LPFM- Brainstorming a possible start-up.

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

In the past, LPFM was not on my radar.  About 18 months ago I began considering the possibility.

You really can't make an intelligent decision about personal involvement (and commitment of personal resources) unless you know more about what is involved in an LPFM than most of us do.

What are the typical capital requirements of the corporation going into a start-up?

When do you want a non-comm corp with a small board with a focused goal, and when do you want a large, inclusive, community-wide board.  I assume the larger the board, the more fuzzy the focus.  What is the best compromise?

What is a typical annual budget?  (All over the board,  I know!)

How important is it to have a physical facility in a highly visible location vs. saving money by being buried in the surplus back room located on a back street?

I propose we do not spend time discussing and debating the politics of Washington.  They either will or will not open up an application window, maybe this year, maybe in our lifetime.  I propose a discussion for those who simply want to be ready to go if and when an application widow presents itself.  (Kind of like the people who shop on-line for last minute bargain sales by airlines.  You need to keep your bags packed!)

I propose we start with an open discussion here.  If at some point it makes sense,  a small group of us who get serious about the subject can find ourselves a more private place to meet.

If you are not comfortable letting it be known you have an interest,  get yourself a second ID here that no one will recognize as you.  (Honest, Board Editor.  I really didn't encourage that!  Not me!)  ;D

The other alternative is use the Private Message facility of this Board, 
or e-mail me at [email protected]
and I will post questions or suggestions on your behalf.

 

[radioboy]

GRC,

I've been kind of kicking the LPFM idea around myself for the past year or so. Actually, a bit longer, I guess..

Back in September 2005, an LPFM (WHTR-LP 96.9) was granted to an organization, the St. Marks Trail Association, with the idea being that they would play a variety format, plus run community events of interests to people who were walking, bicycling, etc. down the 16-mile trail.

By March of 2006, the station was silent. It has never returned to the air even though it is still licensed.
I attempted to volunteer to help out - no station at the address, no tower, or anything else. All attempts to
contact any member of this group have been futile.

My wife and I both enjoy the outdoors: exploring parks, trails, bicycling and such. There is a trail and a park less than 2 miles from our house. We live on part of a 17 acre farm.

So, I've been kicking around the idea if taking the basic idea of a station similar to their original idea and
starting one myself if/when another window opens.

One site that is helpful is Christian Community Broadcasters:

http://www.ccbroadcasters.com

John Broomall has a lot of knowledge and ideas to help get an LPFM started. He's been giving me some ideas to think about.

I am a Christian, but the Christian radio market is saturated here. So I'm thinking classic country with a lot
of emphasis on outdoor activities and places of interest for families to visit. I'm streaming the country format now.

I already have a registered Florida non-profit corporation made up of my wife and I, and my parents.

In all honesty, I'm not sure how viable an LPFM would be around here, but am open to the possibility.

You've asked good questions and hopefully some others will chime in.

Alan
Delta Star Radio of Florida Inc.
http://www.wjjd1160country.com

 

[One Who Knows]

Allow me to give you some of my thoughts:

First, program to your heads, not your hearts. Don't program to your friends, or your particular taste in music...program to your communities.

Just because, as an example, you think commercial radio underserves the 65 plus audience, make sure the community your station will reach has sufficient numbers of 65 plusers to appreciate, and hopefully, support it. (If you build it, they will come doesn't necessarily work with a dinky coverage area).

You don't have much ground to cover with an LP-FM (maybe 3 to 10 or so miles). So see what's within that radius, see what could be missing, and program to that. And yes, serve that local area your signal reaches with community news, PSA's.

And, if you're thinking about trying to sell underwriting to local advertisers, why don't you ask the advertisers in your service area what they might like to see in a "community" station? The advertisers might be more willing to give you a try if they believe you're being responsive to them.

It's very wise, even being a Christian, that it's realized that with a saturated Christian radio market, it would be unwise trying to add another station to the market in that same format.

 

[KFodor]

I actually agreed with the FCC and the ruling that allows LP-FM. I just don't agree with the way it's panned out.

Too many, well I'll call them "non-profit corporations" have managed to get hold of frequencies (usually through purchasing a station that's on the air but on the rocks) and are using them, basically, as repeaters for a bigger city station for purposes solely of fund raising.

