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What is LPFM?
Low Power FM is a service that was created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fill a need to provide truly local programming to an area. A projected Low Power FM application window by the FCC in late 2011 or early 2012 will provide for nearly complete coverage of the United States with Catholic radio.
LPFM’s are very versatile and can be used to provide catechetical programming, Spanish programming or Catholic music.
In order to make the LPFM station accessible to non-broadcasters, the FCC significantly relaxed its rules. Stations are available on the FM band from 92.1 to 107.9 and cover approximately 12 miles in diameter or more; enough to adequately cover most small to medium-sized cities, or a significant portion of a metropolitan area.
The only way to bring Catholic radio to most communities is to purchase an already existing radio station, since the potential to apply for a new radio station in most areas is quite limited or nonexistent. This cost is a high hurdle for many communities.
LPFM is one of the few remaining cost-effective opportunities available to obtain a new license and build a station to bring Catholic Radio to your community.
Go here for a good article regarding LPFM.
About CRA
The Catholic Radio Association (CRA) is a nonprofit apostolate that was created to foster Catholic radio in the United States. It provides technical, programming and operational expertise to assist in the procurement, development and operation of locally operated Catholic-programmed radio stations. The Association helped local organizations through the first LPFM process 11 years ago. It assisted dozens of organizations through the AM station and FM translator processes of 2004. In 2007 the Catholic Radio Association provided the legal and technical support to assist 225 local groups apply to the FCC for a noncommercial FM license. It possesses the knowledge and competence to assist groups through the coming LPFM.
The CRA’s engineers are among the best in the business! Their capacity to engineer winning applications was most recently displayed in the 2007 Noncommercial Educational FM window, winning over 70% of applications in a highly competitive environment. Equally important is the ability of the CRA to help coordinate the applications of multiple Catholic applicants in an area to maximize the opportunity for wins and lessen competition amongst Catholic applicants.
How We Help You
Initially, the CRA will provide the engineering and application services required to make application to the FCC. This includes:
• A preliminary survey to determine the availability of FM spectrum.
• The final Engineering portion of the application.
• Step by step guidance in selecting/creating the most competitive applicant for this competitive process.
• Referrals to Catholic communications attorneys to provide direct counsel at discounted fees.
If the applicant is successful in securing the license grant, the CRA will assist the applicant in bringing the permit to air as a station through helping obtain and install the necessary equipment to begin broadcasting.
Once you are on the air, the CRA offers continued operational support, such as: referrals to program providers including EWTN, Relevant Radio, Ave Maria Radio, Catholic Answers, St. Joseph Radio and others; station acquisition assistance; station operating systems; marketing support; fund raising support; insurance; resource sharing; purchasing discounts; regulatory updates and guidance; newsletters/information exchange; training; education & consulting; national radiothon.
Getting Started
What is necessary to apply for an LPFM?
• The belief that Catholic Radio can be a powerful, positive influence in listener’s lives and the willingness to act.
• The applicant must be a non-profit entity with an educational goal or purpose, which would be furthered by use of a station. This can be as simple as two people being members of an unincorporated association (we’ll help you form it), a parish or a school.
• The residence of the parties to that entity or the headquarters of the entity must be within 10 miles of the proposed Community of License.
• Contact us by phone at 1(864) 438-4801 or email to inquire, or begin the process.
Answers to Common
Questions
What is the coverage area? The stations have a range of approximately 7 miles, enough to serve most small to mid-sized cities or a large section of a metropolitan area. Because of terrain and lack of adjacent channel interference, some LPFM’s are serving listeners over 15 miles from the transmit site!
What is an applicant? An applicant is an entity which makes application to the FCC for the authority to own and operate a broadcast facility.
What is the applicant’s responsibility? If the license is issued, the applicant becomes the licensee. The licensee is a public trustee of the license and is responsible to see that the station is operated in the public interest.
Could I use the FCC’s online channel finder to submit my application? Yes and no. It is possible to use the channel finder to locate a possible channel. Yet, the online finder is unwieldy and only searches a specific point of latitude and longitude which you enter. It does not locate available towers, show you the effect which height and terrain will have on your signal, maximize your height relative to average terrain or help you to locate the signal to provide the greatest coverage to population and highways.
The CRA’s engineers are among the best in the business. Their capacity to engineer winning applications was most recently displayed in the 2007 Noncommercial Educational FM window, winning over 70% of applications in a highly competitive environment. Equally important is the ability of the CRA to help coordinate the applications of multiple Catholic applicants in an area to maximize the opportunity for wins and lessen competition amongst Catholic applicants.
Will anything be placed on my property? In most cases, the stations are engineered for the antenna to be placed on a tower in the community. Depending upon how much local programming you desire to produce, the minimal space needed at the studio site would be for a personal computer.
How much will it cost me as an applicant? The cost to engineer and apply for the license will likely be $900 to $1,500.
What are some of the costs? The initial cost to acquire the broadcast equipment and construct the broadcast facilities is approximately $11-15,000. Ongoing costs would include electricity and internet and could include a tower lease, some liability insurance and music licensing. The CRA can help you estimate these costs more accurately once an engineering assessment is done and the antenna location is determined.
Are there any Catholic LPFM’s on the air today? Yes! They have been serving their communities well for several years already. Some of them include Great Falls and Helena, MT; Rogers, AR; Fort Madison, IA and Owensboro, KY.