KAWK (South Dakota) explained

KAWK
City:Custer, South Dakota
Area:Rapid City area
Frequency:105.1 MHz
Last Airdate: (date of license cancellation)
Format:License cancelled
Erp:7,000 watts
Haat:400m (1,300feet)
Class:C1
Licensing Authority:FCC
Facility Id:43916
Former Callsigns:KACP (1993–1996, CP)
Owner:Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting, Inc.
Sister Stations:KFCR, KZMX

KAWK (105.1 FM) was a radio station licensed to Custer, South Dakota, United States, the station served the Rapid City area. The station was owned by Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting, Inc.[1]

History

The station was assigned the calls KACP on May 28, 1993. On September 16, 1996, the station changed its call sign to KAWK.[2] The station signed on in November 1996[3] and was licensed on December 18, 1997.

As of April 2012, the station was silent, but retained an active license under Special Temporary Authority by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The station, along with others owned by Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting, filed for an extension of the special temporary authority in early 2015, due to staffing issues. It was reported that staff had unexpectedly resigned, and there was difficulty finding new employees.[4]

In a letter dated May 12, 2017, the FCC ruled that the license of KAWK expired "on or about" October 22, 2009, under Section 312(g) of the Communications Act of 1934. The station's license was cancelled, the call letters were deleted and all authority to operate was terminated.[5] [6] [7]

KAWK filed a Petition for Reconsideration on June 12, 2017.[8]

In another letter dated February 23, 2018, the petition for reconsideration was denied, effectively cancelling the station's license. The reasons stated in the letter indicate the station had been off air for more than 12 months during the licensed term. The FCC noted that when the station resumed broadcasting on August 16, 2009, the station was incorrectly using a previous transmitting location (special temporary authority), not the station's licensed site. The FCC also noted that the station's own actions, finances and business judgements were the reason for its cancellation.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: KAWK Facility Record . United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division .
  2. Web site: KAWK Call Sign History . United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division .
  3. Book: Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999. 1999. D-401. May 12, 2017.
  4. News: Report: WGPA/Bethlehem, PA Sold . All Access . March 4, 2015. May 12, 2017.
  5. News: In re: KAWK (FM), Custer SD . . Doyle. Peter H. . May 12, 2017 . May 12, 2017.
  6. News: FCC Report 5/14; Deletions . RadioInsight . Venta . Lance . May 14, 2017 . May 14, 2017.
  7. News: FCC Deletes South Dakota FM's Call Sign . Radio World . Ashworth . Susan . May 23, 2017 . May 24, 2017.
  8. News: FCC Daily Digest page 13 . . June 15, 2017 . June 15, 2017.
  9. Web site: In Reply Refer to: 1800B3-VMM . Federal Communications Commission . February 23, 2018 . March 6, 2018.