Several stations in the E. Idaho area are asking for special authority from the FCC to either operate silent or at reduced power.
KBJX/B106.3 and KGTM/98.1 Good Time Oldies have both asked to operate at 10kw instead of the usual 100kw due to damage at their shared antenna on Iona Butte near Idaho Falls.
KEZQ/92.9 FM and KWYS/102.9 FM are both currently silent - and have been since March 2006, except for brief periods so the FCC doesn’t cancel the license. The stations are claiming ice damage at their shared antenna on Sawtelle Mountain.
KEZQ is also part of a proposed rulemaking that would shift it to Iona and make it a full Idaho Falls station at 100kw on 92.7 FM.
on May 5th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
What Pacific Empire hasn’t told the FCC is that KBJX and KGTM have been operating at 10K watts for the past three years due to its inability to pay for upgrades.
on May 6th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Regarding KEZQ & KWYS, how many years can a licensee be silent before risking their license with the FCC?
on May 6th, 2008 at 11:25 am
They’ve been off what feels like FOREVER. :-(
on May 6th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
To reply to Oldtimer - As far as I know, the time period for a station to be “dark” before the license is deleted is one year. Now, if they are on the air for even a short period and can document it, the clock resets…
on Aug 22nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Actually - the truth is…
The towers need a lot of work, they have for a long time.
The station does not have the money to fix them. This last storm had nothing to do with it
Past Is Present is correct.
on Sep 18th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
KBJX and KGTM antenna and tower are fairly new. The facilities have been at full power until a Lightning strike created a pin hole leak in one of the bays earlier in the year. The antenna manufacturer is to blame for the delays. Where do you get your information Radio fairy and Past out? And why do you care?