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LPFM Stress Test
Welcome Radio World Readers.
Below find some relevant links, and additional comments.
Superpower FM Links
- NAB says,(NAB members only page) "There are 124, not 312, full power stations operating under FCC authority without third adjacent channel protection. (See Grandfathered Short-Spaced FM Stations for a complete listing by state.)The reason these stations operate without full interference protection is that the Commission allocated these stations in the early 1940s and failed to provide interference protections at that time. Thus, these stations have always operated in this manner and interference has always been present. This likely explains why complaints are infrequent – no one has ever known the situation to be different. Also, we note that a 1988 study done by B. Angell & Associates found that when they experience radio interference, 57% of listeners change the station and 30% turn the radio off. Just because they don't run to a phone and call the FCC doesn't mean they're not bothered by it."
- NAB's statement above is incorrect. The FCC has created new 2nd adjacent contour overlapping stations in recent years. For example, the station I mention in my commentary, KSND, once KFAT, now KBAY, (to see their applications in this link, type in the call sign KBAY) recently moved its transmitter into a populated area of San Jose. KSND, vastly increased ERP and moved its transmitter well within and 2nd adjacent to two grandfathered superpower stations. A move to high ERP to a poplulated area should produce interference complaints. We looked in FCC rules and found none.
- Check out this list of old grandfathered superpower stations, and then look for new 2nd adjacents. It's fun!
See a nifty list of all superpowered grandfathered stations including calculation of dB over maximum.
- I submitted a filing to the FCC in the LPFM proceeding which deals with existing 2nd adjacent stations due to superpower grandfathered facilities. It includes a couple of coverage maps, one showing a 2nd adjacent class A "LPFM" encompassed by a superpower, as well as info on KBAY.
- Web site for KRUZ, the highest power (ERP + HAAT) FM station in the US.
Can Low Power Lead to Greater Things?
FCC Commissioner Harold W. Furchtgott-Roth has said that there have been no low power stations. See below. Listed are some stations I know of, or assisted that started as 10 watt stations in the '70s.
- Could this be the first LP10? KWUR has been a 2nd adjacent to KWMU since it went on the air in the 1970's as a 9 Watt class D. I helped draft their waiver request.
- KUSP , Santa Cruz-Salinas CA. started as a $700 ten watt start up. The station is
now full B power, CPB qualified.
- WRFG, Atlanta, was another class D start up.
- KFAI, Mineapolis, yet another.
- As was KOPN, Columbia, MO.
- KZUM , Lincoln Nebraska, also.
- and KAZU Pacific Grove, Ca.
- and, finally, KKUP Cupertino, Ca.
- LPFM, KZND, Channel 6 TV and related