Federal Communications Commission
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C.20554
FCC 97-68
Implementation of the AM Expanded
Band Allotment Plan
) MM Docket No. 87-267
)
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER·
Adopted: February 27, 1997
By the Commission:
Released: March 17, 1997
1. In Review ofthe Technical Assignment Criteria for the AM8roadcast Sendee, 6 FCC
Rcd 6273 (1991) ("AM Improvement Order'?, recon. granted in part anddeniedin Part, 8 FCC
Rcd 3250 (1993) ("Reconsideration Order"), the ColIllIlissionadopted measures to iJnprove and
revitalize the AM broadcast band, and to establish standards to. ,permit certain AM licensees and
pennittees to migrate to frequencies between 1605 and 1705 kfIz, the"Exp~de(U~and."On
October 14, 1994, the Mass Media Bureau released PublicNoti~e,DA 94-1154· ("Public Notice
I") which listed the stations eligible to apply for specific Expanded Band assigrunents (the "First
Allotment Plan"). By Memorandum Opinion and Order, 10 FCCRcd 12143(1995) ("OrderI'~,
the Commission partially granted reconsideration, rescinded Public Notice I and the initial
improvement ranking factors of stations that had petitioned to migrate to the Expanded Band I
and solicited comments on proposed technical procedures to calculate. revised improvement
ranking factors and generate a new allotment plan. In Comments in Response to Reconsideration
ofImplementation ofthe AM Expanded Band and Allotment Plan, 11 FCC Rcd 12444 (1996)
("OrderII'~,the CoII¥Dission denied alll]loc\ifications proposed in comments.filed in response
to Order I. adopted the Order I procedures and closed the June. 30, 1993-Aengineering'database
to further revision.Concurren~y,the Mass Media Bureau released Public Notice, Mass Media
Bureau Announces RevisedExpanded AM Broadcast Band Improvement Factors and Allotment
Plan, DA 96-408 (released March 22,1996) ("Public Notice If'), which listed the improvement
factor or"each station that had petitioned to migrate to the Expanded Band and announced an
eighty-seven station allotment plan (the "Second Allotment Plan") for new assigrunents in the
Expanded Band. "
'" Initial improvement factor rankings appeared in a December 3, 1993 Public Notice. Stations will be allotted
channels on the basis of their calculated improvement factor rankings. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.30. Each station's
improvement factor is represented by a ratio of the area of interference caused to all other stations divided by the
migrator's interference-free service area. The larger the improvement factor, the greater the reduction in existing
band interference that would result from the relocation of the migrating station to the Expanded Band.
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FCC 97-68
2.. Now before the Commission are eight timely-filed-petitions for reconsideration of
Order II and Public Notice 11.
2
For the reasons set forth below, we grant in'part the petition of
WGNY,.rescind the Second Allotment Plan, and modify the frequency preclusion program, one
of two primary programs used to generate the allotment plan, to follow the federal travelers
information station ("TIS") frequency preclusion standards specified in Order I. On our own
motion we conform the revised plan to Region 2 treaty requirements and eliminate software
coding errors in the frequency preclusion and allotment plan programs. We also clarify the
second harmonic interference standard which has been applied in this proceeding. We deny the
other petitions for reconsideration. The Mass Media Bureau is concurrently reissuing the
Expanded Band allotment plan (the "Third Allotment Plan") based on the changes adopted in this
Order.
THE WGNY PETITION
3. The Second Harmonic Interference Standard. Stations operating on 810, 820, 830,
840, and 850 kHz have the potential to cause interference to Expanded Band stations operating
at twice the carrier frequency ,of the existing band stations, i.e., to Expande\i Band stations
operating on 1620, 1640, 1660, 1680, and 1700 kHz. Such second harmonic interference is
caused by the generation ofthe ,second harmonic. ofthe lower frequency within the radio receiver.
Section 73.182 restricts·thelocatiort of the transmission facilities of 540 - 800 kHz stations in
order, to prevent second harmonic interference to .existing band stations. Sunrise Broadcasting
of New York, Inc.; licensee ofWGNY; Newburgh, New York ("WQNY")rnaintains that the
COIDnlissiOn did not follow ·the standard annoUnced in Order I to calculate harmonic interference
betWeen existing and Expanded Band stations. Moreover, WGNYcontendsthat we should
. reconsider the stated Order istandard which provides significantly greater harrnoni<: interference
pr()tection than the standard set forth in the Commission'sru1f~s.It argues.that the rule,itself,
is too preclusive and urges the Commission to "revisit" this issue to ensure that the fmal a,llotment
plan achieves the greatest'possible interference reductions among licensed stations.
