Online LPFM Radio Resource: LPFMRadio.com
Low-Power FM (LPFM) Resource
Center
This page provides information and links to help you understand the responsibilities and technical requirements of licensing and operating a Low-Power FM (LPFM) station.
MonsterFM.com/Broadcast Services
is
offering a frequency search service effective
immediately. The frequency search cost is free. We also offer license
preparation services for $749.
For successful applicants we will also provide FM equipment packages including
transmitters, antennas, coaxial cable, connectors and other components to make
your LPFM project a success. Budget estimates for transmission-only packages (no
studio equipment) range from $6,000 to $10,000. These estimates assume you will
locate on an existing tower or a building. If you need your own tower expect an
additional $1,500 to $3,500 not including installation.
Application to
the FCC requires perfect timing.
In late January, the Federal Communications Commission authorized 2 broadcast
services in the FM band (88.1 - 107.9 MHz), designated LP100 and LP10. The LPFM
rules have been published in the Federal Register; and they are in effect, as of
April 17, 2000. The FCC decision offers an opportunity for nonprofit private
foundations, corporations and associations, as well as public agencies and
municipalities to license and operate a low-power broadcast radio station.
The beginning of the next FCC filing window is to be announced by the FCC. This 5-day window will be the only opportunity for the included states to file for an LPFM station for at least a year. Now is the time to get your last-minute frequency searches done and your application completed. Just complete this form and get it to us as soon as possible. The earlier we get it, the sooner we can start working with you towards ironing out any little problem spots that may turn up.
The FCC received 769 LPFM applications in the first filing window from May 30 to June 8, 2000 and 475 applications in the second filing window from August 28 to September 1, 2000.
The FCC has staggered 5 filing windows for LP100 applications. On March 27, the FCC held a random drawing to determine the order in which the filing windows would open. Time among windows is currently 3 months, although that could change. Only the first filing window was announced initially, 30 days before the opening; and each subsequent window is to be announced 30 days before opening. If the 3-month staggered schedule remains, the last group of states will file in the spring of 2001. This means that LP10 filings cannot occur until mid-year 2001. Find the complete news release here.
|
May, 2000 |
|
|
|
Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Virginia, Wyoming |
|
January, 2001 |
American Samoa, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Missouri, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin |
|
|
Arizona, Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, West Virginia |
|
|
Alabama, Arkansas, Guam, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington |
|
↓Next COMBINED Filing Windows↓ |
|
There are those who would stop LPFM; here's
our ban-watch.
Senate Bill 2068 has collected more sponsors.
There is a bill in committee in the US Senate that would prohibit the
FCC from authorizing and licensing LPFM stations. It has gained
sponsorship. During floor debate in the House, Mr. Tauzin (R-LA) suggested that
the Senate bill might receive action in May. It did not however come to the
floor and has not yet seen significant action during the month of June. There
have been delays and additional legislation submitted.
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has introduced a bill that would throw several wrenches into the LPFM debate. Under his bill, which has received little support so far, interference issues would be studied by the National Science Foundation. The bill would call for interference remedies in the courts instead of the through the FCC. Language of the measure would require LPFM operators to pay legal costs for the court proceedings, if interference was proven. Finally, the same bill also includes a deadline for the FCC to set digital-radio-conversion standards.
If you wish to have voice in this matter, there isn't much time. The debate on LPFM has involved a great deal of misinformation and over-the-top rhetoric from opponents. It is important for your Senator to hear your thoughts and ideas to give the issue balance. House Bill 3439 passed on April 13 (274 to 110). The bill was amended before leaving the House Commerce Committee. This link points to a tally of the Representatives' roll-call vote. Is your Rep listed there? If so, you need to express your disappointment in his or her standing on this issue.
FCC Chairman William Kennard spoke before the National Association of Broadcasters on Tuesday April 11, 2000, questioning why the NAB has "...squandered goodwill to fight churches and schools and community organizations..." on the LPFM issue. The press release can be found here. A petition against the FCC's authorization of LPFM rules, filed by the National Association of Broadcasters in federal court, has had no effect on LPFM authorization yet.
For more information, see the
links below.
MonsterFM.com/Broadcast Services Links:
1 An overview
of what the FCC says constitutes authorized Low-Power FM.
2 LPFM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) list which will be added within
the next few days.
3 Our application
information page gives a brief look at the LPFM-licensing process. Included
is a discussion of mutually exclusive, or competing, applications.
4 Read about LPFM
services we offer, including frequency searches.
FCC Links:
1 The FCC's
LPFM
information page,
which includes links to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Report and Order,
the Federal Register entry and more.
2 View the press
release regarding LP100 filing windows.
Congressional Links:
1 Senator Judd Gregg, R-NH, has introduced Bill
2068 in the Senate; it would ban the FCC from authorizing the LPFM service.
This bill has been referred to the Senate
Commerce Committee Senate
Commerce Committee. As of June 23, there has been no action on this bill, in
committee. The list
of cosponsors list
of cosponsors has grown.
2 The bill Rep. Mike Oxley, R-OH, introduced in the House, to prohibit
the FCC from authorizing LPFM service, was amended, voted on and has passed in
the House. The vote was 274 to 110. Here is the roll-call
vote of members on Bill 3439, requested by Mr. Oxley (R-OH). The text
of the bill that passed is different than the original bill. Link to information
on a legislative hearing regarding LPFM and Bill 3439. (The hearing
transcript was never made available to the public.) Here is the statement
by House Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley, R-VA, regarding the
Telecomm Subcommittee's LPFM Hearing (2-17).
Media Links:
1 Here is an Associated Press (AP) LPFM story
from the NAB convention
in Las Vegas, Nevada (April 12, 2000).
2 AP story, from foxnews.com, on the
NAB petition
before the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia (February 17, 2000).
3 Here is an article
in the Capital District Business Review from the week of 7 February 2000.
4 A somewhat inaccurate
AP story about LPFM on abcnews.com (January 29, 2000). LP1000 service was
not authorized.
5 An earlier
AP story about LPFM on abcnews.com (January 20, 2000).
In the works: A projected budget for construction of an LP-100 class FM station. It's taking a little time because we're negotiating with several manufacturers and software providers so that we can give you a "rock-solid" price at an amount which will put others to shame while keeping the quality of your equipment and software well above the levels provided by others.
URGENT:
Click here
to read about the NAB's latest dirty tricks and what you can do to help.
