REC operational status (December 5, 2023, until further notice) - REC is in modified operations due to the upcoming LPFM filing window and other resource intensive projects. We are currently not accepting any incoming live telephone calls. Callers are advised to please leave a message on the voice mail. Those with questions about LPFM can visit LPFM.app to get a general explanation of the service or use the resources at RECnet.com to get more information to more detailed issues (see recnet.com/faq and recnet.com/lpfm).

At this time, we are in embargo for all services except:

  • License to cover applications on REC handled applications.
  • Extensions of REC handled STA applications.
  • STA and silent requests directly related to a natural disaster.
  • Activities related to the National Periodic Test (limited to those who paid for Form One earlier this year).

    • The embargo is expected be lifted on December 18, 2023 or when we can determine that we have adequate resource time to handle embargoed application types. The embargo may be extended in the event of a government shutdown where the filing date for the LPFM window is extended. Thank you for your understanding.

    LPFM Standby is CLOSED. - [12/5/23 10:45 AM ET] Due to the pending work load, we cannot guarantee that any new "standby" requests for REC services related to the window can be processed in time for the filing window. Therefore, we must close our standby opportunity at this time. We wish all applicants the best of luck in the LPFM filing window.

    FCC.today: The Podcast is on hiatus until after the close of the LPFM filing window.

    REC files comments in LPFM/NCE Comparative Review and Public Notice proceedings

    Mon, 05/20/2019 - 21:58

    Today, REC Networks had filed separate comments in two different proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission.

    MB Docket 19-3 calls for some changes in the comparative review process for noncommercial educational (NCE) and Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking called for the following:

    Video: FCC Broadcast Radio License Renewals

    Mon, 05/20/2019 - 11:20

    In this video, REC's Michelle Bradley explains the broadcast renewal process and goes through a renewal application in the FCC's LMS system which will be used by LPFM stations for the first time.

    FCC further clarifies that LPFM stations are required to carry pre- and post- filing announcements

    Fri, 05/17/2019 - 11:04

    REC has been contacted by Albert Shuldnier, Audio Division Chief to notify us that the Bureau has reviewed the issue of on-air public notice of renewal notices. The new interpretation is that §311(a)(1) of the Communications Act requires this public notice and that LPFM can't be exempt from a provision in the Communications Act.

    Therefore, the new opinion of the Commission's Media Bureau is that LPFM stations ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY PRE AND POST FILING ANNOUNCEMENTS.

    18-119: FCC adopts new FM translator interference remediation rules

    Thu, 05/09/2019 - 12:27

    Updated at 4:15 PM EDT 5/9/2019

    Other resources: The text of the Report and Order can be found here.
    REC's revised advice: Translator to LPFM interference handling
    REC's     U/D Ratio Calculator and an explanation of U/D Ratio.

    Today, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order on MB Docket 18-119 which calls for modifications to §74.1204 and §74.1203 of the rules as it relates to predicted and actual interference caused by new and modified FM translators.  

    As noted by Lisa Scanlan, attorney advisor for the Audio Division, the proposed changes addresses the increasing number of FM translators coming on the air and the uptick in inteference complaints from primary FM stations due to the increasing number of translators on the air.  Scanlan states because of how the interference resolution process can be lengthy, contentious and expensive for all parties concerned, there need to be more certainty and clarity regarding how stations report and resolve issues with translator interference.  [continue reading]

    RM-11836: All-digital AM should be the "final solution"

    Tue, 04/16/2019 - 09:21

    REC has filed comments in response to Bryan Broadcasting Corporation's Petition for Rulemaking to allow AM broadcast stations to voluntarily discontinue all AM analog broadcasting and convert to the HD Radio MA3 mode.  MA3 is an all-digital operation.  Two variants of MA3 will allow AM stations to operate in a 20 kHz wide channel where secondary and teritary sidebands more than 5 kHz from the center frequency are either reduced by 15 kHz or they are completely suppressed.  The MA3 mode is a far departure from the "hybrid" MA1 mode which involves the use of a 30 kHz wide channel.  In the past, the MA1 hybrid digital mode on AM, especially at night, has resulted in substantial first and second adjacent interference to analog AM stations forcing many stations to turn off the digital mode and leaving a bad taste in the mouths of AM listeners and radio enthusiasts across the nation.  MA3 mode uses a narrower channel and therefore reduces the chances of digital to analog interference.  

    Tags:

    Statement of Michelle Bradley: Report of the 2018 National EAS Test and LPFM

    Mon, 04/08/2019 - 14:11

    EAS LogoToday, the Federal Communications Commission Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released the Report of the 2018 National EAS Test.  Here are some of the bullet points from that test:

    • This year's EAS test was different as it was tainted by political rhetoric surrounding the the fact that this was the first year that Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) would be integrated into the national test and that the alert would appear on mobile devices as "Presidential Alert".
    • Overall, radio had a 78.7% participation in this year's test.  This is a slight increase from 78.5% in 2017.
    • LPFM's participation this year was 48.4%, this is a slight decrease from 48.5% in the previous test.  
    • Of the 3,802 radio broadcasters that failed to file in the 2018 test, 1,121 (29%) of these stations were LPFMs.  
    • LPTV (Low Power Television) had a massive slump in participation this year falling from 66.3% in 2017 to 41.5% in the most recent test.
    • For the second year in a row, low power broadcasters (LPFM and LPTV) were called out for "[reducing] the overall participation rate of all broadcasters".
    • Of the 962 LPFMs that did participate, 869 (90.3%) successfully received the alert and 789 (82.0%) successfully retransmitted the alert.  By comparison, in 2017, 92.5% of stations received the alert and 83.8% did rebroadcast it.

    LPFM to use LMS for FCC filing for the first time

    Fri, 04/05/2019 - 12:22

    FCC Licensing and Management System logo

    Based on credible reports from Commission staff, REC can confirm that the FCC Media Bureau plans to require the use of the License Management System (LMS) for renewal filings in the upcoming cycle.  The first renewal filings for Maryland, D.C., Virginia and West Virginia must be filed on or just before June 1, 2019.  

    LMS has been used primarily by television broadcasters for most of their application needs.  In television, assignments and transfers still go through CDBS.  In full-service radio, LMS has been used only for ownership reports.  LPFM stations are not required to file ownership reports.

    The LMS form is called Form 2100.  Similar to the IRS 1040 tax form, Form 2100 uses "schedules" and other variations in order to handle specific needs of the application.  We have not yet seen the presentation of how the form will be laid out.  Since the existing renewal form (Form 303-S) is fairly simple and straightforward, we expect the LMS version of the form to be the same.

    Rant from Riverton: The Japanese are doing it right, but they've got the room to do it

    Michi Bradley - Sat, 03/30/2019 - 19:12

    Sony ICF-29 - (Photo: Sony)Lately, I have been seeing an article in the Japan Times that is spreading around the US broadcasting industry and hobby like wildfire.  Those who know about my connections with Japan have been sending me e-mails and Facebook private messages about it.   I am referring to the request by the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association (JBA) (Japan's NAB) to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) (Japan's FCC) to work towards abolishing commercial AM radio broadcasting in Japan through converting to a full FM arrangement by the year 2028.  

     

    Some are saying that the end is near for AM broadcasting in the United States, especially with the moves by several European nations and now this move by the JBA to work towards their own solution to AM revitalization.  

    Pages

    Subscribe to REC Networks RSS