(3-30-24) —The Federal Communications Commission has approved licensing for two new area low-powered FM radio stations.

According to FCC records Ft.Recovery Community Radio was awarded a construction permit on February 21st for WFRC LP-FM to broadcast at 107.3.

Jim Crocker’s Crocker Media Group, LLC was granted the license in Van Wert on March 27 for a 100-watt non-directional radio station at 102.9 which will cover almost 15-20 miles in any direction from the transmitter and studio which will be located in the back of the former Price Outdoor Equipment Building at 517 Leeson Avenue.

The station is currently online streaming at https://rewind1029.com/

One LP-FM station already on the air is WRKD LP-FM at 101.3 in Rockford that has been broadcasting since 2014 and is operated by the Village of Rockford.

Ohio LP-FM Stations

FCC LP-FM Station Definition

Introduction

The Low Power FM (LPFM) radio service was created by the Commission in January 2000.  LPFM stations are authorized for noncommercial educational broadcasting only (no commercial operation) and operate with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100 watts (0.1 kilowatts) or less, with maximum facilities of 100 watts ERP at 30 meters (100 feet) antenna height above average terrain (HAAT).  The approximate service range of a 100 watt LPFM station is 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles radius).  LPFM stations are not protected from interference that may be received from other classes of FM stations.  A construction permit is required before an LPFM station can be constructed or operated.  The mere filing of an LPFM application does not authorize any construction or operation.

LPFM stations are available to noncommercial educational entities and public safety and transportation organizations, but are not available to individuals or for commercial operations.  Current broadcast licensees with interests in other media (broadcast or newspapers) are not eligible to obtain LPFM stations. 

Potential applicants are advised that there is almost always competition for any type of radio broadcast station — including LPFM stations — and there is no guarantee that filing an acceptable application will result in the grant of a construction permit.  Applications for LPFM stations may only be filed during specified filing “window” periods announced by the FCC, and must be filed electronically on FCC Form 318 (no paper applications will be accepted).  Many applicants retain legal and engineering counsel to help them prepare an acceptable application.  (The FCC does not maintain a list of legal and engineering firms, and cannot recommend any individual or firm.)

LPFM stations must protect authorized radio broadcast stations on the same channel or frequency (cochannel), as well as broadcast stations on first or second-adjacent channels above or below the LPFM station’s frequency.  This protection is accomplished through the use of minimum distance separation requirements, which are set forth in 47 CFR 73.807.