FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 TWELFTH STREET SW
WASHINGTON DC 20554
MEDIA BUREAU
AUDIO DIVISION
APPLICATION STATUS: (202) 418-2730
HOME PAGE: www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/

ENGINEER: Jerome J. Manarchuck
TELEPHONE: (202) 418-7226
FACSIMILE: (202) 418-1410
E-MAIL: Jerome.Manarchuckfcc.gov

September 25, 2015
Radio Tropical, Inc.
P.O. Box 151300
Tampa, FL 33684
Re:

Radio Tropical, Inc.
WQBN(AM), Temple Terrace, Florida
Facility Identification Number: 74155
Special Temporary Authority

Dear Applicant:
This is in reference to the request filed September 23, 2015, on behalf of Radio Tropical, Inc.
("RTI"). RTI requests special temporary authority ("STA") to operate station WQBN(AM) with
temporary facilities.' In support of the request, RTI states that WQBN(AM) is currently operating
non-directionally during daytime hours with 25% of its licensed power due to a burnout in the
transmission line to tower #2. Thus, RTI requests STA to continue to operate non-directionally
during daytime hours from its licensed transmitter site, at a reduced power of 1.25 kilowatts.
Section 73.1680 of the Commission's rules provide for operation with emergency antenna facilities
following damage to authorized antenna systems, provided that an informal request for continued
used of an emergency antenna is filled with the Commission within 24 hours. In particular, Section
73.1680(b)(1) states that AM stations may use a horizontal or vertical wire or a nondirectional
vertical element of a directional antenna as an emergency antenna. AM stations using an emergency
nondirectional antenna or a horizontal or vertical wire pursuant to this section, in lieu or authorized
directional facilities, shall operate with power reduced to 25% or less of the nominal licensed power,
or, a higher power, not exceeding licensed power, while insuring that the radiated filed strength does
not exceed that authorized in any given azimuth for the corresponding hours of directional operation.
Accordingly, the request for STA IS HEREBY GRANTED. Station WQBN(AM) may continue to
operate non-directionally from tower #1 (ASRN: 1056030) of its directional array and with reduced
power not to exceed 1.25 kilowatts during daytime hours. No changes are proposed to the nighttime
operation. It will be necessary to further reduce or cease operation if complaints of interference are
received. RTI 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 1.1310.
'WQBN(AM) is licensed for operation on 1300 kHz with a daytime power of 5 kilowatts, and a nighttime power of 0.16
kilowatt, employing a directional antenna pattern during daytime hours (DAD-U).

This authority expires on March 24, 2016.
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,

romi\4anarchuck
Aludio 'Qijision
Media Bureau
cc: Francisco R. Montero, Esq. (via email only)

7.