Are You Thinking of Starting an FCC Licensed Radio Station?

Well, you have a couple of options—

1.         Buy or lease an existing station. If this is your goal, you can stop reading here and contact a media broker or a real estate broker for listings.

2.         Build a new station IF there is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing period available. Their website is www.fcc.gov/mb/audio where you can view the latest headlines concerning radio. REMEMBER:  The FCC will only accept applications for new stations during a filing period which they have determined.

Is there an upcoming FCC filing period? If so, read on.....

1.         Consult a broadcast engineering consultant, an attorney, or an equally qualified individual to guide you through the application process. Attorney Donald Martin, 703-642-2344, is a Seventh-day Adventist who has helped many people with their applications. There are others who are qualified to help and you can search for them on the Internet.

Many equipment suppliers are also capable of providing some or all of the necessary services for the application process. A few that 3ABN Radio has worked with and can recommend are:

1.         Broadcast Systems, Inc., 802-758-5000

            2.         Munn-Reese, Inc., 517-278-7339

            3.         Mel Freedman, retired engineer, 209-522-1180

            4.         RF Specialties, Inc., 800-467-7373

NOTE:  You will be hiring these people to perform a service for you so their fees will not be returned, regardless of whether you get a construction permit. Also, there may be additional fees from the FCC.

2.         Wait. That’s right. Be patient for a while. The FCC process can take some time...that amount of time varies so keep in close contact with whoever files your application. They should be familiar with the process and can advise you on the status of your application. Meanwhile, you can do a bit of research and some “window shopping” for towers, building supplies and equipment. You do not want to spend any money on equipment until you have a construction permit in your hand. You can also do some research on how to operate a radio station.

3.         Keep 3ABN Radio Network in mind to use for the program content of your radio station. Contact us when you get your construction permit to find out how to become an affiliate.

It’s free!