> On Friday (10/21), the FCC has released that the joint
> petition of the Amherst Alliance, Michigan Music Is World
> Class!, The LPAM Network and Nickolaus Leggett (of RM-9208
> fame) for a new low power AM service has been assigned
> RM-11287. Comments can be filed within 30 days of the
> release of this notice.
>
> Petition for Rulemaking:
>
http://www.recnet.com/fcc/RM-11287_petition.pdf
>
> FCC Public Notice:
http:/> /hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-261702A1.pdf
>
>
> More info will be put up at recnet.com and lpfm.ws
>
This is a great beginning.
However, I believe that if this is going to be community radio, then someone from within the community and knows it should own the station. The 25 mile residency requirement may be fine for rural areas but is inappropriate for metropolitan areas. I believe the 10 mile restriction should be used for cities or high density population areas.
This is not to say that someone from outside the community could not own an LPAM station but that bonus points should be awarded for someone actually living in the community of license. I also feel that points should be given for someone who has lived in the community for a while (e.g. a two year minimum) as opposed to some "carpetbagger" who moves into community, rents an apartment and then applies for a license.
Not addressed in the petition is the X-band. I'm very curious to know what the FCC has planned for it as it was excluded from the last AM station auction held last year. But for most urban areas, this is the only space left on the AM band. Unfortunately at present, the X-band is infested with TIS stations, like wood-boring insects on an oak. There usefulness is dubious at best. Instead of a TIS station playing a pre-recorded loop, how much better for a live announcer giving up-to-the-minute information. So TIS stations being bumped in favor of LPAMs should have been addressed as well.
I also feel that the number of LPAM stations owned by an individual or company should be limited to 6 not 12 nationwide. We don't need any mini-Clear Channels springing up.
But overall, its a great petition and, if acted on, can really help restore AM to its former glory for being a clear, local voice in the community.
db
