An agent from the Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau found a Detroit FM translator to be transmitting at 394% of its authorized transmitting power, while using an antenna that did not match its required directional pattern.
On July 15, the agent from the Enforcement Bureau’s Columbia office inspected 107.9 W300DI(FM). The translator is licensed to Dearborn, Mich., and transmits from a location on Turner Ave., in Detroit. The translator is licensed to Zamora Broadcasting and is licensed for 38 watts ERP with a sharp directional pattern.
The inspection was the result of a complaint received by the commission regarding the translator.
It relays 1310 WDTW(AM), which airs Spanish-language programming.
The agent observed the station operating with a transmitter power output of 150 watts. That’s approximately 394 percent over its authorized TPO of 38 watts.
The station is also authorized to transmit with a log periodic SCA Two Skewed CL-FM antenna at two specific azimuths.
But during the inspection, the agent reported that the station was operating with an array of three Aldena antennas at different azimuths.
“Zamora’s array deviated from and failed to maintain the authorized antenna pattern, as the antenna oriented at 140 degrees could not produce the required null in that direction,” the commission wrote.
The FCC also noted that the station failed to file the necessary form to change its antenna system, as it would be required.
Zamora has 20 days within the release of the notice to explain each violation, and provide a statement of actions to correct each violation and preclude recurrence.
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