WKFD 1370 Ri (deformatted)

[Scott Fybush]

Robert F. Sutherland wrote:

> Wondering if anyone has knowledge?  
> Apparently the WKFD call was not otherwise reserved?
> Is ASTRO TELE-COMMUNICATIONS CORP intending Block Island & 
> the rest of coverage is by chance?   Do they own any other stations? 

The new WKFD has no connection to the old WKFD, which ended under 
slightly shady circumstances. Before the license was deleted completely, 
the old WKFD operated for a brief time (circa 1994) from a different 
transmitter site inland a bit from the old tower site. This was 
apparently an unauthorized change of transmitter site, of control and 
even of call, since the station was calling itself "WEGM" for a while. 
(I have pictures and tape of it.)

The new 1370 was applied for during the last window for major AM changes 
and new AM stations. Under current rules, you can't apply for a new 
daytimer, as the old WKFD was, and any new station has to provide 
considerably greater protection to other occupants of the channel 
(primarily, in this case, WFEA, WALK and WNRI, but also WLYN, WDRC, 
WINY, WNBH, WPLM and WHTB) than the old WKFD's grandfathered signal did.

Astro bought the CP from the original applicant, who simply shoehorned 
in a 1370 signal in about the only place that it would fit - right on 
the coast, aimed out at sea. Astro owns WADK 1540 in Newport and WJZS 
99.3 on Block Island, so this 1370 is at least somewhat complementary to 
those signals, notwithstanding the lack of a night signal over Aquidneck 
Island.

It's not at all clear to me how anyone would make money on this signal 
(well, except by applying for the CP and then selling it, unbuilt, that is.)

And yes, the WKFD calls were simply unassigned and available when Astro 
bought the CP.

s