I, too host Christian beliefs. But, recently, when I saw a church organization that had applications into the FCC for some 600 LP-FM's, I thought that was, a bit greedy.

I agree with the previous poster. The FCC wanted these stations to "micro-broadcast", i.e. program to local communities too small for commercial radio stations. Or, in larger areas, stations that would "micro-broadcast" to individual communities or suburbs inside the city. We have one in the Dayton area that's doing this right now. They play oldies (a format no longer "acceptable" to commercial radio), do high school football and basketball for their "home" team. In short, in my view they are programming to what the FCC wanted them to do. And, the local suburb's businesses are apparently supporting them, at least enough to keep them going.

You know, it used to be when you went to purchase a radio station, you went into the community and did
ascertainments....you interviewed local business people and community leaders and asked them what they wanted from a station...and, how they thought such a station could better serve the local area. Those ascertainments became part of the application for your Construction Permit, if I recall. (I remember doing the interviews for a station group applying for a station in Kentucky one time.) So, I agree with the notion of interviewing community leaders and business people.

The good part about an LP-FM is: you don't have to strictly conform to the rigid rules of today's commercial broadcasters. But, remember: what do they know that you don't? Most of these companies research their product extensively. So, programming wise...find a reasonable target, go serve it, but keep some basic programming rules and tactics in place. You can still have a somewhat tight "regular" playlist, and yet offer some deeper cuts as "spice". That, with a serious community focus can help you stand out among the competition.

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

Here's the steps to starting a radio station with the FCC.

1. Find an open frequency that meets the FCC's minimum spacing requirements. If there
is none in your town, you may have to move to start a station.

2. Form a not for profit Corporation. You can do this for about $25 in most States.

3. Wait for the FCC to open a filing window.

4 Fill out and electronically file the application with the FCC.

5. Wait for the FCC to grant your Construction Permit (CP).

6. Build your radio station.

7. Apply for your license.

Location is important. Visibility can double or triple your income. But if it costs you more it can sink your boat.
Knowing how to make money is good. but knowing how to budget is just as important.

You better love radio if you build a LPFM. You will not get rich operating one.

 

[Carmine5]

You better love radio if you build a LPFM. You will not get rich operating one.

That's why, a couple of years ago, when Kevin Martin cited the LPFM service before a subcommittee as an example of the FCC encouraging income opportunities among minorities, I was thinking,"what planet is he from?" Unless you're a religious organization, no one gets rich operating an LPFM and among minorities who have LPFM licenses, some of those stations have gone dark.

As far as I know this is still the best resource for finding a vacant channel:

http://www.recnet.com/index.php?q=lpfm

And you can use their tool either with or without the third adjacent channel protection rule.

C5

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Good replies. Many adress issues I worked my way through 18 months ago. Things like "What is LPFM?" and how do I find a frequency, and do I need a Consulting Engineer and do I want a Communications Attorney as part of the process.

One of the things I am hoping for is the kind of advice, instruction and input needed once you get through the sweat and thrill of getting on the air. I picture a station nearings it's first anniversay and people coming to a staff meeting or a board meeting with some real questions of: "NOW what do we do?" We all had great ideas about what we wanted out station to do. Some were good ideas and now we know some are not so great. It's now time for reduced to writing some policies and a five year plan.

What have the veterans learned? What should we know about years 2 through 6? Would we have done some thing differently during construction and start up if we understood years 2 through 6 a little more clearly?

 

[radioman148]

Here's the steps to starting a radio station with the FCC.

1. Find an open frequency that meets the FCC's minimum spacing requirements. If there
is none in your town, you may have to move to start a station.

2. Form a not for profit Corporation. You can do this for about $25 in most States.

3. Wait for the FCC to open a filing window.

4 Fill out and electronically file the application with the FCC.

5. Wait for the FCC to grant your Construction Permit (CP).

6. Build your radio station.

7. Apply for your license.

Location is important. Visibility can double or triple your income. But if it costs you more it can sink your boat.
Knowing how to make money is good. but knowing how to budget is just as important.

You better love radio if you build a LPFM. You will not get rich operating one.

