LPFM Radio Preparation & Filing Services
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) IS opening a filing window for new Low Power FM radio station applications, beginning on November 1 through November 7, 2023. This will be the first LPFM filing window in ten years. LPFM radio stations must operate on a non-commercial basis and an entity may only apply for one station and additionally have no other broadcast interests.
LPFM stations are authorized to operate with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100 watts with a transmitting antenna height of 100 feet above the surrounding terrain (AGL). Stations are authorized based on the distance from the transmitter site to other stations operating on the same frequency and first-, second-, and third-adjacent frequencies to the tower location which the LPFM station applies. LPFM stations can operate on any available frequency in the FM band (88.1 MHz to 107.9 MHz).
Nexus Broadcast can help potential lpfm radio applicants with the following initial engineering services:
- Identify available lpfm radio frequencies that cover the city/town of interest.
- Identify the best lpfm frequency (from an incoming interference and coverage standpoint) if multiple ones are available.
- Provide a map showing the area within where transmitter site will be located for a given available lpfm frequency.
- Identify possible FCC-registered towers within the allowable area.
- Point of Contact: Interact with FCC staffers communications on your behalf.
Once a frequency and transmitter site has been selected, Nexus Broadcast can prepare the engineering portion of the FCC Application for Construction Permit for the LPFM station. This service would include the following technical portions of the engineering exhibit:
- An engineering statement defining the proposed site location and facility.
- A map showing the potential coverage of the station along with the population and households (based on the 2020 U.S. Census database) covered within the station’s service contour.
- An exhibit showing that the proposed transmitter site meets the FCC’s separation requirements to all full-power FM, FM translator, and other LPFM stations.
- In cases where a waiver of the FCC’s separation requirements to second-adjacent-frequency stations is needed, provide supporting engineering documentation for the FCC to grant such a waiver request.
- Providing a power density calculation to show that the proposed facility meets the Commission’s requirements for human exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (required for all FCC broadcast filings).
Finally, once everything has been prepared Nexus Broadcast will input the engineering exhibits, and client information and then file the application during the short filing window. Nexus is your FCC point of contact. If the FCC has questions or other issues that may arise, Nexus communicates directly with the Federal Communications Commission on your behalf.
* Available spectrum is limited especially in large markets. We can not guarantee that the available spectrum will be found in your preferred market.
Spectrum is limited and the filing window is approaching rapidly. Click Here to get started right away!