Chicago Media Chat Message Forum

Forum Agreement, Terms Of Service Disclaimer

FCC plans FM radio auction

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 11, 2026, 7:51 pm

Here is link to story

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/fcc-plans-an-fm-auction-in-february

Re: FCC plans FM radio auction

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 12, 2026, 7:44 am, in reply to "FCC plans FM radio auction"

Hi Detectivetom.

Quick look, this benefits states with less urban areas and less population. No openings in NY or NJ, populated and saturated FM band.

The B1 in Matoon is interesting. Matoon is not big but there are many pockets of communities to the south, where 96.9 could target them.

Z

Re: FCC plans FM radio auction

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 12, 2026, 8:33 am, in reply to "Re: FCC plans FM radio auction"

I was trying to locate what frequencies were being auctioned, but was unsuccessful. Was wondering if they were always open or a station that lost or gave up the spot.

There are two stations in Indiana. One is in Fowler. Never heard of it, so looked it up. It is located 99 miles from the Southwest Side. The frequency in Cedarville, Illinois is 130 miles. Maroon is 166 miles.

Re: FCC plans FM radio auction

Detectivetom,

Here is a list of "channels" to FM frequency!

Z

Link: 47 CFR § 73.201 - Numerical designation of FM broadcast channels.

Re: FCC plans FM radio auction

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 12, 2026, 4:44 pm, in reply to "Re: FCC plans FM radio auction"

Thank you for that link. Discovered the Matoon frequency was the former WLBH (96.9FM). The station went silent in 2018 after being off the air since December, 2017. The transmitter was destroyed and equipment stolen during a break-in. Sad.

Here is link to letter station owner sent to the FCC:

https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=82945

Re: FCC plans FM radio auction — list of channel

Posted by PhilJSmith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=PhilJSmith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 12, 2026, 10:43 pm, in reply to "Re: FCC plans FM radio auction"

This section doesn’t mention that there is actually a channel 200 designation for 87.9 FM. In rare circumstances — in fact so rare it only ever happened twice — an NCE can move to 87.9 to address an interference situation. This is a legitimate FM channel, unlike the FrankenFM’s like 87.75 WRME-LP Chicago / TV channel 6.

Today there is only one station, a translator, allocated to 87.9 FM: K200AA Sun Valley NV.

There was a full-power station KSFH in Mountain View CA years ago that was granted 87.9 but it succumbed to financial issues.

(Insert “The More You Know⭐️” video clip here)

Re: FCC plans FM radio auction - Fowler IN

Fowler Indiana is 53 miles (by air) SE of where I am in Will County. I might have a shot at hearing this station someday. What channel / frequency will it be?

Re: FCC plans FM radio auction - Fowler IN

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 13, 2026, 12:48 am, in reply to "Re: FCC plans FM radio auction - Fowler IN"

Link to all stations being auctioned below Phil.

Fowler Channel 291, Class A. Frequency is 106.1 fm.

Z

Link: https://www.radioworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DA-26-444A2.pdf

Re: FCC plans FM radio auction - Fowler IN

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 13, 2026, 8:40 am, in reply to "Re: FCC plans FM radio auction - Fowler IN"

I think that Fowler frequency was up for FCC auction in 2022, but do not know the outcome. I have not found any station(s) at that frequency that went silent, but maybe I missed it. One theory is a permit was issued but there was no construction?

Re: FCC plans FM radio auction - Fowler IN 106.1

Posted by PhilJSmith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=PhilJSmith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 13, 2026, 10:45 am, in reply to "Re: FCC plans FM radio auction - Fowler IN"

106.1 is an open frequency south of Chicago and its rimshot stations. I ran a search for all stations on the channel within 200km of Fowler and it only produced one Class A in Streator IL (WYYS), and a few scattered translators in Indiana and SW Michigan. A couple of those translators might be impacted but they have no protection against Class A/B/C stations.

106.1 WMIL Milwaukee is beyond 200km away.

« Back to index

236

[ Chicago Media Chat Message Forum ]