Thanks for the info Dutchman.

 

[Chuck]

What have the veterans learned? What should we know about years 2 through 6? Would we have done some thing differently during construction and start up if we understood years 2 through 6 a little more clearly?

We've been on the air for about 6 1/2 years. In that time the station has gained a lot of popularity, but it has not been easy. I can tell you that the "FM" part of LPFM stands for "Forget Money." In other words, don't give up your day job. It is also very difficult getting volunteers to interrupt their lives for many years in a row. You just have to love what you are doing.

I'd be happy to answer individual questions via email. Go to www.kzqx.com and click on "Let me speak to the manager." You might put something like "LPM Info" in the subject line, so I notice it. We get a lot of email.

 

[radioman148]

What have the veterans learned? What should we know about years 2 through 6? Would we have done some thing differently during construction and start up if we understood years 2 through 6 a little more clearly?

We've been on the air for about 6 1/2 years. In that time the station has gained a lot of popularity, but it has not been easy. I can tell you that the "FM" part of LPFM stands for "Forget Money." In other words, don't give up your day job. It is also very difficult getting volunteers to interrupt their lives for many years in a row. You just have to love what you are doing.

I'd be happy to answer individual questions via email. Go to www.kzqx.com and click on "Let me speak to the manager." You might put something like "LPM Info" in the subject line, so I notice it. We get a lot of email.

So is starting this simply nothing more than a labor of love?

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

I think "labor of love" has been a part of the radio business since it's beginning. Yes, a majority of the stations constructed on the last 85 years have been honest efforts to make money, but not all. Many small town stations were originated by local business people who if they will be candid with you, will tell you they could have put the capital into something else and made a lot more money, but they thought it would be a good service for their community.

LPFM after everyone in the political process got their 2-cents worth in has been created as an activity that is to be carried on by a not-for-profit corporation with charitable and education goals in mind. If the "prime mover" is going to draw a salary for the extra time and energy he/she puts into it, the volunteers to give of their time to make it work get a sour taste in their mouth very easily.

The operators of religious LPFMs can stick an automation machine in the closet and operate at minimum cost and achieve their purpose: the pushing out of religious message. Since there are few or no volunteers to pamper and keep happy, the founder may be in a better position to draw out some income.

The reason I started this thread was in hopes of drawing out some "philosophy of operation" that maximizes the audience, the programming and the funding for a better than average level of operation. I figure the more lackluster and pitiful the performance of your LPFM, the less you have to worry whether it is practical and ethical to draw a financial income. There will be none.

On the other hand, if LPFM really has a legitimate place in our society, we should find ways to make the little stations "high intensity". That means some intense efforts in programming. Some intense efforts in fund raising and income sources. Will it always be only a labor or love? You apparently need to go in assuming that it will be. Be content to get a vote of thanks and maybe some plaques from local civic clubs. Be content to see some people find themselves and gain new visions of how they can be part of community. Money income for being the prime mover? Haven't seen much evidence that will happen. But I also assume some people have but they aren't going to let the cat out of the bag and cause a backlash.

 

[radioman148]

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Chuck]

If you choose start an LPFM station, you should do it with the idea of doing something good for your community. The whole idea of these things was to bring new voices and programming to your area that otherwise didn’t exist. If you are successful, you will get the support of your listeners, but it certainly won't make you rich. Radio seldom does that, even for the owners of full power stations. The usual paths to riches in broadcasting have been in the area of buying and selling stations. LPFM’s aren’t even on that radar screen, and for the most part the buy-sell party of the last decade is over.

Right now, if you have some extra cash, you are probably better off putting it into the very depressed stock market. I suspect there are some bargains out there. Unless we go into a full scale depression, you’ll probably make a lot more money in five years time. It certainly would be a lot less work. Keep in mind that if we do go into a depression, your LPFM won't have many financial supporters either. I've noticed that our station's finances seem to ebb and flow with the local economy. When people’s disposable income goes down, so does your station’s underwriting and donations.

