REC announces limited time opportunity for LPFM Filing Window requests

Mon, 10/16/2023 - 09:30

In order to assist organizations that just recently approved moving forward with applying for a Low Power FM radio station in the upcoming November 1-8, 2023 filing window and to accomodate those who are attending the Grassroots Radio Conference, REC has reopened for new LPFM clients for a limited time only.  

Requests can be made at:
https://LPFM.app

This opportunity is limited to those organizations who meet the following requirements/limitations:

  • Nonprofit organizations that are already recognized by the state through the filing of articles of incorporation and that their organization is in good status (such as making annual reports, etc.).  There is no minimum age requirement for the organization however organizations that have been established and present in the local community (within 20 miles, 10 in some areas) will have an advantage.  Also, state, county and local governments as well as Tribal entities. 
  • Organizations will be requested to promptly provide their board member information including name, residential address, telephone number, email address and citizenship information (if not a US citizen).  Organizations with 5 or more board members may have non-citzens on the board as long as the number of non-citzens do not make up more than 20 percent of people on the board.
  • Organizations must meet localism requirement.  This means that either the organization's headquarters or the residential addresses of 75% of the organization's board members must reside within 20 miles of the proposed transmitting antenna (10 miles in certain counties designated as part of a top-50 urban market).  Government and Tribal applicants must have the station serve their jurisdiction. 
  • A transmitting site must already be identified and the organization can identify that site through geographic coordinates (such as GPS or Google Earth) or an FCC Antenna Structure Registration Number.
  • The organization must have assurance to use the site.  They will need to identify the name and telephone number of the person who advised them that if granted a construction permit that they may be able to use that location for a broadcast antenna.  There does not need to be any signed contract, just a "meeting of the minds". 
  • The organization must know the height of the existing tower they want to use, the height of any new tower that they plan to build or in the case of using a leased tower company site, the heights (or "levels") that are available at that tower site.   
  • Requests that require a second-adjacent channel waiver (which LPFM.app will advise) should indicate a status of "easy" or "very easy" though we will look at every request.  When a second-adjacent channel waiver is needed, free standing towers mounted on the ground are favored over antennas on rooftops.  (Though some rooftop situations that involve channels with "easy" or "very easy" waiver difficulties may be able to be accommodated).
  • Organizations must already have their FCC Registration Number (FRN).  The FRN can be easily obtained by signing up for the FCC CORES system (https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do).  We will need the FRN assigned and the CORES password.
  • Your organization must already have a prepared educational statement.  This is an FCC requirement for the application process for organizations that are not K-12 schools or colleges/universities.  This is not the same as a "mission statement". The educational statement must clearly state the educational objectives of the organization prior to broadcasting and how the radio station will advance those educational objectives through over-the-air instruction or teaching.  (Note: just saying that you will play local news, PSAs, weather, etc. without a specific educational element will not suffice.  Only saying that the station will be used to train people how to run a radio station also will not suffice.   You must describe how the station will be used to educate the public at large on particular subjects.  Those subjects do not need to be academic.  Scripture-based instruction is considered educational. Once on the air, the station may program as much entertainment and/or education they want.  This is just a formality to get through the door.)

In most cases, REC's fees will be $1,000 for situations that do not require a second adjacent waiver and $1,100 for those that do require one.  Additional add on fees may apply for rare specific situations outlined on the rate card at LPFM.app.  There will be no advance payment required but payment will be expected prior to us advancing the information to the FCC's systems in preparation for the window and all payments should be made by October 30.

We are not accepting telephone calls or emails to apply.  Instead, you must go to https://LPFM.app and read about the LPFM service and then run a channel search on that site and completely fill out the Show of Interest form.  

Based on capacity, we plan to keep the Show of Interest form open until the end of day on Tuesday, October 24.  

REC has the right to refuse any request and not all areas are available if they conflict with any existing Show of Interest handled by REC or a third-party consultant that is using REC for document preparation on a wholesale basis.

Please make your request at:
https://LPFM.app
Time is running out!  This may be your organization's last change for likely, the next decade!