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How to Apply for an LPFM Broadcast Station
Low Power FM Radio Stations
Low power FM stations operate with 1 to 100 watts of power
and cover a radius of approximately 5.6 km (3.5 miles).
Applications for new LPFM stations may only be filed during the dates
specified for an application filing window. Applications received at other
times will be returned without consideration. We cannot provide advance
information as to when the next application filing window may be, but when
the announcement is made, it will be posted on this website.
Heavy
Demand for New Broadcast Stations.
Potential applicants for
radio and television services should be aware that frequencies for these
services are always in heavy demand. For example, the Commission received
approximately 30,000 inquiries from persons seeking to start radio broadcast
stations last year. Where broadcast frequencies remain available, competing
applications are routinely received. Thus, you are cautioned at the outset that
the filing of an application does not guarantee that you will receive a
broadcast station construction permit. You should also be aware that in many
areas of the country, no frequencies may be available on which a new station
could commence operating without causing interference to existing stations,
which would violate FCC rules. For that reason, we do not recommend that you
purchase any equipment before receiving a construction permit from the FCC.
Expansion of the AM or FM radio bands is unlikely to occur in
the near future. The FM band is constrained from expanding above 107.9 MHz by
the presence of aeronautical operations on 108 MHz to 136 MHz, and is also
prevented from expanding below 88.1 MHz by Channel 6 television operations on
82.0 through 88.0 MHz. The AM band was recently expanded from 1600 to 1700 kHz
after years of international negotiations, however those frequencies are
reserved for existing stations which were causing significant interference in
the lower part of the band.
Unlicensed
Operation Is Prohibited.
A very common question asked to the FCC is
whether broadcasting at very low power requires a license. Please be aware that
unlicensed operation of radio broadcast stations is prohibited, even at such low
powers such as 1 watt or less. The only unlicensed operation that is permitted
on the AM and FM broadcast bands is covered under Part 15 of the FCC's rules,
and is limited to a coverage radius of approximately 200 feet. (See the
Commission's
July 24, 1991 Public Notice.) Unlicensed operation is also not permitted
in the television bands (including 87.9 MHz, which falls within the 82.0 to 88.0
Channel 6 television band). Fines and/or criminal prosecution may result from
illegal operation of an unlicensed station.
Mutually Exclusive
Noncommercial Educational Applications.
Noncommercial
educational station conflicts with other timely filed noncommercial educational
applicants (i.e., where interference would be created between stations were all
applications to be granted) will be resolved through the application of a point
system. The point system is described in the Report and Order in MM
Docket 95-31, FCC 00-120, released April 21, 2000 [ PDF
|
Word |
txt ]. See also the Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM
Docket 95-31, FCC 01-64, released February 28, 2001 [ PDF
|
Word |
txt ], [ Appendix
D (PDF);
Appendix D (Word) ].
The Media Bureau will announce a
filing window period during which new radio station applications and
major change applications may be filed. Filing window announcements will be made
via public notice, and notice will also be posted on this website. With all of
this in mind, carefully proceed into the following sections.
Starting Your Own LPFM Station
Starting your own LPFM station is going to take a lot of planning and most importantly, a lot of patience. First of all, if
you did not file in any of the previous filing windows and you have come here expecting
to get a station on the air within a year, be advised that this is simply not going to
happen.
LPFM applications are only taken during
FCC designated "filing windows". Once
your application is filed, based on the conditions of your local area, it can
take months or sometimes several years to get a station on the air. For example,
the FCC still has yet to act on some applications filed during the windows in 2000.
However, during a November hearing, there was discussion of a new LPFM filing
window during 2008! That window could suddenly be announced at any time so, now
is a good time to begin your preparations for filing.
If your organization truly wants to get on the air
with an LPFM station,
don't worry, this is a good time to begin preparations for that future filing window.
Here are
some tips to help you prepare for the next LPFM filing window:
-
Contact us to check for an available frequency in your area. Even if no
channel is available at the time we perform the original check, it may be possible that a channel is
available in the future because of the lapsing of construction permits issued to translators
and other stations. We have also seen some cases in which LPFM
applicants were not able to build before the deadline and have allowed their permits lapsed.
Therefore, we will perform this check at three month intervals for a year
after initially being retained to provide the frequency search.
-
If there is a
channel in your area, we will still keep checking at three month intervals because there's a possibility that a
translator or a full power broadcaster may use that channel and void it's
availability before the LPFM filing window.
-
If you want to perform your own unofficial "semi-search",
there are online tools available that make this possible (the most popular
of which is REC's
LPFM Channel Search).
However, you need to know that these apparently do not take some factors
(such as terrain shielding) into consideration and we have seen them give
many
"false negatives" in which the online resource insists that there is
no frequency available when we can usually always find one or more. In fact,
we have seen construction permits granted for applications that, according
to the "free" online frequency search tools, simply cannot possibly exist
so, as always, it is very much advisable to follow the advice of an expert.
(You get what you pay for, in other words.)