I don't mean to sound self-serving, but our little station is probably more successful than many licensed LPFM's. I'm sure that there are some that do better, but according to Arbitron, we have very respectable numbers, often beating quite a few of the full power stations in our area. I do have an array of awards from various civic organizations, a file drawer full of "Thank You" letters from area organizations we've helped with their projects; and a pile of letters from listeners who say they like what we do. Operating the station has even brought me my own amount of local fame. People actually stop me at the Post Office or grocery store to say something nice about the station. Such is life in a small community. People call and email every day, almost always with something nice to say. I like that. You would too. It's better than a pay check, which is good, because I have yet to take one...

 

[radioman148]

Obviously for you it truly is a labor of love, which as you previously point out causes one to get in radio in the first place.

 

[XRQKFM]

Obviously for you it truly is a labor of love, which as you previously point out causes one to get in radio in the first place.

You have to have real passion for it and serving your community; as Chuck mentioned, it's nice to have people treat you like a rock star. While the pay sucks, the trade outs and gifts from the fans and business can be fantastic. Having a nice girl, bring over some good old home cooking, can't be beat when you are a bachelor stuck in a studio for hours at a time. Before automation like most of us have today; I spent many a Christmas and New Years babysitting the equipment, and covering for jocks who did not feel like working the Holidays.

For over four years straight, I was held prisoner by a radio station I owned. In those days, being the boss meant you could never go to far from the radio station. Who are you going to trust your station too? The day the station changed hands; I felt like a prisoner let out of the front gate, free to go anywhere I wanted! Like any prisoner, I had to re offend and bought another radio station; but thanks to technology I don't even have to be in the same country to run the station.

If you are going to set up a LPFM, you can kiss off a few years of your life for the project. Depending on staff, you should expect it to be a seven day a week job without pay for years. Like a priest, you better have a passion for radio and serving the people in your community. You should also know a community like the back of your hand; they can be very fickle. Stepping on the wrong toes can be very costly. Like Chuck said "Don't Quit Your Day Job" If you are married, your wife should have the same passion as you do, she is going to need it.

While semi retired now, my passion for radio after all these years is just as strong as it was in 1966, the proof is I'm sitting at a table running three part 15 radio networks as I type this. Before you go after a LPFM, I strongly suggest you set up a part 15 radio station, and see if you are up to the task. Run it just as you would a LPFM; paperwork and all. Program it 24/7 including Holidays, the only difference in operation between your part 15 and a LPFM should be your power output. In six months, you should have an ideal if you are up to the challenge; the pay will be the same.


So far, I've made the most profit (income) running the part 15 stations; lots of hidden revenue potential, that seems endless. More on the opportunities later!


Steve
www.outlawradio.us
DIY Broadcasting

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Back in March we toyed with this topic for a couple of weeks.

Anyone feel like they have gained some new wisdom since then they want to share about LPFM?

Does anyone have a good feel for how the wind in blowing on this topic in Washington D.C. these days?

A little Off-Topic: I came across a book this week. I decided it would read a chapter, maybe two, and then maybe return it to the library. A renegade law professor has decided to "slice and dice" the whole topic of copyrights, intellectual property.

I've been reading the "rants" of Jerry Del Colliano and this book mixed with Jerry will make you wonder if you are on drugs and just don't know it! ;D


Remix
Making art and commerce thrive in the hybrid economy

Lawrence Lessig

I was able to get it from my local library.

Hey: if we can't get a community radio station off the ground..... maybe we can start a book club! :

 

[KevinFodor]

We just flipped format recently on WRPO-LP, Russell's Point, Ohio (93.5 - 100 watts @ 85 feet.)

This followed a telephone survey conducted by a local church into 100 homes in the listening area. The majority of those polled said they wanted an oldies station. So, the decision was made to go to music from the 50's/60's/70's and 80's.

The station initially made the change, and the station didn't sound bad...but...it was operating on an old early 2000's vintage cheap computer program which was just not functional enough to do what needed to be done to create that "fun" sound. So, a new computer and computer program was purchased. New imaging was produced and installed. We intentionally paid attention to the music...settling on a playlist that was tight, but not too tight, with enough "oh wow" to it to give the station a "different" feel.

Right now, it's a jukebox that does local programming primarily on the weekends. But, we have plans to add more local features in the coming weeks and months. Most all will be done by computer...but you'd be amazed what you can do with some of the newer programs these days from a remote studio.

