New user friendly tool gives application status. Application status incorporated into LPFM Search, FM Query

Today, REC has made an initial release of a new tool that is intended to give LPFM applicants information on the status of their LPFM applications.

The new project, called "ASPEN" (Application Status Plain ENglish) gives LPFM application status information in plain English using 8 check boxes to represent the different stages of the LPFM application process.

Petition for Reconsideration filed on a majority of last week's LPFM dismissals.

In an effort spearheaded by REC, a Petition for Reconsideration has been filed to protest the dismissal of over 300 LPFM applications.

Signing on the Petition include various LPFM advocates including Amherst Alliance, WKJCE Radio, RM-9208 co-author Nickolaus Leggett, KZQX-LP, Johnathan Grant and William Blew.

Applicants selected to be included in the Petition for Reconsideration include those who were not able to change channels from their current location due to the Radio Broadcast Protection Act inacted by Congress. The RBPA imposed protection of third adjacent channels. Many applicants were able to change channels in a special filing window last October.

These applicants were either deadlocked or just did not file during the remedial window.

Today, the FCC has issued a Public Notice dismissing all of the LPFM applications that are short spaced on the third adjacent channel and did not or could not file a minor change amendment during the October remedial window.

Many of these applicants were deadlocked. They had not alternate channel to move to.

REC is disturbed by this action today as it affects the possibility of these LPFM applicants having any chance of getting on the air if the Commission was to relax the third adjacent channel rules as a result of the testing ordered by Congress.

REC feels that this is bad timing on the part of the FCC.

FCC releases cut-off sheet LPFM S-7 - ready to issue CPs to Oct 2002 Remedials

The FCC today has released cut-off sheet LPFM S-7. This list included LPFM applicants who were allowed to make major changes during last year's Remedial Filing Window.

Among the applicants include several in REC's Area of Interest in locations such as Lancaster (Rosamond), Banning, Fallbrook, Ventura and Bakersfield, CA. Nevada applicants in Fallon, Silver Springs and Yerington were also on the list.

These applicants needed to file Major Change applications to be compliant with the third adjacent channel protection that was mandated under the Radio Broadcast Protection Act.

Citing 9/11.. LAX requested to raise their power of their 530 kHz station

Citing that it is "essential to facilitate the airport’s efforts to provide emergency communications to the traveling public in the event of a terrorist attack", Los Angeles World Airports has filed an application with a waiver request attached to increase one of their 530 kHz transmitters from 10 watts to 100 watts. The application was filed on February 6th.

A copy of the waiver request and attached coverage maps are available at: http://www.recnet.com/lax

REC opposes petition to require registration of radio (Ham, Land Mobile, etc.) transmitters.

REC has filed comments in opposition to a petition made by Dale Reich to require that radio transmitters subject to licensing be registered. This is done by the retail vendor of the equipment requiring a name and address of the purchaser. A second part of the petition is asking for a requirement that all transmitters (including Part 15) carry a tag with the owner's name and call sign (if required) on it citing it will be easier for enforcement purposes.

REC opposes because the petitioner has not given any extraordinary compelling reason why this is needed. REC feels that this type of registration is similar to registerring firearms.