L i t t l e R a l e i g h R a d i o
What is LPFM?
Regulated by the FCC so it's bonafide and certified // Must abide by all FCC rules
No joke about the low power // the licenses are for 10 and 100 watt transmitting power
Low Power FM radio refers to two types of special radio broadcasting licenses
FCC created these new licenses because of concerns that radio no longer provided an outlet for local voices, music, news content, or media training
Educational Nonprofi t Radio Organizations in our area
WKNC transmits at 25,000 watts
WUNC pushes out 100,000 watts from Chatham County, along with two repeat transmitters in Rocky Mount and Manteo
WXYC wheezes with 1100 watts
WXDU kicks 2150 watts
WSHA 88.9 is 50,000 watts
� WVDJ 107.9 is the only LPFM station in the Raleigh market
WCOM in Carrboro is a LPFM that started in 2000
Who Can Have One?FCC gives the licenses to nonprofi ts or government groups like: educational institutions both public and private – or – public safety and transportation authorities – or – public service and health organizations – or – faith based groups
– or –
An association or entity with an educational purpose – like a community group
Like you
you
you
All of you – together –
make a community group
you
you
you
you
and youand you
In 2000 FCC made LPFM legit, this raised concern from full power broadcasters // National Association of Broadcasters lobbies against LPFM
Local Community Radio Act signed into law on January 4, 2011 by President Barack Obama → NOW because of law the airwaves are opening up
Why now?
Independent study was conducted in 2004 to see if LPFM caused broadcast interference on nearby channels
Concluded that LPFM did not interfere with other, larger signals // 2005 // new legislature introduced to encourage more LPFM
Piece of legislature dies in 2007 // reborn in 2009 // voted on in December 2010
The time is now // soon // very very close
This filing window for applying for a LPFM license has not been open since 2001
Right now the FCC is writing the rules for the filing process // results will be published this year
We anticipate the filing window will open in the first quarter // possibly second quarter
FCC has been mandated by Congress to expand LPFM and lift restrictions on channel availability for LPFM
FCC is anticipating LPFM stations being established in larger media markets // focus is on urban and city areas for new LPFM
The FCC knows there is a need for change in the media landscape // a year-long study on the market just published
June 9, 2011: Future of Media Report, “The Information Needs of Communities: The Changing Media Landscape in a Broadband Age”
Hyperlocal (neighborhood-based) information is better than ever: technology has allowed citizens to help create and share news on a very local level – by small town, neighborhood and even block.
Our view is that the “public interest obligation” system is broken, and it does matter.
Steven Waldman, Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the FCC
“Hyperlocal” used 60 times in the report
Where is the future of media? /// Hype it up
Why are we here today?
we need your help and this has to be a shared experience
everyone of you is a w e s o m e
we know you are actively interested in having an impact in Raleigh
Radio is a change we want to share
we want to change radio
you can Change the way you hear where you are
our vision
visibility // a store front DJ booth in the heart of downtown Raleigh
open // walk-in open door hours
outreach // content coordinators who curate, gather and teach
*educate // “mic-ing” events already happening in Raleigh
accessibility // hear and be a part of the community you belong to
engagement // supporting other community groups
defi ne hyperlocal // 2 blocks over and 6 blocks down
the vision exists only because we love where we live
515 Bart Street
Possible location of tower // located in Southeast Raleigh
Studio would not be at this location
321 W. Davie Street
easy rooftop access
lots of space for events
opens up to sidewalk
warehouse district
131 S. Wilmington Street
antenna possibly on top of Sitti
storefront for DJ booth
high foot traffi c
Empire Properties
our missionbroadcast the vibration of change in our community
create an open outlet for expression, nurture expression
give a sound to growth
give voice to the value of people and what they create
challenge and stimulate minds
instil a sense of community ownership, stewardship and accountability
feeling connected // creating a connection // creating content
communicating // drain of being constantly connected // sense: to listen
sharing // accessible // affordable // transverses the digital gap // versatile
amorphous // transforms senses into thoughts // growing a voice
establishing an identity // realizing identity through voice // confidence
fun // fresh // changes // familiar in our society // teaching // story telling
technology gives us the tools // radio gives us the voice
the need for voice will never change
How to make it happenfile articles of incorporation with NC // ties into getting a FCC license
obtain a fiscal sponsor or establish LRR as a 501(c)3
finalize organization structure
explore transmitter and studio spaces // not necessarily the same location
researching frequency availability // waiting on FCC to interpret law and publish
consult an engineer for a frequency audit
launch digital identity // first week of September // Hopscotch and SparkCon
solidify timeline for development // filing window not announced by FCC
develop fundraising strategy // flexible design which aligns with timeline
community engagement strategies // branding strategies
spread the word // generate press // maintain momentum and enthusiasm
d o c u m e n t d e v e l o p m e n t / / c r e a t e c o n t e n t