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I want an LPFM license in Madison, Mississippi
- Thread starter Thisi
- Start date
Greetings from Riverton. Sorry for the long post. As the national LPFM advocate, I have asked for this thread to be reopened so I can clear up some information about the service to assure that everyone has the right information. I am going back on some of the statements made throughout the latter part of this thread. I am not going to discuss the dispute between the OP and others on here.
> Have you created your Non-Profit Group, gave it a name and registered it with your local state Government?
This is correct. The FCC will only license a noncommercial educational (NCE) station, including LPFM to a non-profit organization that is recognized by a state. There are methods in which an "unincorporated" association can also be recognized, but it is a much more complex legal effort and you must show that the organization has been established and actually conducting some kind of "business" before the filing (and that unincorporated associations are recognized in the state). One of the biggest unincorporated associations in many states is the Catholic Church. In addition to having a valid nonprofit corporation, your corporation must have an educational purpose and that the radio station would be used to advance that educational program. On an initial LPFM application, you will have to provide a statement describing your organization's educational purpose, how the station would advance it and if possible, proposed provide program lists, etc. You are not bound by the programming on that educational statement, but it is a statutory requirement to get you in the door. Also, the FCC gives priority in the LPFM window for groups that are incorporated at least two years prior to the filing window.
> 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.
The channel must meet the minimum distance separations of §73.807 of the rules. This means that the proposed location must be a certain distance away from full-service and FM translators on the same channel, first and second adjacent channels. It must also be at least 24 km away from another LPFM station on the same channel or 14 km on a first adjacent channel. LPFM stations near the Mexican and Canadian borders must meet minimum distance separations on co, first, second and third adjacent channels as well as "intermediate frequency" channels (+/- 10.6 and 10.8 MHz). LPFM stations on 88.1~91.9 must also meet certain distance separations with full-power and low-power TV Channel 6 stations (however there are ways to deal with that in some cases).
You can short space to domestic full-service and FM translator stations on second adjacent channels as long as a technical study can show, that based on 40 dB undesired to desired ratio at the transmitter site, that there are no occupied structures or major highways within that area. Some antenna designs can help reduce or eliminate the interference that reaches the ground.
> 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.
This is mostly correct. The EAS unit must include a compliant software version. For the DASDEC, this is version 3.1 and 4. The unit must also have an up to date security certificate from FEMA. When these are changed, they are normally available for download from your EAS manufacturer's website. Without the certificate, you will not receive alerts from IPAWS (the internet feed).
> 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.
This is correct. Stations that fail to broadcast a signal for more than 365 consecutive days are subject to cancellation by matter of law (Section 312(g) of the Communications Act).
> 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.
Somewhat correct. All EAS broadcast participants have a monitoring assignment that is set up in their state's EAS plan. This will involve monitoring two "lead primary" stations. These are not always NPR stations. Some EAS decoders, such as the DASDEC have the radio receivers integrated into the box. The part about "writing down things" is not correct. Certified EAS such as the DASDEC and Sage have logging capabilities. If your unit receives an alert, it will log it. There's no need to write anything. You must be able to pull those logs from your unit when inspected or as someone else suggested, print out the logs once per month and keep them in a safe place. Retain logs for at least 2 years. Through EAS, stations will receive a required weekly test (RWT) from all of your monitoring sources (the two radio stations and IPAWS). If you do not receive an RWT from one of the monitoring sources, then you may have an issue with the radio receiver or with the certificate (IPAWS). LPFM stations are not required to rebroadcast RWTs received. Once per month, you will get a required monthly test (RMT). This is a full blown alert that will include a recorded message. LPFM stations are required to retransmit the RMTs. This is also a good time to determine how well the EAS radios are receiving the signal including the quality of the message. The DASDEC does record every RMT (and real alert) received on a sound file and then you can log into your EAS to listen to it.
LPFM stations are also required to keep station logs. You do not have to make "meter readings", but the log is to show when the transmitter is turned on, turned off, when EAS equipment is pulled out or put back into service as well as any time operation was observed in a manner different than the authorized facility or the rules. You are expected to clear any out of tolerance issue immediately or take the station off the air until the problems can be fixed.
> 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.
That is correct. Also, do not use NPR and PBS as a guide on how to word your underwriting messages, especially if the station is running a mainstream music format that competes with the commercial stations. You are opening yourself up for complaints and a lot of attorney bills. You can use the REC Compliance Guide for assistance here:
https://recnet.com/compliance
> 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.
This is correct and if you are planning to stream your station, you have to pay ASCAP, BMI and SESAC even more and you also have to pay SoundExchange.
[to be continued...]
> Have you created your Non-Profit Group, gave it a name and registered it with your local state Government?
