Changelog

Made changes to the National LPFM Directory (LPFM.us) to better handle LPFM stations that change channels.

Broadcast data (AM, FM and TV) has been updated for Mexico. 

Broadcast data (AM and FM) has been updated for Japan.  Some corrections were made in the TV, as well as radio data.  New back-office applications were developed to improve the update process for Japan.

Broadcast data (AM, FM, TV and DAB) for the United Kingdom updated using a January 13, 2020 dataset.

Change the method that a master file of all applications from multiple systems/sources (CDBS, LMS, IBFS, Public Notice Project) is updated.  This will reduce the time when no FCC broadcast data is available from FCCdata during the morning update.    The released changes affect CDBS data, LMS application data and LMS ownership report data.

Today, REC did some behind the scenes work to change the way that it updates the CDBS data from the FCC.  Updates on some databases have been frozen as they are no longer used.  This includes information related to ownership reports, renewals and most TV related activity as this has all converted to LMS.  All CDBS data will be maintained for historical purposes.

We do not anticipate any problems with FCCdata or any other tools but as we have warned, please watch out for potholes in our systems during this enhancement.

REC is planning a series of system work to take place between December 21, 2019 through January 5, 2020.

Planned for this project:

REC launches a new "toybox" application that allows LPFM stations to check the status of their applications filed in the 2019~2022 broadcast renewal cycle.

User enters 4 character call sign (without the -LP suffix) and the tool will return the current status of the application. 

If no application was filed and it is within 60 days of the filing deadline, the tool will refer to EZforms, past the deadline to REC and more than 60 days before the deadline, an advisory message to file within 60 days of the filing deadline date. 

As the FCC does not seem to be mailing out authorization documents after the renewal application is granted, stations would need to go to LMS Public Access, find the renewal application, retrieve the authorization from a link.

To make this easier, FCCdata now includes a link to the granted renewal application.

To view the authorization, bring up the station in FCCdata. On the Application History (on the right side), if the renewal application is granted, the word "Granted" is a hyperlink. Click the "Granted" hyperlink and the authorization PDF will download to the browser.

FCCdata/Denpahoso now shows ownership reports filed after December, 2017 (in LMS) in the Application History section.  Clicking the file number retrieves the PDF version of the application at the FCC.

Due to the excessive clutter on most full-service and Class A TV records, we have split up the TV application history (on the right side below the map).  By default, general engineering and administrative applications will appear.  There are now 4 "tabs" above the application history header so you can select the following:

Desktop only: Added new LMS specific party search functions.  This includes application certifier (who signed the application), technical representative and legal representative.  The drop-down menu is modified to add these new functions. They will be distinguished with the (LMS) indicator.  Legacy CDBS searches will show a (CDBS) indicator in the drop-down.

Due to enhancements in the REC LMS Realtime system:

If the previous weekday was a federal holiday, the previous weekday will move one day further back.   This will not work on FCC "snow days" (days that the Office of Personnel Management excuse DC area federal employees due to snow or other inclement weather). 

On weekends, the current day will advance to Monday.  If Monday is a federal holiday, the system date will advance to Tuesday.  Like CDBS, applications filed in LMS over the weekend will show a Monday filing date.