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Friday, October 5, 2007

Broadcast TV & Radio Station Application Filing Followups

G. Public Notice Requirements:

 

(1) Applicants filing Form 340 for the October 2007 NCE filing window must publish a public notice to inform the community about the proposal. In accordance with 47 C.F.R. Section 73.3580, applicants for construction permits for new broadcast stations and for major change in existing broadcast facilities [as defined in 47 C.F.R. Sections 73.3572(a)(1) (for television applicants) or 73.3573(a) (1) (for FM applicants)] must give local public notice. This publication requirement also applies to major amendments as defined in 47 C.F.R. Sections 73.3572(b) (television), and 73.3573(b) (FM). This publication requirement also applies with respect to applications for minor modification to existing FM facilities in which the applicant seeks to change the existing facility’s community of license. For noncommercial stations not yet on the air publication generally must be in a newspaper of general circulation in the community to which the station is licensed. However, if the noncommercial station is operating, publication by broadcast over  that station is deemed sufficient pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Section 73.3580(e). 

 

(2) Applicants should give public notice no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 30 days after filing the application with the Commission. The applicant must certify compliance or intent to comply with the public notice requirements in Section II of this application. The required content of the local notice is described in 47 C.F.R. Section 73.3580(f). Worksheet #1 attached to these instructions provides additional guidance. The applicant need not file proof of publication with the application. Public Inspection File: The applicant must make a copy of this completed application and all related documents available to the public in the applicant’s public inspection file located in the community of license, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Section 73.3527. LOCAL NOTICE CHECKLISTApplicants must certify that they have complied with Section 73.3580 regarding publication of local notice of the subject application (Section II, Question 12 ).

1. Newspaper notice (required for NEW and non-operating noncommercial stations).

(a) Dates of publication:(i) All within 30 days of tender of the application.
(b) Daily newspaper published in community?(i) Public notice must appear twice a week for two consecutive weeks.
(c) No such daily newspaper, weekly newspaper published in community?(i) Notice must appear once a week for three consecutive weeks.
(d) If no such daily or weekly newspaper, local notice must appear in daily newspaper with the greatest circulation in the community twice a week for two consecutive weeks. 

2. Broadcast notice. (Operating noncommercial stations may broadcast the notice instead of giving notice by newspaper publication, if desired.)

(a) Once daily for 4 days in the second week following the filing of the application.
(b) At least 2 announcements during “prime time” (6 p.m. – 11 p.m. for television) or “drive time”(7 a.m. – 9 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. for radio), as applicable.

3. The announcements should contain the following information.

(a) Applicant name(s)
(b) Names of all officers, directors, 10% shareholders (if corporation), all non-insulated partners (if partnership)
(c) Purpose of application
(d) Date on which application was filed
(e) Call letters and frequency/channel of station
(f) Statement that copy of application is available in Public File
(g) Location of public file
(h) Facilities sought: type and class of station
(i) Power sought
(j) Antenna height
(k) Transmitter site
(l) Location of studios

 

Example advertisement:

On October Twelfth 2007, XYZ Radio Broadcasting Corp filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a new FM Non Commercial Broadcast station to be licensed to the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the application is to create a new radio station to serve the Philadelphia, PA area on 91.1 Mhz, Class A at 1,000 watt with an antenna located at 100 meters above average terrain.  The transmitter will be located at 30-08-24.0 N /  93-58-44.0 W with studios located at 123 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA.  XYZ Radio Broadcasting Corp, is made up of John Doe, Joe Jack, and Jack Black. A copy of the application may be inspected in the public file located at 123 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA.

If you know the physical address of the transmitter site, you may use that instead or in addition to the coordinates.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

FALL 2007 FILING WINDOW ANNOUNCED!

UPDATE! 3-23-07

It’s OFFICIAL! The FCC Announced today an NCE filing window to be scheduled for the fall of 2007!  The FCC has not released the exact date, we expect to know the filing dates within the next 30 days.  This will be a full power Non-Commercial Filing window.  It is important to contact us as soon as possible if you wish to participate in this upcoming filing window.  We are accepting a limited amount of clients in order to provide world class service and accurate filings.  Feel free to call us if you have any questions about the window.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Nexus Helps All Radio Stations, Full Power & Low Power FM Radio

Choosing Nexus Broadcast Assistance

Broadcast Engineering Experience

  • Nexus Broadcast is headed by Leo Ashcraft,  a broadcast engineer and broadcast consultant.  He commands over 28 years of experience in FCC regulatory and technical matters.  He has assisted many clients in application preparation and filing FCC  applications and compliance matters. These clients have included Christian, African-American, and Hispanic-American groups. Many are first-time broadcasters.

