- Radio Station Budget Template
- How To Start Fm Radio Station In India
- A Fm Radio Station Broadcasts At 99.5 Mhz
Updated September 26, 2017
xijian/iStock/Getty Images
Updated September 26, 2017
Radio is a finite resource. In a given area, there are only so many available frequencies for transmitting FM signals. To start a station, you must have a license to broadcast on a specific frequency. As part of getting a license you have to find an available frequency for broadcasting your own station. Even if you find one, there's no guarantee you'll be able to buy it.
Choose a Location
One of the papers you have to file with the FCC is a construction permit for your new station. You must choose a location where you can broadcast an acceptably powerful signal over the community covered by your license. The location has to be physically practical -- not in the middle of a river, for instance -- and conform to any local environmental or land use restrictions. If you pick an unsuitable location, you're out the $3,485 application fee.
Find a Frequency
Once you select a tentative site for your station, enter the longitude and latitude into the FCC's FM allotment finder. This launches a search of the FCC's database to find out whether there's an open Class A frequency at that location you could use. Class A is the lowest-power commercial station, covering the smallest broadcast area with its signal. If you can't find an open frequency, there's no way you can open a new commercial station.
Filing the Paperwork
Once you have your frequency allotment and location picked out, submit Forms 301 and 159 to the FCC along with the filing fee. You also submit a petition for rulemaking to the office of the FCC secretary. The petition identifies the community where you want to broadcast and whether you want a Class A radio station or a different class. The petition also shows that the allotment meets FCC requirements for spacing between your frequency and other stations and station applications.
The Auction Process
You can't just buy a frequency for your station, you have to win it in an online auction. If the FCC approves your petition, it will put the frequency allotment up for bid in a future auction. The FCC usually auctions off several frequencies at once, taking from a day to several weeks. If yours is the winning bid, the FCC will tell you the down payment for the license. You have 10 days to submit the money along with all the required paperwork.
Build, Equip and Broadcast
You'll need a station building to house your transmitter, business offices and radio studio. Unless you can remodel an existing building, you'll have to build one. Then you have to buy equipment, including a transmitter, a broadcast antenna and generators. If you can find an existing broadcast tower with space to rent, you can install your antenna there. Otherwise, you'll have to build your own tower. Then you must find programming such as local news or music to fill airtime. Record labels are usually willing to provide music, but you have to pay licensing fees. Some of your airtime will have to go to ads -- selling commercials is where most stations make their money.
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Updated September 26, 2017
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Updated September 26, 2017
The first step to starting your own AM station is applying for a federal license. It takes time, as the Federal Communications Commission accepts applications at only during certain times. Watch the FCC website for announcements about when the next window opens. You may be competing with hundreds of other applicants, so don't make any errors that could cost you your chance.
Apply for a License
Even low-power stations -- except for college stations -- require an FCC license. To apply for a license, you need an FCC registration number. You can register through the agency's website or by submitting FCC Form 160 by mail. If you do not include the registration number on your radio-license application it will be rejected. To apply for a new license, complete FCC Form 302-AM and Form 159 electronically. The filing fee is $635. If you plan to build a new station, you must submit Form 301 with a $3,870 fee.
Watch for Interference
All AM radio stations broadcast on the frequencies from 540 to 1700 kilohertz. One of the obstacles to new AM stations is that you have to pick a frequency that won't interfere with other stations. This includes stations elsewhere in the country that use the same frequency, and adjacent radio channels, those 30 kHz above or below your own. Your application has to demonstrate that you won't cause interference problems. The FCC says it usually takes an expert to provide a convincing analysis.
Establishing the Parameters
The FCC strongly recommends that you wait until you have a license in hand before buying equipment. You will, however, have to figure out what equipment you're going to use and submit that information on your application. You'll need to give the FCC the location of your planned transmitter and studio, along with the antenna coordinates down to the seconds of longitude and latitude. The FCC wants to know the height of the antenna radiator, the overall antenna height and many more technical details.
