NO LPFM WINDOW IN 2012

[fccman]

Just got an e-mail from DC it said no LPFM window in 2012,  I'll try to get more info.

[MickeyD]

Just got an e-mail from DC it said no LPFM window in 2012,  I'll try to get more info.

Yes I had heard that too. Apparently the FCC had done all of the allocations on the 100/250 watt model. They have been receiving many comments that a 10 watt LPFM should be included.  That means back to the drawing board but unfortunately they no longer have the man power to do that. In my professional opinion, an 10 watt LPFM is a waste of time and resources.  If 100 watts isn't enough power a ten watt, even in a larger market won't cut it either. From a technical (reception) and financial standpoint a 100 watt LPFM is risky at best. A 10 watt LPFM is a losing proposition. With the cost of the new EAS/CAP equipment it doesn't make sense to drop 10 to 15K for a lousy 10 watts.

If the FCC has to go back to the drawing board an LPFM window may never happen. The FCC has no staff and no money to pursue this a second time. It is no longer on the front burner. What I plan on doing is opposing it and I recommend that anyone that wants one, does engineering work, provides legal service do the same.

If you want an LPFM window this year send your comments to the FCC and tell them to drop the 10 watt LPFMs. The FCC dropped the 10 watt stations and increased the power to 250 watts because 100 watts wasn't enough.

[iyiyi]

I have a feeling that any open frequencies are proving to be much more valuable and utile as translators for existing, signal challenged broadcast stations.  Upping powers to 250 watts will only increase the desirability of using these frequencies as translators instead of LPFM.  I'm not seeing much need for LPFM in most markets.  OTOH, there are many stations in dire need for a translator to help make them more viable.  There are areas where an LPFM serves a good purpose.  I believe that if the vast majority of LPFMs went dark, nobody would even notice.

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[MickeyD]

I have a feeling that any open frequencies are proving to be much more valuable and utile as translators for existing, signal challenged broadcast stations.  Upping powers to 250 watts will only increase the desirability of using these frequencies as translators instead of LPFM.  I'm not seeing much need for LPFM in most markets.  OTOH, there are many stations in dire need for a translator to help make them more viable.  There are areas where an LPFM serves a good purpose.  I believe that if the vast majority of LPFMs went dark, nobody would even notice.

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Very good. Actually what the broadcasters plan is buying up LPFMs that go off the air and turning them into translators.  The new proposd rules are aimed directly at this. The days of the large conglomerates is over. If radio wants to survive it's only change is to be local. The advertising rates are more in line with what a local advertiser can afford and it targets their community.  Local advertisers can't afford to advertise on stations owned by large groups because you arent buying a station, you are buying a market. Does a pizza place in a small town really have to reach an audience that si 30 miles away?

[w9wi]

There is no route for converting a LPFM into a translator. 

[reelyreal]

The deadline for comments on the rule change isn't until May 7th.  No matter what, I would have been surprised if a window happened in 2012 because while they're still working through the 2003 translator apps (one was approved yesterday) there's still a long way to go.  The translator apps need to be dealt with (approved or dismissed) before anything real can happen with a new LPFM window.

I seriously doubt the 10 watt provision will remain.  There's never been a window, and the stations just wouldn't be worthwhile as stated by others above.

As w9wi stated there isn't currently any provision to convert an LPFM into a translator, nor is one proposed.  The new rulemaking does propose that an LPFM can rebroadcast on a translator, if one already exists.  In fact, the new rules will clarify that not only does an original applicant need to be an organization, any owner MUST be a local established organization.

[MickeyD]

There is no route for converting a LPFM into a translator. 

No not at the moment but it will happen. The power increase to 250 watts wasn't approved by the NABm I mean the FCC for nothing.

[MickeyD]

The deadline for comments on the rule change isn't until May 7th.  No matter what, I would have been surprised if a window happened in 2012 because while they're still working through the 2003 translator apps (one was approved yesterday) there's still a long way to go.  The translator apps need to be dealt with (approved or dismissed) before anything real can happen with a new LPFM window.

I seriously doubt the 10 watt provision will remain.  There's never been a window, and the stations just wouldn't be worthwhile as stated by others above.

As w9wi stated there isn't currently any provision to convert an LPFM into a translator, nor is one proposed.  The new rulemaking does propose that an LPFM can rebroadcast on a translator, if one already exists.  In fact, the new rules will clarify that not only does an original applicant need to be an organization, any owner MUST be a local established organization.

The FCC actually planned on an LPFM window by the end of the year. This from the guy at the FCC that has a handle on it.

[reelyreal]

There is no route for converting a LPFM into a translator. 

No not at the moment but it will happen. The power increase to 250 watts wasn't approved by the NABm I mean the FCC for nothing.

It's not going to happen.  It's not.  You have absolutely no evidence or anything to back up that statement other than a pessimistic outlook.

LPFM was implemented for a reason, and the trend has been toward more protections and opportunities for LPFM stations.  There's not even a HINT of a breakdown of the concept.

the power increase was implemented to make these stations more viable by providing a better signal.  That's why the 10's will never see the light of day.  If translators can go to 250, it's only fair that LPFM's go to 250.

The FCC actually planned on an LPFM window by the end of the year. This from the guy at the FCC that has a handle on it.

If they had planned on it, they would have set the wheels in motion and you would have seen public releases.  Wishful thinking and hoping for a window in 2012 is different.  That's what happened.  If it was a PLAN, they would have said so.  By not saying anything, they knew it was far from a sure thing.

[fccman]

Last September I spoke to Jim Bradshaw myself and he told me that the LPFM window would be in April 2012.  When I got this e-mail I spoke to him again yesterday he said " there still may be a window by December but its looking more like spring 2013 "