Low Power Radio

What is LPFM? The Present Landscape Turning Radio Upside Down Information About Translators Examples of LPFM Stations Congress and LPFM Resources for Applicants MAP LPFM Filings

Resources for Applicants

Information for Current Applicants

• FCC and Other Links
• FCC Major Decisions and MAP Summaries of FCC Decisions
• Lists of FCC Announcements Affecting LPFM Applications and Filing Windows
• Additional Information and Resources for Applicants

FCC Major Decisions and MAP Summaries of FCC Decisions (in chronological order)

January 2000

• FCC adopts First Report and Order creating low power radio:
  • FCC Order.
  • Appendix A to Order (LPFM rules)
  • FCC Commissioner Statements
  • FCC News Release.
• MAP Summary of Eligibility and Application Process contained in First Report and Order (2/7/00)

November 2000

• FCC released Reconsideration Order that guarded against interference in low power radio service. Read the FCC press release about this order here. Full the text of the FCC order is available as a PDF document here. (350KB) (9/25/00)
• MAP Summary of FCC's Low Power Radio Reconsideration Order (11/6/00)

April 2001

• FCC announces Second Report and Order codifying statute, codifying statute, allowing for window one and two applicants to amend if they applied on a third adjacent channel. Click here for news release and links to FCC order.
• MAP Summary of FCC's Second Report and Order (If you applied in the first of second window, you should read this summary.) (4/12/01)

Lists of FCC Announcements Affecting LPFM Applications and Filing Windows

The FCC divided the country into five sections. Applicants for LPFM stations were required to apply within their window. Windows were assigned by state. FCC Chart of windows and dates. Each window is listed below with FCC announcements pertinent to that window.

• Window One Open May 30-June 5, 2000 (4/28/00)
• Window One Applications Received (6/21/00)
• Window One and Two Singleton Applications Accepted. (12/21/00)

• Window Two Open August 28-September 1, 2000. (7/28/00)
• Window Two Applications Received (09/15/00)
• Window One and Two Singleton Applications Accepted. (12/21/00)

• Window Three Open January 16-22, 2001. (12/15/00)
• Window Three Applications Received (7/10/01)
• Window Three Singletons Accepted (8/16/01)

• Window Four/Five Open June 11-15, 2001. (4/10/01)
• Window Four/Five Applications Received. (7/11/01)
• Some Window Four/Five Singletons Accepted (3/11/02)
• Additional Window Four/Five Singletons Accepted (5/23/02)
• Additional Window Four/Five Singletons Accepted (9/06/02)

Additional Information and Resources for Applicants

• Conflicting LPFM applications In January 2003, the FCC announced winning applicants among conflicting LPFM applications. This means many applicants that have been waiting will finally get processed by the FCC.
  • FCC Announcement
  • Public Notice (pdf)
  • Attachment (pdf)
  • Public Notice (doc)
  • Attachment (xls)
  • What does this mean? The FCC has picked a winner among competing applications for an LPFM license. The applicants name listed in bold is the winner. If more than one applicant tied for first place, they can "share points" and share the license. YOU HAVE 30 DAYS to submit paperwork to the FCC to "share points." If you don't share, each tied applicant will get an equal number of years divided over 8 years, and after 8 years, the license will go back to the FCC. (For example, two tied applicants will get 4 years each.) If you are not tied for first place, the FCC will not let you share points. If you can draft a settlement among everyone in your group (a 'universal' settlement) you can still try to do that.
  • Resources
  • You should sign up for Prometheus Radio Project’s stubblefield list serve. MAP posts information about FCC actions to this list, it will help you stay informed.
  • Conflicting LPFM Application Basic Information Sheet.
  • Universal Settlements Information and Instructions.
  • Sample Universal Settlement
  • Sample Amendment to Share Points (.pdf) Sample exhibit to share points(link is a Microsoft Word document that can be downloaded and edited).
  • Link to NFCB LPFM page with model universal settlement documents.
  • Link to REC Networks Application Status
• LPFM Encroachment Database. This is a free flagging service that provides LPFM applicants, permitees and license holders with a report that outlines changes in the FCC database that could affect the operation of your LPFM station. It indicates when your signal might be intefered with by another signal. (6/13/03)
• License Renewals. Some LPFM stations will need to renew their licenses in the near future! (This only applies to LPFMs that have their CPs or licenses, NOT to applicants who are still waiting).
  • RENEWAL APPLICATIONS FOR MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ARE DUE JUNE 1.
  • The FCC has put all broadcast licenses on a unified schedule so that each state's broadcasters renew in the same year at the same time, this means that your first license renewal can come shortly after you receive your license. A very good source of information is the FCC's renewal web site.
  • The FCC will send you a postcard to your mailing address approximately 5 or 6 months before your renewal date. YOU SHOULD MAKE SURE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS IS UP TO DATE AT THE FCC. Even if you don't receive your postcard, you must renew your license.
  • The following are the deadlines for the states who must renew their licenses in 2003. Your renewal application is due four months before your license actually expires. (A full list of all the states' deadlines is available on the FCC's web site.)
  
  
• June 1, 2003
  District of Columbia
  Maryland
  Virginia
  West Virginia
  
  
• August 1, 2003
  North Carolina
  South Carolina
  
  
• October 1, 2003
  Florida
  Puerto Rico
  Virgin Islands
  
  
• December 1, 2003
  Alabama
  Georgia
  
  

The renewal form is called 303-S and is available electronically and should be filled out electronically if you can (if you cannot contact NFCB, Prometheus or Media Access Project). The form is very similar to the initial application form. You can get on line right away and start filling it out and testing it (use the "test file" feature). You can submit your application early (but you must update it if anything changes before the deadline). Many of the rules that apply to full power stations don't apply to LPFM. For example, there is no fee for LPFM. Please don't hesitate to post questions or call with questions if you have them.

In addition to completing the form, you must make announcements on the air, and complete a few other tasks. Full instructions are available with the 303-S form and on the FCC's web site.

We don't think there are too many LPFMs that are in need of renewing right now, but please let NFCB, Prometheus or MAP know if you are having trouble or need help.

MAP recently asked the FCC to extend the time for a construction period from 18 months to three years. The FCC appears well-disposed toward granting our request. But, it will take a little time for the FCC to extend the time period.

If you have an 18 month CP, it will automatically be extended when the FCC changes the time perios, AS LONG AS YOUR CP HASN'T BEEN DISMISSED. Therefore, if you get close to the end of your time period, send in a letter simply asking for more time. The letter does not need to be fancy. Explain what ever reason you have for needing the extra time. Do not worry about the details. If you file a letter, your CP won't get automatically dismissed at the end of the 18 months, and you will likely get the extra year and a half to finish your station once the FCC changes the period from 18 months to 3 years.