Advisory Letters

Original version – 05/05/2021 / Updated 06/11/2021 / Second update 07/07/2021 / Third update 06/08/2022 / Fourth update 08/03/2023

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that there will be a National Periodic Test (NPT) of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) in 2023.

The test is scheduled for October 4, 2023 at 2:20 PM EDT.  The backup date is October 11, 2023 at 2:20 PM EDT.  The backup date is only used if there is a major event or any other reason why the October 4 date can’t be used.

Revision 5 - November 6, 2022

In the context of smaller noncommercial educational (NCE) broadcast stations, including Low Power FM (LPFM), an “assignment” is a transaction where the license is changed (assigned) to another nonprofit entity. A “transfer” is a transaction where the license remains where the license remains with the same entity, but there is a significant change in the persons that control the licensee organization.

This document was declared as obsolete on August 3, 2023.

July 13, 2021 was the final day for analog low power TV (LPTV) stations. A few LPTV stations in remote Alaskan villages were given authority to continue analog service until a time when those sites can be reached to convert to digital.

This also means that the so-called “Franken FM” (or “FM6”) stations (channel 6 LPTV stations that are using their audio carrier at 87.75 MHz to operate like an FM radio station) are also supposed to shut down.

With the recent public notice by the FCC, placing the latest REC LP-250 Petition for Rulemaking, “Simple250” to public comment as RM-11909, there has been an increased excitement within the community of the prospect that someday, many LPFM stations would be able to increase to 250 watts ERP (or its >30 meter HAAT equivalent).

Updated February 2, 2022 to clearly indicate in what cases the "directional" functionality on the LMS form (Schedule 318) is used and when a directional anenna needs to be written as "non-directional" in LMS.

On May 3, 2021, a Report and Order released by the FCC went into effect.  This Order did not change the radio frequency (RF) exposure guidelines but it does require that stations verify that their antenna structures meet the RF guidelines.  It also defines the format for signs in areas where exposure levels exceed the minimum exposure guidelines.  Stations are not required to make any filings with the FCC after this verification is done.  St

Revised April 22, 2021

This Advisory Letter is a reminder to LPFM (and for that matter, full-service noncommercial educational station [NCE]) licensees regarding various activities that can be considered an “advertisement” in respect to the language of the Communications Act.

Section §399b of the Communications Act (47 USC 399b) states:

(a) “Advertisement” defined

Updated May 29, 2024

This document was delcared obsolete on August 3, 2023.

This REC Advisory Letter is directed to prospective participants in the 2021 NCE Filing Window, potential 2022 LPFM Filing Window as well as existing NCE and LPFM licensees planning minor change applications in the reserved band (88.1~91.9 MHz, channels 201~220).