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Radio News: REC files to change LPFM rules
Apr 21, 2015 6:10 pm
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From REC Networks website.[/caption]REC Networks filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the Federal Communications Commission April 20, intended to help listeners tune in LPFM stations better within their current three-mile service area, as well as reach more rural ears. Under the proposal, 50 to 75 percent of currently authorized LPFM stations could increase their effective radiated power from 100 watts (based on 30 meters height above average terrain) to 250 watts. This would increase the average protected service contour from 3.5 miles to about a 4.5 mile radius, according to REC Networks. The Amherst Alliance and the Catholic Radio Association previously made similar proposals before that focused on signal expansion in rural communities, but were tabled by the FCC due to disagreement in the LPFM community. In 2013, Radio World reported that LPFM advocates Don Schellhardt and Nickolaus Leggett petitioned the commission to consider licensing an LP-250 service with the support of the Prometheus Radio Project. So this is the latest attempt to expand low-power FM service. REC has also asked the FCC to allow 100-watt LPFM stations to move up to 6.9 miles, and upgraded LP-250 stations up to 8.7 miles (14.1 km) as a minor move, and other adjustments to current broadcast law. REC Networks, established in 1984 is one of the activist groups responsible for getting the Local Community Radio Act passed, and many LPFM station on the air. REC also provides various free online services including mylpfm.com, FCCdata.org and http://fcc.today, the dashboard for activity at the FCC Media Bureau, while REC Broadcast Services, provides professional FCC filing services for LPFM stations and other radio services.
From REC Networks website.[/caption]REC Networks filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the Federal Communications Commission April 20, intended to help listeners tune in LPFM stations better within their current three-mile service area, as well as reach more rural ears. Under the proposal, 50 to 75 percent of currently authorized LPFM stations could increase their effective radiated power from 100 watts (based on 30 meters height above average terrain) to 250 watts. This would increase the average protected service contour from 3.5 miles to about a 4.5 mile radius, according to REC Networks. The Amherst Alliance and the Catholic Radio Association previously made similar proposals before that focused on signal expansion in rural communities, but were tabled by the FCC due to disagreement in the LPFM community. In 2013, Radio World reported that LPFM advocates Don Schellhardt and Nickolaus Leggett petitioned the commission to consider licensing an LP-250 service with the support of the Prometheus Radio Project. So this is the latest attempt to expand low-power FM service. REC has also asked the FCC to allow 100-watt LPFM stations to move up to 6.9 miles, and upgraded LP-250 stations up to 8.7 miles (14.1 km) as a minor move, and other adjustments to current broadcast law. REC Networks, established in 1984 is one of the activist groups responsible for getting the Local Community Radio Act passed, and many LPFM station on the air. REC also provides various free online services including mylpfm.com, FCCdata.org and http://fcc.today, the dashboard for activity at the FCC Media Bureau, while REC Broadcast Services, provides professional FCC filing services for LPFM stations and other radio services.