KBKF-LD
ATSC 3.0 station
CitySan Jose, California
Channels
Programming
Affiliations6.2: U Channel
Ownership
Owner
  • Venture Technologies Group
  • (Venture Technologies Group, LLC)
OperatorEducational Media Foundation
History
FoundedMarch 22, 2004
Former call signs
K26HN (2004)
KBKF-LP (2004-2021)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID127882
ClassLD
ERP2 kW
HAAT834 meters
Links
Public license information
Radio station information
Frequency87.7 MHz
BrandingAir1
Programming
FormatContemporary worship music
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websiteair1.com

KBKF-LD, virtual and VHF digital channel 6, is a low-powered television station (LPTV) licensed to San Jose, California, United States. The station is owned by Venture Technologies Group, LLC. Its transmitter site is located on Loma Prieta Peak.

Although licensed as a TV station, KBKF-LD primarily functions as a radio station, broadcasting Contemporary Christian music from the Air1 network that can be heard by FM radios at 87.7 MHz. Its ATSC 3.0 video feed broadcasts U Channel on digital channel 6.2.

History

Originally KBKF-LP, the station initially transmitted as an analog TV station, taking advantage of the fact that the analog TV standard for channel 6 specifies the audio portion of the transmission as an FM signal centered on 87.75 MHz. This can be picked up by most FM receivers at 87.7 FM.

Faced with an approaching July 13, 2021 FCC deadline requiring all LPTV stations to convert from analog to digital transmissions,[2] Venture Technologies developed a version of the ATSC 3.0 digital TV standard that allows an analog FM audio subcarrier to coexist with the digital TV signal.[3]

Now operating as a digital LPTV station with the call sign KBKF-LD, this station was used as a test site, and began dual digital TV/analog FM transmissions in February 2021.[4] On June 10, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a six month long Special Temporary Authority (STA) grant allowing KBKF-LD to continue analog FM broadcasts on 87.75 MHz using this method.[5] On July 20, 2023, an FCC "Report and Order" included this station as one of 13 "FM6" stations allowed to continue to operate an FM radio broadcast, as a "ancillary or supplementary" service.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KBKF-LD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "FCC Reminds LPTV Stations Of 7/13/21 Digital Conversion Date; Setting Drop-Dead Date For Franken-FMs" by Lance Venta, July 13, 2020 (radioinsight.com)
  3. ^ "MeTV FM goes from low-power TV station to top-10 Chicago radio station" by Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, May 3, 2018.
  4. ^ "Time Running Out for FM6 Stations?" by Randy J. Stine, May 31, 2021 (radioworld.com)
  5. ^ "Re: Request for Special Temporary Authority: KBKF-LD, San Jose, CA" (correspondence from Barbara A. Kreisman, Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau), June 10, 2021 (FCC.gov)
  6. ^ "Fifth Report and Order: In the Matter of Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission's Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television and Television Translator Stations" (FCC 23-58, MB Docket No. 03-185, Adopted: July 20, 2023, Released: July 20, 2023)

External links

37°06′39.1″N 121°50′37.0″W / 37.110861°N 121.843611°W / 37.110861; -121.843611


Broadcast television in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose
Radio stations in San Jose, California and the South Bay
Air1 member stations
Categories