The Answer

The news is not good, but not entirely bad either. The windows which the FCC had opened for you to apply for your own low power station have closed across the entire United States. At some point in the future, the FCC will open them again. When? This is a great mystery!

There is no schedule as far as we can tell -- the windows will be re-opened when the FCC sees fit to open them again. If we had been more savvy when we petitioned them in the process of writing the rules, we would have asked for a fixed schedule for the filing windows. Prometheus makes the educated guess that the FCC will open the windows again when they have finished resolving the majority of the applications from the last time.

Since it has taken two years so far, and only about a fifth of the applications have been resolved, we'd guess that it will be between 1 and 4 years before the windows open again. We'll probably get another shot at new licenses somewhere in the middle of that large span.

Some tips about being an appealing Low Power candidate -- there seems to be a preference for organizations which have existed for two years or more. So if you have not started your organization formally yet, now is a good time to get that fiscal sponsorship, bylaw document, or 501-c-3 status together -- so that by the time you are able to apply you will have a history of 'existing'!

So, if you are not planning on going anywhere -- if your group will be practicing its good works in a few years, same as today -- it is just a matter of time before there will be and opportunity to apply. If you give us an address for you, we can analyze for free whether there is a frequency available at that location under the current rules. Write an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and he will check that out for you.

Hundreds of licenses have been issued, and many wonderful groups have benefited from LPFM, but the rest of us are out of luck -- for now.

There are several possibilities for the future and other options you should understand. You can check out the piece we wrote about different radio alternatives, called "Appropriate Channels", at: prometheus.tao.ca/alternatives.shtml In our opinion, none of these options are quite as good as a licensed low power radio station. However, if you're dying to get into radio, one of our suggestions could help you on your way.

One more thing you can do: perhaps someone in your area applied for a station, and might be amenable to someone like you joining their effort. Again, if you tell us where you are, we can tell you if we know anyone who has applied in your area.

Best of luck! And remember -- whether you can begin the navigation process tomorrow or in three years, Prometheus will be here to give you advice of all sorts, shapes and sizes. Keep heart!