Low power stations

[johnbasalla]

I just read the news item here at Radio-Info about the way being cleared to add a bunch of dinky little stations to the radio band. I don't think much of this at all. There's too much clutter as it is. Additionally, I'll bet we'll find a number of "broadcasters" who really aren't, and will have a hard time keeping their little stations going. I can hear it now ... "Oh boy, I can get, or got a real radio station"... then, "Oops, I didn't think about the electric bill" ... "Where can I get top quality engineering with very limited funds?"

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

John, you are not alone in how you feel about these stations. The threads here at Radio-Info have made that clear.

I am an enthusiast for this service, but you will not find me beating the drum and twisting arms to get people to do this. You will find me talking like a tough old uncle sharing all the reasons most people SHOULD NOT get excited about this class of broadcasting service. I'm just plain embarrassed over the way so many of the existing stations are operating. But in combing through websites and engaging people in conversation, I must tell you that some of these stations are indeed little jewels, living up to.... or close to.... the dream that was sold to the FCC and to Congress to originate LPFM.

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

Long ago, I was able to convince the FCC that low power community broadcasting
was a good thing. 1. Small towns that did not have a radio station could have one.
2. Ethnic minorities in inner cities of large cities could have their own radio station.
The FCC bought this and it was good.

Thing have changed a great deal from the days when community radio was born
40 years ago. Not so many people want to be DJs today. Also, commercial radio
has turned it's back on everyone 50 years old or older.

Some in the community radio movement feel a community radio station should
be an hour of Hip Hop followed by an hour of Bluegrass followed by an hour of
progressive jazz all done with live jocks.

I believe that if a community radio station is playing all oldies or big bands
for the old folks it is providing a valuable public service. Some public service,
weather and emergency info is a good thing too.

Some LPFM's are actually popular in their communities.

An LPFM can pay it's bills. But, don't expect it to pay you.

 

[TheBigA]

Thing have changed a great deal from the days when community radio was born
40 years ago.

Hmmm...sounds like Lorenzo Milam.

 

[bturner]

The more successful LPFM stations are in rural areas, specifically in communities with no local radio service or very little local radio. There are still many places in the USA where the AM dial and FM dial are void of any stations. Many of these extremely rural areas could not provide the revenue to handle the construction costs of a Class A and still fund a salary for an operator. Some will say at this point, 'But LPFM is non-commercial'. Yes it is but it still needs to make the payments on the equipment and needs to pay something to someone designated as an operator.

Lots of LPFMs are satellite delivered Christian programming. Others are more like personal ipods operating from homes. Some tend to be more 'community radio' oriented, cofde for more liberal in political views and lifestyles. Some are really difficult to distinguish from a local hometown station complete with live sports, local news, weather and local voices although most are mostly computer driven. Still fewer crack $100,000 a year in 'donations' in small towns.

The radio dial is crowded in most places but there are huge open spaces out there where LPFM is the perfect opportunity.