| Enter the gallery |
sojourner |
| Latest Events |
|---|
|
There are no upcoming events currently scheduled. View Full Calendar |
| Search the Prometheus site: |
|---|
| Can't find it on the new site? |
|---|
| Look for it on the old site: oldsite.prometheusradio.org! |
| Translate the site: |
|---|
|
|
| Minnesota: 60 Minnesota groups apply for low-watt licenses |
|
All Rights Reserved The Associated Press State & Local Wire View Related Topics September 19, 2000, Tuesday, BC cycle SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 399 words HEADLINE: 60 groups apply for low-watt licenses BYLINE: By The Associated Press BODY: About 60 Minnesota nonprofit groups are asking the Federal Communications Commission for licenses to run their own low-power FM radio stations. Women Against Military Madness, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and the Minneapolis American Indian Center are among organizations seeking licenses that would authorize them to operate the stations with a range of up to a few miles. Low-power FM is a new, noncommercial radio service authorized this year by the FCC. The service will consist of 100-watt stations, which will cover a radius of just over 3 miles, and 10-watt stations, which would serve areas within a radius of 1 to 2 miles. The FCC believes it may grant 1,000 or more 100-watt stations nationwide, as well as 10-watt stations. In the Twin Cities, federal officials estimate there might be room for six 100-watt stations, but more room for 10-watt stations. The low-power stations can be slipped into the FM radio band without causing "unacceptable levels" of interference with existing, more powerful stations, the FCC contends. But big broadcasters vehemently disagree, arguing the low-power FM stations threaten to mess up their signals. "We are seriously concerned about the potential for interference," said Jim du Bois, chief executive officer of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, the trade association for almost all of the state's radio and TV stations. "If the FM band becomes an unlistenable collection of interference, people will go to other sources." Radio broadcasters have been trying to get Congress to force the FCC to reconsider its position. With Congress caught between the broadcasting lobby and the religious, education and ethnic groups that want radio stations, a compromise seems likely. "Going into this, the industry thought this (low-power FM stations) was a horrific idea," du Bois said. "Now, the industry supports compromise legislation that says, 'Let's test and see if there's interference."' Minnesota Public Radio is among the worried broadcasters. "We support the licensing of low-power stations," said Will Haddeland, senior vice president of public affairs for MPR. "But we are not supporting the erosion of existing protections for existing stations. The FCC has dropped long-standing technical safeguards." FCC chairman William Kennard says the first low-power station may be on the air by the end of the year. LOAD-DATE: September 20, 2000 |
