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See, Reed, Bose, and The Prometheus Project for a sensible way to end government control of a public resource that's not really scarce.

That should not relieve incumbents from their regulatory burdens. The money and power they have was gained by government protection and for the last 20 years it's been done against better technical advice. At the very least the public servitude should be protected from vandalism and other crimes. At best, their infrastructure should be considered public so that others can connect to it without fear. Open spectrum will kill the economic advantages of land lines but we must not allow incumbents to continue owning those few places there's a good business case for it.

As creative commons grows, we might have a bit of a weapon to fight back with, if on our end we set up something more-or-less automatic for creating those contracts, it may turn out that we can swamp Soundexchange with them if they haven't already automated their end of the deal.

That's intention of projects like the Antenna Alliance, trying to make it easier for artists to release their works on CC licenses. At the same time it makes their music freely available directly through the website. So it gives the artist more exposure, it makes more content accessible to the listener, and (most importantly) makes CC licenses a more widely accepted way to release music.

On a somewhat related note, it's kind of ironic that this comes on the heels of the Local Community Radio Act of 2007 - a bill that will free the airwaves somewhat of corporate control and make it a lot easier for low-power FM radio stations to gain broadcasting licenses. For more info on this, go to the Prometheus Radio Project.

We're certainly living in an exciting and frightening time for radio.

As creative commons grows, we might have a bit of a weapon to fight back with, if on our end we set up something more-or-less automatic for creating those contracts, it may turn out that we can swamp Soundexchange with them if they haven't already automated their end of the deal.

That's intention of projects like the Antenna Alliance, trying to make it easier for artists to release their works on CC licenses. At the same time it makes their music freely available directly through the website. So it gives the artist more exposure, it makes more content accessible to the listener, and (most importantly) makes CC licenses a more widely accepted way to release music.

On a somewhat related note, it's kind of ironic that this comes on the heels of the Local Community Radio Act of 2007 - a bill that will free the airwaves somewhat of corporate control and make it a lot easier for low-power FM radio stations to gain broadcasting licenses. For more info on this, go to the Prometheus Radio Project.

We're certainly living in an exciting and frightening time for radio.

This article is more topical than most people think because it ties into a current legislative fight about Low Power FM (LPFM) radio.

Partly in response to a legal case in which this same Stephen Dunifer was acquitted from FCC prosecution by pointing out that the FCC had not provided a mechanism for him to get a valid licence, the FCC created a Low Power FM service in 2000. http://www.diymedia.net/feature/micro/f100901.htm describes this process in Michigan and Washington DC. Congress then rushed to gut this service by limiting the number of locations that could get these licenses (by increasing the required spacing in frequency between LPFM stations and other FM stations the third adjacent rule http://www.prometheusradio.org/low_power_radio/bac kground/some_facts_about_low_power_fm.html [at the bottom]). They did this even though FCC tests demonstrated that this was not necessary. As the above link suggests, there are also currently many radio stations that do operate at the closer frequency spacing without problems.

In 2004 a report commissioned by congress as part of the don't-allow-new-stations-we need-more-study legislation was released (Mitre report). This report suggested that the frequency specifications could be relaxed. There are now bills in congress (House Bill 3731, Senate Bill 312) to relax these restrictions. Currently two FCC commissioners (Copps and Adelstein) are traveling around taking public comments abut this and other public issues.

If either the increasing concentration media ownership or the sameness of radio programming bother you, it might be wise to let your congress people know that you care about these issues

LPFM is the main issue that the lead plantiff in this case, The Prometheus Radio Project, works on. There's a bill in the Senate now to expand LPFM.

The broadcast media industry have a history of opposing technology that has a hair of a chance of affecting their signal--whether or not the science is on their side.

For example, the National Associaton of Broadcasters (and even National Public Radio) opposed extending licenses for low-power radio on the grounds that it would interfere with existing licensed signal--even though most people who really understand this know that it's not the case.

The real issue in these cases is usually not technical--it's about control over the airwaves.

Talk to Prometheus Radio. They help LPFM's get setup, they've done several "barnraisings" now that help the new community stations in everything from software, to RF engineering, to how to do community news.

A few volunteers associated with that project have developed some software called Flow STL, which manages the link between the studio and the transmitter.

Open source has made some inroads into broadcasting, but not many. For the most part anything in a radio station will run on Windows or a more proprietary system.

