I want an LPFM license in Madison, Mississippi

[R.D.P.]

If you want to waste your time on a station that will never get built out or survive, knock yourself out. Or, maybe you're prepared to run it yourself. Either way, numerous people have tried to help this guy think this through and all he has done is give snarky comments or insist that we're trying to discourage him. No one's tried to do that, at least not until he made it clear that he has absolutely no idea what's involved and clearly just wants a hobby. But, sure, go ahead. Good luck.

To Jonathan: I've even tried to explain to him the do's and don'ts of a LPFM radio station and offered to send him some Station Logs he'll need to write down the info he gets on His EAS Device. So far, no offer from him has been made to request for this item.​

You are in no way prepared to operate this station and i dont think you have it in you to do it.. youd need the help of others and i dont think youre capable of getting that and keeping it around.

I'm still with many of you, including my friend Mr. SomeRadio Guy, I don't think this fellow has what it takes to run a LPFM radio station. let alone get one started. I still think it's time for him to abandon this dream and let it go.

Dan <><​

 

[Mikey Radio]

If you want to help newcomers that are starting a radio station, then actually help them instead of saying discouraging stuff.

Thisi, I mean this with the greatest of respect - but do you want people on this site to tell you "encouraging stuff" and say exactly what you want to hear regardless of how inaccurate and "fake" that would be, and longer-term it may actually lead you down completely the wrong path, or do you want them to tell you the truth? To me, it doesn't seem like those 2 things are the same.

I recall several months ago, there was a guy who signed onto the RadioDiscussions website because he was a superfan of Selena and wanted to get everyone's backing and reinforce his belief that all her music should be played all the time on stations that aired a few different formats. He didn't get the agreement he was looking for. Instead, he was told the truth. There are people on this website with years of programming experience and they explained to him in simplest terms why, though he himself might love Selena and her music to the extreme, there were reasons why much of her music wasn't getting airplay, and probably wouldn't in the foreseeable future. In the end, the guy argued his case over and over, he was insistent, and in response he was given the truth with information and some background to reinforce their comments, rather than a bunch of people on this site pandering to him and just falling into agreement. Within a day, he got pissy, left in a huff and contacted the moderators of this website to ask that the discussion thread he'd started, along with every post he'd made on RadioDiscussions be pulled.

The moral of the story is this: If you want people on this website to be honest with you and tell you the truth based on their own life experiences and time in the radio business, you've come to the right place. You've even had a few people who seem to be going out of their way to give advice and help you, based on their own real life experiences doing the same type of thing you seem to want to attempt. On the other hand, if you want people to simply fall in line with your ideas, tell you the path you're going down is the absolute right one and that your vision for a LPFM station will be a resounding success when they themselves know better, then perhaps you should look elsewhere.

 

[R.D.P.]

It takes a lot of enthusiasm, determination, money and hard work to start up and run a LPFM radio station. From what I'm reading, I don't see any of these traits in him. You see this as a hobby styled broadcast and think that mixing all kinds of programming and musical styles will work. Something like that will lead to a quick failure. In order to have a successful LPFM radio station, one must know how to program it right and give people a reason to listen. Unless your broadcast has mass appeal and you run things right, this broadcast will be a quick and utter failure. One thing you need to do now and I mean this with sincerity in my heart, lay off with the personal attacks and flippant attitude. Learn to respect us pros and follow our advice. Once you do that, then take the next step and get the Non-Profit group named, formed and established. My offer to send you some EAS Station Logs is still on the table. If you're committed to the dream and want some blank copies, with one explaining how to fill it out legally, let me know. Unless you're serious about this dream and do what needs to be done now, you may as well hang it up and abandon it for good. Not trying to discourage you but want you to learn everything you need to know now, so that your future broadcast will have the right kind of success.

Dan <><

In closing: If all this free advice is going to run through one ear and out the other, may as well call it a day sir and leave this dream alone. It would be a waste of your time and resources to pursue this any further.​

 

[R.D.P.]

