We are pleased that the FCC has taken some major steps to protect locally owned community based LPFM stations.

REC is concerned that the 10 application limit to translators will still not result in too many new LPFM channels becoming available. The damage was already done when the FCC granted the singleton applications in the GTI window. REC feels that LPFM should have priority over speculative translators.

Until 3rd adjacent is lifted, the FCC needs to change some rules such as the massive overprotection of TV Channel 6 and FM translators.

We look forward to updating our information, once we get it!

As with many in the LPFM community, we are pleased with many aspects of the FCC's decision on LPFM from last week's Commission meeting. We will comment further when the official Report and Order (R&O) comes out. We also plan to participate in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

This R&O does bring some new opportunities for new reports and database applications.

The FCC has issued a Sunshine Notice today which includes a Media Bureau item for MM Docket 99-25 which is only described as "The Commission will consider a Third Report and Order concerning the promotion and expansion of low power FM (LPFM) service."

The meeting will take place on November 27, 2007 at 9:30AM EST and will be streamed.

Many suspect that this is the changes in the rules that address the protection of translators and LPFM stations fueled mainly because of the "Great Translator Invasion" window of 2003.

MB Docket 99-25 is currently in a SUNSHINE status. This means that comment filing and ex-parte presentations with decision makers on this docket are prohibited until the FCC takes action at the meeting or if the item is removed from the agenda.

Statement of REC Networks regarding the applications of the Arizona Community Media Foundation (BNPED-20071016AGQ and BNPED-20071016AGR):

We have been reviewing the NCE Window applications within our area of interest (AZ, NV, So. Cal.) and we are joyed to see that this organization is trying to bring an independent non-commercial station to the Phoenix area. We hope that the station is on the same caliber as progressive stations like KXCI in Tucson and KPFK in Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, the Phoenix area has been devoid of independent media on the airwaves. We have suffered for decades with pre-packaged NPR and commercial network content. Hopefully, free speech will soon reign over the East Valley on 88.7. We are looking forward to it.

Michelle A. Eyre for
REC Networks

REC has made the following updates to support the NCE Filing Window:

BROADCAST QUERY (FMQ)
Applications for original construction permits on non-commercial educational (NCE) stations are now identified by the following line added to the data:
2007 NCE Window Station: Check for MX

Clicking on "Check for MX" will display a "MX" (mutually exclusive) report similar to what we used during the Great Translator Invasion of 2003. The MX application will display the subject station's information and the estimated field strengths of the impacted stations and attempts to compute the distance required to "clear" the other station. On that report, stations that are potentially MX will appear with a red background.