FCC Proposes $10K Fine Against Saga For Translator Problem

Fines Saga

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS has been hit with a $10,000 proposed FCC fine for false certification of technical facilities on a license and modification applications for FM translator W240CB (formerly W238AA)/ITHACA, NY.

The trouble arose in 2007, when FINGER LAKES RADIO GROUP Top 40 WFIZ (Z95.5)/DUNDEE, NY was approved for a frequency and community of license change to ODESSA, NY (in the ITHACA market), requiring a change in W240CB's parameters; SAGA applied for two watts as a temporary measure while an alternate site was sought.  The license application and permit specified the use of one composite antenna with radiation center at 118 ft. above ground level.  FINGER LAKES objected and pointed out that the facility as constructed used two separate damaged ten-element antennas at 38-40 and 90 feet.  SAGA then terminated operations and asked for dismissal of its application, followed by a modification application for a new site.  The Commission decided that SAGA had not knowingly intended to deceive the FCC with its application but issued the fine for the false certification.

FINGER LAKES also raised the issue of SAGA's use of FM translators to relay HD-2 and HD-3 programming, claiming that it was an attempt to circumvent ownership caps, but the FCC ruled that such use is permissible.

Way-FM Inks Consent Decree

In another FCC action, the Commission reached a consent decree with WAY-FM MEDIA GROUP over impermissible underwriting announcements aired on noncommercial Contemporary Christian KXWA/LOVELAND, CO.  WAY-FM will make a "voluntary contribution" of $1,000 to the U.S. Treasury to settle the matter.

Objections To CA Noncomm Grant Rejected

A Petition for Reconsideration by BENETT KESSLER of the grant of a new noncommercial FM at BISHOP, CA to NEVADA-UTAH CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS was dismissed.  KESSLER charged that the new station would cause significant blanketing interference problems in BISHOP and that the applicant did not have reasonable assurance of the availability of its site, but the Commission ruled against her on both procedural and substantive grounds, finding that her petition was late, the intererence claim was unsupported, and the site allegation was hearsay.

PA Noncomm Cleared For Takeoff

And the Commission granted FOURTEEN HUNDRED, INC.'s application for a new noncommercial FM at EVANS CITY, PA over the Petition to Deny of NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST CHURCH OF BUTLER.  NEW TESTAMENT complained that FOURTEEN HUNDRED's application proposed a "highly unusual directional pattern that cannot be implemented" and cannot offer sufficient coverage of the community of license.

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