REC History - 2003

The year begins with changes at Live365 that require listeners to get free passwords. HCJ/HC1 listening declines slightly but then picks right back up. In February, REC drops free listening on Hardcore 2 and Powerpuff-FM to focus on Hardcore 1 & J. Nevada and Arizona are approved for 271, which allows SBC and Qwest to sell in-region long distance in those states. Arizona was the last of the 50 states to get approved. REC used the power of the pen to help fight off an attempt by a major religious broadcaster from being able to expand satellite fed translators into the commercial FM broadcast band precluding the LPFM stations supported by REC. In March, the "Great St. Patty's Day Massacre" saw the dismissal of hundreds of LPFM applications that were not properly spaced because of the revised 3rd adjacent channel rules. REC unsuccessfully filed for reconsideration. Right afterwards, the FCC opened a window for translator applications in the commercial FM band. The applications were dominated by two religious organizations who do not even have a full power FM station. REC files comments with the FCC on allowing license-free wireless devices in the television spectrum. The FCC starts taking action on the LPFM applicants that faced competing applications. REC supported these applicants by providing different reports and suggestions. After some pressure from another activist group, the FCC finally makes available the independent report that shows that LPFM stations can be placed on the third adjacent channel of a full power station. The year ended with "Sekai ni Itsu Dake no Hana" by SMAP being the #1 on Hardcore J's Top 100 of the Year.