Mini-rant about radio frequency squatting
Jan. 5th, 2012 08:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jcollie719The FCC's search engine for available LPFM frequencies returned no available frequencies. Since Colorado Springs is 50-60 miles away from the Denver metro area, there are very few frequencies in either area without a station. However, the frequencies which should be available are not because of another problem. I refer to this problem as "frequency squatting." A Christian broadcasting company called Educational Communications of Colorado Springs is particularly guilty of this. Here are the Colorado Springs stations this company operates (in addition to repeaters in other cities):
KTLF 90.5
Translator 105.9 serving Manitou Springs/western Colorado Springs
Translator 94.7 rebroadcasting Denver classical station KVOD
In addition, Educational Communications of Colorado Springs has filed construction permits for the following frequencies in Colorado Springs alone:
92.3, 93.3, 93.7, 95.5*, 97.3, 97.7**, 99.3, 101.1, 101.5, 102.3, 103.5, 104.9, 106.7, 107.3
*Same channel as KPHT, which serves Colorado Springs/Pueblo from an antenna near Rocky Ford
**Same channel as unlicensed station KAFA, which serves the Air Force Academy
The FCC considers these applications (which will never become actual stations) when deciding if a frequency is available. Companies like Educational Communications are filing apps for these frequencies just to thwart competition from other individuals, organizations, etc.
I visited another site which lets visitors search for LPFM frequencies without as many restrictions. A search of my neighborhood found 93.5, 93.7 and 97.5 could potentially house an LPFM station. At least two other frequencies could open up if the FCC allows LPFM stations on second-adjacent channels (e.g. a station could sign on at 93.9 in a town with a full-power station at 94.3.)
KTLF 90.5
Translator 105.9 serving Manitou Springs/western Colorado Springs
Translator 94.7 rebroadcasting Denver classical station KVOD
In addition, Educational Communications of Colorado Springs has filed construction permits for the following frequencies in Colorado Springs alone:
92.3, 93.3, 93.7, 95.5*, 97.3, 97.7**, 99.3, 101.1, 101.5, 102.3, 103.5, 104.9, 106.7, 107.3
*Same channel as KPHT, which serves Colorado Springs/Pueblo from an antenna near Rocky Ford
**Same channel as unlicensed station KAFA, which serves the Air Force Academy
The FCC considers these applications (which will never become actual stations) when deciding if a frequency is available. Companies like Educational Communications are filing apps for these frequencies just to thwart competition from other individuals, organizations, etc.
I visited another site which lets visitors search for LPFM frequencies without as many restrictions. A search of my neighborhood found 93.5, 93.7 and 97.5 could potentially house an LPFM station. At least two other frequencies could open up if the FCC allows LPFM stations on second-adjacent channels (e.g. a station could sign on at 93.9 in a town with a full-power station at 94.3.)
