July 13, 2011
By John O. Broomall
The Commissioners used glowing rhetoric to outline a plan where LPFM stations, regular translators, and translators rebroadcasting AM stations would harmoniously work together to serve the public - 200 million teenagers and adults who listen 15+ hours weekly to terrestrial radio. Un-official reports that the next LPFM window will be ?the summer of 2012? were confirmed. This will be the first Window since the original 200-01 cycle. The FCC Plan will carve out LPFM frequencies in crowded urban markets by dismissing pending translator applications from 2003 and implementing the Local Community Radio Act of 2010 which will open up second ? and third ? adjacent spots on the dial nationally.
It appears that while the FCC has invested many hours in a market-based proposal, it is still . . . a proposal. Whether the FCC is making progress or is merely moving in a large circle is yet to be determined. Shortly after LCRA became laws, CCB (and other groups) made substantive comments in the ever-open 99-25. None of these comments were acknowledged in any way by the FCC. This is frustrating! I don't know how long it will be before the Future Notice shows up from GPO and Comments can be filed.
The FCC is relating LCRA and the Great Translator Invasion (GTI) in a plodding sequential manner which actually give preference to existing rural GTI applications over future LPFM urban and rural applications - next summer. Within a year GTI applications could become licensed translators. The listening public does not know or care the difference between full-power, low power, translator or "AM translators." However, next summer listeners could be hearing full power stations, relayed by translators, while the first LPFM Window in 11 years is just taking place.
Based on LCRA second and third-adjacent opportunities, thousands of LPFM stations could be licensed in the ex-urbs, small towns, and rural areas of America now, without waiting for translator apps to be dismissed and elaborate "false floors" developed in cities. The FCC could - and should - open an LPFM Window in the next few months for areas where the dial is not full. By using new automated selection techniques, based on "rolling one-day windows" and a new priority system for older established groups, the FCC could eliminate all MX situations and allow new LPFM stations to the licensed and operating by next June.
The FCC will immediately start processing rural translator applications which have been pending since the so-called ?Great Translator invasion of 2003. One of the FCC speakers emphasized that the next LPFM Window would probably be the last opportunity ? ever ? to add new local grassroots community groups to the radio dial. This is an opportunity, challenge, and unspoken warning. CCB believes that with spectrum limited nationally, and the 6500 pending translator applications, that few small town and rural opportunities will be left after the new translators get on the air.
After a decade of waiting, the opportunity for new LPFM stations, in congested markets is exciting indeed. CCB hopes - as the complete FCC plan is developed in the next few months - that the reality will be as exciting as the promise!
Christian Community Broadcasters is a low power advocacy organization, consulting firm, and RF equipment supplier, founded by John O. Broomall, Sr. Based in Canton, GA, in the Atlanta market, CCB has successfully filed hundreds of LPFM filings from routine applications to complex Petitions. CCB has an Internet LPFM discussion group, website www.ccbroadcasters.com and has participated in industry workshops and seminars.
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