Blazin 97 Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 What programming would you guys put on your LPFM if you were to open one up tomorrow? I would play music for 49 minutes, but then in the 50's of every hour I would do traffic and weather reports and local news to comply with the FCC. What about you? ALSO, this has nothing to do with the forum topic i just created lol but what would i need for a part 15 station besides the transmitter? What kind of cables and antenna? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneOwens Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 We would have our standard 12 in a row, with promos between every song and a talk break inbetween every two songs that dont have a promo in between, and the mornings would have weather and traffic every 15 minutes to keep the listener informed...a bunch of things is what I would have...more than enough to keep the FCC happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronsnet Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 What programming would you guys put on your LPFM if you were to open one up tomorrow? I would play music for 49 minutes, but then in the 50's of every hour I would do traffic and weather reports and local news to comply with the FCC. What about you? ALSO, this has nothing to do with the forum topic i just created lol but what would i need for a part 15 station besides the transmitter? What kind of cables and antenna? Thanks! You don't have to do local news and traffic to make the FCC happy. The only thing that the FCC requires of a LPFM broadcast is to not carry advertising, play a legal ID at the top of each hour, and comply with EAS requirements. One major requirement is to play all super clean version of stuff as well. One slip up can cost you thousands in fines. If you are trying to impress them with a plan for localization, you need to show them that your ORGANIZED non-profit organization (which is required to apply for a LPFM license) has strong connections with the connection. You need to show them that it is more than just you that is actually interested in making your station exist. The idea of LPFM is to give the community a voice and bring localized programming...not playing the same junk that terrestrial radio plays. Why would you play traffic? Is this not already done by other corporate radio stations? As far as programming, I live in an area with 2 LPFM's. One of them plays all old skool Motown stuff (and is owned by the NAACP) while the other one plays progressive community based programming and independent artists. Each of these stations features volunteer DJ's from the local community, providing local news and opinions. They do not carry syndicated news reports. They certainly don't carry traffic. They both feature some interesting talk shows that are far different then what you'd find on corporate radio. As far as programming for a LPFM, try to think outside the box. Take a listen to all of the terrestrial stations around your area and see what they are doing. Is what you are planning on doing different? If you are planning on following the exact (or even similar format) to something that is already on the dial...good luck trying to get listeners and financial supporters. You need to find a strong niche in the community that needs to be filled. This niche should be large enough to bring in donors and underwriters too. It can start costing a pretty penny to run a FCC licensed station (even a LPFM), so it's important to appeal to a niche in your community who will find your cause worthy enough to donate to. In my neck of the woods, we decided to start a progressive talk station since the only stations around here are conservative ones. The response has been great. The part 15 transmitter requires an antenna, a transmitter, and an audio source. All you need is some coax cable (like TV cable), and a few audio cables. For one of our part 15 transmitters, we use a speaker wire connected to a wooden antenna. Very basic but it works well. Just make sure that you don't build the antenna to high or you will be out of compliance. We just had another FCC complaint filed against my station on Friday. People are so naive when it comes to part 15 broadcasters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazin 97 Posted December 15, 2008 Author Share Posted December 15, 2008 Thanks for all the info , stinks about the FCC compaint, that would piss me off. And I already have some Coax cable so that should be somewhat easy. By the way I didnt know we had to play a legal ID at the top of every hour, I actually like that rule, that is what I currently do on my station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneOwens Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Usually, the way it works Blazin' the way the FCC looks at it, if there is a LIVE TALENT in studio, not a VoiceTRAC ir empty slot, there is not a need for a Legal ID, now if there is a VoiceTRAC talent or an empty slot, then they require a legal ID at the top of the hour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronsnet Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Usually, the way it works Blazin' the way the FCC looks at it, if there is a LIVE TALENT in studio, not a VoiceTRAC ir empty slot, there is not a need for a Legal ID, now if there is a VoiceTRAC talent or an empty slot, then they require a legal ID at the top of the hour Live talent or not, any licensed radio station in the USA is required by law (47 CFR 73.120) to play or say the station's call letter and community of licensure as close to the top of the hour as possible. If there is a live DJ, then that DJ must announce this around the top of the hour. If it's on automation, the same thing is required (except recorded obviously). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_identification#When_identification_is_required Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneOwens Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Hey Aaron, Yeah that's where the greatest thing since the antenna came about....Sung Jingles, I know of one station that plays at least 10-20 an hour so they are covered, and we have a legal ID ourselves even on the internet deal, plus we have a show with our calls at the TOH, so we're covered and we're not even terrestrial LMAO!!! Live talent or not, any licensed radio station in the USA is required by law (47 CFR 73.120) to play or say the station's call letter and community of licensure as close to the top of the hour as possible. If there is a live DJ, then that DJ must announce this around the top of the hour. If it's on automation, the same thing is required (except recorded obviously). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_identification#When_identification_is_required Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronsnet Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Hey Aaron, Yeah that's where the greatest thing since the antenna came about....Sung Jingles, I know of one station that plays at least 10-20 an hour so they are covered, and we have a legal ID ourselves even on the internet deal, plus we have a show with our calls at the TOH, so we're covered and we're not even terrestrial LMAO!!! Well good. You are already to go with one aspect of licensed broadcasting. I think it is good practice to do this...just for listeners themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneOwens Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I agree, it gives the listerner the fact that they know who they are listening to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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