Now for a few new questions:

1. Have you created your Non-Profit Group, gave it a name and registered it with your local state Government?

2. Have you done a search for a frequency to locate on? Make sure you get one that will give you the least amount of interference issues, with any of the stations, your hometown can get.
3. What kind of programming will you offer and why should people listen to your radio station? Tell me why I should listen, if you would like.
4. Do you plan on having a EAS Device inside your studio building? If you don't have one and keep it running, at all times, the FCC will indeed fine you severely for that violation. The unit must also be the latest model and the software must always be updated. Failure to do these things, will also lead to a fine from the FCC.
5. Do you have a plan in place to fix any breakdowns when they do happen? It's going to take money to fix them. Sometimes the breakdowns are very costly. My replacing of the transmitter is a fine example of that.
6. When a breakdown does happen, will you be prepared to fix it very quickly? If you're unable to fix it quickly, then it'll take some time to resolve it and you'll have to file a Silent Notification with the FCC explaining why you're leaving the air. If the station is unable to return within a year, your license will be deleted.
7. Will you have two radios in the studio? You must have two, to comply with the FCC rules. One must be tuned in to your local NPR station and the other to some other local broadcast. These two stations will always appear on your EAS Device web site and you must, by law, go to that site daily and write down any info that comes through it. This will include any info for the IPAWS part, your station's weekly test part and the local station's monthly test part too. You also must have the name of your radio station and the month and date on the station log. Once a month, you must also go to your EAS Device web site and run off all that info and keep it in your records, along with your station log paper. Still offering to send you some station logs with a sample how to fill it out legally, if you want it.
8. Are you aware that you can't sell ads on a LPFM radio station. All you can have is donors and underwriters helping you pay those bills, by law. If you sale ads on here, that will get you fined by the FCC.
9. You must pay ASCAP, BMI and SESAC once a year to keep your music playing. All the songs that you hear on the radio, regardless of format or style, is copyrighted by these people. Refusing to pay those bills, will only lead to you axing the music and going for a spoken word only format. Not only that, you won't be able to get free music, unless you sign up with them. One record label told me, she wasn't sending me any music till I signed up with those firms. I did just that and now I can get free music from her.
10. Do you realize your station won't be a flamethrower styled broadcast. It'll only cover about 5 miles on a house styled radio and possibly 33 miles, in your vehicle, when the wind is blowing right. All you can have legally now is 100 watts of power maxium.
11. Have you checked into getting a freestanding tower? I would advise you to get one. With this tower, you won't have to keep it painted or lit.
12. Your radio station must end with the -LP identification.
13. You must have a transmitter that's FCC type compliant. Meaning, you can't get the one you want to have. It must comply by their rules or else you'll get fined.
14. What are you doing now, to get this radio station off the ground. Are you telling people about your dream, raising the money needed to pursue this and doing what us pros are advising you to do now? If you're not doing this sir, then give it up. You're just wasting your time and resources on a foolish endeavor that won't work out.
15. If you haven't gotten one yet, make sure you get a good engineer that can help you get things going from start to finish.
16. Do you have a location picked out for your tower, transmitter and studio building? If not, you need to pursue this right away and secure that spot, where you can set things up legally, at that location.

Dan <><

P.S. If these questions are too much for Mr. Thisi, then it's time for him to abandon the dream and move on.​

 

[R.D.P.]

Let me add this to number 6. The editing thing just ended and I wanted to say this:

When you file for the Silent Notification with the FCC, you must give them a legit reason for leaving and make every attempt to fix the issue, after its been granted and you go dark. Once fixed, then you must file for a Resume Operations notice with them, state you have the issue(s) resolved and once granted, then you can start broadcasting again.

Dan <><​

 

[Thisi]

To Jonathan: I've even tried to explain to him the do's and don'ts of a LPFM radio station and offered to send him some Station Logs he'll need to write down the info he gets on His EAS Device. So far, no offer from him has been made to request for this item.


I'm still with many of you, including my friend Mr. SomeRadio Guy, I don't think this fellow has what it takes to run a LPFM radio station. let alone get one started. I still think it's time for him to abandon this dream and let it go.

Dan <><​

Them: You can operate an LPFM.
Also them: Abandon it. It won't work.

 

[R.D.P.]

Whatever sir! Here I am trying to explain all that's involved in setting up this broadcast and still you haven't learned anything yet. All you want to do is present a flippant and personal attack styled attitude. With those issues going on, I don't see you as a qualified person to build and run a LPFM radio station. Instead of asking the right questions and wanting to learn more, you're letting all my free advice run in one ear and out the other. I may not be B-Turner, Jonathan, SomeRadioGuy or the other pros who have taken part in this discussion and tried to help you but I'm now convinced and won't be talked out of it, you need to abandon the dream and let it go. You won't even listen to someone that's been in the LPFM business for five years sir. I know all that's involved with this type of radio station, because all those questions applied to me and I had to answer them right, before I could even start up this radio station. I've been through many things, since starting up this LPFM broadcast. Although that's been the case, excited to be a part of this business. Glad to have many people, helping me learn all I need to know, where I can have continued success with this presentation. Now if you don't like what I have to say now, then too bad. GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON SIR! You're just wasting our time now. You don't have what it takes to build and run a LPFM radio station. Sorry for being so blunt but that's the facts of the matter and I'm not backing down.​

Dan <><

 

[Harvey_Dogg]

Anyone who thinks this is all that difficult should have seen it 30 years ago when FCC applications and station logs were done by hand. Compared to the old world all this is a piece of cake. Today computers really help out by doing the work for you.

