Starting in mid-May, REC will begin development on revamping the Census support across the REC Broadcast Services family of products including the LPFM Search Tool and ENAC.
This project will include updating our existing products (front end and back end) from vintage 2000 census data to vintage 2010.
Unlike other REC projects, this project will likely be done on a "flash cut" basis where 2000 vintage census data will be used until we have cleared the 2010 versions from testing. Keep watching the Home Page and the LPFM Tool release notes for updates on this project.
This project may take some time as there are differences in the 2010 census datasets vs. 2000.
We are also going to attempt to restore census block data. This will allow us to provide new offerings (as well as bring back some old offerings) that involve the need for very accurate population readings. The primary application for this data will be for determining population within overlap zones for second adjacent channel waivers. We note that the FCC may not base waiver eligibility on census block data alone (remember also, the FCC may look at commercial locations and nearby roads when determining potential population for an overlap area). Our services are designed to provide you with a way to test the potential for a second adjacent channel waiver. As always, obtain the services of a consulting engineer, especially if the station you are proposing may require a second adjacent channel waiver. REC Broadcast Services tools do not replace the services that a qualified consulting engineer can provide you.
We will also be looking at ways to provide limited demographic information at the census tract level. This is a function the LPFM Tool provided at one time when the US Census Bureau had their TIGER Mapping Service online. With this data, we hope to provide you with information about your station's potential listeners.
The US Census Bureau provides data in three different levels:
Census Block - This is the lowest level of data down to just a few houses or an apartment building.
Census Block Group - Normally a portion of a neighborhood consisting of a few blocks.
Census Tract - Normally about the size of a neighborhood.
We hope these products make our tools more valuable to you as you plan your new LPFM station.
We wish all applicants the best of luck.
