Currently, all FM stations (including LPFM stations) are permitted to operate at a digital effective radiated power (ERP) of -14 dB below carrier (dBc), which equates to 4 percent of their analog ERP.  Stations can operate up to -10 dBc (10 percent of analog ERP) with a contour study showing that the station meets certain contour overlap requirements to first adjacent channel stations. 

Revision 5 - November 6, 2022

In the context of smaller noncommercial educational (NCE) broadcast stations, including Low Power FM (LPFM), an “assignment” is a transaction where the license is changed (assigned) to another nonprofit entity. A “transfer” is a transaction where the license remains where the license remains with the same entity, but there is a significant change in the persons that control the licensee organization.

For over the past 10 years, myLPFM has assisted LPFM stations in checking availability for moves and in the early days, it also assisted those seeking new LPFM stations to find their perfect place on the dial.  

On Septmber 8, 2022, the FCC released the tentative agenda for the Open Meeting on September 29, 2022.   On the agenda for that meeting is an item related to changes to the Emergency Alert System (EAS).  With the agenda, the FCC released the circulation draft of the Report and Order for the EAS item that will be voted on during or prior to the Open Meeting.

REC Networks has filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the Federal Communications Commission to propose various rule changes related to future FM translator stations.  While we wait for what will likely be an LPFM filing window as early as 2023, the next logical step for secondary services will be an opportunity for new and major change FM translator stations for general applicants.