REC operational status (December 1, 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 if 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.

    Last minute LPFM requests: REC is receiving a deluge of last minute requests for LPFM station filings for the window. We remind last minute requesters that we have had the Show of Interest system open FOR OVER ONE YEAR and we shut it down in mid-November. So far, over 70 prospective LPFM applicants followed the proper procedure and used the tool when it was available. Now, we are receiving additional requests by email and phone. Our current stand on this is that we may or may not be able to work with you. Our clients who came through the proper channels will be handled first! At this time, if you have procrastinated and decide to send a request to REC at the last minute, we will examine each request and handle them on a stand-by basis. Priority will be given to earlier requests, to requests not needing a second-adjacent waiver and those who have provided us with complete information.

    To see all of the information we need, click here. If you can't provide all of that information, then its too late.

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

    Rademaker sentenced to life without parole

    Sat, 04/01/2006 - 02:00

    David Rademaker, who was known for the operation of telephone conference lines and other money making phone related ventures was sentenced on Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of 20-year old Kimberly Pandelios back in 1993.

    In 1991, Rademaker ran "The 501 Conference", a free multi-line telephone conference (party line) system and their callers were also a part of the REC community. Combined events were held such as the infamous "REC Summer In The Park", one of our most successful "park parties" we ever had. REC at the time ran a voice mail system with limited conferencing capability.

    Full story of the sentencing and some background in the case is available at the LA Times

    Is using 87.9 MHz for consumer electronics legal?

    Fri, 03/31/2006 - 02:00

    Many of the car adaptors for XM/Sirius radios and MP3 players appear to be capable of going down to 87.5 MHz. While there are FM broadcast stations as low as 87.5 MHz in other parts of the world, in the United States, the spectrum for TV channel 6 is 82-88 MHz. FCC Part 15 rules specifically prohibit any fundemental emmission in the TV spectrum.

    This article in TV Technology discusses the issue.

    A very small number of class D FM stations that are extremely distant to TV channel 6 stations are permitted to operate on 87.9 (also known as Channel 200). REC Network's website FMFIND.info does not consider 87.9 MHz as a possible frequency for consumer electronic devices.

    Video Professor spends $15K for dummy on eBay

    Thu, 03/23/2006 - 02:00

    Being up here in Denver, you see some interesting things on the news. This is a situation where someone was caught in the HOV lane with a newspaper stuffed dummy to look like a second passenger in the car. As punishment, the person who did this had to stand along the side of the road with a sign that said that the HOV lane is not for dummies. They also had to sell the dummy in a charity auction. Well, it's was sold... to the Video Professor!

    New REC Website: FMFIND.info

    Sat, 01/07/2006 - 02:00

    Not every open spot on the FM radio dial is created equal. Just a simple move of the receiver or a quick drive around town and your chosen FM channel for your device is suddenly wiped out by a radio station. FMFIND.info searches a professional broadcast radio database to determine the best FM channel that you can use at and around your home for your Sirius(R) or XM(R) satellite radio as well as for MP3 players or an iPod(TM) connected to a device such as the Belkin TuneCast(TM) II Mobile FM transmitter. FMFIND.info is a free resource that you can use any time to find one or more potential FM channels. In most areas, we will give you a choice of many channels to try as well as rank them based on how far away they are from other radio stations. FMFIND.info can be used in all 50 states.

    Canada Broadcast Database added

    Sat, 01/07/2006 - 02:00

    REC Networks has added the engineering database from Industry Canada. We will be adding full Canada coverage to our Broadcast Query (FMQ) Tool. As of tonight, you can now enter a Canadian community and be able to get the Dialscape report (all of the stations within the area). For border areas, you will get Dialscape reports from both the FCC (USA) and Industry Canada. We also have the FM broadcast detail in and working. We do not have directional antenna contour maps yet but we will get that in eventually.

    Good job WTND-LP

    Sun, 12/18/2005 - 02:00

    It's currently 3:30AM in Macomb, IL and WTND-LP just recently finished live coverage from the return of a battery of the Illinois National Guard into Macomb. It was a very emotional event for both those at the event and those listening on the radio. This coverage was also being carried on the W0KIE Satellite Radio Network/RFD, WQNA a NCE-FM in Springfield and on the American Council of the Blind's music network.

    This LPFM station was the only media that was carrying this very emotional event live. This is a prime example why we supported the creation of the LPFM service back in 1999 and we will continue to support it today. It's coverage like this that defines true community radio.

    More Release Notes

    Mon, 12/12/2005 - 02:00

    We have completed our CDBS broadcast database application upgrades for now.

    LPFM CHANNEL SEARCH TOOL (ADVANCED TOOL)
    - The curves program that is accessible from the Channel Report now uses Google Maps. This allows for circles that look like real circles and not 360 dots drawn in a circle.
    - Zooming up on maps in the looks much more defined than before.
    - Each station/facility is represented by a different color on the map. A legend will appear at the bottom of the map to show which color is associated with each facility.
    - An option has been added from the Channel Search that allows you to show the curves in black instead of the multi color. This allows for easier printing however you lose the ability to see which curve belongs to which facility.

    Broadcast Query - Major Release

    Sat, 12/10/2005 - 02:00

    REC Networks has made a major release of the Broadcast Query Tool (FMQ). The new version has significant improvements in the mapping functionality. Based on how the mapping functionality works, we may use look at expanding it into our other tools.

    Summary of changes:
    - A majority of the mapping has been moved from the US Census Bureau's TIGER service to Google Maps Open API. We note that the Census Bureau's TIGER system has been extremely unreliable, especially during the week.
    - The Google maps give us much more detail on street names and locations than the Census Bureau did.
    - You still have the ability to zoom (and unlike the Census maps, you will see street name details at the wider zooms).
    - You can now pan within the window.

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