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

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

December 14, 2015
Family Stations, Inc.
112 North Elm Street
Shenandoah, IA 51601
Re:

Family Stations, Inc.
KECR(AM), El Cajon, CA
Facility Identification Number: 20977
Special Temporary Authorization

Dear Applicant:
This is in reference to the request filed December 7, 2015, on behalf of Family Stations, Inc.
("FSI"). FSI requests special temporary authority ("STAtt) to operate KECR(AM) with
parameters at variance and/or reduced power from its licensed technical parameters.'
In support of the request, FSI states that KECR(AM) has experienced a failure in the antenna
switching system that resulted in extensive damage to the switching components and is unable to
automatically change between day and night modes. The switching components were manually
placed in night mode and it is being operated in continuous night mode until repairs are
completed. Therefore, an STA is requested to operate daytime at variance from its licensed
technical parameters.
Specifically, it is proposed to operate both daytime and nighttime with the nighttime pattern. A
power of 5 kilowatts is proposed for the daytime operation and no changes are proposed for the
nighttime operation.
Accordingly, the request for STA IS HEREBY GRANTED. However, since the nighttime
pattern differs from the daytime pattern and the station is near the U.S./Mexican Border the
power must be reduced to 1.25 kilowatts. It will be necessary to further reduce power or cease
operation if complaints of interference are received. FSI must notify the Commission when
licensed operation is restored.2 FSI must use whatever means are necessary to protect workers
1 KECR(AM) is licensed for daytime and nighttime operation on 910 kHz, with a power of 5 kilowatts, employing
different directional anteima patterns during daytime and nighttime hours (DA2-U).
2 See 47 CFR 73.45(c), 73.51, 73.54, 73.61(b)
§

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 June 12, 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,

orne JIanarchuck
dio D sion
Media Bureau

cc: Michelle A. McClure, Esq. (via email only)

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