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§ 73.807 is a core regulation in the Low Power FM radio service.  This rule addresses the placement of LPFM stations in respect to other FM broadcast facilities.  LPFM stations operating on [[reserved band]] FM frequencies (88.1~91.9 MHz) are also required to protect TV facilities on Channel 6 pursuant to § [[73.825]].
§ 73.807 is a core regulation in the Low Power FM radio service.  This rule addresses the placement of LPFM stations in respect to other FM broadcast facilities.  LPFM stations operating on [[reserved band]] FM frequencies (88.1~91.9 MHz) are also required to protect TV facilities on Channel 6 pursuant to § [[73.825]].


== Protection to US FM stations ==
== Protections to domestic FM stations ==
''Main article: [[Minimum distance separation to domestic FM facilities|Required minimum distance separation to domestic FM facilities]]''.
''Main article: [[Minimum distance separation to domestic FM facilities|Required minimum distance separation to domestic FM facilities]]''.


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Because of the differences in the maximum parameters of FM broadcast stations within Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the required minimum distance separations from LPFM stations to full-service FM stations are are larger than those in the mainland United States.  In Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, only classes A, B1 and B are available to full-service FM stations.
Because of the differences in the maximum parameters of FM broadcast stations within Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the required minimum distance separations from LPFM stations to full-service FM stations are are larger than those in the mainland United States.  In Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, only classes A, B1 and B are available to full-service FM stations.


For foreign FM stations in the Caribbean region, the FCC does not have any specific bilateral or multilateral agreements with any other nation's administration.  Therefore, there are no specific distance separation requirements to other FM facilities outside of the United States territories.
=== FM Translator Stations ===
In respect to FM stations, LPFM stations are classified into one of three "sub classes".  The subclass is based on the translator's maximum effective radiated power (ERP) and overall height above average terrain.  The sub-class is based on the average distance to the 60 dBu service contour.  LPFM stations must protect FM translators on the same channel, first and second adjacent channels using minimum distance separation.  Second adjacent channel spacing can be waived using the same method as waivers in respect to full-service FM stations. 
 
While the FM translator service spacing requirements are not specifically mandated by the LCRA, the FCC has customarily not granted any waivers of distance separation on co-channel and first-adjacent channels, even if a finding of no interference is demonstrated.  LPFM stations are required to protect FM translators using directional antennas as if they are using a nondirectional antenna.
 
== Protections to foreign FM stations ==
Proposals for LPFM facilities located within 320 kilometers (198.8 miles) of the Canadian and Mexican borders will be coordinated with the communications administrations in those nations in accordance with the appropriate international agreements.  Normally, those countries will reply with either an acceptance or a objection of the proposed facility.  As a result, a grant of an LPFM construction permit in a border zone may take longer than the time it takes for a proposal not involving international coordination. In some cases, the foreign administration may not timely reply to the Commission's proposal.  In those cases, the FCC may grant the LPFM construction permit application with a condition that the proposal is still awaiting concurrence from the foreign administration, which can still object to the LPFM proposal.  In those cases, the three years allowed to complete construction can be extended under the FCC's [[tolling]] policy.
 
=== Canada ===
''Main article: [[Minimum distance separation requirements to Canadian FM broadcast stations|Required minimum distance separation requirements to Canadian FM broadcast stations]].''
 
In 1991, the United States and Canada reached an [https://www.fcc.gov/ib/sand/agree/files/can-bc/can-fm.pdf international agreement] over the use of the FM channels in the border region.  This agreement was [https://www.fcc.gov/ib/sand/agree/files/can-bc/can-fm-r.pdf updated] in 1997 to reflect changes in service classes and to improve the lower powered facilities to operate in the region.
 
==== Minimum distance separations ====
LPFM stations are required to protect all Canadian FM facilities, including Canadian low power FM facilities through the use of a distance separation table based on the service class of the Canadian station.  Protections are required on the same channel as well as first, second and third-adjacent channels.  Unlike the rules for domestic FM facilities, there is no option to waive second (or third) adjacent channel protections.  Waivers are not normally given for short-spaced stations where it can be shown that the LPFM station would not interfere with Canadian facilities even though one such waiver was granted to LPFM station WNUC-LP in Detroit.
 
LPFM stations are also required to protect Canadian facilities on their [[Intermediate Frequency|intermediate frequencies]], which are those that are 53 or 54 channels (10.6 and 10.8 MHz) higher or lower than the LPFM's proposed operating channel. 
 
==== Contour requirements ====
In addition to the distance separation requirements, LPFM stations operating within 320 kilometers (198.8 miles) of the Canadian border may not extend a 34 dBu interfering contour past 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) in any direction.
 
