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: Jerome.Manarchuck©tcc.gov

March 30, 2017
ZIP2, LLC
P.O. Box 367
Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
Re:

ZIP2, LLC
WKGE(AM), Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Facility Identification Number: 72964
Special Temporary Authority

Dear Applicant:
This is in reference to the request filed March 27, 2017, on behalf of ZIP2, LLC ("ZIP2"). ZIP2
requests special temporary authority (1tSTA") to operate station WKGE(AM) non-directionally
during daytime and nighttime hours with reduced power facilities.1 In support of the request, ZIP2
states that the station has been silent due to the failure of its main transmitter. However, during the
period of its authorized silence additional damage was found to the phasor, buildings, towers,
cabling, and antenna system. Therefore, WKOE(AM) requests an STA to operate non-directionally
during daytime and nighttime hours from tower #5 of its licensed array (ASR: 1029609). It is
proposed to operate with a daytime and nighttime power of 1.5 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
73.1 680(b)(1) states that AM stations may use a horizontal or vertical wire or a non-directional
vertical element of a directional antenna as an emergency antenna. AM stations using an emergency
non-directional 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 field
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 and BSTA-2O161O14AAL IS
'WKGE(AM) is licensed for operation on 850 kHz with unlimited hours power of 10 kilowatts, employing a directional
antenna pattern (DA1-U).

SUPERSEDED. Station WKGE(AM) may operate non-directionally from tower #5 of its array with
power reduced to 1.5 kilowatts. It will be necessary to further reduce or cease operation if
complaints of interference are received. ZIP2 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 September 26, 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,

Jome vIanarchuck
Audio Di'cision
Media Bureau
cc: Ed Schober (via email only)