The FCC has informed REC late Friday afternoon that a Public Notice will be issued that officially announces the comment deadline dates. In addition, the FCC will also publish the parameters and programs used to determine the availability of LPFM channels, which is being used as a basis to determine the disposition of thousands of pending Auction 83 FM Translator applications. This data was requested by REC and other parties who have been in contact with REC since our motion was filed last Friday morning after the NPRM was published in the Federal Register.

The Third NPRM for the Low Power FM Radio Service (MM Docket 99-25) and the Scope of Translators proceeding (MB Docket 07-172) has been published in the Federal Register. This will start the clock on the comment period.

Comments are due: August 29, 2011.
Reply comments due: September 12, 2011.

Comments may be filed electronically through the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).

REC will be issuing opinions on the aspects of the NPRM at a later time.

In reply comments to the FCC on MB Docket 11-83 (Economic impact of LPFM to full service broadcasting), REC affirms the position that the economic impact to full service broadcasting stations by LPFM broadcasting stations would be extremely minimal. REC goes on to mention that the economic impact faced by LPFM broadcasters due to the actions of full service broadcasters such as facility moves to improve market share and make the full service station more profitable far exceeds any perceived economic "harm" caused by LPFM stations.

Listeners in Austin, TX who tune to 103.1 FM are in for a bit of a surprise. The FCC records show that a translator is on that frequency belonging to Educational Media Foundation (EMF), the California-based mega-ministry that operates the “K-Love” and “Air 1” radio networks on hundreds of full power FM radio stations and FM translators nationwide. However, on 103.1 in Austin, listeners do not hear inspiring Christian contemporary music or the reading of scripture. Instead, they hear promotions for gentlemen’s clubs and “natural male enhancement”.

Due to the recent rule changes that allow AM radio stations to be carried on FM translators, EMF is seizing the opportunity by entering into an agreement with commercial mega-broadcaster Clear Channel to carry the signal of AM 1300 KVET, an all-sports format on FM using the facility on 103.1 FM.

This is upsetting the residents in a nearby community who listen to low power radio station, KDRP-LP.

The LPFM Channel Search Tool now gives you the option to remove pending Auction 83 (Great Translator Invasion) translators in designated markets proposed for dismissal under the FCC's "Channel Floors" proposal in the recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

When you access the LPFM Channel Search Tool, select the option "Exclude translators proposed to be dismissed by the FCC in the July, 2011 NPRM.". We will be adding more functionality across the other tools, such as Broadcast Query, at a later time.