Now that the FCC is starting to grant construction permits for new LPFM stations from the 2023 Third Generation LPFM Filing Window, we are starting to see vendors offering “packages” to new LPFM stations. Such a “package” deal may include the transmitter, EAS and antenna.
Usually, the antenna that is being offered is a low-price single bay antenna or vertical antenna.
While this type of arrangement may be suitable for some LPFM stations, REC does warn that those LPFM grantees that based on their facility on the use of a waiver of the §73.807 distance separation requirements for second-adjacent channel (also known as a “second-adjacent waiver”) may require the use of a specific type of antenna, such as a circularly polarized antenna with a specific number of bays and spacing. Those who proposed a directional antenna as a part of their waiver request may have a condition on their construction permit that states that a directional antenna with the peak lobe in a specific direction must be used.
If your organization installs the “wrong” antenna, you run the risk of one of the short-spaced second-adjacent channel stations filing a complaint and claiming interference.
§73.807(e)(2)(B) states that an LPFM station that receives a second adjacent waiver must suspend operation immediately upon notification that it is causing interference to the reception of an existing or modified full-service FM station without regard to the location of the station receiving interference. The LPFM station shall not resume operation until such interference has been eliminated or it can demonstrate to the Commission that the interference was not due to emissions from the LPFM station. Short term test transmissions may be made during the period of suspended operation to check the efficacy of remedial measures.
The bottom line, before purchasing a package deal, make sure that your facility does not have a specific antenna requirement in connection with a waiver. This information will be seen on your original construction permit application as an exhibit. If you have any questions about the type of antenna you can use, please contact the person who handled your organization’s application.
REC recommends that LPFM grantees only purchase from reputable dealers of equipment including, but not limited to: SCMS, BSW, Broadcaster’s General Store, Progressive Concepts and other domestic companies and to avoid purchasing equipment, especially transmitters from on-shore or off-shore companies that utilize the marketplaces of Amazon, eBay and even Walmart.
Also, a reminder, when it comes time to construct, you must build your facility at the exact geographic coordinates/location, channel/frequency and radiation center height shown on the construction permit. Any deviation from this requires a granted application from the FCC to modify the construction permit. If you build a facility that does not correspond with the parameters shown on the construction permit, there’s a possibility that the facility will not be licensed by the FCC and could lead to cancellation of the construction permit, thus providing no authority to broadcast at all.
Please have a safe construction.
Receiving REC Advisory Letters by RSS
If you are using newsreader software or certain e-mail clients such as Mozilla Thunderbird, you can set it up to receive these bulletins as an RSS news feed. The feed URL is: https://recnet.com/taxonomy/term/76/feed