-
If your organization is not officially incorporated, this may
be a good time to fully organize, create a charter, elect board members and file
articles of incorporation with your Secretary of State's office. Having all of
your ducks in a row in this department will help you along in the filing process.
Remember, the LPFM service is only available to non-commercial educational
entities (which can include schools, universities, churches, ministries and
organizations that plan to use broadcasting as a part of it's educational
program). LPFM stations are also available to local and state governments who
are also eligible to hold licenses in the Public Safety radio services. (Unless
you are a government entity or you are
operating under a government charter [such
as a volunteer fire department], do not state that you are proposing a public
safety radio service as we have seen so many ill-advised applicants do in the
past who eventually have had their applications dismissed or placed
"indefinitely on hold" while they are awaiting the inevitable dismissal.)
-
You may also wish to communicate with other organizations in
your community to determine whether or not they are considering filing an
application for an LPFM radio station. If
they are, you may want to coordinate your efforts with theirs. This can be especially
beneficial if
there are multiple channels available.
-
In your discussions with other potential applicants, it is a good
idea to negotiate an agreement to cooperate in the event that you and the other
organization are willing to share time on the same channel (they broadcast at
certain times of the day/week and you broadcast at other times of the day/week).
This will look really good on your application if you come right out of the box
with a time share agreement. The best possible arrangement would be is for multiple
organizations to share the same transmitter.
-
Determine the site at which you want to build your station.
Make sure you have (or can obtain) all clearances to use the site on a long term basis.
A "letter of intent" is a very good idea.
-
Make
sure there are no zoning laws that will prohibit you from putting up an antenna
at the site. Remember, the FCC's pre-emption of antenna ordinances called
"PRB-1" does not apply to LPFM. Zoning laws about "interference to public safety
systems" is currently under legal challenge, and has usually been applied only
to telecommunication (cellular telephone) sites. Make sure you have all your
ducks in a row with the local government. This is the time to get to you know
your city/town council members and pray to God that they are more intelligent
than those of Shamrock, texas.
-
You are going to need the exact geographic coordinates
for your site. This is now a lot easier with the advent of GPS (Global
Positioning Satellite) systems. However, the coordinates returned by a GPS
receiver are not properly formatted to be acceptable for filing on an FCC application.
These coordinates must first be converted to the NAD27 datum. There is a website where
coordinates can
be converted to NAD27.
-
When the window opens, applications can be filled out
electronically. Be very careful when filling out the application. Make sure that
every question is answered. Make sure that every board member is listed. Do
not file multiple applications on multiple channels in your area!!! We do
suggest that (in the event you do choose to "go it alone" in the application
preparation process) when you file your actual application, to also check your proposed
LPFM channel with the FCC's
LPFM Channel Finder.
Do not use that site right now, however, as the data is over a
year old and the FCC has no plans to update it until the next window opens.
-
Although many people will tell you that the application is easy to fill out,
we recommend that you utilize the services of a consulting engineer, such as our
own, who is in the business of preparing LPFM applications. This is NOT just an
attempt at signing up new clients as we've watched many numerous applications be
dismissed due to "small mistakes" over the years.
Low Power FM
How Do I Start An LPFM Station?
-
Contact us to check for an available frequency in your area. Even if no
channel is available at the time we perform the original check, it may be possible that a channel is
available in the future because of the lapsing of construction permits issued to translators
and other stations. We have also seen some cases in which LPFM
applicants were not able to build before the deadline and have allowed their permits lapsed.
Therefore, we will perform this check at three month intervals for a year
after initially being retained to provide the frequency search.
-
If there is a
channel in your area, we will still keep checking at three month intervals because there's a possibility that a
translator or a full power broadcaster may use that channel and void it's
availability before the LPFM filing window.
-
If you want to perform your own unofficial "semi-search",
there are online tools available that make this possible (the most popular
of which is REC's
LPFM Channel Search).
However, you need to know that these apparently do not take some factors
(such as terrain shielding) into consideration and we have seen them give
many
"false negatives" in which the online resource insists that there is
no frequency available when we can usually always find one or more. In fact,
we have seen construction permits granted for applications that, according
to the "free" online frequency search tools, simply cannot possibly exist
so, as always, it is very much advisable to follow the advice of an expert.
(You get what you pay for, in other words.)
-
If your organization is not officially incorporated, this may
be a good time to fully organize, create a charter, elect board members and file
articles of incorporation with your Secretary of State's office. Having all of
your ducks in a row in this department will help you along in the filing process.
Remember, the LPFM service is only available to non-commercial educational
entities (which can include schools, universities, churches, ministries and
organizations that plan to use broadcasting as a part of it's educational
program). LPFM stations are also available to local and state governments who
are also eligible to hold licenses in the Public Safety radio services. (Unless
you are a government entity or you are
operating under a government charter [such
as a volunteer fire department], do not state that you are proposing a public
safety radio service as we have seen so many ill-advised applicants do in the
past who eventually have had their applications dismissed or placed
"indefinitely on hold" while they are awaiting the inevitable dismissal.)
