July 13, 2021 was the final day for analog low power TV (LPTV) stations. A few LPTV stations in remote Alaskan villages were given authority to continue analog service until a time when those sites can be reached to convert to digital.

This also means that the so-called “Franken FM” (or “FM6”) stations (channel 6 LPTV stations that are using their audio carrier at 87.75 MHz to operate like an FM radio station) are also supposed to shut down.

For several decades now, radio stations have been exempt by statute from having to pay royalties for playing sound recordings over the air.  This was from a time when radio stations actually promoted music over the air.  Over time, this trend in radio had shifted in this country.  Gone are the days of the "boss jock" or the "good guy" who would not only announce the song, but even say what label the song was on.  Music on the radio has become more institutionalized, especially in the face of streaming services that have no DJs and allows you to skip songs that you don't like.

This open letter is for individuals and companies that are in the business of developing software applications used in the processing of FM broadcast construction permit applications.

On June 14, 2021, RadioWorld published an article with the headline "FCC Seems To Affirm 100-Watt LPFM Limit".  The article suggested that despite the fact that the FCC had brought REC's Simple250 proposal to Public Notice that the suggestion that Acting Chairwoman Janet Rosenworcel's comments in her personal blog that the upcoming action on the Order on Reconsideration bringing "finality to the rules" would render Simple250 "dead in the water".