Nevadans have opportunity to apply for low powered FM license

On Aug. 28 through Sept. 1, Nevadans will have their first opportunity to apply for a low power FM radio license, the Federal Communications Commission announced.

This opens the second round of application filings for non-commercial, LPFM licenses to broadcast on unoccupied frequencies. States eligible for the first round submitted their applications in June.

Among those that have expressed interest in LPFM are retirement communities like Sun City Vistoso in Tucson Ariz., groups that serve migrant farm workers on the West Coast and ministerial groups who want to serve the growing Latino community in Cleveland where Spanish radio does not exist.

Nevadans can contact the Microradio Implementation Project to request a workshop in their area, in which they will receive help filling out the FCC LPFM application, get answers to their technical questions, have the opportunity to network with other community radio activists and receive instructional guides.

After many years of public pressure and testimony, the FCC voted on Jan. 20 to create a LPFM radio service to allow communities direct access to radio.

"This high-touch, low-tech opportunity is allowing folks to use radio as a community service and forum by gathering, formatting and disseminating the type of news, information, culture and music that are important to their lives, thereby reflecting a variety of community values, traditions and distinct experiences of people who are or desire to be active participants in this society," says Andrea Vargas, director of the Microradio Implementation Project.