It launched July 25th. We've added about a half dozen new underwriters since then. We've been hearing positive comments from both listeners and area businesses.

I guess my take on it is as follows: there's nothing in the rules that says an LP-FM has to sound like an amateur operation. So, I would suggest in a lot cases, if you're an LP operator, don't try to be the "anti-radio". Too many try that angle and fail. There's a reason radio does what it does. Yes, you can be different...perhaps if you have no country legends or americana or oldies format in your area, that could be a possibility. Same with classical...or in an area with a higher than average number of retirees, try adult standards or even a "dove" (think: easy listening music) format. But make sure the market for your format is actually there before you try it. I would avoid going to a "niche" format unless your signal will cover a specific area that demands it. (Going, "smooth jazz" or "jammin' oldies" in an area with only a possible cume of 7,000 isn't going to necessarily be a good idea if the listeners for the format truly aren't in your signal range.) The more broadbased format you can do keyed to your specific area, the better the chance of developing "cume". Think strategically like radio stations do...don't just say "if I build it, they will come".

If there is a demand for a "niche" type program that's not quite big enough as a format...do it for an hour or two on the weekends and sell underwriting for it. If somebody wants it badly enough, they'll pay to put it on the air.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Kevin: Report back to us from time to time on what new. Just checked out your website. Well done.

What's with the lady listed as the "station singer"? Does she sing to make up part of your musical programming, or does she create some kind of image and ID songs and jingles?

 

[Black_Shire]

This is an interesting topic. If an LP-10 (10 watt LPFM) filing window is ever opened, would any of you suggest different tactics to start up, program, and market such a station?


-- Black Shire

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

This is an interesting topic. If an LP-10 (10 watt LPFM) filing window is ever opened, would any of you suggest different tactics to start up, program, and market such a station?

What I am finding is that we have difficulty trying to picture what someone else would WANT to do, what someone else would NEED to do based on differences in community and "market". So most people assume there is only ONE way to do a station.... one that would work in the community as seen by the person writing.

So, let me try to picture your "market". Why are you interested in an LP-10 rather than an LP-100? most of us think of the LP-100 as not having enough reach to do what we want. In some cases I see groups getting whatever they can. It becomes their "base of operations"... their badge of licensed legitimacy. They then go on to acquire a satellite frequency, get on local cable systems, piggy-back on secondary channels of other FM or TV stations, and go on-line with streaming. It is perceived that having an FCC license makes your on-line stream more legitimate than a "pure-play" on-line broadcaster.

This is an indirect answer to your question about start up, programming and marketing: Preplanning on paper or in your head is not easy. Putting it on paper is a discipline that will point out to you how limited the space in your head is. Everything you have thought about so far may easily fit on one page of paper. That ain't enough!

Let me tell you what I am doing. I am continuing to work on my paper-based plan for operating a commercial station. I then go back and examine the plan to see which parts are appropriate for both commercial or LPFM. And for ideas that work only in the commercial world.... does that idea need a replacement, a substitute in the LPFM world?

Most of you will laugh at this one. I have studied businesses of many kinds (and worked in businesses of many kinds). In looking at the acquisition of a small, existing radio station, I conclude the very first thing I would do is send a signal this place of business if operating, not abandoned. It is a place that welcomes you. PLANT FLOWERS!!!! If there isn't a place to put festive flowers like you see at the entrance to apartment projects, you are in the wrong building, the wrong location. I don't mean you have to have a driveway with gateposts and flower beds 24 feet wide on each side. If it is a downtown location... is there a place to bring in a couple of pots 2 or 3 feet in diameter and make the entrance festive?

I think I have been in over 600 radio stations. Of the 15 I worked for, only ONE even pretended to landscape!

When you build your LP-10, you want everyone who comes through the front door ready to walk into the studio or production room in a frame of mind to make your listeners think there is a display of flowers sitting right there in front of their radio. Or that the sun is shining in the room where they are listening. Or the air smells good on the street they taking their Walkman receiver for a walk.

(By the way, I'm up to 73 pages ACTUALLY ON PAPER of ideas... some of them fanciful like the flowers, some very practical and demanding.)