By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Nephi City can build and operate a low power frequency
modulate station (LPFM) with the station frequency found on
channel 244, 96.7 MHz.
Kyle Ashworth, Nephi, and Charlie Hall, who formerly
owned and operated a full-power Nephi-based radio station,
told the city council that LPFM stood for Low Power
Frequency Modulate.
"In other words, the station mentioned will be run
from a low-power source on the FM frequency," said Ashworth.
"An LPFM station is a relatively new idea that was passed
under the former Clinton Administration and allows schools,
communities, churches, and non-profit organizations the
chance for more broadcast opportunities at a fraction of the
size and cost."
The price tag for beginning such a venture could be
anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 depending on whether some of
Hall's equipment could be utilized.
Ashworth said the city had been approved by the
Federal Communications Commission and was authorized to
build and operate the low power station.
The FCC made a few of these licenses available. In
Utah only five licenses were allowed and Nephi applied.
There was great competition but Nephi won the right to one
of the five low-power station licenses.
Stations of this type are intended for community
non-profit use.
"I have some extra equipment I could donate," said
Hall. "I also have some used equipment which would be of
value. We just need somewhere to put the studio."
The tower, which Hall sold with the station, will only
revert to the city if the radio station were to go out of
business. So it would be necessary to obtain use of a
tower.
Certain restrictions are placed on the station, said
Ashworth. Those include broadcasting of advertisement,
airing schedules, community broadcast, and other FCC
regulations.
"The direct purpose of these types of stations are
based around the idea that new voices will be in broadcast,
and provides an educational tool for future communication
students and an additional resource for the community," he
said.
"You have been granted a 100-watt radio station," said
Ashworth. "The new station must not exceed this power
maximum and this will be heavily enforced by the FCC and its
officers."
Advertising on an LPFM station is similar to that
allowed on an education station found at many colleges and
universities. Because of FCC regulations, he said,
advertisements and other advertising cannot be broadcast.
Just as KBYU does, a low-power station can give a thanks
over the air, but that is all.
Every LPFM station is required to operate its station
in the public's interest and must exclude obscene and
outside-community focus.
"Each station must provide eight hours of
locally-originated programming that must be formatted,
produced, and broadcast from the station," Ashworth
said.
Stations are required, by law, to operate, on air, six
days a week, 36 hours a week, and the broadcast must
consistently occur at least five hours per day.
Stations licensed to educational institutions are not
required to operate on Saturdays or Sundays.
As with any other station regulated by the FCC, all
documents, stations, tower and equipment are subject to
inspected and overview by an officer of the FCC. Documents
will not be accessible or necessary for public view.
"An LPFM station may choose to broadcast any format of
music its community and staff desires," Ashworth said.
"Again, there are certain rules and regulations concerning
the production of any format."
An LPFM station is designed to be cost effective, much
cheaper to maintain and operate, than a full-power station.
Such stations are an additive to any community and are
intended to be for public and local use.
"The FCC has regulated the rules to guide the station
managers and directors through the process," he said. "When
built and programmed correctly, a station of this caliber
will be both educational and beneficial."
Equipment required for the construction of a low-power
station includes a tower 98.4 feet high, an audio console,
and audio processor, antennas, a digital audio system, an
EAS (optional on view), an exciter, telephone equipment, a
transmitter, and a studio.
Ashworth said Ephraim used a grant to help construct
their station. It might be possible to get such a grant to
assist the city.
"I would like to see the school district (Juab School
District) become involved," said Ashworth. "I went to the
radio station just for a career experience and I got hooked.
Now I plan to go into the business."
Hall said that Orem High School had a similar station
when he was in school. The school put a studio in and it had
far-reaching results.
"It put quite a few of us into broadcasting. Several
of us are still in the business," said Hall.
There are many broadcasting careers, in addition to
being the broadcaster. Public affairs, management positions,
and production are just some of the possibilities.
The two were advised to attend the next school board
meeting and find out what the district would do to help.
"I'll call my attorney back East and see what he can
do to help," said Hall.
After the phone call and the meeting with the school
board, the two will return to the council with their
findings.
|