-
You may also wish to communicate with other organizations in
your community to determine whether or not they are considering filing an
application for an LPFM radio station. If
they are, you may want to coordinate your efforts with theirs. This can be especially
beneficial if
there are multiple channels available.
-
In your discussions with other potential applicants, it is a good
idea to negotiate an agreement to cooperate in the event that you and the other
organization are willing to share time on the same channel (they broadcast at
certain times of the day/week and you broadcast at other times of the day/week).
This will look really good on your application if you come right out of the box
with a time share agreement. The best possible arrangement would be is for multiple
organizations to share the same transmitter.
-
Determine the site at which you want to build your station.
Make sure you have (or can obtain) all clearances to use the site on a long term basis.
A "letter of intent" is a very good idea.
-
Make
sure there are no zoning laws that will prohibit you from putting up an antenna
at the site. Remember, the FCC's pre-emption of antenna ordinances called
"PRB-1" does not apply to LPFM. Zoning laws about "interference to public safety
systems" is currently under legal challenge, and has usually been applied only
to telecommunication (cellular telephone) sites. Make sure you have all your
ducks in a row with the local government. This is the time to get to you know
your city/town council members and pray to God that they are more intelligent
than those of Shamrock, texas.
-
You are going to need the exact geographic coordinates
for your site. This is now a lot easier with the advent of GPS (Global
Positioning Satellite) systems. However, the coordinates returned by a GPS
receiver are not properly formatted to be acceptable for filing on an FCC application.
These coordinates must first be converted to the NAD27 datum. There is a website where
coordinates can
be converted to NAD27.
-
When the window opens, applications can be filled out
electronically. Be very careful when filling out the application. Make sure that
every question is answered. Make sure that every board member is listed. Do
not file multiple applications on multiple channels in your area!!! We do
suggest that (in the event you do choose to "go it alone" in the application
preparation process) when you file your actual application, to also check your proposed
LPFM channel with the FCC's
LPFM Channel Finder.
Do not use that site right now, however, as the data is now
several
years old and the FCC has no plans to update it until the next window opens
which will actually be too late for you to use it.
-
Although many people will tell you that the application is easy to fill out,
we recommend that you utilize the services of a consulting engineer, such as our
own, who is in the business of preparing LPFM applications. This is NOT just an
attempt at signing up new clients as we've watched many numerous applications be
dismissed due to "small mistakes" over the years.
My application is filed, now what?
If there are other applications for the same or adjacent channels
as yours where granting all of the applications will cause interference, your
application is considered
mutually exclusive (MX) and there is a whole selection process based on a
"point" system from your original LPFM application. Our
MX Page discusses mutual
exclusivity in more detail.
If you are lucky to be the sole applicant for a channel, what
will happen is that your application will be reviewed by the FCC. If your
application passes an initial look-over, it is then accepted for filing.
The next step is the public notice stating that your
construction permit (CP) is grantable. During a 30-day period after this public
notice comes out, others have the opportunity to protest your application
(Petition to Deny). Petitions to Deny can delay the grant of the CP, even if the
Petitions To Deny are without merit. Expect a Petition To Deny if your application appears to be a "cookie cutter"
application (multiple applications in multiple areas with different licensee
names but the applications looking the same). LPFM is intended to be a local
broadcast service and supporters of the LPFM movement will not
tolerate attempts to try to use LPFM stations as satellite repeaters.
The big day arrives!
The day that your CP is granted is the day you can start doing
something. You may now construct your station (do not start construction before
the CP otherwise you will face fines). Remember, you must use broadcast standard
equipment in the LPFM service (sorry, no Ramsey kits). There are quite a few
services that can help you locate equipment and provide assistance on
constructing your station.
MonsterFM.com / Broadcast
Technical Services can help you here too. In fact,
MonsterFM.com / Broadcast
Technical Services can help you in choosing equipment, procuring
equipment, installing equipment and completely building your LPFM radio station
from the ground up. We can even help you with the operation of your station,
once construction is completed!
Following the granting
of your construction permit, you will need to apply for a call sign with the FCC. You
can not put the station on the air without a call sign. Once you have a call
sign, you have program test authority. Basically, you can now fire up the
transmitter and start testing and eventually broadcasting.
The last step
Once you have completed the construction of your station and you
have your call sign, you can start broadcasting. The last step in the process is
that you must file an application for "license to cover". This tells the FCC that you are
finished with the construction activity and you are on the air. Once the FCC
grants your license to cover, then you will be considered a fully licensed LPFM
radio station!
What is MonsterFM.com / Broadcast Technical Services involvement in LPFM?
MonsterFM.com / Broadcast
Technical Service's interests in LPFM are to provide technical services
to LPFM applicants and prospective LPFM applicants, the promotion of the LPFM service and to be involved in proceedings
that are in the best interest of LPFM. We are not exclusively faith-based and we offer our
services to all prospective LPFM applicants (with the exception of those who
propose LPFM services that are not consistent with our vision of a local LPFM
service).
MonsterFM.com / Broadcast
Technical Services does provides consulting services.
We are
consulting engineers.
I want more information on LPFM
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