House Committee Passes Bill to Allow for More LPFM Stations

[macrr]

House Committee Passes Bill to Allow for More LPFM Stations - With Some Protections for Existing Broadcasters : Broadcast Law Blog Prometheus Radio Project
The new protections built into the bill include the following:

* Protection for third-adjacent channel full-power FM stations providing reading services for the blind
* Providing protection for FM translator input signals from interference from new LPFM stations
* For a year after a new LPFM goes on the air, it must broadcast notices that any listener who experiences interference to another FM station or FM translator from this new LPFM should report that interference to the LPFM station. In the event that interference is reported:
o The LPFM must notify the FCC and the third-adjacent channel station that is getting interference
o The LPFM station must address the interference that arises
o The FCC is charged with looking for ways to assist the LPFM in remediating interference, including allowing co-location of the LPFM at the same tower site as the FM station or FM translator to which interference is being caused
o The FCC will investigate allegations of interference from an FM broadcaster or FM translator, no matter how far that interference is from the station, and even if the interference is to mobile reception


via Doc Searls Weblog · Will LPFMs go mostly to evangelical christian broadcasters?

[raisindot]

Wonderful. Just what we need...more nationally syndicated evangelicals on the mainstream dial. Bad enough that they've taken over the shortwave bands. Worse that a "regular" FM evangelical is interfering with my reception of the only full-time jazz station in my state. Now the airwaves are going to flooded with 'em and the FCC won't do a thing to stop them.

[gmclam]

Last year they started to allow low power AM stations to get FM translators. It looks to me like some big business are behind all this. If my otherwise useless AM station is now also on FM, it is worth a lot more.

Now by adding all this potential FM interference to the FM band, the big companies think people will subscribe to other radio services including satellite and digital.

Out "in the middle of nowhere" this stuff might be alright, but they're adding all these extra transmitters in the middle of big cities. I used to be able to pick up a great rock station about 80 miles south of me, but a station 50 miles north of me was allowed to move their transmitter closer to the metro area I live in. Thanks FCC NOT!

[kb2vxa]

There is a LOT more to getting a station on the air than outlined above, it involves following a long paper trail, much litigation and expense just to get a license and construction permit. That's only the beginning, we haven't broken ground for the tower yet. So where is all this investment funding coming from? There's more to starting any business than most know about and most fail before they even get off the ground so remember; jumping to conclusions is like a coin toss, will you land on your head or tail?

FYI, about half a dozen Spanish speaking LPFMs have been licensed in my immediate area and not a single one yet on the air. In other words no cantes victoria antes de tiempo.

[raisindot]

Originally Posted by kb2vxa

There is a LOT more to getting a station on the air than outlined above, it involves following a long paper trail, much litigation and expense just to get a license and construction permit. That's only the beginning, we haven't broken ground for the tower yet. So where is all this investment funding coming from? There's more to starting any business than most know about and most fail before they even get off the ground so remember; jumping to conclusions is like a coin toss, will you land on your head or tail?

FYI, about half a dozen Spanish speaking LPFMs have been licensed in my immediate area and not a single one yet on the air. In other words no cantes victoria antes de tiempo.

Which is exactly why the evangelicals will own this market. They have the money, the patience, and the "will" to do it, and since programming is dirt cheap (all they need to do is simply rebroadcast taped feeds, or use 90% national and 10% local evangelizing to meet any kind of local programming requirement) there's barely any expense.

Suzie

Suzie

[Tiggerpaws]

I don't want to broadcast religious hour I want
to have a 1980s heavy metal FM station.