LPFM Filing Window Is Open

[radiofan2023]

I'm guessing the idea to name it "Weather Alert Radio Network" may have started after the tornado that hit Selma earlier this year.

 

[Cold Coffee]

I'm really surprised!, There was less competition for really valuable commercial channels in the 1980's. Many of them were in major cities. Yet there's fierce competition for junk NCE and LPFM frequencies.

I've helped many people getting licensed by the FCC. And, I never charged them for my work.

Yet, I didn't help anyone apply in this window because I think the sun is setting on radio broadcasting as streaming takes over.

FM stations that have broadcast for ten or more years may be doing OK. But this is not the right time to start new ones.

Just the opinion of a grumpy old man.

 

[bturner1]

When cell towers go out (like Houston in flooding, California in wildfires, hurricanes, etc.) the cell does you little good. Then again, radio is useless unless they have a generator kick in.

 

[speer360]

When cell towers go out (like Houston in flooding, California in wildfires, hurricanes, etc.) the cell does you little good. Then again, radio is useless unless they have a generator kick in.

Give it 2 years, your cell phone will be able to talk with satellites in space when terrestrial networks are down.

At&t partner: Home - AST SpaceMobile

T-Mobile Partner: Starlink - Direct to Cell

https://www.lightreading.com/satellite/at-t-and-t-mobile-are-in-a-heated-race-to-space

AT&T helped connect the first satellite 5G phone call

AST SpaceMobile made the call on a Galaxy S22.

www.theverge.com

 

[boiseengineer]

Actually, Boise, that's the Atlantic...and really, there's no need to fret over this particular one. It's apparently going to be built in the Bermuda Triangle, so things will likely just work themselves out naturally (or supernaturally, perhaps).

Farcebook pasted the wrong one;
Try this........

https://fccdata.org/?facid=785098

 

[crainbebo]

'Weather Alert' LPFMs? In this day and age, people GOOGLE the weather. It pops up on their PHONE...the NWS warnings show up on their PHONE...nobody is waiting for the 'weatherology forecast' on the FM radio, or even the TV news.
What a waste of spectrum.

 

[bturner1]

Again, in emergencies cell phones may not work. It happened in Houston with Allison. It happens with wildfires that burn where towers sit. That doesn't mean a radio station might suffer the same fate even if they have a generator.

 

[crainbebo]

In emergencies (tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.), FM stations will often simulcast TV. Or go on 'operation stormwatch' like what Iheart does.
And that doesn't mean the waste of an LPFM will *also* go off the air too...

 

[Michi]

Folks. I do have some insights on some of the comments made here, but I am in the middle of post window activities. Once I am through those in the next few days, I can shed some more light in this discussion.

 

[Michi]

For now, to get some insights on a bunch of applications filed including the MX groups (where I am adjusting a lot of points), periodically check out the REC Window Tracking Tool. It is being frequently updated right now. Check out the MX Groups, Application of Concern and the Garbage List.

 

[davideduardo]

Folks. I do have some insights on some of the comments made here, but I am in the middle of post window activities. Once I am through those in the next few days, I can shed some more light in this discussion.

Michi: Your observations and comments will be very much anticipated by me... and many others I suspect.

As a 65 year commercial broadcaster, my focus has always been in that sector and I tend to view LPFM as "RF Clutter" on the FM band and see most LPFM stations as poorly planned. Because of my narrow perspective, I'd love to hear more about LPFMs that do something useful in their communities... such as an occasional station profile.

If you could ever get the operator of a good LPFM to give us a station profile and answer questions here on Radio Insight, it would be fascinating.

I have a bunch of questions, starting with "how useful is limited coverage LPFM in an era where it is so easy to start a streaming community service with wider coverage and use of the delivery system most younger people prefer?"

 

[davideduardo]

For now, to get some insights on a bunch of applications filed including the MX groups (where I am adjusting a lot of points), periodically check out the REC Window Tracking Tool. It is being frequently updated right now. Check out the MX Groups, Application of Concern and the Garbage List.

 

[Kelly A]

Michi: Your observations and comments will be very much anticipated by me... and many others I suspect.

As a 65 year commercial broadcaster, my focus has always been in that sector and I tend to view LPFM as "RF Clutter" on the FM band and see most LPFM stations as poorly planned. Because of my narrow perspective, I'd love to hear more about LPFMs that do something useful in their communities... such as an occasional station profile.

I agree. Would love to hear some success stories too, but I suspect the ratio of poorly planned and executed failures is a much higher percentage.

 

[crainbebo]

I have heard some success stories for myself. The Vashon Island LPFM, KVSH, is still going strong after nearly 10 years. Professional-quality programming and music.
But some LPFMs have terrible audio or processing. 101.3 KTGC-LP in St. Regis MT is an example. Most people know St. Regis for the travel center and huckleberry shakes, but they have an LPFM too. It's operated by the local school, and there's only 200 students in the entire district K-12 so they don't have a high budget...but the audio can be distorted at times. They go about 5-7 miles west or east on I-90 before it fades out for good.

 

[davideduardo]

I agree. Would love to hear some success stories too, but I suspect the ratio of poorly planned and executed failures is a much higher percentage.

"LPFM for Dummies" might give some insight to those contemplating entry into the field, both as operators, volunteers or supporters.

Even with all the content creation and automation advances we have, it is not easy to produce 100 or so hours of programming a week which is any better than the old example of the "iPod on shuffle".

 

[davideduardo]

I agree. Would love to hear some success stories too, but I suspect the ratio of poorly planned and executed failures is a much higher percentage.

Publicizing the causes of those failures might be helpful to many.

BTW, I'm not against stations that don't do "public affairs" and talk shows. The now-gone oldies station in Lancaster-Palmdale, CA, was a good example of a music format that served a real need and for many years it was well done and a real service.

 

[Kelly A]

Publicizing the causes of those failures might be helpful to many.

BTW, I'm not against stations that don't do "public affairs" and talk shows.

It's almost impossible for a station with such limited coverage to produce decent CA programming, or have enough people willing to call to support a talk show.

The now-gone oldies station in Lancaster-Palmdale, CA, was a good example of a music format that served a real need and for many years it was well done and a real service.

But you said it best: "now-gone". It's tough enough to keep even a Class A commercial station afloat. I have to imagine that no matter what format, with such limited coverage and inability to sell spots, most long-tenured LPFM's aren't in great financial form.

 

[Michi]

"LPFM for Dummies" might give some insight to those contemplating entry into the field, both as operators, volunteers or supporters.

That's a great book. I told Sharon that even I learned a few new things from it.

 

[R.D.P.]

Great news for those reading.

My valuable sleep time is getting better now, @fybush and everyone else interested. Here's why.

See below for the exciting news.

And to @Michi, you go girl. Thanks for tossing this one into the garbage. Hope we can keep it there.

I also hope you noticed that he gave himself 100 points. (Highly illegal) He also had a person named director on there and gave that name 100 points too. (Highly illegal and didn't even tell us who that person was) That's what I discovered when I was examining his app.​

Dan <><

REC Filing Window Application Tracking System | REC Networks (While visiting, look for the Selma Alabama app and rejoice with me.)

 

[R.D.P.]

An update:

The new app. for 107.1 FM Selma Alabama has been dismissed. Details here: REC Filing Window Application Tracking System | REC Networks​

Excited over it.

Dan <><​