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FCC gives short deadline extension for LPFM applications

Thu, 11/14/2013 - 17:31

The FCC has issued a public notice to advise that due to performance issues with the CDBS electronic filing system, the new deadline for filing applications is Friday, November 15, 2013 at 3PM EST.

REC recommends that any applicants who wish the file please continue to do so tonight in order to beat any rush tomorrow.

T minus 24 hours and counting....

Wed, 11/13/2013 - 18:32

We have reached the point to where we are less than 24 hours from the closing of the LPFM filing window.  No applications or amendments to existing applications will be accepted after 6PM EST (that's 3PM for those of you on the west coast) on Thursday, November 14.  

With that, REC winds down our pre-window operations.  Our LPFM Premium Channel Search services have helped several dozens of organizations by providing them with the information they needed to help complete their LPFM applications. 

We are now in a calm before the next storm.  This is where the FCC will release the data on all of those who applied for LPFM stations during the window.  

Statement of REC Networks regarding Let The Cities In.

Sun, 10/27/2013 - 06:15

While the organization "Let The Cities In" (LTCI) has in the past, quoted REC Networks data as a part of their argument that sub-100 watt LPFM is a "constitutional right", REC is not a party to LTCI's actions with the Department of Justice.

REC feels that if a 50-watt LPFM service can be placed in the current broadcast band environment, it should be done through conventional rulemaking in a manner similar to the current LP-100 service.  The FCC is charged to be the United States' manager of the electromagnetic spectrum and they must balance the public interests as well as our obligations to the overall international community to maintain the spectrum as a whole. 

In October 2013, the FCC has issued a new RF Exposure Worksheet in the instructions for the LPFM Form 318.  Until we modify the software, these specifications are not supported in myLPFM.   myLPFM will temporarily disabled the environmental functionality until we can modify the software to reflect this. 

If your LPFM is on a tower that supports any non-excluded other RF sources including broadcast radio and TV, then the bottom of your antenna must be a minimum of 22 meters (72 feet) above the ground or roof line. 

If your LPFM is on a tower without any other non-excluded RF sources, the lowest part of the antenna must be at least 6.5 meters (21 feet) above the ground or roof line.  In addition, there must be a minimum of 6 meters (20 feet) between the radiation structure of the antenna and any nearby persons. 

If a proposed station does not meet these minimum distance requirements, it may not be in compliance with the FCC's radio frequency exposure guidelines.  In such cases, the applicant will need to perform an environmental evaluation for the proposed station and may have  to submit an environmental assessment.  

For more information see the OET Bulletin 65 and supplement A from the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology.

REC is looking further into these regulations to see if LPFM stations can use the RF exposure worksheets that FM broadcast stations and FM translators use.  

 

LPFM Window Extended to November 14 - FCC announces LPFM webinar.

Fri, 10/18/2013 - 13:51

The FCC has officially announced an extension of the LPFM filing window until November 14.  

The FCC has also announced a second LPFM webinar which was originally scheduled earlier this month.  The webinar will take place on Thursday October 24 from 1:00~2:30PM EDT.

REC advises all applicants to take their time filing but do not wait until the last minute.  Those who file early will not have an advantage over those who file later in the  window but those who wait until the last minute may experience system congestion.  

 

FCC releases Sixth Order on Reconsideration

Thu, 10/17/2013 - 16:33

The Sixth Order on Reconsideration has been issued by the FCC to address the several issues that came up during the previous Report and Order on various subjects:

"New Entrant" Point

The FCC has rejected calls for chapters of larger organizations that have full power broadcast holdings to claim the "new entrant" point.  The FCC states that the new entrant point was adopted to "encourage genuinely new entrants to broadcasting and to foster a more diverse range of community voices".  The FCC also clarified that if an applicant has a triggering event that could change their score or make them ineligible for LPFM, their point total can be reduced or their application can be dmissed based on the reason. 

FCC: LPFM Filing Window is now OPEN

Thu, 10/17/2013 - 11:10

10/17/2013 11:00AM EDT ---  The FCC has confirmed that the LPFM filing window is now OPEN.  

REC is now recommending that any applicants who are ready to file may do so at this time.  

The FCC has delayed other filing deadlines including the October 1 radio renewal deadline.  

A consortium of LPFM advocates including REC, Prometheus Radio Project and Common Frequency are currently negotiating with the FCC to extend the deadline for filings thus creating an extended filing window.  

Once and if a new date is announced, there will be a FCC public notice. 

But for now, any applications that have been filed since the recovery of the FCC website are valid and in force.

FCC website is now up / myLPFM mostly restored

Thu, 10/17/2013 - 00:06

In advance of the President's signature, the FCC has reactivated their website. REC has completed post recovery testing of myLPFM and has placed the website into regular operation.

As of Midnight EDT, October 17, the US Census Bureau's web services are not yet available so demographic data will not be available until further notice but our height above average terrain (HAAT) services are now back and operational.

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