The Answer, from Pete Tridish:

If you get a letter from the FCC, whatever you do, make sure you get them a response -- any response, before the deadline. If you need more time, ask for it and it will almost certainly be granted. But the FCC has begun to strictly observe the deadlines it sets for Low Power FM radio applicants, and if you do not respond in a timely fashion, your application will be immediately dismissed. You can ask for a reconsideration, but that is not often granted unless you have a very, very good reason.

This process helps everybody to resolve the backlog of outstanding applications -- but it also means that there is no time to waffle if you are confused by something. Prometheus can provide common sense advice about the rules, so you can represent yourself to the Commission. However, we do not represent stations the way an engineer or a lawyer does, and if you have a complicated problem, you should get a professional to help you. Some of our favorite lawyers and engineers are listed on this page:

http://www.prometheusradio.org/linkshumans.shtml

We wish the FCC would be a little more flexible about these deadlines, especially since many of you have waited for three years to hear anything from them, and then all of the sudden you have thirty days to resolve a complicated technical issue. Still, things have really improved in that the applications are moving through the system much quicker, and if you are on the ball your permit will now get granted quickly.