=== Mexico ===
''Main article: [[Minimum distance separation requirements to Mexican FM broadcast stations|Required minimum distance separation requirements to Mexican FM broadcast stations]].''
 
In 1992, the United States of America reached an [https://transition.fcc.gov/bureaus/ib/sand/agree/files/mex-bc/fmbc.pdf agreement] with the United Mexican States over the use of the FM channels in the border region. The agreement classifies both LPFM stations and FM translators as "LPFM" stations for the purposes of the agreement.
 
==== Minimum distance separations ====
LPFM stations are required to protect all Mexican FM facilities, including Mexican low power FM facilities through the use of a distance separation table based on the service class of the Mexican station.  Protections are required on the same channel as well as first, second and third-adjacent channels.  Unlike the rules for domestic FM facilities, there is no option to waive second (or third) adjacent channel protections.  Waivers are not normally given for short-spaced stations where it can be shown that the LPFM station would not interfere with Mexican facilities.
 
==== Mexico Strip Zone ====
LPFM stations within 125 kilometers (77.6 miles) of the Mexican border are limited to 50 watts effective radiated power in the directions towards Mexico. 
 
To determine the the area that requires this protection, plot a 125 kilometer radius around the proposed LPFM station and then draws lines from the LPFM station to all points where the 125 km radius intersects with the border.  The area between those two or more lines is the area where the Mexico Strip Zone policies apply.  In California, applicants need to be aware that Mexican territory extends into the Pacific Ocean to include the [[wikipedia:Coronado Islands]] located off the coast of the state of [[wikipedia:Baja California]].
 
==== Contour requirements ====
In addition to the distance separation requirements, LPFM stations within 125 kilometers of Mexico may not extend a 60 dBu contour more than 8.7 kilometers (5.4 miles) towards the other country.  In addition, the 34 dBu interfering contour cannot extend more than 32 kilometers (19.9 miles) towards the other country. 


The assignment of frequencies to LPFM stations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also reported to the International Telecommunications Union's Master International Frequency Register.  As a result, LPFM stations, especially those in the U.S. Virgin Islands may receive objections and interference complaints from other nations in the Caribbean region.  Such objections and complaints would be lodged through the FCC's International Bureau, which will in turn contact the Media Bureau, which may order the LPFM station to cease operations.   LPFM stations in the U.S. Virgin Islands should choose a channel that would not cause interference with FM stations in the British Virgin Islands.  
LPFM stations more than 125 km from the border may operate up to 100 watts in all directions.  For stations exceeding 50 watts, the 60 dBu contour can not extend to any point within 116.3 kilometers (72.3 miles) within the Mexican border.


=== FM Translator Stations ===
=== Caribbean nations ===
In respect to FM stations, LPFM stations are classified into one of three "sub classes". The subclass is based on the translators maximum effective radiated power (ERP) and overall height above average terrain. The sub-class is based on the average distance to the 60 dBu service contour.  LPFM stations must protect FM translators on the same channel, first and second adjacent channels using minimum distance separation.  Second adjacent channel spacing can be waived using the same method as waivers in respect to full-service FM stations.
For foreign FM stations in the Caribbean region, the FCC does not have any specific bilateral or multilateral agreements with any other nation's administration.  Therefore, there are no specific distance separation requirements to other FM facilities outside of the United States territories.
The assignment of frequencies to LPFM stations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also reported to the International Telecommunications Union's Master International Frequency Register.  As a result, LPFM stations, especially those in the U.S. Virgin Islands may receive objections and interference complaints from other nations in the Caribbean region.  Such objections and complaints would be lodged through the FCC's International Bureau, which will in turn contact the Media Bureau, which may order the LPFM station to cease operations.  LPFM stations in the U.S. Virgin Islands should choose a channel that would not cause interference with FM stations in the [[wikipedia:British Virgin Islands]].  


While the FM translator service spacing requirements are not specifically mandated by the LCRA, the FCC has customarily not granted any waivers of distance separation on co-channel and first-adjacent channels, even if a finding of no interference is demonstrated.  LPFM stations are required to protect FM translators using directional antennas as if they are using a nondirectional antenna.
=== Directional Antennas ===
LPFM stations may use a directional antenna in order to achieve a facility that is compliant with an international agreement.  LPFM stations that are using directional antennas solely for that purpose are not required to obtain a proof of performance and verifications from an engineer and a surveyor.  Such directional antennas will be protected from FM translators as if they are operating with a nondirectional antenna.
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