Edited 6/8/2018: The FCC has denied all of Prometheus et al's informal objections and that letter decision had addressed some of the issues we raised.  We are preserving this article and data for historical purposes but at the same time, it is still REC's position that the FCC did violate the LCRA by not addressing it in the rulemaking and instituting a policy that would have maintained the original channel floor inside the metropolitan grids.

To whom it may concern,

It is an exciting time to be an amateur operator in Ireland.  Ireland has achieved a massive expansion in spectrum in the low VHF with new allocations at 30-49 MHz and 54-69.9 MHz.  With the hope of a successful reallocation of 52-54 MHz to the Amateur Service in ITU Region I at the upcoming 2019 World Radio Conference, this is a nearly continuous throughout the amateur band we hope could someday inspire some movement in the USA for the FCC to consider a secondary allocation to the amateur service, especially at around 40 MHz. 

Yesterday, the FCC denied the timely-filed Petition for Reconsideration of Prometheus Radio Project in regards to the Second Report and Order that changed rules that stated where a cross-service (AM) translator can be placed. Under the previous rules, cross-service translator service contours were limited to their 2 mV/m daytime contour but no more than 25 miles from the AM station. Under the revised rules, those service contours were limited to an area that consisted of the 2 mV/m or 25 miles, whichever was longer in the subject direction and with no outer limit.

Elkhart, Indiana – May 17, 2018

What happened?

Last night, a consortium representing Prometheus Radio Project, Common Frequency and Center for International Media Action (from herein, referred to as “Prometheus, et al.”) has filed nearly one thousand informal objections against virtually every pending FM translator original construction permit and modification application including short-form applications that have not been accepted for filing. 

REC is aware of the informal objection that was filed against hundreds of FM translator applications by Prometheus Radio Project, Common Frequency and the Center for International Media Action.  This objection raises issues related to the Local Community Radio Act and it's application to the recent Auction 99 and 100 windows.   Due to previous obligations, REC is not prepared to comment at this time but expects to have a statement issued prior to 11:59PM EDT today, Thursday, May 17. 2018.

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