This is correct. The FCC will only license a noncommercial educational (NCE) station, including LPFM to a non-profit organization that is recognized by a state. There are methods in which an "unincorporated" association can also be recognized, but it is a much more complex legal effort and you must show that the organization has been established and actually conducting some kind of "business" before the filing (and that unincorporated associations are recognized in the state). One of the biggest unincorporated associations in many states is the Catholic Church. In addition to having a valid nonprofit corporation, your corporation must have an educational purpose and that the radio station would be used to advance that educational program. On an initial LPFM application, you will have to provide a statement describing your organization's educational purpose, how the station would advance it and if possible, proposed provide program lists, etc. You are not bound by the programming on that educational statement, but it is a statutory requirement to get you in the door. Also, the FCC gives priority in the LPFM window for groups that are incorporated at least two years prior to the filing window.
> 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.
The channel must meet the minimum distance separations of §73.807 of the rules. This means that the proposed location must be a certain distance away from full-service and FM translators on the same channel, first and second adjacent channels. It must also be at least 24 km away from another LPFM station on the same channel or 14 km on a first adjacent channel. LPFM stations near the Mexican and Canadian borders must meet minimum distance separations on co, first, second and third adjacent channels as well as "intermediate frequency" channels (+/- 10.6 and 10.8 MHz). LPFM stations on 88.1~91.9 must also meet certain distance separations with full-power and low-power TV Channel 6 stations (however there are ways to deal with that in some cases).
You can short space to domestic full-service and FM translator stations on second adjacent channels as long as a technical study can show, that based on 40 dB undesired to desired ratio at the transmitter site, that there are no occupied structures or major highways within that area. Some antenna designs can help reduce or eliminate the interference that reaches the ground.
> 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.
This is mostly correct. The EAS unit must include a compliant software version. For the DASDEC, this is version 3.1 and 4. The unit must also have an up to date security certificate from FEMA. When these are changed, they are normally available for download from your EAS manufacturer's website. Without the certificate, you will not receive alerts from IPAWS (the internet feed).
> 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.
This is correct. Stations that fail to broadcast a signal for more than 365 consecutive days are subject to cancellation by matter of law (Section 312(g) of the Communications Act).
> 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.
Somewhat correct. All EAS broadcast participants have a monitoring assignment that is set up in their state's EAS plan. This will involve monitoring two "lead primary" stations. These are not always NPR stations. Some EAS decoders, such as the DASDEC have the radio receivers integrated into the box. The part about "writing down things" is not correct. Certified EAS such as the DASDEC and Sage have logging capabilities. If your unit receives an alert, it will log it. There's no need to write anything. You must be able to pull those logs from your unit when inspected or as someone else suggested, print out the logs once per month and keep them in a safe place. Retain logs for at least 2 years. Through EAS, stations will receive a required weekly test (RWT) from all of your monitoring sources (the two radio stations and IPAWS). If you do not receive an RWT from one of the monitoring sources, then you may have an issue with the radio receiver or with the certificate (IPAWS). LPFM stations are not required to rebroadcast RWTs received. Once per month, you will get a required monthly test (RMT). This is a full blown alert that will include a recorded message. LPFM stations are required to retransmit the RMTs. This is also a good time to determine how well the EAS radios are receiving the signal including the quality of the message. The DASDEC does record every RMT (and real alert) received on a sound file and then you can log into your EAS to listen to it.
LPFM stations are also required to keep station logs. You do not have to make "meter readings", but the log is to show when the transmitter is turned on, turned off, when EAS equipment is pulled out or put back into service as well as any time operation was observed in a manner different than the authorized facility or the rules. You are expected to clear any out of tolerance issue immediately or take the station off the air until the problems can be fixed.
> 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.
That is correct. Also, do not use NPR and PBS as a guide on how to word your underwriting messages, especially if the station is running a mainstream music format that competes with the commercial stations. You are opening yourself up for complaints and a lot of attorney bills. You can use the REC Compliance Guide for assistance here:
https://recnet.com/compliance
> 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.
This is correct and if you are planning to stream your station, you have to pay ASCAP, BMI and SESAC even more and you also have to pay SoundExchange.
[to be continued...]
> 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.
Your actual performance will depend on several factors including the antenna, the terrain and the proximity of nearby FM stations on co- and first-adjacent channels. Antenna polarity is also important. Some go with a vertical only antenna and wonder why they are getting poor performance on certain radios. The type of antenna and the antenna height may be limited if the station needs a second adjacent channel waiver. The maximum power for LPFM stations is 100 watts at 30 meters (about 100 feet) above average terrain. Depending on the terrain and the antenna height, the station may be authorized for less than 100 watts ERP. The actual power out of the transmitter will vary based on antenna type and feedline loss.
> 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.
If the tower structure is over 200 feet tall or is within the "glide slope" to an airport runway, antenna structure registration will be required. This process includes notifying the FAA and the FAA will make a determination. Based on what is requested, the FAA may or may not require lights or painting. Many LPFM stations are in situations where structure registration is not necessary.
