[Written May 2012]<\/p>\n
The FCC web site is a bit hostile to gather information about the things people have applied for (and sl0w).<\/p>\n
Maybe a year ago, I started pulling a nightly data dump from the FCC and see what I could do with it.\u00a0\u00a0 I think I mentioned this at the time, but I’ll mention it again.\u00a0\u00a0 A lot of where I show up in Google Now (probably to the annoyance of many people) is publishing the data\u00a0 in a more transparent way which is what the FCC says the goal of sharing the data is and encouraging third parties to find ways to use it.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/streamingradioguide.com\/recent-apps.php<\/a><\/p>\n It’s still a bit arcane, since it is an electronic replication of a process that probably goes all the way back to 1934ish, when things were filed in manilla folders in filing cabinets and with tickler files – a process I learned in my brief internship at Social Security in 1973 when computers were just barely starting to be used.<\/p>\n Up at the top are important filters you’ll surely want to use unless you just like wading through unrelated random stuff.<\/p>\n The application type is a hodgepodge, but basically consistent – “B” as the first letter means it is a broadcast license application, the last letter is the type of service – none = “AM”,\u00a0 “H” = FM”, “T” = “FM Translator”, “CT” = Commercial Analog TV, “CDT” = Commercial Digital TV,\u00a0 “EDT” = Educational Digital TV – and what is in between is the type of application.<\/p>\n So “AL” stands for “Assignment of license” – “BAL” is the assignment of an AM license, “BALH” is the assignment of an FM license, “BALCDT” is the assignment of a Commercial Digital TV license.<\/p>\n The “Type” follows a general pattern:<\/p>\n “P” = application for a construction) permit When a license moves to a new facility, it basically starts over – it is given a construction permit to build the new station and once it is built and verified, then a new “License to Cover” is issued at the new location, replacing the existing license.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [Written May 2012] The FCC web site is a bit hostile to gather information about the things people have applied for (and sl0w). Maybe a year ago, I started pulling a nightly data dump from the FCC and see what … Continue reading
\n“MP” = Modification to a Construction Permit
\n“L” = License to cover\u00a0 (meaning the station is in full operation)
\n“TC” = Transfer of control – the owner hasn’t changed but who runs it has
\n“AL” = Assignment of license – what us non-lawyers call a “Sale”
\n“R” = Renewal
\n“O” = Ownership reports<\/p>\n