Broadcaster KENV signals its intent to move from VHF to UHF with higher power; board requests power study and contract review
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
A KENV/Nevada broadcaster has signaled intent to change from VHF to a UHF facility with a proposed effective radiated power of 25 kilowatts on Grindstone; the board said the station must submit a power study and that district staff should review transformer capacity and lease language before any equipment moves.
Representatives of a Reno‑area broadcaster told the board that the station currently operating on VHF channel 10 is considering a conversion to a UHF facility that would require a new antenna and a proposed effective radiated power (ERP) in the neighborhood of 25 kilowatts.
Board members said a change of that magnitude would require a detailed power and site study, including a review of transformer capacity and line condition to determine whether the site can support the higher electrical load. At the meeting, a board member noted the site's transformer is believed to be in the 50‑kilowatt range and said a formal, engineer‑level assessment would be needed before any approvals.
Staff directed the district's contract administrator and technical staff to locate the broadcaster's current lease, review any existing contract language regarding climbs and scheduled outages, and require the broadcaster to commission a power‑study and transformer analysis. District members emphasized that any tenant equipment changes must accommodate scheduled climbs and outages for safety and to protect other tenants' broadcast continuity.
No formal approval or permit was issued at the meeting; board members agreed to add follow‑up items to review the contract terms and to request the broadcaster submit technical studies before considering approval.