The Audio Division is seeking public comment on a plan it has drafted that would amend the Table of Allotments in a small Texas town. Why? An existing vacant Class C2 FM there is not in compliance with the minimum distance separation requirements of the FCC.
The locale is tiny Matador, Tex., where State Route 70 crosses U.S. 62. Here, no local radio stations can be found; it makes AM radio that much more important at the present time.
But, future FMs are in the works, and the Commission is seeking to substitute a Class C2 facility on 103.1 MHz for a vacant Class C2 FM at 96.7 MHz. An FM was supposed to have built on this frequency some 13 years ago; the Audio Division in March 2012 cancelled the authorization for a new station because the construction permit expired and no new license application was filed.
Now, the change is being sought due to a short-spacing conflict with Class A KYLB-FM 96.7 in Turkey, Tex., exists; Turkey is just 30 minutes’ drive north of Matador.
With 103.1 replacing 96.7 on the table of allotments in Matador, the Audio Bureau would need to figure out what to do with an existing Class C3 facility at 103.1 MHz in Matador on the table of allotments. Its proposal? Switch that to a Class C3 facility at 98.3 MHz.
Interested parties have until May 2 to file comments; the reply comment date is May 19.
