KOMO files Option to purchase 97.7 Mhz for 11 million

[Radio Tiburon]

Please be advised that the statement by Mr. Weaver shown below is incorrect. The FCC strictly requires that, within 30 days, options for the sale of a station be:

1. Filed with the FCC in Washington DC
2. Placed in the Public File

See 47CFR73.316 (b)(3)(iii), as well as 47cfr73.3526 and 47cfr73.3615, which trace to the public file requirement.

--Kevin

First of all guys...only a change of control is filed with the FCC.  An option is considered a contractual transaction - over which the FCC has no jurisdiction.  Only when there is a change of control.  So I'm not sure what the little birdie misunderstood...but the FCC is not involved until there is an application for sale.  It is possible the LMA includes a purchase option price, but that's not the Commissions business.

<snip>

Just my thoughts...

[Jackson Dell Weaver]

I stand corrected.  Thanks. 

[FMSteve]

Ok, there's MORE to this story: KOMO-FM is actually modifying their directional pattern up on South Mountain to apparently expand their 60 Dbu service contour about 2 kilometers easterly towards the large, growing City of Bellevue. Their current contour falls off somewhere in the waters off Mercer Island, but with this plan, it expands into good portions of Bellevue.

HOWEVER, to effectuate this change the country station in Wentachee, WA., KYSN-FM 97.7 (C3) "Kissin' Country", has agreed (not yet filed so maybe they're still negotiating) to actually DOWNGRADE their license to that of an A, from 9300 watts to 6000 ERP. Wow, how much is that costing Fisher?

Here it is: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=766705&formid=301&q_num=5240

They probably could pick up a good number of population served by this move. Very interesting!

[FMSteve]

And here's the allocation study:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=766707&formid=301&q_num=5300

[swhyde1980]

I have no idea why KYSN would have to modify...  The Cascades provide an effective barrier for radio signals.  This should not be necessary.  I guess the FCC doesn't take into account terrain.  I would have thought they would have granted KOMO-FM an exception for that.

KYSN's signal:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1172631.html

KFMY's proposed signal:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1318594.html
(Map not working at the time of post...use your imagination I guess until the map link works)

Even still, it doesn't seem like KOMO-FM's signal would ever overlap onto KYSN's signal.  Even if KOMO's "predicted" signal was within 20 miles of KYSN's signal contour, the Cascades would cut that out by about an additional 20 miles at least if not more.  If there was any interference problems, you would have to be at the very top of the cascades to hear it... which by then, you would probably hear all the Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR stations interfering with each other, in-between the Seattle stations.

The FCC is wasting time and money with this.  I highly doubt KOMO-FM is going to interfere with KYSN.  KYSN should not have to modify their signal, for all this.

[Bongwater]

If there was any interference problems, you would have to be at the very top of the cascades to hear it... which by then, you would probably hear all the Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR stations interfering with each other, in-between the Seattle stations.

Now THAT would be a HEADACHE to listen to........

I don't see why KYSN has to drop power either. There is like...umm...a VERY THICK WALL.....between KOMO-FM and KYSN....

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

HOWEVER, to effectuate this change the country station in Wentachee, WA., KYSN-FM 97.7 (C3) "Kissin' Country", has agreed (not yet filed so maybe they're still negotiating) to actually DOWNGRADE their license to that of an A, from 9300 watts to 6000 ERP. Wow, how much is that costing Fisher?

Wasn't KYSN formerly owned by .... oh, never mind.

[Bongwater]

HOWEVER, to effectuate this change the country station in Wentachee, WA., KYSN-FM 97.7 (C3) "Kissin' Country", has agreed (not yet filed so maybe they're still negotiating) to actually DOWNGRADE their license to that of an A, from 9300 watts to 6000 ERP. Wow, how much is that costing Fisher?

Wasn't KYSN formerly owned by .... oh, never mind.

That's interesting now that you mentioned it. Fisher could have solved this problem instantly.......

[FMSteve]

Unfortunately, the Commission requires stations in the commercial band to employ spacing table methodology, and not contour-to-contour as is found in the reserved band (non-com). Thus, to correct any short-spacing deficiency, you're required to use rule 73.215 "contour protection for short-spaced stations", (See table (e) of 73.215: A to C spacing needs to be 126 miles for co-channel. As a C3, they must have been caught short, thus the change needed.

We note that the new KOMO-FM signal comes a little closer to KIRO's signal, with just 2.49 Kilometers to spare. But no worries, it all fits in nicely.