What is the process for an LPFM station to obtain a power increase?

To secure a power increase for an LPFM station, follow these steps:

1. Evaluate Eligibility: Ensure that your LPFM station meets the eligibility criteria for a power increase. Typically, this involves assessing your current antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) and considering the potential benefits of a higher power level.
2. Terrain Database Assessment: Utilize both the FCC’s HAAT tool and the FMPOWER tool to calculate your station’s current HAAT and effective radiated power (ERP). These tools help determine if a power increase is feasible.
3. Terrain Database Choice: Choose the terrain database (either FCC30 or GLOBE) that yields the lower HAAT, potentially allowing for a power increase. The goal is to maximize your station’s coverage without causing interference.
4. Calculate New Parameters: Calculate the power level your LPFM station could achieve if the HAAT were increased or adjusted. This step involves considering the terrain, antenna height, and power trade-offs to optimize coverage.
5. File Form 318: Prepare and submit a Form 318 application to the FCC. This application should include documentation that justifies the need for a power increase based on the revised HAAT calculations. Make sure to provide a clear explanation of the proposed changes.
6. Second-Adjacent Channel Evaluation: If your LPFM station is currently a second-adjacent channel short-spaced to another station, be prepared to demonstrate that the power increase won’t cause interference to nearby stations. You may need to conduct studies or assessments to support this claim.
7. Await FCC Review: The FCC will review your Form 318 application and assess whether the proposed power increase is permissible. This process may take some time, so be patient.
8. Compliance: Ensure that your LPFM station complies with all regulations and technical standards during the power increase process. This includes adhering to any conditions or requirements specified by the FCC.
9. Implementation: Once the FCC approves the power increase, you can implement the necessary changes to your station’s equipment to operate at the new power level.
10. Communication: Keep open lines of communication with the FCC throughout the process, addressing any inquiries or requests for additional information promptly.
11. Monitoring: After the power increase is implemented, continue to monitor your station’s performance and coverage to ensure it aligns with the approved changes.

Remember that the power increase may only result in a slight improvement in coverage, and it may not significantly alter your station’s reach. Careful planning, accurate calculations, and compliance with FCC regulations are essential throughout this process.

LPFM constitutes a single class of service, characterized by a service contour of 5.6 kilometers (approximately 3.5 miles) at a 60 dBu level. This signifies that, on average, the distance from the LPFM station to the edge of its service contour is 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles). This specification is based on a power output of 100 watts at an antenna height of 30 meters above average terrain (HAAT).

It’s worth noting that not all LPFM stations operate at 100 watts. If a station’s antenna height surpasses 30 meters, the power must be reduced to ensure the service contour remains within the average 5.6-kilometer range. Hence, some LPFM stations might be assigned lower power levels.

In 2015,  a Petition for Rulemaking was filed, RM-11749, which, among other proposals, advocated for an increase in the service contour from 5.6 kilometers to 7.1 kilometers. The latter is equivalent to 250 watts at 30 meters HAAT. However, it’s crucial to clarify that as of now, “LP-250” is not an officially adopted service, and any discussions about a future 250-watt LPFM service are speculative.

Even without a power increase, some LPFM stations might be operating at less power than they are entitled to. This could result from issues with the FCC’s application processing system or the possibility of achieving a slight power increase using a different terrain database.

Notably, there are current issues with the LMS filing system where HAAT calculations are not consistently accurate. To address this, HAAT should be calculated using the FCC’s HAAT tool, ERP should be determined via the FCC’s FMPOWER tool, and an attachment to the application should include a screenshot of the claimed ERP.

For LPFM applications filed before September 25, 2019, the FCC’s system occasionally miscalculates and underestimates station power. Stations can identify this issue if their HAAT has numerous decimal digits or if the ERP is not rounded to the nearest watt. In such cases, stations may not be receiving the power they are entitled to.

Additionally, the FCC employs two different terrain databases for HAAT calculations: the legacy FCC 30-second database and GLOBE data. Stations can choose the database that yields the lower height, which may result in a power increase.

Nexus Broadcast can assist with these power increases, but it’s important to recognize that the increase may be slight and may not significantly affect overall coverage. Stations should also consider other factors affecting coverage, such as antenna height, location selection, or antenna type, as these can impact coverage.