Updated August 17, 2023

In 2003, the FCC unknowingly caused the Great Translator Invasion.  In this window, over 13,000 applications were filed for new FM translators in the Auction 83 filing window, of which, almost one-third of the applications were filed by two commonly owned entities.  What would entail afterwards was the loss of many opportunities for new LPFM stations, a place in federal legislation, massive permit trafficking and one of the biggest government handouts ever for an auction that only raised $574,711 to the US Treasury.  

The last LPFM filing window was in 2013, nearly 10 years ago.  This was a window that included applicants who were encouraged to partake in the changes made to the service as a result of the Local Community Radio Act of 2010.  The LCRA's lifting of the third-adjacent channel protection requirement opened up many opportunities, especially in suburban and urban areas.  The window resulted in many success stories and some drama. 

In a short Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission has announced the dates for the next filing window for new Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations.  

The filing window will open at 12:01 AM EDT on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 and will close at 6:00 PM EDT on November 8, 2023. 

This will be the first Public Notice released by the FCC on this. 

REC Networks has launched a new database and supporting web application that provides information on actions taken by Enforcement, Media and other bureaus within the FCC. This data will be used to track forfeitures (fines), which we refer to on FCC.today The Podcast as "dingers".  It will also track enforcement activity that does not involve any kind of a forfeiture.  

The "Dingers Database" will track the following types of FCC documents: