New LPFM grants coming soon?

[kirkiefan]

Heard that the FCC may consider new LPFM grants later this year.

Any official news to this effect?

With all the recent talk over localism,its needed now more than ever
(and tell CC and the other radio roaches to get outta Dodge!)

 

[techie2]

There's some talk of a new filing window being opened later on, but I think first they have to finish up the Great Translator Invasion mess, and make some decisions regarding the last NPRM regarding LP stations.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

With all the recent talk over localism,its needed now more than ever
(and tell CC and the other radio roaches to get outta Dodge!)

I gather that one of the dreams of the supporters of LPFM was that even in the cities small neighborhoods could gain localism in radio via LPFM. I have read where others have said.... and in one area that interests me.... there ARE NO AVAILABLE CHANNELS for LPFM in the metro areas. If you can't get a channel in the markets where CC and other corporate groups have a firm grip, how do you propose to run them out of Dodge?

I have found some smaller, rural type markets where spectrum is available... and I am looking that over with interest.... but I don't expect I will have any impact there on "the big boys" who currently dominate the industry.

Am I missing something in this picture?

 

[Carmine5]

With all the recent talk over localism,its needed now more than ever
(and tell CC and the other radio roaches to get outta Dodge!)

I gather that one of the dreams of the supporters of LPFM was that even in the cities small neighborhoods could gain localism in radio via LPFM. I have read where others have said.... and in one area that interests me.... there ARE NO AVAILABLE CHANNELS for LPFM in the metro areas. If you can't get a channel in the markets where CC and other corporate groups have a firm grip, how do you propose to run them out of Dodge?

I have found some smaller, rural type markets where spectrum is available... and I am looking that over with interest.... but I don't expect I will have any impact there on "the big boys" who currently dominate the industry.

Am I missing something in this picture?

One of the latest proposals for LPFM was the idea of giving them preference over translators - perhaps allowing a new LPFM station to knock some or all translators off the air.

Where I live, Los Angeles, there is no room for an LPFM, according to the FCC. But quite a few translator applications for the L.A. County area, a mix of 10 and 100 watt, were accepted for filing by the agency during the Great Translator Invasion.

Hopefully, if the new rules for LPFM pass in tact, some or all of these translators can be converted to LPFM stations. That might be the case for all metro areas.

C5

 

[kirkiefan]

With all the recent talk over localism,its needed now more than ever
(and tell CC and the other radio roaches to get outta Dodge!)

I gather that one of the dreams of the supporters of LPFM was that even in the cities small neighborhoods could gain localism in radio via LPFM. I have read where others have said.... and in one area that interests me.... there ARE NO AVAILABLE CHANNELS for LPFM in the metro areas. If you can't get a channel in the markets where CC and other corporate groups have a firm grip, how do you propose to run them out of Dodge?

I have found some smaller, rural type markets where spectrum is available... and I am looking that over with interest.... but I don't expect I will have any impact there on "the big boys" who currently dominate the industry.

Am I missing something in this picture?

LOL!...had the throw-in "....get outta Dodge." Basically (in general) I don't wanna see the corporate suits suck-up the freqencies earmarked for LPFM in the smaller communities located adjacent to larger cities like Dayton and Springfield. LPFM is unique and deserves a free audiostream though I don't see it happening. WSWO-LP in Huber Heights "Ultimate Oldies" and Indian Lake's smooth jazz WRPO-LP are great examples.

 

[w9wi]

I gather that one of the dreams of the supporters of LPFM was that even in the cities small neighborhoods could gain localism in radio via LPFM. I have read where others have said.... and in one area that interests me.... there ARE NO AVAILABLE CHANNELS for LPFM in the metro areas. If you can't get a channel in the markets where CC and other corporate groups have a firm grip, how do you propose to run them out of Dodge?

There are two proposals on the table that would open up more channels.

Right now, LPFMs must be separated by 800kHz or more from full-power stations with overlapping coverage. An Act of Congress prohibits them from reducing the separation to 600kHz; the Commission's own decision prohibits 400kHz separation. (pretty much all technical personnel believe 200kHz separation won't work)

The Commission is considering changing their mind about 400kHz separation. Here in Nashville, this could well make 103.7 and 104.1, among other channels, available for more LPFMs. They are also proposing to ask Congress to repeal the prohibition on 600kHz separation; if that were to happen 103.9 would also become available here. Again, probably among other channels. (101.9?)

This wouldn't work in all markets - I'd be surprised if we ever see any legal LPFMs in NYC - but I'm sure Nashville isn't the only decent-sized market where new LPFMs might be possible. Offhand 99.5, 99.7, and possibly 99.9 might become doable in Milwaukee, for example.

_________________________________________________

(if Congress refused to act we could have the bizarre situation of LPFMs being permitted at 400kHz and 800kHz separation but not 600kHz!)

FM translators are already permitted at 400 and 600kHz separation - and these stations can be up to 2.5 times as powerful as LPFMs, or more. We have a translator here on 90.7, located within a mile of the transmitter of a 80kw station on 90.3.

 

[Desert Ear]

You'll have to wait for the F.C.C. to get through processing all the NCE applications, from last October's window, too.