The big meeting just ended. Unfortunately I only saw the last 5 minutes
There are about 6,000 applications for FM Translators “on hold” from around 2004. The FCC had an open application period without any limits and several religious groups flooded the FCC with applications for satellite fed transmitters in a box you could drop in a corn field, basically applying for every possible location. Even though these are non commercial organizations, the translators could be in the commercial FM band (92-108 MHz)
On the other side, Congress passed a law to expand licensing for Community based local Low Power FM (LPFM) stations – creating a deadlock the FCC has been trying to break, knowing no matter what they do, it’s going to court and a Judge will ultimately make the law.
What they decided was to set a national cap on FM Translators at 70(up from the current 50) – so the “flooders” will have most of their applications dismissed (about 2000 of them) – they’ll have to choose which ones they actually wanted.
That will free up space for LPFM. There was also mention of approval of increasing the power limits, but I don’t know the specifics yet.
More LPFM details
http://www.radioworld.com/article/fcc-acts-on-lpfm-fm-translators/216619
LPFM got what they wanted to allow them to be closer to existing FM stations, so some will be in major urban markets. The trade off is they did not get a power boost, and picked up a new requirement to actually have a main studio and an 8 hour week requirement for local programming.
LPFM applications will be accepted starting in October 2013. Time for tea party people to start community organizing using LPFM.
LPFM -historical context
http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/12/07/the-low-power-fm-deception/
Jabari Moketsi : http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/02/the-reprise-of-radio/