Non-Commercial FM Frequency Search Agreement

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Non-Commercial FM Frequency Search Agreement (PDF)


Please call for detailed information, as project scheduling changes do occur when working with the FCC.


Send To: Sterling
Communications, Inc.
PO Box 1877
LaFayette, GA 30728
(706) 397-8744
sterlingjamesp@gmail.com
www.christianradiohome.com

NON-COMMERCIAL
FM FREQUENCY STUDY AUTHORIZATION FORM OF

________________, _______________

In the United States, the lower fifth of the FM band is reserved for use by educational stations only. These stations are authorized on a noninterference basis taking into account the calculated coverage area of each station. The remaining 80 channels are commercial. On the commercial band, these stations are authorized on the basis of mileage separation.

The coverage area of a station is defined as the area where its signal is 1.0 mV/m (millivolts per meter) or stronger, at 50 percent or more of the potential receivers.

At the boundary of the coverage area of one station, no other station on the same channel may deliver more than 0.1 mV/m. A station one channel up or down the dial may not deliver more than 0.5 mV/m at this boundary.  Two channels up or down, the limit is 10 mV/m, while for three channels up or down, the limit is 100 mV/m. These interfering signals must be computed on a 10 percent basis, that is, presence at only 10 percent of potential receivers constitutes interference.

These standards are based on studies of the ability of FM radios to reject undesired signals which are close to the frequency of the desired signal. The standards prohibit not only interference which a proposed new station would cause to existing station, but also any interference which a new station would receive.

The signal strength contours of a station are calculated using a specific procedure set forth in FCC Rules, taking into account the terrain surrounding the antenna of each station being studied.

The standards outlined above are the basis mechanism for regulation of the domestic educational FM band. However, there are other requirements which must be met.

Interference between educational and commercial stations is controlled by the requirements of specific mileage separations between such stations.  These requirements vary as a function of the number of channels of frequency channels, which are immediately adjacent to the commercial band.

All stations, educational and commercial, are also required to observe an additional set of mileage restrictions with respect to stations 53 or 54 channels apart in frequency. Most FM radios are vulnerable to “I-F inter modulation” interference with the receiver. When strong signals, 53 or 54 channels apart, are present, the radio receives both stations. Because very strong signals are required to cause this effect, the mileages involved vary from as little as 5 miles to 30 miles when both stations involved are high-power.

Within 200 miles of the Canadian border, U.S. allocations must be submitted for Canadian objections prior to final action by the FCC. In general, this is not a problem because Canadian existing stations are protected in the same way as domestic stations. Commercial FM broadcast frequencies are governed by a table of assignments, established by the Federal Communications Commission to provide for an equitable and efficient distribution of channels. We have reviewed the table of assignments to see if any channels have been allocated to your area which are not presently being used. Our review showed that no channel is available. However, by performing a computerized Frequency Allocation Study, we can determine if a presently unassigned channel could be assigned to your community.

Commercial FM allocations are based on certain minimum mileage separations which must be maintained between stations on neighboring frequencies.

Using the geographic coordinates of your site, the computer will determine the exact distance to the nearest station or assignment on each frequency. All of the stations and assignments listed in the FCC files will be considered by the program in the preparation of the study.

Where no channel is directly open, as often happens in searches in populated areas, we carefully inspect the study results to determine whether there are channels on which you might operate either:

(1) by using a different transmitter site (these studies begin by a printout of all involved stations and an analysis to determine in what, if any, direction we may move your site to escape the preclusion), or, if you specify;

(2) by performing additional searches in an attempt to provide alternate channels for the stations which block your use of the desired channel.

An engineering analysis of the results and our recommendation will accompany the study. The study will require approximately four (4) weeks from receipt of your authorization. To authorize a Frequency Allocation Study of either the non-commercial band or commercial band for the ________________, _____ area sign this form and return it to us with your check for $495. If you wish for Sterling to perform a combined noncommercial and commercial search, return this form to Sterling with your check for payment.

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  • …a note of thanks for the wonderful and professional work you have provided for the many stations we have had over the years. It seems like we are always changing or moving something with the stations. As the years pass, we have found that we can trust your services and can call, at almost any time, with questions that we need your help to answer. Thanks again for your years of service for us here at Alabama Christian Radio, Inc.

    Pat Jarrell ACR
  • We have, through the application process for a LPFM Radio Station, found James Price and his staff to be professional in every way. They were always, even through our “ignorant questions”, “affable, available and affordable”. At every decision junction, they released wisdom filled with judgement based on their experience and engineering knowledge. All through our application process they shared with us the appropriate direction to take based on what we needed, not what was perhaps best for them. Our application was successful due to their labor and we continue to look to them for all the necessary next steps. With Sterling Communications you receive professional care and sensitivity to the needs of you the client.

    Jim Hughes MD FRCS, The Church in Jackson
  • In 2004, we knew God was leading our ministry to purchase a 100kW FM non-commercial station, but we didn’t know much at all about FCC regulations, radio equipment, engineering studies or coverage maps. James Price and crew at Sterling Communications patiently answered ALL our questions and gave us information about questions we didn’t know enough to ask! Their engineering expertise enabled us to receive 3 construction permits during a non-commercial FM filing window, move antennas to more strategic locations and make well-informed decisions as opportunities arose to purchase other stations. They walked us through growing our network from that first station to 7 stations and 9 translators throughout Nebraska, all with faith, good humor and an awareness of our need to stretch each dollar!

    Carolyn Simmons Mission Nebraska
  • With over 50 years of broadcasting behind us here at VCY America Radio and TV, the importance of quality consulting and engineering remains the foundation for our more than 35 facilities across the network. James Price and the wonderful team at Sterling Communications have never disappointed us and their outstanding work is testimony before the broadcast industry and the FCC of the quality of their work. Sterling Communications knows how to get it done and done right.

    Dr. Vic Eliason, V.P. VCY America Radio Network
  • I will tell you that I have used many engineers before Sterling. None were as caring, effective and knowledgeable as James and his father have been. Jim Price (the father) was one of the most knowledgeable and innovative persons / engineers that I have known in my rather long career, and James has those same qualities. The Sterling staff is and always has been extremely willing to help. In addition, as a last comment, which is one of the most important items in any business, Sterling's pricing is always acceptable and very competitive.

    Charles Beard CSSI Non-Profit Educational Broadcasting Corp.
MarkNon-Commercial FM Frequency Search Agreement