KOSW files FCC construction-permit application to move transmitter; board discusses lease savings

Marty, the station’s technology volunteer, told the Radio Board the station’s consultant filed a construction‑permit application with the Federal Communications Commission to relocate KOSW’s transmitter to a tower site adjacent to the IGA that is controlled by Quest/Vertical Bridge. "It has now been accepted at the FCC and is pending final review," Marty said.

The application is intended to preserve the station’s ability to move off its current lease at American Tower, Marty told the board, and would give the station roughly three years to build or modify the proposed facility after the permit is granted. "Once we get a construction permit, we'll have about 3 years to actually either use it, modify it, or abandon it," Marty said.

Board members were shown a consultant coverage map that Marty said indicates the proposed site would "fully cover Ocean Shores nicely" but would reduce signal reach north and, to a lesser degree, south of the city. Marty said the consultant concluded the proposed site could operate at about "900 watts from the top of the tower," and explained that overlap with an existing contour from a Chehalis–Centralia station is acceptable over water but would not be allowed on land.

Board members discussed near‑term obstacles. Marty said a competing construction permit held by a religious broadcaster in Aberdeen is set to expire in a few days and that filing the station’s application now helps "forestall any infringement on the opportunity to move KOSW." He also noted wildlife protections: "They have to be not nesting, and the babies have to be gone," when asked about removing nests from an existing tower.

Financial considerations featured heavily. The board heard that the city’s tower lease is a major line item in the station budget; the presenter of the station financial review (identified in the meeting only as a staff member) said the city budget currently shows about $85,000 budgeted for operating lease costs tied to the tower. That presenter also described a plan under development for North Beach Independent Media to assume most fixed station expenses under a memorandum of understanding, saying the arrangement could save "somewhere around ... $24,000 a year." The MOU is in the city’s hands for drafting and has not been approved by council.

Board members asked about one‑time costs to move equipment. Marty said most existing transmit equipment would be reused but acknowledged there would be upfront expenses for moving a shed, tying in power, and possibly adding battery backup or a generator at the new site. "It's not buying new equipment ... it's the cost of moving," Marty said.

No formal board vote to change the station’s lease or sign an MOU was recorded at the meeting. Marty and other board members said the filing of the construction‑permit application at the FCC is complete and that next steps — lease negotiation and MOU review by the city council — will determine whether the relocation proceeds.

Members emphasized coverage priorities from the city council’s earlier guidance. Marty said the proposed site would "cover the entire city" and that the council had instructed the station that any improvements should focus on areas within city limits. Board members also asked for more detail on projected rents and potential costs to exit the current American Tower lease before committing to a relocation.

The station will await final FCC action on the pending construction‑permit application; no final relocation decision has been made and the MOU remains under negotiation.