This week, 11 more groups were granted construction permits for new low power FM (LPFM) radio stations, bringing the grand total to 1,804 new LPFMs from the fall 2013 application window. Also, the FCC released a list of recent call sign actions, including the call signs for some of the new LPFM stations. One of my favorite combinations of call letters is KHUH-LP for Hollow Earth Radio in Seattle (take a look at my tour of the station).
New Call Signs Reflect Connections Between Chinese Language LPFMs
It was interesting to see that some seemingly related stations have been granted similar call signs, even though each LPFM must be associated with a unique non-profit. I’d already noticed that applications for a number of groups geared towards the “Chinese language population” had similar educational purpose statements and this week’s release of new call signs indicates that these applicants seem to be planning their stations collectively.
In San Francisco, Chinese Culture and Art Heritage Foundation will be KQEA-LP and Sound of Hope Radio Network Inc. will be KQEB-LP, while KQEM-LP will be assigned to Millbrae Radio Inc. (Millbrae, CA). In St. Paul, Minnesota, KQEP-LP was assigned to New Culture Center in the Midwest, in Bellevue, Washington, NTD Public TV Seattle was assigned KQES-LP, while NTD Public Media in Houston, Texas will be KQEU-LP. Chinese Sound of Oriental and West Heritage (Walnut, CA) has been assigned KQEV-LP. Chinese Voice of Golden City (Las Vegas, NV) picked KQLS-LP and East Bay Oriental Radio Inc. (Walnut Creek, CA) chose KQWA-LP. Each of these stations plans to air programming for the Chinese language community.
Granted LPFMs this Week
Among the grantees, there’s the usual mix of religious groups, non-profits, arts organizations, and civic organizations.
Churches/Religious Organizations
The Truth Will Set You Free Inc. (Hallandale, FL)
Believers International Broadcasting (Terrell, TX) – This group already has a station, KVJS-FM, which it plans to sell
El Divino Redentor de las Asambleas de Dios, Inc. (Mission, TX)
Positive Broadcasting Company (Sugar Land, TX)
St. Therese Catholic Church (Canton, TX)
Arts/Cultural/Social Justice Organizations
Radio Free Fort Myers, Inc. (Fort Myers, FL)
Third Coast Activist Resource Center (Austin, TX)
American Network Media Inc. (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
African People’s Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (St. Petersburg, FL)
Beware Inc. (Miami, FL)
Louisiana Folk Roots, Inc. (Lafayette, LA)
Public Safety
Fire Department of Ocean Beach, Inc. (Ocean Beach, NY)
LPFM Watch is a weekly feature on Radio Survivor appearing every Thursday.
