Summary of LPFM Bill Changes | LPFM | Low Power FM Radio
Here is a summary of some of the changes The Local Community Radio Act, (LPFM Bill) enacts:* For LPFMs that are located at less than the full distance from a full-power station set out by the LPFM rules, even on a third adjacent channel, the LPFM must provide the same protections that translators give to other stations under Section 74.1203, which includes the requirement that a new secondary station (like a translator or LPFM) cease operations if it interferes with the reception of any regularly used FM signal (even if the signal is outside of the existing station’s primary service contour)
* Does away with all the introductory language in the original House bill that contained many Congressional findings about the value of LPFM stations, language that could have been used to justify FCC actions in the future that would be unfavorable to the interests of full-power stations.
* Makes clear that LPFM stations are secondary to full power stations, both as they currently exist and as they may be modified in the future.
* Forbids the FCC from amending the distance requirements between LPFM and full-power stations for first and second adjacent channel operations. It does allow for waivers of these separations, but requires LPFMs to cease operations if
complaints of interference to a full-power station are received.
* The law specifically requires that the FCC treat LPFM and FM translators and FM boosters as being equal in status, and secondary to full-power stations (both existing and modified full-power stations) – thus seemingly ending some of the LPFM proposals that would allow LPFM stations to preempt existing FM translators.
* Adds a provision to protect stations in certain densely populated states by imposing the translator interference rules on LPFM stations
So clearly this is a mixed victory for LPFM. While dropping the third adjacency issue will make room for more LPFM stations, we lost the battle at least for now on primary status for LPFM. But this is just another step in the ongoing battle LPFM has fought and will continue to fight. As more and more LPFM stations get on the air and serve the public, the more chance will be for Primary status in the near future.
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