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

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

February 15, 2017
Leighton Radio Holdings, Inc.
P.O. Box 1458
619 West St. Germain St.
St. Cloud, MN 5630 1-3640
Re:

Leighton Radio Holdings, Inc.
KBRF(AM), Fergus Falls, MN
Facility Identification Number: 21400
Special Temporary Authority

Dear Applicant:
This is in reference to the request filed February 9, 2017, on behalf of Leighton Radio Holdings,
Inc. ("LRH"). LRH requests special temporary authority ("STA") to operate station KBRF(AM)
with parameters at variance from license values and/or reduced power while maintaining monitor
points within license limits.1 In support of the request, KBRF(AM) states that an STA is
necessary in order to make adjustments to the KBRF(AM) directional antenna system and to
complete construction and licensing of an FM translator station which is authorized (BPFT20160729ACS) to operate from one of KBRF(AM)'s towers.
FM translator station K253BK is currently authorized to mount an antenna on one of the
KBRF(AM)'s towers. Therefore, KBRF(AM) is requesting STA pursuant to Section 73.1635 of
the Commission's rules to operate with parameters at variance while construction is being
completed.
Accordingly, the request for STA IS HEREBY GRANTED. Station KBRF(AM) may operate
with parameters at variance from license values and/or reduced power while maintaining monitor
points within license limits. It will be necessary to further reduce power or cease operation if
complaints of interference are received. LRH must notify the Commission when licensed
operation is restored.2 LRH must use whatever means are necessary to protect workers and the
1 KBRF(AM) is licensed for operation on 1250 kHz with a daytime power of
5 kilowatts and nighttime power of 2.2
kilowatts, employing a directional antenna pattern at night (DAN-U).
2 See 47 CFR § 73.45(c), 73.51,
73.54, 73.61(b)

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 14, 2017.
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,

romj. Manarchuck
Audio1Iivision
Media Bureau
cc: John Wells King, Esq. (via email only)

2