LPFM Third-Adjacent Channel Announcements: The First-Year Interference Notice Rule (§73.810)

Why some LPFM stations must air interference announcements in their first year

The requirement you’ve heard about comes from §73.810 of the FCC rules, and it applies to LPFM stations that were licensed without meeting the normal third-adjacent-channel spacing to a full-power FM station. The Local Community Radio Act of 2010 allowed these “short-spaced” LPFM grants, and in return the FCC requires the new station to warn listeners and help catch any interference it causes.

If your station was granted on that basis, then for the first year of operation you must:

1. Broadcast periodic announcements alerting listeners to the potential for interference to the third-adjacent station. The rule calls for the announcements at least twice daily, once in the morning (7–9 a.m.) and once in the afternoon (4–6 p.m.), telling listeners that interference may occur and giving your station’s address, phone number and e-mail so affected listeners can report it.
2. Notify the third-adjacent station(s) in writing when you begin operation, with your contact information and the text of the announcements, so they can forward any complaints they receive.
3. Keep a log of every interference complaint and what you did about it, and work with the full-power station to resolve any complaints that prove to be caused by your signal.

The announcements end after the first year unless the FCC requires otherwise. If your station was not granted under a third-adjacent short spacing, none of this applies to you. Not sure which category your grant falls in? Your construction permit says so, and Nexus Broadcast can check it and write the announcement for you.

Following these requirements keeps your LPFM station within the FCC rules and on good terms with the full-power station next door on the dial.

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