. 4. In Order 1, we proposed to preclude Expanded Band assignments which would result
in prohibited second haitnonic overlap,asdeterrninedinaccordance with 47 ().f·R §7~·182(s).
See Order I, 10 FCC Rcdat 12148; .However, Order I misstates this rule as prohibiting <inew,
. i. e., Expanded'Band, station assignment where "the service area of an existing,station...would
. " .",
'Petitio~sforreco~~iderationwere filed by: I) Western NewYork;Public Broailcastfng!'\ssociation, licensee
of Station WNED,Buffalo, New York ("WNED"); 2) Triad Network, Inc., 'permittee .of Station WWBG,
Greellsoord,NorthCarolina ("WWBG"); 3) Lloyd B. Roach, Incorporated, licensee of Station WPWA, Chester,
Pennsyivania ("WPWA"); 4) WHTG, Inc., licensee of Station WHTG; Eiltontown, New Jersey ("WHTG"); 5)
Olga I. Fernandez, permittee ofStation WflT,.Sabana, P.R. ("WJIT"); 6)Dynastar Communications, Inc., licensee
of Station WWNR; Beckley, West Virginia ("WWNR"); 7) Radio Property Ventures, licensee of Station KQXI,
Arvada, ColoradOC"KQXI"); andS) Sunrise Broadcasting ofNew York, Inc., licensee.ofStation WGNY, Newburgh,
Ne:.vYork("WGNy;,):tJi.~OiiMay'16(1996; Press Broadcasting COlllP"1%Inc.(''f\es~'')fil~da"Petition for
Reconside;htioll<ind Request for Declaratory Ruling:' ,.Press'sr~questf(lr"rec(l~id~ratiollislllltimelyan~will be
dismisSed. Press's declaratory ruling'requesl,raises the issuew!!ethe,astat!on,.:Whichobtai~~,U1 EXPanded Band
authorizatioll'may btokerti,meon either the existingw Expllr\ded Band station during the period during which dual
frequency operatioOs' areauthori:zed; This petition remains ·pending. , .
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Federal Communications Commission
FCC 97-68
overlap the service area of a potential Expanded Band station...." Id. .In fact, subsection (s)
generally prohibits the licensing oftwo stations, one with a frequency twice the other, unless the
transmission facilities of the lower frequency station is located outside the service area of the
higher frequency station.
3
Notwithstanding the erroneous fOmlulation of 47 C.F.R. § 73 .182(s)
in Order I, the second harmonic studies actually used in generating the allotment plan precluded
only those potential Expanded Band assignments where the calculated groundwave. service
.contour of the Expanded Band station would encompass the transmitter site of an authorized
harmonically-related station. Thus; the harmonic interference standard applied is substantially
less preclusive than previously indicated and is similar to the approach which WGNY advocates.
5. However, contrary to the implication in Order I, 10 FCC Rcd at 12148, the staff, in
fact, did not strictly apply Section 73 .182(d) in calculating prohibited harmonic interference for .
the purpose of generating the First Allotment Plan. Section 73 .182(d) defines the service area of
a station for the purpose of these calculations.' Pursuant to this subsection an AM station's
"primary service" area is calculated on the basis of its- 2.0 mVim contour in communities of at
least 2,500 persons and its 0.5 mV/m contour elsewhere. The computer program, however, used
the more preclusive 0.5 mV/m signal strength for the protected cOQ.tour in all instances.
6. -We choose not to incorporate into the generation ofthe Third AllotmentPlan the two
signal strength contour values given in Section 73.182(d) and conclude that it is more appropriate
to determine harmonic preclusions based solely on the 0.5 mV/m protection standard, regardh:ss
6f the population of the community in which the trarismission facilities of the lower frequency
station is located; This action is consistent with our objective throughout this proceeding to
authorize, to the maximum extent possible, new interference-free AM station services in the
Expanded Band. The 0.5 mV/m standard comports with the technical framework used to develop
each of the allotment plans, and its use is generally more consistent with interference protection
standards inthe AM service than is the 2.0 mV/m contour. We further note that the Expanded
Band proceeding has defined a station's daytime service area as. its 0.5 mV/mcontour. AM
Improvement Order. 6 FCC Rcd at 6310; see also id. at 6287-88 (affirming use of "protected"
value of 0.5 mV/m for deteflllifung where station provides adequate signal). Additionally, the
daytime component of the improvement factor, see Note I. infra. parallels this. defInition, using
a station's 0.5 mV/m contour to calculate its daytime service area. See 47. C.F.R.§ 73.35.
