Radio World Editorial

[MickeyD]

If I had written the law, I would have put in a rule that LPFM can't play music. They should be localized information and community service period. In any case, there will be no shortage of applicants, and hopefully these new stations will serve a purpose beyond ego gratification for a handful of people.

Bravo!

They already have stations like this they are called TIS stations on the AM band.

 

[TheBigA]

The rules were written so that if a full power station increased power it could completely wipe out an LPFM's signal and force them off the air.

The rules have degraded the value of owning a radio station to the point where it takes at least 3 signals to attract the audience that was once enjoyed by one. Unless these LPFMs actually have something of value to transmit, they'd be better off as HD Radio signals. Either way, they cause interference.

 

[JimmyJames]

As do commercial stations running HD and the myriad of translators the religious non profits have crammed in where supposedly LPFMs wont fit. Somehow a 100 watter with some sort of local involvement won't fit and their translator at 250 with programming from California will?

 

[MickeyD]

The rules were written so that if a full power station increased power it could completely wipe out an LPFM's signal and force them off the air.

The rules have degraded the value of owning a radio station to the point where it takes at least 3 signals to attract the audience that was once enjoyed by one. Unless these LPFMs actually have something of value to transmit, they'd be better off as HD Radio signals. Either way, they cause interference.

HD is an unreliable system. AM has almost completely turned it off and even higher powered FM can't cover their primary analog pattern. Read the test results yourself. They were conducted along with iBiquity. http://www.rwonline.com/article/89100

Big radio is it's own worst enemy. Why should a small business have to advertise on all of the a large groups stations? They can't afford it and it covers demos they may not be looking for. Cable TV is better for that you can target your audience and there is video for the same price.

iPods aren't doing radio any good either. Young people have no use for radio. Their opinion is, "radio is for poor people".

 

[bturner]

TheBigA says either way, HD or LPFM, they both cause interference. What? That's like the crazy talk pushed by the NAB considering the distance requirements and 3rd adjacent protections LPFM must adhere to. Translators can fit where LPFMs cannot, in many cases.

 

[TheBigA]

Cable TV is better for that you can target your audience and there is video for the same price.

Right, and we all know the cable companies are all mom & pop locally owned businesses, right? No big cable companies around, are there?

 

[TheBigA]

TheBigA says either way, HD or LPFM, they both cause interference. What? That's like the crazy talk pushed by the NAB

Really? The NAB has said HD Radio causes interference?

 

[JimmyJames]

"Translators can fit where LPFMs cannot, in many cases."

In what world does 250 watt translators cause less interference than 100 watt LPFMs?

 

[bturner]

That's what I'm saying. How is it 100 watt LPFMs at 30 meters cause interference but 250 watt at any height translators don't nor do 100,000 watt FMs? I guess LPFMs could but we'd have to have the ability to change things like gravity as well.

 

[MickeyD]

That's what I'm saying. How is it 100 watt LPFMs at 30 meters cause interference but 250 watt at any height translators don't nor do 100,000 watt FMs? I guess LPFMs could but we'd have to have the ability to change things like gravity as well.

Why the Physicists at the NAB that's how!

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

That's what I'm saying. How is it 100 watt LPFMs at 30 meters cause interference but 250 watt at any height translators don't nor do 100,000 watt FMs? I guess LPFMs could but we'd have to have the ability to change things like gravity as well.

Why the Physicists at the NAB that's how!

MickeyD: We would welcome some conversation on your part.... something that demonstrates your humanity, your ability to communicate.

Your single-line "drive by shootings" do not quite achieve the level of what most of us call conversation.

I grew up about as far from civilization as you can within the U.S. and my mother admonished us on a number of occasions: "Some people may think that because you are from the country you are dumb. Be careful when you open your mouth that you don't prove them to be right."

Jump in. Real, actual conversation can be fun. And entertaining. And exciting.

 

[fccman]

If the FCC said one pirate can have an LPFM in Mass. who do you guys think should have it?

 

[Deleted User]

I'll put a pirate up long enough to be noticed if they will give it to me

 

[bturner]

Although not a LPFM, look at the case in Goldfield, Nevada where an unlicensed operator got a permit versus a fine.

Maybe the FCC allow a LPFM license for ex-pirates on a case by case basis. Pirates come in all flavors. Some are very diligent and have the knowledge to make sure their station is maintained and is not causing interference. Some are driven by serving their community more than their ego. If they were caught and cooperative versus caught, uncooperative and started up the station again after an FCC visit, then maybe a license is fine.

For us in radio, the pirate situation differs little from the "illegal immigrant" issue. There is a big difference between the criminal that hops the border to evade arrest and the poor, little educated border crosser that believes in the American Dream and only wants his family to have a better life. Granted, both of these examples violate the law, but for different agendas.

Just thinking out loud here

 

[LA_Guy]

That's what I'm saying. How is it 100 watt LPFMs at 30 meters cause interference but 250 watt at any height translators don't nor do 100,000 watt FMs? I guess LPFMs could but we'd have to have the ability to change things like gravity as well.

FCC PHYSICS!
Which has ZERO relationship to classical ("real") physics.

 

[MickeyD]

That's what I'm saying. How is it 100 watt LPFMs at 30 meters cause interference but 250 watt at any height translators don't nor do 100,000 watt FMs? I guess LPFMs could but we'd have to have the ability to change things like gravity as well.

Why the Physicists at the NAB that's how!

MickeyD: We would welcome some conversation on your part.... something that demonstrates your humanity, your ability to communicate.

Your single-line "drive by shootings" do not quite achieve the level of what most of us call conversation.

I grew up about as far from civilization as you can within the U.S. and my mother admonished us on a number of occasions: "Some people may think that because you are from the country you are dumb. Be careful when you open your mouth that you don't prove them to be right."

Jump in. Real, actual conversation can be fun. And entertaining. And exciting.

I spent 35 years in network TV and hold a graduate degree in IT. I have seen the have seen the NAB do more damage than good. That is my opinion. If it is too short for you I humbly apologize.
Some opinions and comments do not require lines of blather.

 

[4CX1000A]

Right, and we all know the cable companies are all mom & pop locally owned businesses, right?

Does the Dolan family still own Cablevision?

 

[TheBigA]

Cablevision is a public company that trades on the NY Stock Market as CVC.

 

[fccman]

An LPFM and a translator are the same, but the NAB runs the FCC and the NAB says "NO ITS NOT"
I guess its not.

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

Not exactly the same, legally speaking.
A translator is an additional outlet for an existing license -
an LPFM is a license in its own right. That said, everything
else, technically speaking, is, indeed the same. It is sort
of like the difference between a condominium and a cooperative.
It can be the same property, but the legal form of ownership is
different...