January 3, 2007

The FCC is expected to open a filing window for full-service noncommercial (NCE) stations in 2007

The filing window is for frequencies in the noncommercial FM band (88.1-91.9 FM), including proposed stations ranging from 100 to 100,000 watts.  These stations are different from Low-Power FM (LPFM) licenses or FM translators because they cannot be bumped off the air by new full power stations, and they have interference protections.

The filing window refers to a limited period — possibly as short as five days —  when a noncommercial radio operator can apply for an open frequency  A specific date has not been declared because the FCC is currently processing the backlog of new station applications going back to the 1990’s. PRC has joined other organizations in petitioning the FCC for 90 days notice; however, there could be as little as a one-month advance notice before the window is opened.

Organizations interested in this window of opportunity can obtain more information at http://www.prometheusradio.org/tech_support/full_power/.

Public Radio Capital participated in funding a mapping project that was intended to be the first step in finding available Full Power FM channels across the country. Covering every region in the country, the project’s maps should help groups to determine if their areas have a potential opening for new stations. Those maps can be found at http://prometheusradio.org/tech_support/ full_power/mapping_project.html 

All of the maps are individually protected, and you may obtain the password only for the map that covers your area.  To obtain a password, please contact one of the following organizations involved with this project: National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB), Prometheus Radio Project or Pacifica Foundation.

And if you have any general questions about the filing window or the maps, please do not hesitate to contact PRC Financial Analyst, Evran Kavlak, at ekavlak@publicradiocapital.org or (303) 918-4817.  If you have any legal questions regarding the application process, you should consult your FCC attorney.  And if you have specific technical questions about the possibility of building a new frequency, you should consult with a broadcast engineer.