What started at 246 applications that were filed by Antonio Cesar Guel during the 2013 LPFM filing window has now dwindled down to 85.  Many applications were dismissed at the request of Guel or due to FCC action.  Applications in North Carlolina and Texas were dismissed as a result of investigations and supplemental filings by REC.  

Through investigations, REC has cleared 19 applicants that were determined to be existing organizations and as a result, these applicants have received grants. 

In the latest wave of objections, REC is investigating the so-called "HEFF" applications.  These are the applications with a city name and then a common name such as "_____ Community Radio", "_______ Hispanic Church", "_____ Hispanic Educational Family Fundation" (or HEFF), etc.  

REC puts out this reminder to engineers and other parties who are involved with the modification of FM translators to assure that the "note" to §74.1204(a)(4).  The note reads:

LP100 stations, to the purposes of determining overlap pursuant to this paragraph, LPFM applications and permits that have not yet been licensed must be considered as operating with the maximum permitted facilities. All LPFM TIS stations must be protected on the basis of a nondirectional antenna.

While §74.1204 does not define a "maximum permitted facility", the same language is used in §73.215(a) (4)  to refer to the maximum facilities for full power FM stations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands which then refers to §73.211(b)(3) which defines the maximum ERP and HAAT for stations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  

Citing a phrase in the Local Community Radio Act, REC Networks, through a Petition for Reconsideration in MB Docket 13-249 has asked the Federal Communications Commission to extend one of the FM translator filing windows for AM stations to also include LPFM stations.  

According to the Local Community Radio Act (LCRA), passed in 2011 and signed by President Obama states that licenses for FM translator stations and low power FM stations are to be assigned "based on community need".  REC argues that the FCC did not take into consideration all community needs when moving forward with Commissioner Ajit Pai's method of "revitalizing" the AM broadcast band. 

The FCC has issued a Report and Order in MB Docket 14-127 in regards to the public file and political file obligations of radio stations, satellite radio providers (Sirius/XM), direct broadcast satellite providers (DIRECTV & DISH) and cable television providers. 

Based on our inquiry to the FCC, it has been confirmed that this Report and Order does not apply to LPFM stations.  LPFM stations will continue to keep their political files on paper and as a part of the station records.  LPFM stations will not have access to upload public or political file data. 

First and foremost, the order does not add any new public file reporting requirements for LPFM stations.  LPFM stations are not required to maintain a public file but are required to maintain a political file. (§73.801 and §73.1943)

Starting Friday, January 29 and running for six months until July 28, 2016, the FCC is opening an opportunity for AM stations to be able to obtain existing FM translators and be able to move them to their area.  The parameters for this window are as follows: