DELRAY BEACH, FLA. — South Florida has been long known as the Pirate Radio capital of America. In North Miami, Fabrice Polynice and his unauthorized “Radio Touche Douce” continues to plague the 90.1 MHz frequency at various times of the day, despite his receipt of the maximum fine the FCC may assess to a radio pirate.
Here in Palm Beach County, plenty of other infringers pop up and disappear like weeds.
Then, there are the many translators and LPFMs that have taken over — legally — many of the FM frequencies used over the years by pirates. One of these LPFMs seems to have a problem following the rules regarding its transmitter.
With 45 watts, WDKK-LPFM at 101.1 MHz uses a transmitter roughly one mile from RBR+TVBR‘s editorial office in Hollywood, Fla.
On April 26 and May 10, 2018, agents of the Enforcement Bureau’s Miami Office investigated and found that it is not broadcasting from where it should be.
This led to a June Notice of Violation.
According to its license, WDKK-LPFM is authorized to operate from coordinates 25° 59’ 41” N latitude and 80° 11’ 19” W longitude, using a single-bay, circularly polarized antenna, model Nexus NPX88 / SDS-CP-1, at 36 meters radiation center above ground (RCAG).
But, agents found the station was operating from coordinates 25° 59’ 16.4” N latitude and 80° 15’ 00.7” W longitude using a five-bay antenna at approximately 8 meters RCAG.
That’s not good: This location is 3.9 miles from its authorized location and operates with an
unauthorized antenna at an unauthorized antenna height.
This gave operator American Multi-Media Syndicate Inc. 20 days from June 5 to offer its response and explanation to the Commission, as requested by Enforcement Bureau Region Two Director Ronald Ramage.
A Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture was not seen. Instead, it received authorization to operate at coordinates 25° 59’ 16” N latitude and 80° 15’ 02” W longitude (NAD 27), with an antenna height of 13 meters radiation center above ground (RCAG).
Did the problems cease? No.
Ramage on Tuesday issued a second NOV. Why?
On July 8 and August 22, agents of the Enforcement Bureau’s Miami Office investigated and found WDKK-LP to be operating from an antenna structure at coordinates 25° 55’ 02.7” N latitude and 80° 09’ 26.4” W longitude (NAD 27), with an antenna height of approximately 30 meters RCAG. Thus, the station is operating 12.2 kilometers from its authorized location with an unauthorized antenna height.
AMMS now has to explain its actions again.
WDKK is operating as “Gridlock Radio,” offering a classic hip-hop format. It is simulcast on WDVS-LPFM 101.1 in Miami’s Little Havana district and WRIZ-LPFM 101.1, which is licensed to Boca Raton but uses a tower in Pompano Beach.