You do have to review and sign off on the EAS logs once a week and you do want to make sure it's working more often then that.

 

[Harvey_Dogg]

Thisi -

Making sure that you saw my comment... I run a full power commercial station and live in Madison. I would be glad to help you out and could meet with you in person to discuss getting your project off of the ground. Look me up at www.wyab.com.

--- Casual Observer

Absolutely, he needs to take you up on your offer. Very kind of you!

 

[Spareparts]

I volunteer with an existing NPO in the northeast that changed their mind on wanting a radio station. Backstory is that management refused to allow filing during the first LPFM window and now wants a station, but there is no space left on the dial.

Our podcast studio is air ready, right down to the EAS and playout system, have a donated LPFM certified Nautel, and have a tower on the property (tower will be used for another service)

Only option at this point is to convince one of the many religious LPFM that sprung up during the first LPFM window to assign or sell their license.

Fully funded, have volunteer staff chomping at the bit, and no luck so far....

 

[Harvey_Dogg]

I volunteer with an existing NPO in the northeast that changed their mind on wanting a radio station. Backstory is that management refused to allow filing during the first LPFM window and now wants a station, but there is no space left on the dial.

Our podcast studio is air ready, right down to the EAS and playout system, have a donated LPFM certified Nautel, and have a tower on the property (tower will be used for another service)

Only option at this point is to convince one of the many religious LPFM that sprung up during the first LPFM window to assign or sell their license.

Fully funded, have volunteer staff chomping at the bit, and no luck so far....

What city or town are you interested in?

 

[Spareparts]

What city or town are you interested in?

Ocean / Monmouth County NJ

 

[Harvey_Dogg]

Looks like there are 2 channels left according to rec.net. I'm surprised to find anything between NYC and Philly. But, looking at fccinfo.com looks like 97.5 is one of them. FCC INFO

LPFM SPACING RULES It does require a 2nd adjacent channel waiver.


W248CG Coverage Map

 

[Harvey_Dogg]

Looks like there are 2 channels left according to rec.net. I'm surprised to find anything between NYC and Philly. But, looking at fccinfo.com looks like 97.5 is one of them. FCC INFO

LPFM SPACING RULES It does require a 2nd adjacent channel waiver.


W248CG Coverage Map

93.5 appears to fit better 93.5 You've got Philadelphia with a Class B and New Brunwick translator on 93.5. But both meet the spacing rules.

 

[Oldie919]

Now for a few new questions:

1. Have you created your Non-Profit Group, gave it a name and registered it with your local state Government?

2. Have you done a search for a frequency to locate on? Make sure you get one that will give you the least amount of interference issues, with any of the stations, your hometown can get.
3. What kind of programming will you offer and why should people listen to your radio station? Tell me why I should listen, if you would like.
4. Do you plan on having a EAS Device inside your studio building? If you don't have one and keep it running, at all times, the FCC will indeed fine you severely for that violation. The unit must also be the latest model and the software must always be updated. Failure to do these things, will also lead to a fine from the FCC.
5. Do you have a plan in place to fix any breakdowns when they do happen? It's going to take money to fix them. Sometimes the breakdowns are very costly. My replacing of the transmitter is a fine example of that.
6. When a breakdown does happen, will you be prepared to fix it very quickly? If you're unable to fix it quickly, then it'll take some time to resolve it and you'll have to file a Silent Notification with the FCC explaining why you're leaving the air. If the station is unable to return within a year, your license will be deleted.
7. Will you have two radios in the studio? You must have two, to comply with the FCC rules. One must be tuned in to your local NPR station and the other to some other local broadcast. These two stations will always appear on your EAS Device web site and you must, by law, go to that site daily and write down any info that comes through it. This will include any info for the IPAWS part, your station's weekly test part and the local station's monthly test part too. You also must have the name of your radio station and the month and date on the station log. Once a month, you must also go to your EAS Device web site and run off all that info and keep it in your records, along with your station log paper. Still offering to send you some station logs with a sample how to fill it out legally, if you want it.
8. Are you aware that you can't sell ads on a LPFM radio station. All you can have is donors and underwriters helping you pay those bills, by law. If you sale ads on here, that will get you fined by the FCC.
9. You must pay ASCAP, BMI and SESAC once a year to keep your music playing. All the songs that you hear on the radio, regardless of format or style, is copyrighted by these people. Refusing to pay those bills, will only lead to you axing the music and going for a spoken word only format. Not only that, you won't be able to get free music, unless you sign up with them. One record label told me, she wasn't sending me any music till I signed up with those firms. I did just that and now I can get free music from her.
10. Do you realize your station won't be a flamethrower styled broadcast. It'll only cover about 5 miles on a house styled radio and possibly 33 miles, in your vehicle, when the wind is blowing right. All you can have legally now is 100 watts of power maxium.
11. Have you checked into getting a freestanding tower? I would advise you to get one. With this tower, you won't have to keep it painted or lit.
12. Your radio station must end with the -LP identification.
13. You must have a transmitter that's FCC type compliant. Meaning, you can't get the one you want to have. It must comply by their rules or else you'll get fined.
14. What are you doing now, to get this radio station off the ground. Are you telling people about your dream, raising the money needed to pursue this and doing what us pros are advising you to do now? If you're not doing this sir, then give it up. You're just wasting your time and resources on a foolish endeavor that won't work out.
15. If you haven't gotten one yet, make sure you get a good engineer that can help you get things going from start to finish.
16. Do you have a location picked out for your tower, transmitter and studio building? If not, you need to pursue this right away and secure that spot, where you can set things up legally, at that location.

