Updated at 12:38pm Pacific on Aug. 30
On a day when no less than eight Notice of Unlicensed Operation (NUO) letters were sent by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to seven individuals and one landlord across the New York Tri-state Area, a ninth NUO was also dispatched by the Commission.
This one involved agents from the FCC’s Los Angeles and San Francisco offices, and a Baptist temple in the 49th state of the union that’s been involved in the community since 1956. RBR+TVBR spoke with an individual connected to the unlicensed signal, and we’ve got an update on the situation.
Receiving the NUO dated Aug. 28 is Anchorage Baptist Church, where Dr. Jerry Prevo has been Pastor since 1971. Under his leadership, Anchorage Baptist Church has become one of the state of Alaska’s largest and most active religious institutions. The Alaska Journal of Commerce has listed him as “one of the 25 most influential and powerful individuals in Alaska,” and some 2,200 parishioners attend his services each week.
Dr. Prevo also happens to be the is the founder and CEO of three radio stations KATB-FM 89.3 in Anchorage; simulcast partner KJLP-FM 88.9 FM in Palmer, Alaska; and KAFC-FM 93.7 in Anchorage, which debuted in 1999.
Additionally, Dr. Prevo is the CEO of noncommercial religious LPTV facility KCFT-CD, on Channel 35 in Anchorage.
Now, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau says Dr. Prevo — or someone at the church’s facility at 6401 E. Northern Lights Blvd. — is home to an unlicensed radio station at 99.9 MHz.
The agents on Wednesday, July 26 confirmed the address by using confirmed by direction finding techniques; the field strength of the signal at 99.9 MHz exceeded the maximum
permitted level of 250 microvolts per meter (µV/m) at 3 meters for non-licensed devices.
A call to the Anchorage Baptist Church switchboard by RBR+TVBR yielded a receptionist who confirmed the existence of a radio station at 99.9 MHz affiliated with the religious institution. The call was transferred to the voicemail of an individual reportedly connected to the station; the individual spoke with RBR+TVBR midday Wednesday.
“This isn’t a situation where there is a pirate radio station, and it’s likely the result of someone stirring the pot against a megachurch,” he said. “The signal went for a block.”
The signal in question is used every year in synchronization with the church’s Christmas light show. This year, a 35-foot tower was erected. “That pushed the signal a little too far,” he explained.
The individual also noted that the FCC agents were in Alaska on other business and had stayed for a week, criss-crossing points across the state.
Now that the signal has been silenced, which was forgotten about after the Christmas holiday season, the church believes it is no danger of a receiving a NAL from the FCC.
