LPFM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Difference between revisions

Relaxed interference standards for LPFM stations may be the only way of "finding" sufficient spectrum in medium or larger markets to create any viable service of 100 watts or more.  According to a staff analysis, with a third-adjacent protection requirement, no LP-100 or LP-1000 stations could be authorized in Denver, and only 3 LP-100 stations could be authorized in Minneapolis, where without the third-adjacent requirements, one LP-1000 or  four LP-100 stations might location in Denver and perhaps one LP-1000 or nine LP-100 stations could be located in Minneapolis.

The FCC had found that in cases where a "grandfathered short spaced" FM station was permitted to modify facilities without regard to second or third-adjacent channels between 1964 and 1987, they did not receive any interference complaints from such modifications.  They found only a small risk of interference in that context, which was outweighed by improved service.  The FCC has also found this to be the case in the noncommercial service in the case of "Raleigh Waivers" where the FCC has been able to accept small amounts of second and third adjacent channel interference where such interference is counterbalanced by substantial service gains.