The recent situation at KLIE-LP has drawn attention to the unique aspect of the LPFM rules where a lab-tested certified transmitter model is required in the service. 

The certification requirement dates back to the 1990s prior to the establishment of the LPFM service with the surge of pirate radio operations that took place following the passage of the Telecom Act of 1996 which opened the door for the relaxing of the national ownership rules.  The certification requirement was to assure that unstable pirate equipment was not used in the licensed service. 

Somtimes this happens.  Prior to the August 1 open meeting, the Federal Communications Commission has voted to adopt the LPFM technical Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, MB Docket 19-193.  

In advance of the August 1, 2019 FCC Open Meeting, the Commission has adopted the LPFM technical Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, MB Docket 19-193.  This item is expected to include the following proposed changes:

What this petition will do:

• This petition opens up an opportunity for over 2,000 local communities that are currently shut out from having local noncommercial educational broadcast services to be able to obtain the ability to construct and operate a broadcast facility that is “right-sized” for their community.
• This petition provides the assurances to the local communities that their allocation is primary and is not subject to displacement based on the application activity of larger stations, such as those in the urbanized area.
• This petition will provide first aural service to smaller qualified communities while continuing to honor the Commission’s mandate to fair and equitable distribution of licenses among the states and communities.

The Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice announcing a Petition for Rulemaking from REC Networks and has assigned in RM-11846.

In this Petition for rulemaking, REC is asking for relief for rural communities that currently do not have any radio broadcast stations licensed to them in order to obtain a new lower-powered broadcast station in the upcoming filing window for NCE stations.