Citing commercial influence and other factors, REC Networks has filed comments with the FCC in the petition by an incumbent broadcaster to allow FM translators to originate local programming. In the petition, Miller Communications, a multiple owner of full power broadcast stations is seeking changes in the FCC rules to allow a FM translator to originate programming such as city council meetings and local sports (originating from within 25 miles).

In a letter released today, the FCC Audio Bureau Chief Peter Doyle denies several informal objections over the grant of the license of KAPU-LP of Watsonville, CA. The objectors allege that the LPFM operated by Ohana de Watsonville "breached oral agreements" with the local community and is programming KAPU-LP only with Hawaiian music and contrary to the statement of purpose that Ohana provided in their original construction permit application. Watsonville is, according to the objectors, 80% Spanish speaking.

The FCC responded that because of the 1981 Radio Deregulation Order, as well as the First Amendment and other statutes, the FCC can not regulate a broadcaster's choice of entertainment format.

Every so often, we continue to get the question, "so when is the next LPFM filing window?". Honestly, we do not know. All most can do is speculate. Currently, the FCC is busy with other actions. While construction permits grants in the Great Translator Invasion (GTI) were frozen for a period of time, the FCC is continuing to work assignments of permits. These assignments are coming from Radio Assist/Edgewater and others.

David Rademaker, who was known for the operation of telephone conference lines and other money making phone related ventures was sentenced on Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of 20-year old Kimberly Pandelios back in 1993.

In 1991, Rademaker ran "The 501 Conference", a free multi-line telephone conference (party line) system and their callers were also a part of the REC community. Combined events were held such as the infamous "REC Summer In The Park", one of our most successful "park parties" we ever had. REC at the time ran a voice mail system with limited conferencing capability.

Full story of the sentencing and some background in the case is available at the LA Times

Many of the car adaptors for XM/Sirius radios and MP3 players appear to be capable of going down to 87.5 MHz. While there are FM broadcast stations as low as 87.5 MHz in other parts of the world, in the United States, the spectrum for TV channel 6 is 82-88 MHz. FCC Part 15 rules specifically prohibit any fundemental emmission in the TV spectrum.

This article in TV Technology discusses the issue.

A very small number of class D FM stations that are extremely distant to TV channel 6 stations are permitted to operate on 87.9 (also known as Channel 200). REC Network's website FMFIND.info does not consider 87.9 MHz as a possible frequency for consumer electronic devices.