The FCC Signs Off On WNAV’s Return To FM

Annapolis’ WNAV is officially back on the FM comeback trail. The FCC has signed off on a rare use of the Mattoon Waiver, allowing translator W224EM to make a leapfrog move from Wye Mills across the Chesapeake Bay into Annapolis. The translator will remain on 92.7 and operate with a highly directional antenna aimed eastward, restoring an FM simulcast for WNAV after months of being AM only on 1430.

The move comes after WNAV lost access to its leased 99.9 translator earlier this year, a loss that wiped out the station’s FM presence and significantly reduced its local reach. With the Mattoon Waiver approval, WNAV gets a second chance at FM coverage using a 75 watt directional facility, something that would not have been possible under standard translator relocation rules.

Of course, the approval may not be the end of the story. WNAV’s new Annapolis facility will sit well inside the 60 dBu translator interference complaint zone of Urban One’s 92.7 licensed to Prince Frederick. It will be interesting to see ifUrban One raises interference concerns.