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

August 12, 2019
Shenandoah Valley Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 275
Mt. Jackson, VA 2284
Re:

Shenandoah Valley Group, Inc.
WSVG(AM), Mount Jackson, VA
Facility Identification Number: 60106
Special Temporary Authority

Dear Applicant:
This is in reference to the request filed August 8, 2019, on behalf of Shenandoah Valley Group,
Inc. ("SVG"). SVG requests special temporary authority ("STA") to operate station WSVG(AM)
with reduced daytime power.1 In support of the request, SVG states that WSVG(AM) had a
transmitter failure on August 7, 2019 and was able to return the station to the air the same day but
at half power. Therefore, WSVG(AM) requests STA to continue to operate during daytime hours
with a reduced power of 500 watts until the transmitter can be repaired.
Section 73.1560(d), which governs reduced power operation, states:
In the event it becomes technically impossible to operate at authorized power, a broadcast station may operate at
reduced power for a period of not more than 30 days without specific authority from the FCC. If operation at reduced
power will exceed 10 consecutive days, notification must be made to the FCC in Washington, DC, Attention: Audio
Division (radio) or Video Division (television), Media Bureau, not later than the 10 th day of the lower power
operation. In the event that normal power is restored within the 30 day period, the licensee must notify the FCC of the
date that normal operation was restored. If causes beyond the control of the licensee prevent restoration of the
authorized power within 30 days, a request for Special Temporary Authority (see Section 73.1635) must be made to
the FCC in Washington, DC for additional time as may be necessary.

Our review indicates that the request complies with Section 73.1560(d).
Accordingly, the request for STA IS HEREBY GRANTED. Station WSVG(AM) may operate
during daytime hours with a reduced power of 500 watts. No changes are proposed to the
nighttime operation. WSVG(AM) must notify the Commission when licensed operation is
restored. WSVG(AM) must use whatever means are necessary to protect workers and the public
1

WSVG(AM) is licensed for operation on 790 kHz with a daytime power of 1 kilowatt and a nighttime power of 0.04
kilowatt, employing a non-directional antenna pattern (ND1-U).

from exposure to radio frequency radiation in excess of the Commission's exposure guidelines.
See 47 CFR § 1.1310.
This authority expires on November 12, 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
Audio Division
Media Bureau
cc: John C. Trent, Esq. (via email only)

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