Stay Informed

  • Nexus will keep you informed of the  FCC  requirements for radio stations, we will assist you in preparing and filing applications with the FCC, and advocate the interests of broadcasters.

Affordable

  • Nexus is dedicated to providing affordable Broadcast consulting services.  We are not affiliated with or represent group owners of large commercial broadcast stations. The fees are $750 for us to review an application prepared by you.   We will ensure that the required documentation is complete and that the application is in compliance with FCC regulations. Or, if you would like us to prepare and file the application for you, the fees would be $2,500.  Some discounts are available, contact us to see if you qualify.  In either case, we will guarantee that your application is acceptable for filing with the FCC.

Sensible

  • Many prospective clients asked us why they would need a professional Broadcast consultant to assist with filing an application at the FCC.  The FCC imposes very strict technical requirements on applicants and imposes very strict requirements as to who is eligible to apply.  If your application is not in strict compliance with FCC rules and “letter perfect,” and if the required documentation is incomplete, it will be dismissed without a chance to file again!

Defense/Offense

  • In addition to providing Radio & TV Broadcast consulting services to review or prepare an application, we also show you how you can increase your chances of obtaining a license in the event of competing applications for the same frequency in your area.   We can also file petitions to deny against competing applicants if requested by you and the facts and law warrant such a petition.  If a programming time-share agreement with competing applicants is required by the FCC, we will negotiate and put together an agreement for you and obtain FCC approval.  Fees for post-filing services will be at reasonable hourly rates and in addition to those quoted above.

Please read our full disclosure regarding use of Nexus Broadcast Services here.

Previously Served Broadcasting Clients

WSOJ
WJIH
WLHZ
KETE
KGIC
KABF
WCSA
WLAR
KVJS
WPCG
WLBM
WSBL
WORZ
KGWP
WKGT
WYOU
KGGM
WLHQ
WALW
KQLC
KVVT
KXPW
KKXI
KWSK
KXVI
WWZE
KDOL
KJUK
KDLP
KWPB
WFBB
WJUK
KXVX
WPCA
KCJM
WFBP
WTRR
KZJM
WUCR
WSOJ
WLNT
KLNA
WCEE
KHDO
KYFA
KNOI
KYZQ
KXDX
KGWP
KQLN
WLNT
KKVI
WZPH
MCMINNVILLE
ONEONTA
SPRINGFIELD
SULPHUR BLUFF
CORONA
LITTLE ROCK
RIPLEY
ATHENS
ARROYO
CANTON
DANVILLE
SOUTH BEND
KEY LARGO
PITTSBURG
NORTH  ADAMS
WILLIAMSBURG
DELHI
JACKSON
MOULTON
BROOKSHIRE
SULPHUR SPRINGS
GEORGETOWN
MOUNT PLEASANT
DAINGERFIELD
WINFIELD
HILLSVALE
LIVINGTSON
MOUNT  PLEASANT
ACE
NEWPORT
GLEN ST. MARY
PLYMOUTH
SULPHUR SPRINGS
AMERY
ALEXANDRIA
TAYLORS
GLEN
LAFAYETTE
LAKE BUTLER
MCMINNVILLE
LOUDON
PITTSBURG
MELBOURNE
HONDO
GINGER
SULPHUR BLUFF
CLARKSVILLE
MT PLEASANT
PITTSBURG
ALAMO
LOUDON
OVERLAND
ZEPHYHILLS
TN
NY
MA
TX
CA
AR
MS
TN
TX
GA
IL
IN
FL
TX
MA
LA
AL
AL
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
VA
TX
TX
TX
TX
OR
FL
IN
TX
WI
LA
SC
MS
LA
FL
TN
TN
TX
FL
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
NV
TN
TX
FL
Many more clients have been satisfied with our services, we are working to add them all to the list soon.  If we haven’t listed you above, please let us know!

What is FM Radio, LPFM, & Low Power FM Radio?

FM Broadcast Radio Stations

FM stands for “Frequency Modulation”, which refers to the means of encoding the audio signal on the carrier (center) frequency.

  • “FAA Flight Service Station Reporting Service Requirements for Tower Light Outages”, DA 00-580, released March 16, 2000. [ PDF | MS Word 97 | Text ]. Tower light outages and restoration of tower lighting must be recorded in the station’s log, in addition to the date, time, and the Flight Service Station (FSS) notified of the lighting outage.

  • Facility ID Number for Broadcast Stations — A unique number has been assigned to each AM, FM, LPFM, TV, LPTV, translator, and booster station. This number is being employed to provide an unvarying reference between various databases at the Commission, and to minimize discrepancies caused by call sign or facilities changes. The Facility ID Number for a broadcast station may be determined by using CDBS. We encourage the use of this number, along with the station call sign and file number if appropriate, on the cover page of all documents pertaining to particular broadcast stations submitted to the FCC.

