Building a Low-power Radio Station
There are many resources currently available for organizations and communities interested in applying for a low-power radio license, building a station, and maintaining a successful, community-based organization. Prometheus Radio, the National Federation for Community Broadcasters, Media Access Project, and others have been instrumental in helping low-power stations and communities gain control of their own media production. During the last six years, these organizations have created documents that offer guidance on the FCC application process, legal information, and step-by-step instructions for building a low-power station. The resources outlined below offer specific help pertaining to applying for and building a low-power radio station.
Prometheus Radio
Prometheus Radio, a leader in the low-power field, outlines the importance of communities owning their own media outlets and offers access to resources to help organizations familiarize themselves with the technical and legal aspects of low-power radio. In addition, Prometheus sponsors low-power barnraisings, including one in Northampton, MA in August of 2005.
Prometheus’ low-power Radio Primer includes general information for communities and organizations interested in starting a low-power radio station. In addition, their toolkit outlines fundraising goals when building the station.
Finally, Prometheus Radio offers a step-by-step guide for helping organizations apply for a low-power radio license with the FCC.
Media Access Project
The Media Access Project promotes the public’s First Amendment right to speak via electronic media. MAP provides policy updates and information on upcoming legislation and legal action for a variety of media issues including media consolidation and open access to broadband Internet.
low-power stations and applicants will find a variety of helpful resources, including a history of low-power radio and information on key decisions made by the FCC. They also provide the “Guide for Filling out the FCC low-power Radio Application” that includes step-by-step instructions for filling out both the technical and non-technical portions of the application.
National Federation of Community Broadcasters
NFCB provides resources for all community radio broadcasters as well as specific information for low-power radio stations. Its handbooks, tools, and publications include information on a broad spectrum of radio and nonprofit management issues, including: volunteer management, public radio legal issues, and underwriting.
Starting an LPFM Station ($50), its handbook for starting a low-power radio station includes detailed and specific technical information, including sample mission statements, a sample volunteer management handbook, sample schedule and program log, as well as advice on fundraising.
NFCB also lists current statistics on the number of low-power radio stations licensed in the U.S.
Office of Communications, Inc of the United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ, Office of Communications has been active in the low-power radio movement through a nationwide coalition of organizations. Although OC, Inc. does not produce online resources specific to low-power radio, it links to some of the important FCC positions regarding low-power radio. It also publishes the Media Empowerment Organizing Manual (English and Spanish version) which very effectively lays out the current media environment for most communities in the US. The manual discusses media justice issues and ways to organize around media policy issues.
Free Radio Berkeley Micropower Broadcasting Primer (English and Spanish)
Free-Radio Berkeley offers this Micropower Broadcasting Primer that includes information on setting up radio frequency and broadcasting equipment. Included are diagrams of equipment and instructions for setting it up. Free Radio Berkeley also offers guided workshops for those looking for help building a transmitter and other related equipment. It is also offering a variety of radio camps across the country in 2005.
RecNet
Rec Networks offers this quick guide to starting a LPFM station. Included is a link to a searchable database of available frequencies as well as a way for current applicants and concerned community members to check on the status of a low-power application.
Center for Democratic Communications of the National Lawyers Guild
The CDC offers assistance to those organizations looking to apply for a LPFM license as well as those who already have applied. In addition, its low-power FAQ offers a basic primer on some of the key governmental organizations, technology, and operational needs necessary for running a LPFM station.
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission offers information and headlines related to its low-power radio initiative. Included is a checklist to verify compliance with FCC regulations and a search feature to find information on existing and pending low-power radio stations.
Seizing the Airwaves: a free radio handbook
Published before the legalization of low-power stations, Seizing the Airwaves includes three sections dealing with the micro radio movement. The first section, titled Moving from Corporate Enclosure to Free Radio, discusses the development of micro radio, its pirate past, and relationship to the FCC. Interviews with activists involved in the free radio movement are included in the second section. Although published before the legalization of low-power radio, the handbook has a good section on how to set up a micro radio station.