How to Apply for a Broadcast Station
Introduction
In the following sections, we provide some basic information about radio and television stations and the related application processes.
Heavy Demand for New Broadcast Stations. Potential applicants for radio and television services should be aware that frequencies for these services are always in heavy demand. For example, the Commission received approximately 30,000 inquiries from persons seeking to start radio broadcast stations last year. Where broadcast frequencies remain available, competing applications are routinely received. Thus, you are cautioned at the outset that the filing of an application does not guarantee that you will receive a broadcast station construction permit. You should also be aware that in many areas of the country, no frequencies may be available on which a new station could commence operating without causing interference to existing stations, which would violate FCC rules. For that reason, we do not recommend that you purchase any equipment before receiving a construction permit from the FCC.
Expansion of the AM or FM radio bands is unlikely to occur in the near future. The FM band is constrained from expanding above 107.9 MHz by the presence of aeronautical operations on 108 MHz to 136 MHz, and is also prevented from expanding below 88.1 MHz by Channel 6 television operations on 82.0 through 88.0 MHz. The AM band was recently expanded from 1600 to 1700 kHz after years of international negotiations, however those frequencies are reserved for existing stations which were causing significant interference in the lower part of the band.
Unlicensed Operation Prohibited. A very common question asked to the FCC is whether broadcasting at very low power requires a license. Please be aware that unlicensed operation of radio broadcast stations is prohibited, even at such low powers such as 1 watt or less. The only unlicensed operation that is permitted on the AM and FM broadcast bands is covered under Part 15 of the FCC's rules, and is limited to a coverage radius of approximately 200 feet. (See the Commission's July 24, 1991 Public Notice.) Unlicensed operation is also not permitted in the television bands (including 87.9 MHz, which falls within the 82.0 to 88.0 Channel 6 television band). Fines and/or criminal prosecution may result from illegal operation of an unlicensed station.
Legal and Engineering Assistance in the Preparation of Construction Permit Applications for Licensed Stations. Most applicants retain legal counsel and broadcast engineering consultants to perform frequency searches and help prepare the legal and technical portions of construction permit applications. The FCC does not maintain a list of or recommend any particular legal services or broadcast engineering consultants, but we note that many of these services do advertise on the Internet and in trade publications. You must decide which services best suit your needs. Please be aware that the FCC cannot tell you whether a frequency will be available in a particular location, or help in the preparation of applications (except for questions of a general nature).
Access to a Computer is Essential. The Commission is rapidly moving toward electronic filing of its applications and the elimination of paper forms. This procedure has several advantages, including error checking of application entries before an application is accepted for filing, more rapid posting of data, and reduced processing time. However, at some future date you will not be able to file paper forms when applying for a broadcast station construction permit. At that time, access to a computer will be mandatory.
