Broadcasting Archives

Want to Start a Radio Station?  What are Your Options?

1. Apply for an Low Power FM radio station.  Even with passage of the Local Community Radio Act of 2010, it will be "summer 2012" before the long-awaited FCC filing Window for LPFM.  Rules and requirements are currently being developed.  No one know exactly and how the FCC will implement the new law, including the FCC.  Accurate advance planning is impossible.  CCB will provide complete information when it is available, on this website.

2. Start a Part 15 Neighborhood Station for $1,000 

3. Start an Internet Radio Station.  Easy to do.  Reach your community and the world.  Many traditional radio stations stream their programming and there are many thousands of internet only stations. There are many streaming companies offering various packages and options.  Music licensing fees must be considered and licensing rules have just changed again.  Internet radio is limited to computers.  Broadcast radio is still the way to reach people in their cars, when they are eating, or jogging.

4. Leasing an FM radio station subchannel.  "Piggyback" on any existing station's signal. Subchannels have been used for years by "Reading Services for the Blind."  Special fixed-tuned radios are necessary' they can be portable. Sale of these radios can provide additional income for the station operator and commercials can be aired.  Leasing a subchannel can be expensive.  For example, WSB 98.5 in Atlanta charges $10,000 per month.

5. Leasing a Digital Radio Channel.  This is brand new.  All full-power TV stations have been required to go DT - Digital Technology.  Digital radio now exist - there are few DT radio stations. DT radios are not common yet and cost several hundred dollars.  Both Digital TV and radio stations can multi-cast - transmit several channels on the same frequency.  One LPFM station is already being carried by a full-power Digital station on one of its channels.  This is a option now that will be more popular in the future.

5. Carriage by a cable TV system.  Virtually all cable systems carry radio stations - either as the audio for a local classified ad channel or as a separate audio channel.  Some LPFM stations are being carried by cable systems at no charge on their classified channels.

6. Carrier Current Radio. Also called "leaky wire" radio.  The signal is transmitted a few feet from a radiating wire in the ceiling or college dorms, retirement homes, or other "communal" housing.  This form of "broadcasting" is limited to the dorms / residences of the participating organization.

LPZW Ghost Stations (Lacking Power, Zero Watts)
 by John Broomall, Christian Community Broadcasters

"Pirate Radio" - Not the Way to Start an LPFM (See FCC BSTA-20061206AFZ)

2/9/07 - New Licensing Loophole Involves Influential Senator (http://www.diymedia.net/archive/0207.htm#021207)
"Radio Goldfield," a pirate station run by seasoned citizen Rod Moses out of his trailer in Goldfield, Nevada (population 440) has received special temporary authority from the FCC to operate a 100-watt FM outlet without an official license until such time as the FCC opens another LPFM filing window.  How did he do it? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's ringing endorsement, in correspondence to the agency, probably sealed the deal:

Radio Goldfield programming brought regular weather reports to this high-desert area of Nevada, where conditions can abruptly change in often times dramatic ways....Radio Goldfield programming also included timely and reliable information on law enforcement, public safety and school activities that helped the residents of Goldfield stay informed and engaged in their community. Moreover the station broadcasted Sunday religious services that were listened to faithfully by those living too far from a place of worship or those simply too feeble to make a weekly journey there practicable.

That, plus oldies pumped from an MP3 player. Rock on, Rod. I can't find record of this STA on file in the FCC's databases, but Moses did receive a warning letter from the Enforcement Bureau in August of last year for broadcast piracy. He shut down within 24 hours of contact, however, which appears to have helped his cause (yet also runs somewhat contrary to LPFM law).  Special Temporary Authority status typically runs for six-month periods, with a "limited number" of renewals available.

http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2007/Mar-14-Wed-2007/news/13133393.html

The following must be "cut and pasted" into your browser: http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0048/t.3983.html 
http://radiomagonline.com/viewpoint/radio_licensewho_needs_license/

