REC is working on a major project to address the shortcomings of the raw data that is provided by the FCC since FM radio converted to the LMS system on September 25, 2019.
The Enhanced LMS Project will build scripts that will cache the data directly from FCC applications filed in LMS. This will permit us to use all of the data from an FCC application form including the many data elements that are not being passed to REC and other developers through the FCC's open data. This enhanced data will allow us to improve our ability for sites like FCCdata.org to display details of the FCC applications including key missing elements like translator primary stations, answers to certification questions, translators on multi-station renewal applications as well as access to FCC decision letters for LMS dismissals similar to those letters that are periodically added to the database from CDBS applications. This data can also be used to improve the quality of ownership report and attributable interest data to better show who is involved with each station. We also plan to use this system to analyze each application, including claimed points for the upcoming NCE and LPFM filing windows (REC had a similar analysis function built to support applications filed in the 2013 LPFM window). REC has completed the new FM parser and we will add more automated functionality in the future. The FM parser supports applications for modification construction permits, modification of license, license to cover, original construction permits and proposed rulemakings for full-service, LPFM, FM translators, FM boosters and FM auxiliary stations.
The first public enhancement of our systems with the Enhanced LMS data has been enacted on FM records in FCCdata. FCCdata will display FCC decision letters and other correspondence on dismissed applications. These letters will appear in the "Imported Letters" section and will include the description "FCC Letter on Application" and include the LMS file number. We do note that the date shown on these letters reflect the date of the dismissal action and may not reflect any "internal" letters sent by the FCC prior to the action.
We plan many more enhancements to FCCdata and other REC systems over time as we continue to build this new infrastructure.
