WGNS Adds FM Stations

Two AM radio stations in the United States were the first to receive approval from the Federal Communications Commission to use FM translators to improve its local coverage area. On March 1, 2007, WGNS was proudly the first radio station in the United States to begin this expanded service to our community.

Now, in addition to hearing the Good Neighbor Station at AM 1450, you can now listen to WGNS on FM 100.5 and FM 101.9. Of course, our over-the-air TV channel 11 coverage will continue.

(Above Left Photo: L-R) FCC Senior Deputy Bureau Chief Roy Stewart presents Bart Walker the waiver that allows WGNS to use FM. Also at the meeting in Washington, DC was Kingsport broadcaster and past National Association of Broadcasters AM on FM Chair George DeVault. Walker said, “This waiver didn’t just fall out of the sky. We’ve been working on this and making written requests and in-person presentations to the FCC for over a decade. The hard work of two persons who both grew-up in Murfreesboro moved this proposal forward. It could not have been accomplished without FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate and U.S. Congressman Bart Gordon. Changes being considered by the Commission will have a major positive impact on AM broadcasters and the citizens who live in areas served by these radio stations.” Ironically, one of the main reasons WGNS sought approval to retransmit on FM 100.5 and FM 101.9 was to give reliable 24/7 communications to Rutherford County residents during natural or man-made emergencies.

The station began FM coverage at 9:00 o’clock Thursday morning, March 1, 2007. By mid morning tornado warnings forced Rutherford County Schools to announce that they were closing two-hours early. Thanks to Commissioner Tate and Congressman Gordon, Murfreesboro residents had a static-free source of emergency information. WGNS is grateful for the written support that strengthened our request to the FCC. Over the past decade, the following service groups made written requests to allow WGNS AM to use FM translators: The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross, Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency, City of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, and Murfreesboro City Schools.

(upper right photo) FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate and U.S. Congressman Bart Gordon, both grew-up in Murfreesboro. As we rang-in 2007, WGNS began its 60th year of service to the Heart of Tennessee. The addition of FM 100.5 and FM 101.9 will help WGNS to better serve residents in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County.

(left photo) Congressman Bart Gordon welcomes Lee Ann and Bart Walker to his Washington, DC office where he congratulates them on being granted approval to place WGNS on two FM frequencies.

What is the FCC doing to make this a rule?

The National Association of Broadcasters proposed the changes in FCC regulations that would make AM licensees to use FM translators. In-depth engineering studies were made that assured no interference was created with this proposal. After almost two-years of waiting, the Commission issued its Proposed Notice of Rule Making (NOPR). It was virtually a photo copy of the NAB’s earlier text. Therefore the FCC must have agreed with the NAB’s engineering and other data. Approximately twice the required time for public response was given to the FCC’s NOPR. The proposal was then placed on the Commission’s agenda, and commissioners publicly commented that this was a non-controversial and would easily be approved. However, the day before it came to vote–this is one of many issues that were pulled from the agenda. It has not been placed back on the agenda.

On January 7, 2008, the NAB filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission supporting an FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would enhance AM radio service by allowing AM stations to use FM translators. For the exact wording of the NAB proposal, please click here: http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Search&section=January23&template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentFileID=1571

As of now, the FCC continues to approve Special Temporary Authority to allow AM licensees to use FM translators. The proposed changes to allow the regulations to become law and authorize AM licensees to use FM booster transmitters still not been acted upon. This concept was first presented to the Commission over a decade ago. Especially in small communities where there is only an AM radio station, approval of this proposed change would benefit the health and welfare of citizens living within that radio station’s city of license.

Why has the Commission Not Voted On This NOPR?

In reality, if this was a “news story”, the news media pre-empted the AM on FM translator story with the XM-Sirius merger, and then the Digital Television issue, which is still taking the spotlight. And all of the time, the public would benefit with the Commission approving the use of FM translators by AM stations that meet the criteria clearly described in the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making. Rather than leaving it on “the back burner”, it would benefit the health and welfare of the public for the Commission to approved this NOPR.