  • “Grandfathered FM Stations”, MM Docket 96-120, FCC 97-276, 12 FCC Rcd 11840, 62 FR 50818 [ Word Perfect 5.1 | Text ]. Revised rules for grandfathered short-spaced stations that have remained short-spaced since November 1962.

  • Minor Change Definition and Procedures Revised for FM Applications — First Report and Order (PDF) in MM Docket 98-93, FCC 99-55, 64 FR 19498, released March 30, 1999. First Come / First Served processing adopted for AM, FM noncommercial educational, and FM translator minor change applications. The definition of what constitutes a minor change application was greatly expanded.

Word Perfect 5.1 | Text ] and the earlier Report and Order, MM Docket 97-138, FCC 98-175, released August 11, 1998 [ Word Perfect 5.1 | Text ]

  • Radiofrequency Exposure information. Broadcasters are required to comply with the Commission’s radiofrequency exposure limits, in coordination with other RF users at the site.

License Renewal Applications for Radio Broadcast Stations — All radio broadcast station licenses will expire between 2003 and 2006. Licensees must file a license renewal application (FCC Form 303-S) and the Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Program Statement (FCC Form 396) four months before the expiration date of the station’s license. This page provides information about the license renewal process for radio broadcast stations.

  • Remote Control Point Notifications: A letter notifying the Commission of the location and telephone number of the remote control point (also called transmission system control point) must be sent to the Audio Division, Mail Stop 1800B2, FCC, Washington, D.C. 20554 within 3 days of the initial use of that point. Notification is not required if personnel can be contacted at the main studio site or at the transmitter site during all hours of operation. See 47 CFR Section 73.1350(g) and Question 8 of Unattended Operation of Radio and Television Broadcast Stations.

  • Service Area / Service Contour Maps are available through the FM Query. Select the longer, detailed Query output before subbmitting the request; when the records are returned, select the “Service Contour Map” link under the desired record.

  • FM and TV Service Contour Data Points — The files contained herein consist of calculated latitude and longitude points for FM and TV service contours, 360 points for each contour. The contour data must be correllated with data from the CDBS database, or from the AM, FM, or TV Queries. This data is intended for use with GIS systems.

  • Table of Allotments. Because the Table of Allotments changes almost daily, the Media Bureau will not post a current table on the Internet. This link will take you to the Table of Allotments in 47 CFR 73.202 that is published once yearly in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

  • Unattended Operation of Broadcast Stations, Report and Order, MM Docket 94-130, 10 FCC Rcd 11479, released 10/23/1995 [ Word Perfect 5.1 | Text ]

How to Start a Low Power FM Radio Station

How to Apply for a Broadcast Station

Introduction

In the following sections, we provide some basic information about radio and television stations and the related application processes.

Heavy Demand for New Broadcast Stations. Potential applicants for radio and television services should be aware that frequencies for these services are always in heavy demand. For example, the Commission received approximately 30,000 inquiries from persons seeking to start radio broadcast stations last year. Where broadcast frequencies remain available, competing applications are routinely received. Thus, you are cautioned at the outset that the filing of an application does not guarantee that you will receive a broadcast station construction permit. You should also be aware that in many areas of the country, no frequencies may be available on which a new station could commence operating without causing interference to existing stations, which would violate FCC rules. For that reason, we do not recommend that you purchase any equipment before receiving a construction permit from the FCC.

Expansion of the AM or FM radio bands is unlikely to occur in the near future. The FM band is constrained from expanding above 107.9 MHz by the presence of aeronautical operations on 108 MHz to 136 MHz, and is also prevented from expanding below 88.1 MHz by Channel 6 television operations on 82.0 through 88.0 MHz. The AM band was recently expanded from 1600 to 1700 kHz after years of international negotiations, however those frequencies are reserved for existing stations which were causing significant interference in the lower part of the band.

Unlicensed Operation Prohibited. A very common question asked to the FCC is whether broadcasting at very low power requires a license. Please be aware that unlicensed operation of radio broadcast stations is prohibited, even at such low powers such as 1 watt or less. The only unlicensed operation that is permitted on the AM and FM broadcast bands is covered under Part 15 of the FCC’s rules, and is limited to a coverage radius of approximately 200 feet. (See the Commission’s July 24, 1991 Public Notice.) Unlicensed operation is also not permitted in the television bands (including 87.9 MHz, which falls within the 82.0 to 88.0 Channel 6 television band). Fines and/or criminal prosecution may result from illegal operation of an unlicensed station.

Application Filing Fees. For commercial AM, FM, and TV broadcast station applications, filing fees must be paid with the submission of any application. These fees are detailed in the Media Bureau Fee Filing Guide, which may be retrieved through the Internet at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/appfees.html.

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