5
) "Two stations, one with a frequency twice ofthe other, should not be assigned in the same groundwave service
area unless special precautions are taken to avoid interference from the second harmonic ofthe station operating on
the lower frequency...." 47 C.F.R. § 73.182(s).
, Order I. 10 FCC Rcd at 12148 ("The service area ofa station is that area protected from interference and is
defined as the 0.5 mV/m for rural areas in Section 73.182(d) of the rules."); Order ll. 11 FCC Rcd at 12448
("Section 73.182(d) of the Commission's rules defines {the Section 73.182(s)] service area as the 0.5 mV/m
contour:').
, In contrast, the 2.0 mV/m primary service contour specified in Section 73.182(d) is no longer factored into
interference analyses in AM application processing. AM Improvement Order, 6. FCC Rcd at6290~92.It has been
~sedin hearings to compare the areas and populations served by facilities proposed in competing applications..
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Moreover, theuse oftwo contour values, depending on the location ofthe existing band station's
transmission facilities, would likely engender disputes about the location and population of
particular communities, boundaries of unincorporated areas and similar factually-intensive
controversies that could consume limited staffresources without necessarily improving the overall
allotment plan. Finally, our preliminary analysis indicates that the use of two contour values
would not, to any significant extent, permit additional Expanded Band Allotments. For all of
these reasons we believe the better courSe is to continue to protect migrators to this contour and
preclude second harmonic Expanded Band frequency assignments where the proposed station's
0.5 mVlm coritourwould encompass the transmitter site of ail authorized 810-850 kHz station.
7. Finally,WGNY proposes that, rather than incorporating the harmonic protection
requirements ofSection 73.182, we should preclude Expanded Band allotments only where the
operating station's 10 mV/m contour overlaps any portion of the Expanded Band station's 2.0
mV/m contour. WGNY submits that its less restrictive standard would promote the efficient use
of the Expanded Band. We disagree. The importance of making interference-free Expande.d
Band assignments tips the balance against WGNY's preclusion standard which would needlessly
expose some Exparlded Band stations to second harmonic interference. We do not wish to
achieve the goal of reducing interference to the existing band at the expense of increasing the
potential for harmonic interference to new Expanded Baildstations. Accordingly, we reject
WGNY's propoSal.
6
8. TIS Station Protection. WGNY calculates that federal TIS Station KPC712 should
have -- but' did not -- preclude a WGNY allotment on 1620 kHz. Thus, it claims, a flawed
compUter program incorrectly computedthecoritour separations for federal TIS stations. WGNY
concludes that the Commission must generate a new allotment list.
9. Under the protection standards developed in this'proceediI1g, a federal TIS station
operating on 1610 kHz.would preclude a first adjacent Expanded.Band assignment on 1620 kHz
where the TIS station is less than 15 kilometers from the proposed station's 0.5 'rnV/m contour.
Order J, 10 FCC Rcd at 12148.
1
Based on a review of the Second Allotment Plan computer
program, we have determil1ed that the staff applied a different preclusion .standard; calculating
• WGNY also contends thai application of § 73.182(s) itself is "not logical" in view of the rule's.explicit
limitation th'!t "the Conunission, in general, will not take this kind of interferen.ce into consideration when
authorizing stations." WGNY misreads this section. The quoted language refers toreceiver image interference. not
Harmonic interference. In faci,o no Expanded Band frequencies were precluded on the .basis of potential receiver
.image'interfereilce. '. .
, "
We stated:
Fede~allravellersinformation station protection will be defined by the distance
betweent~e'ExpandedBand and federal travellers infOI'mation statioritransmitter.
For'"c'6'-ch,funelapdfirstadjacent channel projections, we will use the distances
"'i~toubnS~ctIon90:242(a)(2)(i) of our Rules: distance to the Expanded Band
'si~tidii;i6:5mVImc~iitourplus 130 km for Co-channel; distance to the 0.5
m:V7tJj'contour plus 15 km for ·first adjacent channel. '
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· l':etlel"al COJ;llmuDicatioDS COIl11DissioD
FCC 97-68
distance separations on the basis ofthe Expandc;4 Bandstation's .25 mY/m contour. As a result,
several stations, including WGNY, were. erronc;()usly .considered for a 1620 kHz assignment on
this basis. The TIS station computer program preclusion component has been corrected to
conform to Order l We note thatWGNY is precluded on both 1610 kHz and 1620 kHz by
Station KPC712.
