Lakes Media Files New FCC Challenge Over Interference

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 7:13pm CT

Lakes Media

Lakes Media has filed its second formal Opposition with the Federal Communications Commission, urging swift enforcement action against what it calls "ongoing and unlawful interference" from FM translator W252EL. The translator is operated by First State Communications, a subsidiary of Curtis Media.

The filing marks the third separate interference complaint Lakes has submitted to protect WLUS-FM, its full-power Class C3 station licensed to serve its 45 dBu protected contour. Lakes Media says the translator has repeatedly overridden WLUS-FM's reception, violating FCC rules governing translator operations.

In its latest submission, the company provided engineering analyses, listener affidavits, and supporting documentation alleging "harmful and persistent" disruption caused by W252EL.

Tom Birch, Owner and President of Lakes Media, condemned the repeated interference and the financial burden placed on the company. "We pay thousands of dollars every year in FCC license fees to guarantee interference-free coverage of our 45 dBu contour. Yet we have been forced-again-to spend more money on lawyers and engineers to stop a translator from illegally disrupting our audience and violating federal law."

Birch added that First State should be required to reimburse the company's legal and technical expenses, calling for immediate FCC intervention.

RADIO ONLINE has reached out to First State for comment.