Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • REC Home
  • Apply
    • REC Services Rate Card & Policies
    • LPFM Construction Completed
    • LPFM License Modification
    • New FM Booster Station
    • New Class D FM Station in Alaska
    • New Low Power FM (LPFM) Station
  • Initiatives
    • RM-11846: Rural NCE Stations
    • RM-11909: LP-250 / Simple 250
    • WIDE-FM
    • RM-11952: Translator Reform
    • RM-11843: 8 Meter Ham Band
    • PACE - LPFM Compliance
  • Services
  • Tools
    • Today's FCC Activity
    • Broadcast Data Query
    • Field strength curves
    • Runway slope
    • Tower finder
    • FM MODEL-RF Exposure Study
    • More tools
    • Developers - API
  • LPFM
    • Learn about LPFM
      • Basics of LPFM
      • Self Inspection Checklist
      • Underwriting Compliance Guide
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • FCC Rules for LPFM
      • HD Radio for LPFM
      • Transmitters certified for LPFM
      • Interference from FM translators
      • RadioDNS for LPFM Stations
    • 2023 Window REC Client Portal
    • myLPFM - LPFM Station Management
    • LPFM Station Directory
    • Spare call signs
    • REC PACE Program
    • More about LPFM
  • Reference
    • Pending FCC Applications
    • FCC Filing Fees
    • Radio License Renewal Deadlines
    • FCC Record/FCC Reports
    • Pirate Radio Enforcement Data
    • Premises Info System (PREMIS)
    • ITU and other international documents
    • Recent FCC Callsign Activity
    • FCC Enforcement Actions
    • Federal Register
    • Recent CAP/Weather Alerts
    • Legal Unlicensed Broadcasting
    • More reference tools
  • LPFM Window
  • About
    • REC in the Media
    • Supporting REC's Efforts
    • Recommendations
    • FCC Filings and Presentations
    • Our Jingles
    • REC Radio History Project
    • Delmarva FM / Riverton Radio Project
    • J1 Radio / Japanese Broadcasting
    • Japan Earthquake Data
    • REC Systems Status
    • eLMS: Enhanced LMS Data Project
    • Open Data at REC
    • Our Objectives
  • Contact

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • FAQ: My station is getting interference. Can we briefly change channels to "test" to see if a different channel is better?

Operational Status

Michi on YouTube

Most popular

fcc.today - real time updates on application activity from the FCC Media Bureau.  fccdata.org - the internet's most comprehensive FCC database lookup tool.  myLPFM.com - Low Power FM channel search and station management tool.  REC Broadcast Services - professional LPFM and FM translator filing services. 

Other tools & info

  • Filing Window Tracking
  • Enforcement Actions
  • REC Advisory Letters
  • FAQ-Knowledge Base
  • U/D Ratio Calculator
  • Propagation Curves
  • Runway Slope/REC TOWAIR
  • Coordinate Conversion
  • PREMIS: Address Profile
  • Spare Call Sign List
  • FCC (commercial) filing fees
  • Class D FM stations in Alaska
  • ARRR: Pirate radio notices
  • Unlicensed broadcasting (part 15)
  • FMmap - broadcast atlas
  • Federal Register
  • Rate Card & Policies
  • REC system status
  • Server Status
  • Complete site index
Cirrus Streaming - Radio Streaming Services - Podcasting & On-demand - Mobile Apps - Advertising
Select FAQ Category:

FAQ: My station is getting interference. Can we briefly change channels to "test" to see if a different channel is better?

No.

§73.875(c) of the FCC Rules specifies the types of changes that can be done without advance authorization from the FCC.  They include (with conditions in some cases):

  • Replacement of an antenna with the one of the same type or different number of antenna bays provided that the height of the antenna radiation center is not more than 2 meters above or 4 meters below the authorized values.
  • Replacement of a transmission line with one of a different type or length which changes the transmitter operating power (TPO) from the authorized value, but not the effective radiated power.
  • Changes in time share hours pursuant to a new time share agreement. 

In these cases, a modification of license application (formerly Form 319) needs to be filed within 10 days of making the change.

§73.875(b)(4) specifically forbids a channel change without first receiving a granted construction permit. 

Channel changes, even brief ones without an appropriate instrument of authorization (i.e. a construction permit) would be construed as unauthorized operation in violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act and is subject to a potential $10,000 forfeiture.  

It's also important to remember that the other channel may not meet the minimum distance separation requirements of §73.807 and a permanent channel change may not be possible.  It may also be possible that the new channel may require an interference showing in the event that the channel does not meet the minimum distance separation requirements for second-adjacent channels.  The Local Community Radio Act of 2010 requires that distance separation be used to protect all full-service stations on co-channel, first- and second-adjacent channels (with waivers available for second-adjacent).  If you need assistance with interference or need to make a channel change, please contact REC Networks at 202 621-2355.

If granted a construction permit, then the station can "test" on the other channel.  If it turns out that the other channel will not work out better, then the LPFM station should request cancellation of the modification construction permit and revert operations back to their originally authorized channel and facility.  If it turns out the channel change will work out better, please do not forget to file a License to Cover to advise the FCC that the change has been made.  LPFM stations cannot operate on both their old and new facilities simultaneously.  

Also note, that a construction permit has a 3-year term attached to it.  If operations continue on the new facility and no License to Cover is ever filed and the period of construction lapses, continued operation on the new facility is considered unauthorized operation and is subject to a forfeiture. 

 

 

LPFM enforcement and interference
LPFM technical operations
Mon, 08/15/2022 - 12:00

https://www.fcc.gov/document/omega-church-intl-ministries-inc-oakland-p…

REC Essentials

  • FCC.TODAY
  • FCCdata.org
  • myLPFM Station Management
  • REC site map

The More You Know...

  • Unlicensed Broadcasting
  • Class D Stations for Alaska
  • Broadcasting in Japan
  • Our Jingles

Other REC sites

  • J1 Radio
  • REC Delmarva FM
  • Japan Earthquake Information
  • API for developers

But wait, there's more!

  • Join NFCB
  • Pacifica Network
  • LPFM Wiki
  • Report a bug with an REC system

Copyright © REC Networks - All Rights Reserved
EU cookie policy

Please show your support by using the Ko-Fi link at the bottom of the page. Thank you for supporting REC's efforts!