OTH:ER PETITION,s FOR RECON,sIDERATION
.1 O. The remaining Ptltitions·for reconsideration attempt torelitig~ttlarg~tlntsraisedand
fully considered at earlier stages of this proceeding. It is well settled that reconsideration will
not be granted merely to rehash matters alreadytrtlat~dand resolved. See, e.g.,WWIZ, Inc., 37
FCC 2d 685 (1964), aff'd sub nom.l,orain Journa!C;o. v. FCC, 351 F 2d824 (D.C. Cir.1965),
cert. denied, 383 U.S. 967 (196,6). We briefly address seriatim those argwnents which we reject
as repetitious or otherwise without merit.
II. Western New York Public Broadcasting Association, lictll1see of ',VNED(AM),
Buffalo, New York ("WNED") an" Triad Ntltwork, Inc., permittee ofWWGB(AM), Greensboro,
North Carolina ("WWBG") each contend that it is entitled to a specific explanationo~thereasons
their respective stations were not included in the Second Allotment Plan. The staff.has made
available its analyses to WNED and WWBG and their requests will be denied. 8. WlNBG also
seeks reconsideration of the "decision" to select only a small number of migrating stations.' It
argues that the allotment plan specifies only two stations in North Carolina, two in Virginia, one
in Tennessee, one in South Carolina and none in West Virginia, even though, ill WWBG's view,
the Commission could make additi()l1al interference-free Expanded Band assignments in this
region. WWBG urges the Commission to reconsider whether the ExpandedBand.sepai~tion
requirements are too strict. Lloyd B. Roach, Incorporated, licensee of WPWA(AM), Chester,
Pennsylvania ("WPWA") asserts that unless the C()mmission makescsome assignments in
Delaware and Pennsylvania, over 11,000,000 people will never.benefit fi:om the. Expanded Band
program. These contentions have been previously considered.
9
No grounds pave been presented
, Summary sheets of each petitioner's computer preclusion study, which identified the universe <!f frequency
assignments for each potential migrator, have been associated with MM Docket 87-267 and made available for public
inspection..Also associated therewith are the data on which each station'·s improvement factor was calCUlated. Thus,
all applicants had the opportunity to evaluate fully the basis for. Commission action in each specific case. MM
Docket 87-267 is available for public inspection in the Public Reference Room (Room 239,1919 M St., N.W.
Washington D.C) and copies of this material may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor,
International Transcription Services, Inc., (202) 857-3800. The database is also available in computer readable form
by special order from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service ("NTIS"), 5288
Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
9 In Order I. 10 FCC Rcd at 6281-6282, we stated: ..' . .
The Commission fully considered the public interest in the AM Improvement
Order and the Reconsideration Order. It was determined that the public interest
was best served by attempting to reduce overall interference in the existing band
as a whole. The time to reconsider the rulemaking has long sincepasse~....
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Federal Communications Commission FCC 97-68
warranting reconsideration. Accordingly, the Third Allotment Plan adheres to the· spacing
requirements previously adopted in this proceeding. [Q
12. WPWA and WGNY object to the co-primary status accorded federal TIS stations in
this proceeding, a policy designed· to protect these low-powered stations while promoting
opportunities for Expanded Band allotments. WPWA notes that the Second Allotment Plan
contains only one 1610 kHz assignment. It argues that the Commission erred in not requiring
the involuntary relocation of federal TIS stations to other frequencies, including 1710kHz, and
that as a result a significant opportunity to improve the AM broadcast bandmay be lost. This
issue already has been considered
ll
andWPWA's request for reconsideration will be denied.
WGNY reargues its contention that under the Commission's rules, federal TIS stations are
secondary, not co-primary, to regular AM stations and therefore, that they should only be
protected on a limited basis. WGNY complains that the Commission appears to have awarded
"permanent primary status" to federal TIS stations and proposes that we m.ake 1610kHz
assignments in this proceeding conditioned con ·the. federal TIS station vacating the frequen<;y
within two years of the grant. We deny WGNY's requests as repetitive. 12
13. WGNY also renews its suggestion that the Commission use measured soil
conductivity datato calculate station contours where such data was on file prior to June 30,1993.
TheCorn.mi~sionfully explored and rejected this approach as marginally beneficial and
Lastly, stations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, South
Carolina, Long Island, New England, the New York City metropolitan area or·
Pennsylvania would have received allotments where there was demand for an
allotment and where "its location was not precluded from receiving an
allotment."
10 Minimum co-, first and second adjacent channel·separations in the Expanded Band are 800, 200 and 53
kilometers, respectively. See AM Improvement Order, 6 FCC Rcd at 6356. Stations operating on 1590 and 1600
kHz also are proiected on the basis ofthese minimum distance separations. See Order I, 10 FCC Rcd at 12149; 47
C.F.R. § 73.37(f).
