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: Dale Bickel
TELEPHONE: (202) 418-2706
FACSIMILE: (202) 418-1410
E-MAIL: dale.bickel@fcc.gov

November 20, 2015
Valleydale Broadcasting, LLC
P.O., Box 383174
Birmingham, AL 35238
Re:

W252BE (FX), Tarrant, AL
Valleydale Broadcasting, LLC
Facility Identification Number: 141124
Special Temporary Authority
BSTA-20151116ASH

Dear Licensee:
This is in reference to the request filed July 6, 2015, on behalf of Valleydale Broadcasting, LLC
(“Valleydale”). Valleydale explains that the upper portion of W252BE’s transmission line
sustained catastropic damage. To get the station back on the air, Valleydale reduced the height
of the antenna to 216 meters above ground level (328 meters AMSL), increased the effective
radiated power to 0.112 kW ERP, and maintained the licensed directional antenna and antenna
orientation. This essentially duplicates the licensed 60 dBu coverage. Valleydale requests
Special Temporary Authority for continued operation in this manner
Our review concludes that the proposed STA facilities are acceptable. Accordingly, the request
for STA IS HEREBY GRANTED to operate in the manner described. Valleydale must use
whatever means are necessary to protect workers and the public from radiofrequency exposure in
excess of the Commission's exposure guidelines. See 47 CFR § 1.1310. Valleydale must
advise the Commission when licensed operations resume.1
This authority expires on May 19, 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
1

If Valleydale decides to make this operation permanent, it must file for these modified parameters in a construction
permit application on FCC Form 349.

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,

Dale Bickel
Senior Engineer
Audio Division
Media Bureau
cc: Lee S. Reynolds (via e-mail only)

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