> Your radio station must end with the -LP identification.
The -LP is part of the station's call sign. Top of the hour legal IDs must include it (i.e. "WREC-LP Podunk"). If you wish to drop the -LP for all other imaging throughout the hour you are free to as long as the full callsign with the -LP is done during the hourly legal ID.
> 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.
LPFM requires type certified transmitters. This is different than rules for full-service FM and FM translators. Any transmitter that has been certified will have a label with "FCC ID" and a bunch of letters or numbers. Make sure the FCC ID number is certified for Part 73 (there's sites you can go to check that) as some of the Chinese junk dealers on Amazon are now putting FCC ID numbers on their garbage transmitters under Part 15. For a list of certified transmitters known to REC, visit:
https://recnet.com/certified
> 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.
For the antenna structure site, you must also check your local land use laws to assure that you do not need any building permits, variances, zoning hearings, etc. Also, you cannot start construction of the antenna structure until you have a granted construction permit.
Many LPFM questions can be answered at
I do not check RadioDiscussions frequently, but I do occasionally search for terms like "recnet" and "lpfm", but if there are any other questions, perhaps start a thread in the FCC discussions forum or come over to the LPFM group on Facebook.
Take care and stay safe!
Michelle Bradley, CBT
REC Networks
Your actual performance will depend on several factors including the antenna, the terrain and the proximity of nearby FM stations on co- and first-adjacent channels. Antenna polarity is also important. Some go with a vertical only antenna and wonder why they are getting poor performance on certain radios. The type of antenna and the antenna height may be limited if the station needs a second adjacent channel waiver. The maximum power for LPFM stations is 100 watts at 30 meters (about 100 feet) above average terrain. Depending on the terrain and the antenna height, the station may be authorized for less than 100 watts ERP. The actual power out of the transmitter will vary based on antenna type and feedline loss.
> 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.
If the tower structure is over 200 feet tall or is within the "glide slope" to an airport runway, antenna structure registration will be required. This process includes notifying the FAA and the FAA will make a determination. Based on what is requested, the FAA may or may not require lights or painting. Many LPFM stations are in situations where structure registration is not necessary.
> Your radio station must end with the -LP identification.
The -LP is part of the station's call sign. Top of the hour legal IDs must include it (i.e. "WREC-LP Podunk"). If you wish to drop the -LP for all other imaging throughout the hour you are free to as long as the full callsign with the -LP is done during the hourly legal ID.
> 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.
LPFM requires type certified transmitters. This is different than rules for full-service FM and FM translators. Any transmitter that has been certified will have a label with "FCC ID" and a bunch of letters or numbers. Make sure the FCC ID number is certified for Part 73 (there's sites you can go to check that) as some of the Chinese junk dealers on Amazon are now putting FCC ID numbers on their garbage transmitters under Part 15. For a list of certified transmitters known to REC, visit:
https://recnet.com/certified
> 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.
For the antenna structure site, you must also check your local land use laws to assure that you do not need any building permits, variances, zoning hearings, etc. Also, you cannot start construction of the antenna structure until you have a granted construction permit.
Many LPFM questions can be answered at
I do not check RadioDiscussions frequently, but I do occasionally search for terms like "recnet" and "lpfm", but if there are any other questions, perhaps start a thread in the FCC discussions forum or come over to the LPFM group on Facebook.
Take care and stay safe!
Michelle Bradley, CBT
REC Networks
Checked on Mississippi (EAS Monitoring – Mississippi Association of Broadcasters) and yes they have to monitor the NPR station. I looked into it, after Mr. Fybush made his comments about the EAS state plan, to be sure. I'm so smart, sometimes it amazes me. 
I'm still reading over all the info, you posted earlier Ms, Michi and I'm happy to say that everything I'm doing is legal and legit. To Mr. Spareparts, hope you can get your LPFM radio station going, once the filling window opens and you're able to apply for it.
I'm still reading over all the info, you posted earlier Ms, Michi and I'm happy to say that everything I'm doing is legal and legit. To Mr. Spareparts, hope you can get your LPFM radio station going, once the filling window opens and you're able to apply for it.Dan <><
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Again, it depends on the state plan.Checked on Mississippi (EAS Monitoring – Mississippi Association of Broadcasters) and yes they have to monitor the NPR station. I looked into it, after Mr. Fybush made his comments about the EAS state plan, to be sure. I'm so smart, sometimes it amazes me.
Dan <><
Here on Delmarva, we monitor WSCL, an NPR station as our LP-1 and WQHQ, an iHeart station as our LP-2.
In Los Angeles, the LP-1 is KFI 640 and the LP-2 is KFWB 980. Neither are NPR.
And up here, my EAS is monitored off the satellite.. with one source being TV (i dont remember what the other is without looking)
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