Letter to FCC regarding Low Power FM radio legalization

For democratic radio!

Send this letter out before June 1, 1999.

THANKS!

Federal Communications Commission
Attn: NPRM # FCC 99-6
445 12 Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554 (202) 418-0260
Email: wkennard@fcc.gov, sness@fcc.gov, hfurchtg@fcc.gov, mpowell@fcc.gov, gtristan@fcc.gov, fccinfo@fcc.gov

Regarding the Legalization of Low Power FM (NPRM # FCC 99-6, MM Docket 99-25):

I urge you to adopt rules for licensing Low Power FM radio that prioritize the needs of under-served and under-financed communities. Your office has the power, and the mandate, to make sure that ordinary people can claim a piece of the pie that big corporations currently dominate and control. I am confident you agree that broad citizen access to information and culture is at the heart of a democratic society.

To support this vision, I urge you to legalize micro-radio with the following concerns in mind:

  1. There should be COMPLETELY NON-COMMERCIAL SERVICE. The current radio spectrum is dominated by commercial media. LPFM licenses should go to community groups who want to use radio to communicate, not to make a profit.
  2. Licenses should be held locally, limited to one per license holder, affordable to all communities, easy to apply for, and should NOT be businesses.
  3. Power levels should go up to, but not exceed, 100 watts in urban areas; 250 watts in rural areas - NO 1,000 watt stations.
  4. NO secondary status for Low Power FM. This ensures that LPFM stations won't get bumped from their assigned frequency by higher-powered, better-financed stations at a later date.
  5. Micro-broadcast pioneers who have suffered government seizure and fines should be forgiven, have their property returned, and be prioritized for new licenses.
  6. Problems, technical or otherwise, should be referred to the local voluntary micro-radio organization for assistance or mediation (eg the successful amateur radio model). The FCC should be brought in as the last resort.
  7. Low Power FM must be included in the future of the emerging digital radio technology .
  8. If the FCC intends to license some commercial stations, they must be licensed last. In this instance, there should be a 2 year "head start" for non-commercial licenses. The right of citizens to communicate is protected by the Constitution and the FCC s mandate. The right to make money through local radio is not.

Thank you for considering these vital issues. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely, (include your mailing address)