Triggered by a complaint, the FCC has issued a Forfeiture Order to Power Radio Corportation, licensee of KXPW-LP in Georgetown, TX.

The $3,000 dinger was as a result of KXPW-LP violating 73.875(c) of the rules when it replaced a 3-bay antenna with a 4-bay antenna without filing an FCC Form 319 within 10 days.

Power claimed that they did not know that they had to contact the FCC with such a change and that the violation was "minor". The FCC disagreed stating that when a station fails to file a 319, it can endanger public safety if stations do not comply with radiofreqency radiation guidelines.

Power claimed an inability to pay, however the FCC refused to adjust the forfeiture based on information from the corporation's 2003 federal tax return.

Here's some interesting reading. This is a report that was put out by the NAB regarding the compliance of certain Part 15 low power FM transmitter devices. These devices are used today in the consumer mainstream to transmit the audio of satellite radio receivers and MP3 players to FM radios, usually inside of a vehicle. The popularity of these devices prompted REC to create the FMFIND.info website.

Recently, XM was in the news because they stated in their SEC filing that some of their FM transmitter designs may have been outside the Part 15 specs.

Of the devices mentioned in the report, the least complaint of the devices was the Hobbytron FM-25B which put out the strongest field strength of all of the transmitters examimed.

Citing commercial influence and other factors, REC Networks has filed comments with the FCC in the petition by an incumbent broadcaster to allow FM translators to originate local programming. In the petition, Miller Communications, a multiple owner of full power broadcast stations is seeking changes in the FCC rules to allow a FM translator to originate programming such as city council meetings and local sports (originating from within 25 miles).

In a letter released today, the FCC Audio Bureau Chief Peter Doyle denies several informal objections over the grant of the license of KAPU-LP of Watsonville, CA. The objectors allege that the LPFM operated by Ohana de Watsonville "breached oral agreements" with the local community and is programming KAPU-LP only with Hawaiian music and contrary to the statement of purpose that Ohana provided in their original construction permit application. Watsonville is, according to the objectors, 80% Spanish speaking.

The FCC responded that because of the 1981 Radio Deregulation Order, as well as the First Amendment and other statutes, the FCC can not regulate a broadcaster's choice of entertainment format.

Every so often, we continue to get the question, "so when is the next LPFM filing window?". Honestly, we do not know. All most can do is speculate. Currently, the FCC is busy with other actions. While construction permits grants in the Great Translator Invasion (GTI) were frozen for a period of time, the FCC is continuing to work assignments of permits. These assignments are coming from Radio Assist/Edgewater and others.