FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 TWELFTH STREET SW
WASHINGTON DC 20554
ENGINEER: CHARLES N. (NORM) MILLER
TELEPHONE: (202)418-2767
FACSIMILE: (202) 418-1410
E-MAIL: charIes.miIIerfcc.gov

MEDIA BUREAU
AUDIO DIVISION
APPLICATION STATUS: (202) 418-2730
HOME PAGE: www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/

February 3, 2012
Karen A. Ross, Esq.
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
1919 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20006
Re:
Educational Media Foundation
W248BB(FX), Hillside, Illinois
Facility Identification Number: 144731
Special Temporary Authority
Dear Counsel:
This is in reference to the request filed February 2, 2012, on behalf of Educational Media
Foundation ("EMF"). EMF requests special temporary authority ("STA") to operate FM
Translator W248BB with temporary facilities.' In support of the request, EMF states that it
completed construction of modified facilities for W248BB as authorized by Construction Permit
BPFT-201 1O721ABU and filed Application BLFT-201201 19AES for license to cover the permit;
however, during construction it was necessary to change the make and model of the directional
antenna. EMF states that the change in antenna was disclosed in the license application and that
Application BMPFT-20120127AAC has been filed to modify the construction permit to specify
the antenna as built.
Our review indicates that the proposed STA facilities will not result in extension of the 60 dBu
contour beyond that authorized by the construction permit; thus, no interference to other stations
is likely to occur.
Accordingly, the request for STA IS HEREBY GRANTED. Station W248BB may operate with
the following facilities:
Geographic coordinates:
Channel
Effective radiated power:
Antenna manufacturer and type:
Antenna height:
above ground:
above mean sea level:

41° 53' 06" N, 87° 37' 18" W (NAD 1927)
248 (97.5 MHz)
0.25 kilowatt (Max-DA, H&V)
SWR, model FMEC/1 /1-TA, directional
349 meters
529 meters

'W248BB is licensed for operation on Channel 248D (97.5 MHz) with effective radiated power ("ERP") of 0.003
kilowatt (H&V) and antenna height above average terrain of 348 meters. Construction Permit BPFT-201 IO72IABU
authorizes an increase in ERP to 0.25 kilowatt (Max-DA, H&V). Application BLFT-20 12011 9AES, for license to cover
the permit, is on file; thus, the permit facilities are considered as the "licensed" facilities for STA purposes. Application
BMPFT-20120127AAC proposes a change in the directional antenna manufacturer and type.

above average terrain:

348 meters

EMF must notify the Commission when licensed operation is restored. EMF must use whatever
means are necessary to protect workers and the public from exposure to radio frequency radiation
in excess of the Commission's exposure guidelines. See 47 CFR § 1.13 10.
This authority expires on August 3, 2012.
STA Advisory: Section 309(f) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, authorizes the
Commission to grant STA in cases of "extraordinary circumstances requiring temporary
authorizations in the public interest and when delay in the institution of the temporary operations
would seriously prejudice the public interest." However, Section 309(f) is not a means by which
a licensee/permittee may circumvent established processing procedures which require the filing
of an application, nor is it a means by which a broadcaster may enhance his facility or make
operation more convenient for the broadcaster. Stations operating with less than licensed
facilities under temporary authorities can be viewed as receiving the benefit of a larger protection
area than that in which they are currently providing service.
Accordingly, Special Temporary Authorities by nature are to be temporary and are not intended
for extended use. Licensees of stations operating under temporary authorities are reminded that
timely restoration of permanent facilities is the responsibility of the licensee and should be
undertaken expeditiously. Any request for extension of special temporary authorities carries an
increased burden with each subsequent request.
Therefore, requests for extension of STA will be granted only where the licensee can show that
one or more of the following criteria have been met:
• Restoration of licensed facilities is complete and testing is underway;
• Substantial progress has been made during the most recent STA period toward
restoration of licensed operation; or
• No progress has been made during the most recent STA period for reasons clearly
beyond the licensee's control, and the licensee has taken all possible steps to
expeditiously resolve the problem.

Sincerely,

Charles N. Miller, Engineer
Audio Division
Media Bureau
cc: Educational Media Foundation

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