Dan <><

P.S. If these questions are too much for Mr. Thisi, then it's time for him to abandon the dream and move on.​

Questions regarding a couple of your info postings......
#4.) Must the EAS endec unit actually be "in the studio building'??? Ours is at the transmitter site, with full internet connectivity; it sends and receives ALL the required alerts, warnings and tests.
#7.) Is having 2 receivers -- one tuned to the local NPR outlet -- an FCC rule???? We have ONE FM receiver in our studio (outer office), tuned to our frequency. The Sage endec has 2 tuners connected to it --- one for the NWS, the other for our EAS Primary station. Are we missing something here????1
Checking the latest (October 1, 2020) FCC CFR 47 Part 73 turned up no info relative to my queries....
Please advise.....IF our station is missing something, we want to correct it --- PRONTO!!!
Thanks!!

 

[R.D.P.]

I keep mine inside the studio building, along with the transmitter, on a slightly used rack. I use this current Apple Computer, to log in and get my info. All my internet activity is done from this Computer. The tower is behind the studio itself. Concerning the two radio thing, my engineer told me I needed them both, since I have to keep up with two radio stations for my EAS Tests. (For me it's WALX Selma and APR Selma) I also have a weather radio hooked up to the unit, where I get all the NWS info.​

Dan <><

P.S. To make this story short, sweet and simple, the entire broadcast of WPJB-LP is located next to home, here in Selma, in a small building.​

 

[fybush]

Questions regarding a couple of your info postings......
#4.) Must the EAS endec unit actually be "in the studio building'??? Ours is at the transmitter site, with full internet connectivity; it sends and receives ALL the required alerts, warnings and tests.
#7.) Is having 2 receivers -- one tuned to the local NPR outlet -- an FCC rule???? We have ONE FM receiver in our studio (outer office), tuned to our frequency. The Sage endec has 2 tuners connected to it --- one for the NWS, the other for our EAS Primary station. Are we missing something here????1
Checking the latest (October 1, 2020) FCC CFR 47 Part 73 turned up no info relative to my queries....
Please advise.....IF our station is missing something, we want to correct it --- PRONTO!!!
Thanks!!

The EAS unit needs to be monitoring the two stations you're assigned tho monitor in your state's EAS plan.

In Dan's case that includes the local NPR because Alabama uses its statewide public radio network as part of its EAS plan. Here, it's a commercial AM and FM.

And your EAS box can be at the transmitter site, or anywhere else in the air chain, so long as it can receive your primary stations and you can control it remotely.

 

[R.D.P.]

Thanks for sharing that. It's good to know that I'm obeying all the rules and keeping things on the right track. Much love and support to you Mr. fybush. I like to read from your postings. They've been a big help to me, as I continue to learn all I need to know about the business.

Dan <><​

 

[Harvey_Dogg]

The FM's my EAS must monitor are both commercial stations. I put the National Weather Service on number 3.

 

[b-turner]

Each state has an EAS Plan. Stations have to follow the directive of the State Plan. The last station I managed required 3 monitoring stations. We always had our EAS in the studio but at one station where programming was leased and brought in by Barix boxes, the EAS was at the transmitter site. Access is crucial.