Radio Station Budget Template
Build or Buy
Building a station from the ground up requires a lot of hardware. You must find a location for a studio, buy a transmitter and set up a radio tower, along with all your other equipment. The alternative is to buy out someone who already owns a radio station and a broadcast license and then air your own programs. With this approach, you sign a contract to buy the station, then file Form 314 with the FCC. If the agency rejects your application, you can't close the deal. At tims, applying for a license in a given area is impossible. The FCC will not accept an application for permisssion to broadcast in an area with no available frequency.
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Genres:
College Radio
Description:
Radio station Start FM was found in 2005. Start FM is part of Vilnius university, located in University‘s Faculty of Communication. Start FM was established without any commercial sponsorship. Since its beginning, Start FM never airs advertisement. Start FM plays alternative music from indie authors and bands which publish their music through independent and do-it-yourself labels. Main music genres are these: alternative, indie, garage, stoner rock, post-rock, instrumental, surf, rock‘n‘roll, rockabilly, soul, funk, retro pop, emo, hardcore, metal, punk, ska, reggae, dub, hip-hop, downtempo, trip-hop. Start FM is being run by students and other volunteers. Radio station is open for creative people who like to experiment. Start FM airs shows about music, the academic life, radio plays, subcultures, philosophy, politics, psychology, etc. Radio station has a long tradition for uniting supporters of underground culture, social activists and do-it-yourself minded people.
Contact:
Saulėtekio av. 49, LT-01228 Vilnius, Lithuania +370 5 269 6933
Email:
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html
- ↑https://www.radioking.com/
- ↑https://www.looksomething.com/solutions/radio/website
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html
- ↑https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/815065/what-is-a-dll
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=1
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=1
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=2
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=2
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=1
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=2
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=2
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=2
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=2
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=2
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=2
- ↑http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html?page=2
Updated September 26, 2017
radio tower image by Colin Buckland from Fotolia.com
Updated September 26, 2017
Many people dream of owning a radio station, but making that a reality requires a lot of effort, money, and expertise. Even if you're willing and able to go the distance, there is still no guarantee of application approval for a new FM broadcast frequency by the FCC. In 2009, the Federal Communications Commission received nearly 30,000 inquiries from persons seeking to start radio broadcast stations – so you've got a lot of competition.
Get Your FM Station On the Air
Hire an attorney and a competent broadcast engineer to be a part of your team. If you want to start up a full power FM radio station, it's important to get expert guidance at the earliest stages, especially in filling out your initial FCC paperwork.
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Fill out Federal Communications Commission Form 175. This form allows qualified bidders to participate in FCC auctions of available broadcast frequencies.
Fill out FCC forms 601 and 603; your initial application and license request as required by law.
Fill out Form 854 (Antenna Structure Registration).
Buy some land in the city of broadcast authorization. This is where you will place your FM transmitter. Comply with local zoning laws and obtain all applicable construction permits.
Purchase or lease an office and broadcast studio space. This can be anywhere; an office building, converted house or store front. It does not need to be in the same location as your transmitter, or even in the same city.
Hire a professional sound design firm to build your broadcast and production studios. Install new, state-of-the-art equipment and microphones to ensure crystal-clear audio quality.
Hire your staff: upper management, a program director, music director, sales manager and several salespersons, receptionist, traffic department and experienced, engaging on-air personalities.
How To Start Fm Radio Station In India
- 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).You may also want to explore other options such as Low Power FM (LPFM) licenses, which are more readily available. However, your broadcast range will be limited to only about three miles. You are still required to obtain an FCC broadcast license for LPFM stations, even at such low powers as one watt or less.Alternatively, establishing an internet-only radio station might be a good way to reach a worldwide audience while waiting for your FCC application to be approved.
A Fm Radio Station Broadcasts At 99.5 Mhz
- Unlicensed broadcast operation is strictly prohibited by the FCC. Fines and/or criminal prosecution may result from illegal operation of an unlicensed station.
- Starting and Operating Your Own Fm Radio Station: From License Application to Program Management [Paperback]. Peter Hunn, Author. Reed Business Information Inc., 1988.
- radio tower image by Colin Buckland from Fotolia.com