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

September 4, 2019
Genesis Communications of Tampa Bay, Inc.
Post Office Box 25434
Tampa, FL 33622
Re:

Genesis Communications of Tampa Bay, Inc.
WHBO(AM), Pinellas Park, FL
Facility Identification Number: 41383
Special Temporary Authority

Dear Applicant:
This is in reference to the request filed August 28, 2019, on behalf of Genesis Communications of
Tampa Bay, Inc. ("Genesis"). Genesis requests special temporary authority ("STA") to operate
station WHBO(AM) from an alternate site location with an emergency long-wire antenna. 1
In a previous STA request, Genesis stated that its transmitter lease had been terminated and the
station was subject to an eviction order. Since that time, the station applied for and was granted a
construction permit (BP-20150820ABA) from the WWBA(AM) transmitter site. Although
Genesis built its CP facility, multiple attempts to stabilize the combined stations failed, and
therefore the licensee is looking for a new permanent location. However, in order to continue
operations, the licensee has located a temporary site and is requesting STA.
Specifically, WHBO(AM) is proposing to operate daytime only with a 220 foot long-wire antenna
and a power of 400 watts in the vicinity of the WTMP(AM) site. The wire will be supported on
one end by an existing 120 foot tower and on the other end by an existing building.
STA requests which involve a change in transmitter site must include four critical elements: (1)
Loss of the licensed site must be beyond the licensee's control; (2) STA facilities must continue to
provide service to the licensed community; (3) STA facilities must maintain, as closely as
practicable, the licensed service area2 without extending it; (4) STA facilities cannot involve the
construction of towers intended for permanent use by the station requesting the STA.
1

WHBO(AM) is licensed for operation on 1040 kHz with 3.6 kilowatts daytime and 0.42 kilowatt nighttime, employing a
directional antenna pattern at night (DAN-U).
2

For AM - 0.5 mV/m contour; for FM - 1.0 mV/m contour.

Accordingly, the request for STA is GRANTED and BESTA-20190318ABC is SUPERSEDED.
Station WHBO(AM) may operate with the following facilities:
Geographic coordinates
Frequency
Hours of operation
Operating power
Antenna type
Electrical height of radiator
Antenna efficiency

28° 00´ 43˝ N, 82° 29´ 52˝ W (NAD 1927)
1040 KHz
Daytime only
0.4 kilowatt (daytime)
220 foot long-wire
83.7°
301.75 mV/m/kW at 1 kilometer

It will be necessary to further reduce power or cease operation if complaints of interference are
received. WHBO(AM) must notify the Commission when licensed operation is restored.
WHBO(AM) 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 March 3, 2020.
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

2

• 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)

3