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@fcc.gov

February 7, 2019
Clear Channel Broadcasting Licenses, Inc.
As Debtor in Possession
7136 S. Yale Avenue
Suite 501
Tulsa, OK 74136
Re:

Clear Channel Broadcasting Licenses, Inc.
As Debtor in Possession
WDIZ(AM), Panama City, Florida
Facility Identification Number: 66666
Special Temporary Authority

Dear Applicant:
This is in reference to the request filed January 11, 2019, on behalf of Clear Channel Broadcasting
Licenses, Inc. ("CCB"). CCB requests special temporary authority ("STA") to operate WDIZ(AM)
with emergency antenna facilities at night.1
In support of the request, CCB states that the 3 tower array for WDIZ(AM) was destroyed on or about
October 10, 2018 due to Hurricane Michael. On January 10, 2019 the station resumed operation from
its licensed location with emergency antenna facilities. Specifically, the station is currently operating
with a daytime and nighttime power of 0.5 kilowatt, using an emergency antenna that consists of 20
meters of one of the three licensed towers which remained erect after the hurricane. The tower
remnant has been loaded with 120 meters of horizontal wire. Thus, the station requests STA to
continue to operate with the emergency antenna facilities described above until a permanent solution
is determined.
Section 73.1680 of the Commission’s rules provide for operation with emergency antenna facilities,
provided that an informal request for continued use of an emergency antenna is filed 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 field strength does not exceed that authorized in any
given azimuth for the corresponding hours of directional operation.
1

WDIZ(AM) is licensed for operation on 590 kHz with a daytime power of 1.7 kilowatts and a nighttime power of 2.5
kilowatts, employing a directional antenna pattern at night (DAN-U).

Accordingly, the request for STA IS HEREBY GRANTED. Station WDIZ(AM) may continue to
operate daytime and nighttime with a power of 0.5 kilowatt into the emergency antenna. It will be
necessary to further reduce or cease operation if complaints of interference are received. CCB 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.
This authority expires on August 6, 2019.
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,

Jerome J. Manarchuck
Electronics Engineer
Audio Division
Media Bureau
cc: Troy G. Langham (via email only)

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