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=== Full Service FM stations within the United States === | === Full Service FM stations within the United States === | ||
In respect to full-service FM stations operating on the same or the first-adjacent channel of the LPFM, the minimum distance separations required are based on the standard interfering contour of the LPFM station and a distance that is 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) past the standard protected service contour of the full-service station. Each full-service FM service class has specific distances required for separation. This additional 20 kilometer "buffer zone" was adopted in the original ''LPFM'' ''Report and Order'' in order to assure minimal impacts on LPFM stations in the event that a full-service FM station had to make a modification of their facility. | In respect to full-service FM stations operating on the same or the first-adjacent channel of the LPFM, the minimum distance separations required are based on the standard interfering contour of the LPFM station and a distance that is 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) past the standard protected service contour of the full-service station. Each full-service FM service class has specific distances required for separation. This additional 20 kilometer "[[buffer zone]]" was adopted in the original ''LPFM'' ''Report and Order'' in order to assure minimal impacts on LPFM stations in the event that a full-service FM station had to make a modification of their facility. | ||
LPFM stations are also required to protect full-service FM stations on second adjacent channels, however that requirement can be [[Second Adjacent Channel Waiver|waived]] if a technical showing is made that the proposed LPFM facility does not cause any actual interference to listeners or potential listeners of the short-spaced second adjacent channel station or stations. In addition, LPFM stations must also protect FM stations on third adjacent channels in cases where the other FM station is carrying a [[Radio Reading Service]]. Second and third adjacent channel requirements do not include the 20 kilometer "buffer zone". | LPFM stations are also required to protect full-service FM stations on second adjacent channels, however that requirement can be [[Second Adjacent Channel Waiver|waived]] if a technical showing is made that the proposed LPFM facility does not cause any actual interference to listeners or potential listeners of the short-spaced second adjacent channel station or stations. In addition, LPFM stations must also protect FM stations on third adjacent channels in cases where the other FM station is carrying a [[Radio Reading Service]]. Second and third adjacent channel requirements do not include the 20 kilometer "buffer zone". | ||
In 2011 with the enactment of the Local Community Radio Act of 2010 (LCRA), the use of minimum distance separation methodology and the actual distances that were codified in this rule at the time when the LCRA was enacted must be used. Because of that statutory requirement, the FCC is unable to give any waiver of the distance separation rules in respect to co-channel (same channel) and first-adjacent channel domestic FM facilities. | In 2011 with the enactment of the [[Local Community Radio Act of 2010]] (LCRA), the use of minimum distance separation methodology and the actual distances that were codified in this rule at the time when the LCRA was enacted must be used. Because of that statutory requirement, the FCC is unable to give any waiver of the distance separation rules in respect to co-channel (same channel) and first-adjacent channel domestic FM facilities. | ||
=== Class D stations === | === Class D stations === | ||
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=== Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands === | === Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands === | ||
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 [[wikipedia:Puerto_Rico|Puerto Rico]] and the [[United States Virgin Islands|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. | ||
=== FM Translator Stations === | === FM Translator Stations === | ||
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== Protections to foreign FM stations == | == 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 | Proposals for LPFM facilities located within 320 kilometers (198.8 miles) of the Canadian and Mexican borders will be coordinated with | ||
[[wikipedia:Innovation,_Science_and_Economic_Development_Canada|Innovation,_Science_and_Economic_Development_Canada]] or Mexico's [[wikipedia:Federal_Telecommunications_Institute|Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones]] 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 === | === Canada === | ||
''Main article: [[Minimum distance separation requirements to Canadian FM broadcast stations|Required minimum distance separation requirements to Canadian FM broadcast stations]].'' | ''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. | In 1991, the [[wikipedia:United_States_of_America|United States]] and [[wikipedia:Canada||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 ==== | ==== Minimum distance separations ==== | ||
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''Main article: [[Minimum distance separation requirements to Mexican FM broadcast stations|Required minimum distance separation requirements to Mexican FM broadcast stations]].'' | ''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. | 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 [[wikipedia::Mexico|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 ==== | ==== Minimum distance separations ==== | ||