another STA and keep some kind of signal in the city of license on the air instead of no signal at all.

RFB

"Best wishes in general, and also for this
experience."

Thanks Bruce! I'm still stoked about it. I ordered a new 5/8 GP antenna to replace the old one that I was going to use but it has a matching problem. So instead of feeding 10.5 watts, I have to run the TX at 15 TPO so the ERP is 15 watts. The 1/2 wave dipole has no gain.

Should arrive by Monday next week. And hopefully there won't be any high winds or rain or worse, snow when it's time to install it. Ahh an overnight project....for real this time! 🙂

RFB

RFB wrote: What other choice is there...let the license expire automatically by law and the community loose [sic] KMLD for good, or try to do something to prevent that from happening?

Note that Casper, WY has a considerable number of FM stations with useful field strengths in that market, assuming they comply with the terms of their FCC license (see the list below).

Field (dBuV/m) Call Sign Principal City State Frequency (MHz) CDBS Facility ID
82.6 KWYY Midwest WY 95.5 26300
82.3 KQLT Casper WY 103.7 47878
82.3 KCSP-FM Casper WY 90.3 71810
81.9 KASS Casper WY 106.9 43477
81.7 KHOC Casper WY 102.5 15925
79.9 KMLD Casper WY 94.5 11927
74.8 KTRS-FM Casper WY 104.7 26301
74.5 KRVK Vista West WY 107.9 88406
71.4 KTED Evansville WY 100.5 164285
68.6 KZQL Mills WY 105.5 164289
67.5 KWYX Casper WY 93.5 166051
67.0 KGRK Glenrock WY 98.5 88725
67.0 KCYA Rolling Hills WY 97.7 166055
66.6 KDAD Bar Nunn WY 92.5 164286
66.6 KRNK Casper WY 96.7 7360
65.9 KLWC Casper WY 89.1 90985
59.0 KUWC Casper WY 91.3 82539
58.5 KKRR Casper WY 88.3 92997

So Rich...what is your point? Are you saying I need to have an explanation that meets your approval to do what I am doing, and doing it with the FCC authorization to do what I am doing?

Why don't you just come out and say it straight instead of couching things in riddles?

Does this make you miffed in some way? Jealous perhaps? Can't stand to see a flea get a big collar and yank on the chains of bindings?

Well...as the Borg say..."You will adapt".

Bet you would have nothing to say about it if this setup was done from the main studio if I set up a tent and camped out there for the next 6 months..would you. NO..I doubt it very seriously..so get to the point, or get over it ok?

The STA is granted, for 6 months. It is on the air, 15 watts on 94.5. I suggest taking a walk or get a beer or shot of 181 and punch..something. I don't understand what realm your coming from now. Strange, but nonetheless, it is happening and going to remain for the duration of the STA and longer if necessary when the owner files for another one, or gets a new tower site and the programing still originates from MY location via STL. Wonder what would be said then too. Same stuff? Anyone want to take bets now?

Geez!!!

RFB