Several TV stations in San Diego have applied to the FCC to raise their Effective Radiated Power (ERP) above either their traditional power or the power assigned to them for replacement channels in the coming spectrum repacking. The FCC opened an application window this fall for stations to modify their facilities to meet local propagation conditions.

KFMB-TV channel 8 applied to increase power from 19.8 kW to 87.4 kW ERP. That figure was chosen based on capabilities of their primary transmitter and does not involve a change of antenna.

KGTV channel 10 applied to increase power from 20.7 kW to 160 kW ERP. The application includes using the present Dielectric H-pol standing wave antenna. Presumably, the older Larcan transmitter will be replaced to make full power.

VHF stations are having trouble remaining competitive with over-the-air viewers who increasingly prefer inexpensive indoor antennas with UHF-sized small apertures. San Diego’s stucco construction with metal reinforced outer walls doesn’t help reception, either. The power boosts are expected to help with a new generation of viewers who are choosing to save money by sacrificing a big selection of cable or satellite TV channels.

KNSD channel 40 applied to increase power from 200 kW to 385 kW as it moves to post-repack channel 17. This returns KNSD to an ERP that compares with its neighbors KPBS, KSWB, and KUSI, as well as Tijuana DTV stations.

Edit 1/4/18 – KGTV old transmitter is a Larcan, not Comark. Duh.  

Virginia-based TV station group owner TEGNA yesterday announced their agreement with KFMB Stations owner Elisabeth Kimmel to take over KFMB-AM-FM-TV for $325-million cash. Since the group doesn’t currently own any radio stations, it’s likely TEGNA will spinoff the radio stations at a future date. It’s not yet known whether the sale includes the valuable real estate under their Kearny Mesa, Mt. Soledad and Santee facilities.

Elisabeth is the third-generation of Meyer family owners of KFMB who bought the stations in 1964 from Jack Wrather, creators of Lassie and The Lone Ranger.

Because of its independence and lack of debt, the stations have traditionally spent more than its competitors in the market. They have traditionally led the San Diego market in overall news ratings and have the most employees.

Stations around San Diego filed a number of callsign modifications with the FCC after Entercom sold a number of stations to Educational Media Foundation and, in San Diego, KSON and KEGY “Energy” swapped frequencies.

Members of SBE Chapter 36 have elected a new slate of officers to serve in 2018. The new leaders include:

Chairman: Tony McDaid, IT Engineer at iHeartMedia.
Vice-Chairman: Mike Curran, contract engineer.
Secretary: Jessica Colyer, Director of Business Development, D2D Technologies.

The three uncontested candidates each received 15 votes from the 37 members who received the electronic ballots.

The chairman can appoint various positions, including Program Chairman. Bart Schade of Path1 volunteered for, and will likely serve, that position.

The new officers will be inducted at the December 20th luncheon.