FCC NCE FM Radio Filing Window Coming

Filing Window for New Noncommercial FM Stations Applications Coming Soon! – With an LPFM Window to Follow!

A new filing window for new noncommercial FM radio stations in the reserved FM band (88.1 – 92.1 FM) is in finally in the works! The window could happen in late 2020 but is more likely to happen in early 2021.

Chairman Pai this month responded to a Congressional inquiry about the next window for new LPFM stations. In his letter, he stated that the LPFM window would follow a window for new noncommercial FM stations since noncommercial applicants have not had an opportunity to file for new stations in over a decade. The letter stated that the NCE window will open after the recently adopted changes in the rules for processing these noncommercial applications become effective. The changes are waiting for Paperwork Reduction Act review before they can become effective.

The 2010 window for NCE applications was for a limited number of commercial frequencies that had been set aside and reserved for noncommercial use where the reserved band had constraints. The last window for reserved band FM stations (88.1 to 91.9 FM) opened in 2007.

There could again be a similar requirement in any new window. Stations in the reserved band can be located where no interference is created to an existing FM station.  These types of applications are more complicated than those for LPFM. Start your planning now as the analysis of where a new station can be located can be very time-consuming.

 

FCC Gives Blue Alerts a Green Light

A new alert code has been added to the nation’s emergency alert system.

 

At its December Open Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission moved to amend the EAS rules by adding a new event code — a Blue Alert — that can be sent over the EAS and the Wireless Emergency Alert system. The alerts are designed to be used by state and local authorities to notify the public of threats to law enforcement and to help apprehend dangerous suspects.

 

Blue Alerts are designed to warn the public when there is information related to a law enforcement officer who is missing, seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, or when there is a threat to an officer. At the meeting, the commissioners welcomed the family members and colleagues of two New York City Police detectives who were killed in the line of duty in 2014, officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. These new codes are being in put in place to help protect officers in future, Chairman Ajit Pai said.

 

Source: Radio World

FCC Warns Operator About Two Stations

Agents from Enforcement Bureau made not one … not two … but eight different visits to a residential property in Lauderhill, Fla., that was allegedly illegally broadcasting radio signals on not one, but two different frequencies.

 

Earlier this month, agents from the bureau at the Federal Communications Commission warned Wilfrid Salomon of Lauderdale Lakes in a Notice of Unlicensed Operation. Direction-finding techniques found signals emanating from a palm tree-lined court in the Southwest Florida city. Signals were allegedly found to be broadcasting on frequency 107.1 MHz and 87.9 MHz from the same home.

 

Agents conducted field strength measurements of both signals and found that the signals exceeded 100 microvolts per meter at three meters, which is the maximum for unlicensed devices. In each Notice of Unlicensed Operation that it sends, the FCC clarifies that there is one exception to this licensing requirement: For certain transmitters operating at a power level that complies with standards established in Part 15 of the commission’s rules.

 

Source: Radio World

Special Translator Window Open - Now

As announced in October 2015 in the AM Order the commission had opened a special filing window for FM translators for use with AM radio stations. This is a two part window, with the first part open now for the next six months – ending July 28, 2016. The second window will be for three months opening July 29th and closing October 31st, 2016.

 

The current window is for Class C and D AM licensees only. The second round in July will be for AM stations of any class. Applications are processed on a first come first serve basis. So timing is of the essence. It is important to get started immediately.

 

During the window periods AM stations or permittees are being given the opportunity to acquire and relocate one FM translator station in the non reserved band – 92.1 – 107.9 Mhz. The translator may be relocated up to 250 miles. Only one application may be filed by the AM station and may only be listed as the primary input on a single translator application.

 

If you have an FM translator license that you would be interested in selling or have an AM station seeking an FM translator, it is imperative that you begin now. Call us or use the contact form below to get started. 903-270-1500

 

FCC Finalizes Regs For LPTV Conversion

The FCC has released their final rule laying out regulations for low-power television stations switching from analog to digital transmission as well as adopting rules which will accommodate industry changes resulting from the upcoming broadcast incentive auction.

 

The final rule extended the deadline for low-power television stations, or LPTVs, to transition to digital transmission to one year after the 39-month post-auction transition period. The FCC said this was in an effort to grant LPTVs enough time to analyze the new low-band spectrum landscape following the broadcast incentive auction.  The auction is scheduled to begin in March, 2016. The initial deadline was previously Sept. 1, 2015.

 

The Commission said it would assist LPTVs in finding new broadcast channels for stations that are kicked off of their current frequencies as a result of the auction, which will redistribute significant spectrum rights from broadcasters to wireless providers. LPTVs and TV translator stations will also be allowed to share channels under the rule, which the FCC said would further aid stations displaced by the auction.

 

Death of Analog

 

The final rule will also extend the end of a mandate that new Televisions include an analog tuner to pick up broadcast stations. After Aug. 31, 2017, manufacturers will no longer be required to include analog tuners in televisions.

 

Multiple Hospitalized Following Homeopathic Conference

[caption id="attachment_1789" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Attendees of a homeopathic conference in Germany were hospitalized following an overdose on a hallucinogenic illegal substance.[/caption] Homeopathic Conference Attendees "Suffered Mul...
http://darkmatternews.com/multiple-hospitalized-following-homeopathic-conference/

Restaurant Haunted by Katrina Victim?

Dark Matter News Last August 29th marked the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation upon the city of New Orleans, and though it’s been a decade since the catastrophe, there may be one troubled soul who is still experiencing the horror of the events from the beyond the grave. WGNO of New Orleans recently reported that the owners of Charcoal’s Gourmet Burger Bar on the corner of Magazine and Jackson Street claim to be haunted by the spirit of of a woman who died tragically the day after the Category 3 storm brought unrest to The Big Easy. The post Restaurant Haunted by Katrina Victim? appeared first on Dark Matter News.
http://darkmatternews.com/new-orleans-katrina-ghost/