II We stated:
Federal travelers information stations will continue on 1610kHz on a co-primary
. basis "until they can be reaccommodatedin an orderly fashion on an alternate
frequency." See Reconsideration Order, 8 FCC Rcd at 3257. Once a
determination is made as to the appropriateness and timing of this
. reaccommodation, AM stations that were precluded from receiving an allotment
because of conflicts with federal travelers information stations will be afforded
an opportunity to migrate to the Expanded Band. Order II, 11 FCC Rcd at
12447.
" See Order 1,IO FCC Rcd at 12146 (explaining.co·primary policy and case-by-case treatment of potential
Expanded Band allcitmlmts on 1610 and 1620 kHz).
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FCC 97-68
administratively unwieldy." WGNY fails to persuade us that relying uniformly on theoretical
conductivity values for the assigrunent of Expanded Band allotments is either ill-advised or
unlawful. i4 Accordingly, WGNY's request to use measured conductivity data will be denied.
14. WHTG, Inc., licensee ofWHTG(AM), Eatontown, New Jersey ("WHTG") argues that
the Second Allotment Plan should be amended with respect to Station WJRZ, Toms River, New
Jersey. WJRZ has an improvement factor of 37.5019, and.is listed as a potential 1620kHz
rnigrator in the Second Allotment Plan. However, on September 14,199~,the Chief of the
Audio Services Division, Mass Media Bureau, denied an application for extension of time' to
construct WJRZ, cancelled the construction pennit, and deleted the WJRZ call sign. The
.Commission has denied review ofthis action. Knox Broadcasting, Inc., FCC97~63(adopted
February 20, .1997). WHTG contends that WJRZ should be removed from the Third Allotment
Plan; in which it remains listed as a potential 1620 kHz migrator, because the cancellation ofthe
WJRZ permit has already achieved the Commission's goal ofreducing congestion in the existing
AM band. We reject WHTG'srequest.as premature. If and when the cancellation ofthe WJRZ
construction permit becomes final, i.e., beyond administrative and judicial review, we will then
make 1620 kHz available. is
15. Olga L Fernandez, permittee of WnT(AM), Sabana; Puerto Rico ("WnT") argues
thatthediltabase used to generate the Second Allotrnent Plan erroneously treated WnT-AMas
a daytime-only station. It requests that the Commission recalculate its improvement factor
ranking to take into account its authority to broadcast 1000 watts nighttime. In Order I, licensees
were afforded a 30-day period to file requestS to correct the database.I' Basic fairness and our
" See Order II I I FCC Rcd 12447-48 (use of theoretical M-3 ground conductivity data would facilitate
Expanded Band implementation and best foster overall goals of this proceeding).
" This issue has been fully considered. We stated:
In calculating the daytime contours, theoretical conductivity values will be used
for the purpose of detennining the daytime improvement factor. Although it
would be possible to use measured conductivity data in connection with the
contour calculations for the improvement factor, we conclude that the benefits .
of this approach would be very minimal. In order to use such data fairly,~
complete search of all available data for all stations would be necessary. Even
with all measured conductivity values considered, we believe that, with few
exceptions, the effect ofthe measurement data would even out and there would
be little overall impact on the ultimate ranking ofthe prospective migrators. See·
AM Improvement Order, 6 FCC Red at 63 IO.
IS See AM Improvement Order, 6 FCC Red at 6318 (establishing second filing window timetable for petitions
by existing stations to migrate to expanded band for those allonnents that have not been authorized). See also Order
II, 11 FCC Rcd at 12447.
16 We provided the following instructions for potential migrators:
After the thirty-day correction period, no further requests for change will be
accepted, and the database will be "frozen" and used as corrected. This final
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FCC 97-68
interest in administrative finality foreclose any further consideration of proposed changes to the
June 30, 1996-B database. We denyWTIT's request as untimely.
16. Dynastar Communications, Inc., licensee of WWNR(AM), Beckley, West Virginia
("WWNR") requests that its improvement factor be recalculated because it now proposes to
broadcast in stereo. The April 15, 1993 Public Notice, which announced the filing windowfor
Expanded Band petitioners, required applicants to file their intentions to broadcast with AM
stereo facilities by June 30, 1993. WWNR's request is untimely. WWNR "will not be allowed
to improve its position by any change made subsequent to June 30, 1993." Id.