Q&A  "How to Start & Operate a Community Radio Station"
Answers to the following questions are being developed by CCB and will be include in a book CCB is preparing.  Anyone with questions now can contact JohnBroomall @Yahoo.com

What types of "community radio" exist?  What is LPFM?  Can I have an LPFM station in my community?  How large an area will my station cover?  Where should I locate my station? (AM)  What are my programming options?  How much will it cost to start the station?
How much will it cost to operate?  Who can apply?  What if I do not have a non-profit organization?  How long must my organization has been in operation?  What can serve on the organization's board?  When can I apply?  How can I apply?  What happens after the FCC filing window?  What happens if several groups all want the same frequency?  What happens when I get my construction permit?  What equipment do I need and where do I get it?  Where do I mount my antenna?  How do I select the right antenna and transmitter? 

What types of "community radio" exist?  Low power FM (LPFM), Internet Radio, Part 15 AM, carrier current, and audio subchannels (to a full-power).  Unless otherwise noted, Q&A's below relate to LPFM.

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Low Power FM was created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in January 2000.  Non-profit organizations were permitted to file for stations during four "FCC filing windows" from June 2000 to June 2001.  Today, 858 LPFM are on-the-air; of these, 52% are operated by churches and Christian ministries, primarily with music programming.  Formats range from KGOD-LP airing Scripture 24/7 without commentary to stations offering "God's County," (Christian country music format).

Christian Community Broadcasters was founded by John and Henri Broomall in early 2000 to assist churches, ministries, schools, and other community groups file for, construct, and operate LPFM stations.  CCB has assisted more than one hundred "communicasters" (community LPFM / NCE groups), from basic filings to the most complex technical and regulatory challenges.  This primary purpose of this website and its various links is to provide current and accurate information about LPFM, equipment, programming, music licensing, and underwriting ("paying the bills").  Please read and then contact CCB with your questions:  678 880-0676 or
JohnBroomall @ Yahoo.com

Two basic requirements must be met by all prospective broadcasters: (1) the opportunity to file and (2) the availability of a frequency.  After a wait of seven years, the FCC is expected to open a filing "window" in 2009.  The decision to file must be made as soon as possible.  Procrastinators will have to pay more and will have to make hasty decision once the FCC makes its official notice.

CCB will conduct a free preliminary study to determine if a frequency is available in your area.  There are few to no opportunities in or near large metropolitan area ... while there are multiple frequency in small towns away from major population center.  Your first step is to contact CCB 678 880-0676 or JohnBroomall @ Yahoo.com

HATT Power Calculator     LPFM and the Thin Air Decision    IRS and NCE Regulations   Arbitron Changes Audience Reporting Procedures

FCC Launches Major Payola Investigation  FCC Low Power Actions  11/1 Translators - A New Insight from WGRV-LP   Progress on "Sale" of LPFM Permits / Stations   Waiting on the FCC for a License - How Long?    Emergency LPFM Station Serves New Orleans  Arbitron Ratings for LPFM     

Who is the National Low Power Broadcasters Association? A Mystery!
KYRR-LP 93.3, Nevada City, CA, claims to have "one of the ten largest LPFM audiences in the USA."  It quotes the website for the "National Low Power Broadcaster Association",  www.nalpb.com as its authority.  While this claim might be true, the cited 2/25/08 "Current Ratings in  the USA" is bogus.  The "survey" supposedly give the audience share of 15 LPFM stations.  KYRR is real, so is WORZ-LP and KCVE-LP.  WFBP-LP was real; it also was the first LPFM station ordered on the air (years ago) because of full power encroachment.

The others 11 are real stations: low power TV or full power commercial or NCE radio / TV .  Unfortunately, the call letters, frequencies, and location don't match.  There is nothing indicating who took the "survey" and no way to reach the NALPB - no names, no physical address no phone number, and email address.  The "fill in the blank" contact form apparently does not work