Information about the translator window applications is now available at the FCC website.

The FCC has posted the applications that were filed during the March translator filing window. This window has been the subject of major contraversy due to the large number of applications filed by a small number of groups, many of them players in the non-commercial satellator arena.

We believe that we will have the ability to revise our database files by Thursday night 5/1/2003 (given any computer problems that may arise on our end with the addition of over 13,000 records being added to CDBS overnight).

Once again, we advise those looking for new LPFM channels to hold off until after we can update the database. We will release a news item when that happens.

Relating to the recent Translator filing window.

Due to the recently closed translator filing window, we do not feel that the data in the LPFM Channel Search may be very accurate in the event that you are making long term plans for LPFM in your community.

This translator filing window should also have some severe impacts on our "Top 1000 LPFM Communities" list.

REC advises that you running the search after the FCC has placed the translator applications in the database as any future LPFM applications will have to protect those translators.

REC notes that many of these applications may be questionable and some may be dismissed. However, until the FCC reaches a final ruling (dismissal) on the translators, we will have to protect them.

REC replies to a Petition for a Notice of Inquiry for a Community Broadcast Band.

REC has filed comments partially supporting a Petition by the Community Broadcast Band Discussion Group to initatite a Notice of Inquiry into new spectrum for a Community Broadcast Band.

In our comments, we supported the overall concept of a CBB. However we are supporting CBB using more established technologies including our previously proposed Narrowband Community Speech Radio Service (NCSRS) at 26 MHz.

We have also opened the petition to discussion of the NPR-endorsed expansion of the FM broadcast band to include the spectrum of the underutilized TV Channel 6.

A licensee of pager services in NYC has been given developmental authority to provide broadcast SCA-like services on pager frequencies.

A company in New York called FreePage has been successful in getting a developmental license to provide a service they call Limited Program Distribution Service (LPDS) in the New York City metropolitan area.

In the order for WT Docket 01-108 , the Commission specifically gave FreePage authority to apply for a Developmental License to provide this programming service in the New York City area on their paging frequencies.

Contraversial case would move an FM station from a rual Arizona town to the Tucson metropolitan area using the name of an Air Force base and using an FCC loophole.

REC has filed comments today in opposition to a allotment counterproposal that would have moved a rural FM station directly into the Tucson metropolitan radio market.

The proposal was made by the owner of KWCX in Willcox, Arizona. The proposal would have changed the city of license of KWCX from Willcox (pop. 3733) to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, just adjacent to the city limits of Tucson (pop. 486,699).