17. Radio Property Ventures, licensee ofKQXI(AM), Arvada, Colorado ("KQXI") was
originally selected as potentially eligible to migrate to the Expanded Band. However, it was not
listed in the Second Allotment Plan. KQXI contends that its improvement factor may have been
improperly determined because it is not clear that the Commission calculated the station's
improvement factor on the basis of its 10 kW nighttime facility. KQXI raised this issue in 1993,
long before thethirty·day period for proposing 1996-B database changes, . when it sought
.reconsideration of the staffs initial calculation of the .KQXIimprovement factor.. The staff
granted reconsideration and amended the database at that time so that KQXI would be credited
with 10 kW nighttime:poweroperations.~eeLetter to Jerold L. Jacobs, Esq., released October
4,1994 (Ref. 1800B2-BSB). Notwithstanding the apparent discrepancy between this
determination and certain printout materials made available to the public, the staff manually
confirmed the KQXI imprcivementfactor calculation, including the station's nighttime authority,
prior to the Second Allotment Plan computer run·}? KQXI next argues that it was erroneously
denied consideration for an allotment on 1700 kHz. Our reviewshows that KQXI was properly
precluded from 1700 kHz by its harmonic relationship to Station KOA, Denver, Colorado which
operates on 850 kHz.~astly,KQXI contends that there must be a per se errOr in the pr()cess
used to generate the Second Allotment Plan because only one ofthe nine stations originally found
potentially eligible to apply for an allotment on 1680 kHz also appears in the revised plan.
Although KQXI is. correct in noting the substantial differences between 1700 kHz assignments
in the First and Second Allotment Plans, it has not shown any error in the selection of stations
included in the latter list. We reject KQXI's unsupported and speculative theory.
. OTHER MATTERS
.18. In reviewing the several challenges to our frequency preclusion and allotment
. corrected database will be the June 30, 1993-B database and will be used to
generate the revised· improvement factor rankings and revised allotment plan.
Order t, 10 FCC Rcgat 12144-2145..
17 The computer s.oftware used by the staff is available from NTIS.. See footnote 4. Accordingly, KQX1 can
verify the staff calculations..
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FCC 97-68
methodologies, we have identified several software errors. The preclusion program pennitted
assignments on 1620 and 1640 iIi certain parts ofthe Virgin Islands and on 1620 and 1690 kHz
in other parts. However, under the Region 2 Treaty, United States Virgin Islands Expanded Band
assignments are pennitted without geographic limitation on 1620 and 1690 kHz only. Moreover,
the staffalso concluded that minor geographic' coding discrepancies left open the possibility of
Florida Expanded Band assignments which could conflict with intemational agreements. The
preclusion program has been'modified to confonn to treaty restrictions; Filially, the 'staff has
eliminated several other coding errors following an exhaustive review of the software programs
which generate the frequency preclusion tables and allotment plan. See Central Florida
Enterprises v, FCC, 598 F.2d 37, 48 n.51 (D.C. Cir. 1978) (while reconsideration petitions are
pending, the Commission may reconsider other issues on its own motion); cert. dismissed, 441
U.S. 957 (1979).
REVISED ALLOTMENT PLAN
'19. The modifications to the Expanded Band computer programs adopted on
reconsideration impact on the frequencies available for assignment, the selection of stations
eligible to migrate, and the frequencies assigned to potential migrators. In these circumstances,
we cOncur with ,WGNY that the portion of Public Notice II which sets forth the Second
AllotmeIit Plan must be rescinded and a new allotment plan generated. The Mass Media Bureau
is releasing a public notice ("Public NoticeII/'~concurrently with the" release of this Order.
Public Notice IIIliststhe eighty-eight stations eligible to apply for Expanded Band. authorizations
under the. Third Allotment Plan and their specific allotments. Previously, we announced that
applications for construction pennits for Expanded Band stations would not be requested until the
revised allotment plan becomes a final Commission action. We now conclude' that the public
interest would be better served by calling for the filing ofconstruction permit applications within
ninety days of the release of Public Notice III. .Under the Third Allotment Plan, fifty-nine
licensees have not changed allotments. Nineteen stations have been reassigned to a different
trequency. Nine licensees listed in the Second Allotment plan can no longer be accommodated
in the Expanded Band, and ten other licensees are now eligible for migration.
20. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Attachment II to Public Notice, Mass Media
Bureau Announces RevisedExpanded AM Broadcast Band Improvement Factors and Allotment
Plan, DA 96-96-408 (released March 22, 1996) IS RESCINDED.
21. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the petition for reconsideration filed by Sunrise
Broadcasting of New York, Inc., licensee of Station WGNY, Newburgh, New York IS
GRANTED to the extent indicated above, and the petitions for reconside,ration filed by Western
New York Public Broadcasting Association, licensee of Station WNED, Buffalo, New York,
Triad Network, Inc., pennittee ofStation WWBG, Greensboro, North Carolina, Lloyd B. Roach,
Incorporated, licensee ofStation WPWA, Chester, Pennsylvania, WHTG, Inc., licensee ofStation
WHTG, Eatontown, New Jersey, Olga 1. Fernandez, permittee of Station WnT, Sabana, P.R.,
Dynastar Communications, Inc., licensee ofStation WWNR, Beckley, West Virginia, and Radio
Property Ventures, licensee of Station KQXI, Arvada,' Colorado, ARE DENIED.
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Federal Communications Commission FCC 97·68
22. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the petition for reconsideration filed by Press
Broadcasting Company, Inc. IS DISMISSED.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
William F. Caton
Acting Secretary
" .
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·Federal Commlinications Commission
APPENDIX·
FINAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ANALYSIS
FCC 97-68
As reqliired by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C.§ 603 (RFA),
an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (lRFA) was incorporated in Review ofthe Technical
Assignment Criteriafor the AM Broadcast Service, 5 FCC Rcd 4381 (1990) (Technical
Assignment Criteria Rulemaking), The.Conunission sought written public cOlllrnents on the
proposals in Technical Assignment Criteria Rulemaking, including the IRFA. The
Commission's Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) in Report and Order, Review of
the Technical Assignment Criteria for the AM Broadcast Service, 6 FCC Rcd 6273 (1991)
(Report and Order) was issued prior to enactment of the amendments to the RFA Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), which was enacted as
Title II of the Contract With America Advancement Act of 1966 (CWAAA), Pub. 1. No.
104-121, 110 Stat. 847 (1996).18 This FRFA is limited to matters raised in response to the
Commission's action on reconsideration of Report and Order in Comments in Response to
Reconsideration ofImplementation ofthe AM Expanded Band and Allotment Plan, 11 FCC
Rcd 12444 (1996) and addressed in this Memorandum Opinion and Order.
I. Need for and Objectives of this Memorandum Opinion and Order:
This proceeding was initiated to improve'the quality of AM broadcasting by permitting
the migration of existing band stations experiencing significant levels of interference to the
expanded AM band, i.e., 1605 - 1705 kHz. The actions taken in the Memorandum Opinion
and Order are consistent with this goal. Specifically, the Memorandum Opinion and Order
modifies the frequency preclusion computer program to follow the federal travelers
information station interference standards previously specified in this proceeding. It also
clarifiesth~second harmonicinterfere~cestandard inCOrporated in the frequency preclusion
program. Lastly, the order conforms the revised allotment plan to Region 2 treaty
requirements and eliminates software coding errors in the frequency preclusion and allotment
plan programs. .
II. Summary of Significant Issues Raised by the Public Comments In Response
to the IRFA:
As previously disclosed, no comments have been submitted in this proceeding in
response to the IRFA. Out of an abundance of caution we have reconsidered the conclusions
previously reached in the FRFA even though this proceeding will directly impact less than
one percent of licensed commercial radio stations and less than thirteen percent of the stations
eligible to migrate to the expanded band.Ni~eteenstations have changed frequencies from
18 Title Hofthe CWAAA is "The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996" (SBREFA),
codified at 5 U.S.C. § 601 et seq.
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the second to third allotment plans and nine stations listed in the second allotment plan can no
longer be accomodated.
III. Description and Estimate of. the Number of Small Entities To Which the
Memorandum Opinion and Order Will Apply:
The Small Business Administration defines a radio broadcasting station that has $5
million or less in annual receipts as a small busiriess.
19
A radio broadcasting station is an
establishment primarily engaged in broadcasting aural programs by radio to the public.
20
Included. in this industry are commercial, religious, educational, and other radio stations.
21
Radio broadcasting stations which primarily are engaged- in radio broadcasting and which
produce radio program materials are similarly included.
22
The 1992 Census indicates that 96
percent (5,861 of 6,127) radio station establishments produced less than $5 million in revenue
in 1992;23 Currently, there.are more than 12,000 operating, licensed radio stations.2
4
The Commission previously determined that 710 AM licensees and permittees were
eligible to migrate .to the expanded band, based on timely expressions of interest in these
frequencies.. This list excludes daytime-only stations whose calculated interference reduction
improvement factor is zero. The third allotnient plan, which is being released simultaneously
with the Memorandum Opinion and Order, lists 'eighty-eight of these stations that are eligible
to apply for expllllded band authorizations. Nine stations listed on the second allotment plan
cannot be accoillmodated under the new plan. Ten new stations have been added. Many, if
not most of the eighty-eight potential migrators are small business entities.· Because the
decision to file a construction permit application and, following grant, to construct an AM
broadcast station which operates on an expanded band frequency is wholly voluntary, it is
impossible to predict how many.stations will be directly impacted by this proceeding. To the
extent that eligible stations- elect to migrate to the expanded band, an unknown number of the
approximately 4,900 operating, licensed AM broadcast stations could experience 'some reduced
level of interference and congestion, in the existing band. Most of these existing, band-stations
also would qualify as "small entities.'"
