FM part 15 frequencies A r r r r r r g g g h h

Neil,

I know the frustration. The frequencies are allocated by various FCC auctions each year. The allocations are bid on. The FCC sets the minimum bid, as well as the rules to the auction.

There are about 1/3 of the LPFM construction permits granted that are yet "unbuilt and unlicensed". LPFM CP's cannot be sold or transferred. So, the unbuilt CP's leave those frequencies in limbo.

By going to the http://www.fcc.gov site, then audio division, and then FM search; it is possible to find clear frequencies. Find a frequency with a nearby CP that is growing grey hair (older than 18 mos old) and try those frequencies. That's what I, and a number of other people, do. CP's are only good for three years maximum and then they expire.

The radio locator site works, but is missing the applications that are in process of being approved by the FCC. The FCC.gov site reduces the number of surprises. Good luck.

Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Senior Pastor, President
Rhema Christian Fellowship, Inc.

Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
AM 1660 - FM 93.5
http://www.rhemaradio.org

Thanks, Marshall, for your reply. I, personally, am not frustrated and I don't really care about my own operating frequency....I can change it as needed.

My reaction is that the little guys who want to use the spectrum are shut out. You mentioned the auctions of frequencies and I don't really know much about this concerning the FM band, but I have followed this subject with regard to the cell and personal communications bands. I believe selling a public resource to the highest bidder is objectionable because it only allows the established players with financial resources to participate. This, to me, is equivalent to selling the left lane of the interstate highway system to the high bidding trucking company, excluding everyone else from this lane.

Maybe I am being simplistic in my analysis but there should be a more equitable way to manage our shared "public" resources. As an example, the station I mentioned earilier has an operating radius of about 40 miles according to the contour map. Considering that the capture effect of FM receivers could allow several low power stations with a radius of a few miles to coexist on this frequency in the proposed service area I ask the air, and not you, why this frequency is allocated to one megastation rather than several smaller local stations? Would this not facilitate, economics aside, the community broadcast service that many here are talking about? The celluar telephone system operates on this principle...many local cells with limited range on the same frequency in a given service area rather than one big high power transmitter blocking the frequency for all other potential users.

A former Pastor of mine once told me that I should not get agitated at the traffic on the highway since if it wasn't for the other users in my way there would be no highway. I wish the RF spectrum was as simple to manage.

I really appreciate your input and that of others who may comment.

Neil

I live the pain of the frequency auctions. It really sucks because if we could get a reduced power LPFM license, there would be a couple of clear channels for us. It really kind of makes me a little mad. Anything for a dollar!

Neil et al,

Agree totally with your feelings.

Here is another "frequency locator."

http://www.recnet.com/

They have a couple of their websites like lpam.info and lpam.ws listed on the left side of this web page.

They have a relatively new service:

http://www.fmfind.info/

which helps find your yardcasting frequencies. Some time back, this used to be embedded in their main lpfm frequency search program by checking a "part 15" option when you did a channel search. The seem to have taken it out and simplified it for less technical users who are looking to add a "retail store" Part 15 FM transmitter to an iPod or satellite receiver.

Hello all,

Thanks for the links above. There is a nice feature on this site:

http://www.radio-locator.com/

where a graphical representaton of FM station band occupancy can be found.

Because it is nice weather here and I am looking for a good FM frequency, I chose three frequencies which should have been quiet and listened with my truck radio in my driveway. It must have a "hot" receiver because I could hear usable signals from low power stations 40 plus miles away, way beyond the estimated fringe according to radio-locator's maps. I am not calling to question anyone's maps since many factors affect range. They can be a good guide but one must consider the limitations.

The thing which is relevant here is that a frequency which seemed clear changed to occupied as I moved the truck around in the driveway (my neighbors are used to this kind of strange activity from me). This signal change is not too surprising given the rather short wavelength of FM, and the effect well known as "flutter" when mobile. So, if you already did not know this, when checking a frequency, it is a good idea to move your receiver several feet left, right, back, and forth. Though a frequency may appear clear your antenna may be in a null yet your neighbor may be able to hear the station and may be listening if their antenna is not in a null. The potential for unintended interference is present.

Neil

IBOC digital brings up other problems, ones which you can not hear. So it's a good idea to pick channels that are at least two away from any other station