It’s been nearly three years since the FCC first announced that a new low-power FM (LPFM) application window would be forthcoming. Now we know that November 1 – 8, 2023 will be the third-ever opportunity for qualified non-profits to apply for a license. Jennifer, Eric and Paul review all the pertinent details, explaining why there is excitement around LPFM and this next chance for new community and college radio stations to go on the air.

We also take another look at Franken FMs – vestigial low-power TV (LPTV) stations on channel 6 that can be heard at the far left end of the FM radio dial. They were supposed to go off the air a year ago when the last LPTV stations converted to digital broadcasts. But the FCC eventually granted 13 of them “Special Temporary Authority” to continue broadcasting an analog radio signal experimentally even while their video signals went digital. At its July meeting the Commission plans to vote on rules that would allow these Franken FMs to live on, and we discuss what’s at stake.

The post Podcast #331 – New Low-Power FM Opportunity Coming this November appeared first on Radio Survivor.

The Federal Communications Commission recently announced that November 2, 2021 will mark the opening of the next licensing window for full-power non-commercial / educational (NCE) FM radio stations. The Commission first hinted at this chance back in fall of 2020. Given how often our listeners ask how and when they can get a radio license, we immediately dedicated an episode to that topic. Now that more is known we decided to revisit it.

Even though the application window dates have not yet been announced, now is the time to get prepared. Broadcast attorney Frank Montero guests to help us understand the process of applying for an FM broadcast license. He’s a partner with Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth, which also publishes the CommLawBlog. He explains who qualifies to apply and other requirements to keep in mind.

License application windows are the only time when an organization may apply for an FM radio license, and they don’t happen frequently. The last full-power NCE window was more than a decade ago, and the last chance at an LPFM was 2013. As the FM dial fills up in cities and towns across the country, this may be the last opportunity for a new station in many regions. If you’re interested in operating a full- or low-power non-commercial station we we hope this episode helps get you started. Even if you’re not interested, it’s important to understand just how stations get on the air in the 21st century.

• CommLawBlog – The Upcoming FCC Noncommercial FM and LPFM Filing Windows: What You Need to Know
• The Next Noncomm FM License Opportunity Opens November 2
• NFCB: Primer On The NCE Radio Filing Window
• FCC Chair: New LPFM & Noncomm License Opportunities Coming Soon
• FCC Awards Full-Power Licenses to 5 LPFMs, Plus 52 More Orgs (2010)
• FCC’s LPFM order will make 2013 a good year for community radio (2012)
• Radio Survivor documented the roll-out of new LPFM stations beginning with the most recent 2013 application window

Feature image adapted from “The FCC’s front door” by Rob Pegararo / flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

The post Podcast #300 – How to Get a Noncomm FM License in 2021 (Replay) appeared first on Radio Survivor.

Christian radio? Check. Bad 80s pop music? Yep. One takeaway is that commercial radio everywhere kinda sucks, in general. But there are also some more interesting sounds to be heard, too.

Some of the stations heard include:

The post Podcast #170.5 – Bonus: São Paulo FM Bandscan appeared first on Radio Survivor.

Also included in the interview, Ernie Smith explains how he approaches writing about things for the internet. Tedium.co covers topics as diverse (and uniquely inconsequential) as FrankenFM and the inventor of the mouse pad.

This interview is an encore presentation from episode #58.

The post Podcast #127 – Franken-FMs Are Low-Power TV Stations Masquerading as Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor.

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The post Podcast #120 – Have Your Own Tiny Radio Station appeared first on Radio Survivor.

Álvaro is a community broadcaster and podcaster from São Bernardo do Campo, and he joins us to explain the AM migration, and what it means for community radio. Then we reflect on the implications for the United States, where the FCC is about to open a licensing window for AM stations to get FM translator repeater stations, and is weighing other options for so-called “AM revitalization.” Álvaro also tells us about community radio in Brazil, and that country’s approach to licensing community stations.

Next week we celebrate 100 episodes of the Radio Survivor show with all four Radio Survivors reflecting on some of our favorite moments.

Community radio stations in the ABCD Region of Greater São Paolo:

The post Podcast #99: The Beginning Of The End For AM Radio In Brazil appeared first on Radio Survivor.

To make it easier for you to find the radios Jay recommends and follow his advice, we’ve summarized his tips in a separate post: https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2017/03/14/improve-lpfm-community-college-radio-reception/

In the news, Jennifer reports on the possible sale of Brown University’s commercial radio station and give a preview of WTJU’s symposium, “College Radio: Then, Now, and Next” on March 17, where she will be presenting. Paul shares fresh stats on internet radio and podcast listening from the annual Infinite Dial survey, leading to a discussion on why non-comms need to be online and, especially, on YouTube in order to reach the youngest generation of potential listeners.

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The post Podcast #84 – Improving Your Radio Reception appeared first on Radio Survivor.