" 13 C.F.R. § 121.201, SIC 4832.
20 Economics and.Statistics Administration, Bureau ofC~nsus,U.S.'D~partm~ntofComm~rce.
21 [d.
22 [d.
23 - The Census Bureau counts radio stationslocat~dat the same facility ason~~stablishm~i1t.Th~r~fore,each
co-located AMlFM combination counts as one establishment. -
24 - FCC New Release, No. 72140 (released February 5, 1997) (announcing that 4,854 AM, 5,429 FM and 1,868
noncommercial educational FM broadcast stations were licensed as oUanuary 31, 1997).
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Alternative Classification of Small Stations. An alternative way to classify small
radio stations would be based on the number of employees. The Commission currently
applies a standard based on the number of employees in 'administering its Equal Employment
Opportunity Rule (EEO)for broadcasting}' Thus, radio (and television) stations with fewer
than five full-time employees are exempted from certain EEO reporting and record keeping
requirements.
26
We estimate that the total number of broadcast stations with 4'or fewer
employees is approxiIp.ately 4,239
27
and that most of these are radio stations.
IV. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping'and Other Compliance
Requirements:
Stations listed in the third allotment plan will be afforded 90 days to file feeable
applications for construction permits on the allotted channels. These applications will be
placed on ctit-off lists following their acceptance for filing to permitthe filing of petitions to
deny. Each station, following grant of its constructionperinit application, will have eighteen.
months to complete station construction and file a feeable application for covering license.
To satisfy these requirements it is likely that each'of these stations. will require the use of
professional legal and engineering services. .
V. SignificantAlternatives arid Steps Taken By Agency to Minimize Significant
Economic Impact on a Substantial Number of SDiall Entities Consistent with
Stated Objectives:
As noted above, the revised expanded band allotment plan would permit less than
thirteen percent of eligible AM station licensees and permittees to migrate to the expanded
" The Commission's definition ofa small broadcast station for purposes ofapplyjng its EEO rules was adopted
prior to the requirement of approval by the SBA pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. §
632 (a), as amended by Section 222 of the Small Business Credit and Business Oppommity Enhancement Act of
1992, Pub. L. No. 102-366, § 222(b)(1), 106 Stat. 999 (1992), as further amended by the Small Business
Administration Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 1994, Pub. L. No. 103-403, § 301, 108 Stat. 4187 (1994).
However, this defmition was adopted after the public notice and the oppommity for comrrient. See Report and Order
in Docket No. 18244,23 FCC 2d 430 (1970).
26 See, e.g., 47 C.F.R. § 73.3612 (Requirement to file annual employment reports on Form 395 applies to .
licensees with five or morefull~timeemployees); First Report and Order in Docket No.21474 (Amendment of
Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Rules ana FCC Form 395), 70 FCC 2d 1466 (1979). The Commission
is currently considering how to decrease the administrative burdens imposed by the EEO rule on small stations while
maintaining the effectiveness of our broadcast EEO enforcement. Order and Notice of Proposed Rule Making in
MM Docket No. 96-16 (Streamlining Broadcast EEO Rule and Policies, Vacating the EEO Forfeiture Policy
Statement and Amending Section 1.80 ofthe Commission's Rules to Include EEOForfeiture Guidelines), II FCC
Red 5154 (1996). One option under consideration is whether to define a small station for pumoses ofaffording such
relief as one with ten or fewer full-time employees.
27 Compilation of 1994 Broadcast Station Annual Employment Reports (FCC Form 395B), Equal Oppommity
Employment Branch, Mass Media Bureau, FCC.
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band. Stations electing to apply for and construct expanded band facilities are subject to
essentially the SllIIle license processing requirements as an any applicant seeking a new
broadcast station. The changes adopted in the Memorandum Opinion and Order were
necessary given technical considerations and international treaty requirements.
VI. Report to Congress:
The Commission shall send a copy of this Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, along
with this Report and Order, in a report to Congress pursuant to the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996,5 U.S.C. § 801(a)(l)(A). A copy of this FRFA will also
be published in the Federal Register.
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