The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is declaring a filing window November 1st to 8th wherein specific groups can submit applications for new Low Power FM radio station licenses. This happens rarely but once every decade. The FCC’s Public Notice of the event can be found here:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-531A1.pdf
The application window will be open to only apply for non-commercial, educational low power FM (“LFPM”) stations. For review, there are four basic types of FM licenses: Commercial, non-commercial, low power (LPFM), and translator/booster.
Commercial stations generally play hit music, run commercials, and exist to make profit (92.1-107.9 FM). They can range from 100 to 100,000 watts.
LPFM are small, non-commercial stations, up to 100 watts, whose purpose is to serve a specific community or sub-community within a large city.
Translators/Boosters are automated transmitters that rebroadcast a primary station’s programming to a new area, or an area of poor reception.
Non-Commercial Educational (NCE) stations primarily exist between 88.1 to 91.9 FM, the “reserved” band, and exist to serve non-commercial purposes; they are commercial-free. Non-profit groups, schools, and religious entities are allowed to apply for these stations. Examples of the types of stations that primarily use NCE frequencies include National Public Radio (NPR), college radio stations, and Christian satellite networks. Occasionally, NCE stations can be found on the non-reserved band (92.1-107.9 FM), but this is a result of a complicated petitioning process. NCE’s can range from 100 to 100,000 watts.
The FCC plans on opening a one-week application filing window: November 1st, beginning at midnight, the window opens. November 8th at 6pm EST/ 3pm PST the window closes. An electronic application that is clicked with “submit” at 6:01pm EST will not even be accepted. Note that this is the only time to file for a LPFM probably for the next ten years, and the last radio channels available in many cities.