The starting point is usually sound recording and editing. Unfortunately the available Open Source products are still a fair distance from matching the functionality of say Adobe Audition or Pro Tools. Still though do check out Audacity for a simple editor which can handle many tasks.

Beyond editing there have been a few people in Canada who have developed Linux based audio logging systems, and stations in many places who catalog music using Open Source software.

Automation is still the land of proprietary software, although Scott Studios has been working on packages that run over Linux.

A good source for information (assuming you're a community radio station) is the member e-mail list for the National Federation of Community Broadcasters or either of the radio-tech or pub-tech mailing lists for broadcast engineers.

Finally, you might want to hook up with the Prometheus Radio Project, the leaders in community LPFM. Ask for Pete Tridish.

Wanna know why there's no decent local stations any more? Go ask the FCC why they still aren't giving out Low Power FM Licences (or why many stations arean't applying for them), and why they are harassing the so called "Pirate" community radio LPFM groups with legal threats and the confiscation of equipment. For more info:

LPFM info and resources
Free Radio Network

Interestingly enough, here's a geeky footnote of sorts: free radio linux

Anyone interested in this topic should visit www.prometheusradio.org, notably the newest press releaste titled Broadcast Lobby Caught Red Handed With Red Herring. Basically, the results of a recent independent study show that all the concerns from the ClearChannel-type large broadcast interests were 100% complete FUD. The large stations protested LPFM tooth and nail, under the guise of "it will interfere with our broadcasts." In truth they are just scared of people having access to community radio programming that's not dictated and controled by payola and other corporate interests. All of their interference claims have been more or less completely debunked.

Hopefully, this will pave the way for Congress to lift the artifical restrictions on LPFM that it imposed a few years ago (at the request of NAB lobbying), and open the door to true community-controled radio.

Anyone interested in this topic should visit www.prometheusradio.org, notably the newest press releaste titled Broadcast Lobby Caught Red Handed With Red Herring. Basically, the results of a recent independent study show that all the concerns from the ClearChannel-type large broadcast interests were 100% complete FUD. The large stations protested LPFM tooth and nail, under the guise of "it will interfere with our broadcasts." In truth they are just scared of people having access to community radio programming that's not dictated and controled by payola and other corporate interests. All of their interference claims have been more or less completely debunked.

Hopefully, this will pave the way for Congress to lift the artifical restrictions on LPFM that it imposed a few years ago (at the request of NAB lobbying), and open the door to true community-controled radio.

Don't forget to mention community radio legend Jeremy Lansman who owns the station. He's been involved in helping the Prometheus Radio Project setup some of the few LPFMs that have been licensed so far.

Here's the page he maintains about locking horns w/ the FCC over KZND.

The problem is that the various frequencies that are used by NPR around the country are not bought and sold like the rest of the FM spectrum

On the surface that would seem correct. But the reality is much different. Why is this spectrum different? It exists to serve the public, not corporate, interest.

There are two areas of concern (in reality excuses). The main "primary" transmitter and all the thousands of "secondary" translators in use.

To say that a 10-100 watt LPFM station would "interfere" with a 100,000 watt primary station is laughably ridiculous at best. That would leave the "translators".

The purpose of translator stations was to fill in gaps in coverage for the existing transmitting signal, not to EXTEND coverage of a single station across large regions They originate no programming. That is why they exist under a "secondary" purpose, not as a "primary" station.

The problem is that the various frequencies that are used by NPR around the country are not bought and sold like the rest of the FM spectrum.

This has nothing to do with it. What gives NPR the right to transmit over the whole nation?? You are absolutely right when you said "This is the frequency range between 88 and 92MHz and are reserved for non-commercial use." What makes NPR so "special" that they need to have every frequency in the "non-commercial use" spectrum?? What makes them so "special" that they need to have coverage over large geographical areas that commercial stations don't have??" What makes them so special that they have to have a "monopoly" on public radio???

This also begs the question if NPR is really "non-commercial." Have you listened to NPR recently?? They are filled with station breaks giving acknowledgements to corporations that "sponsor" programs that predominantly contain promotional announcements. I really can't tell the difference between what they broadcast and a regular advertisement on a "commercial" radio station. At least alot of the religous stations don't have that nonsense.

Maybe NPR needs to be kicked out of the "non-commercial" section of the spectrum and let them compete honestly with regular broadcasting corporations. Oh wait, NPR's "corporation for public broadcasting" isn't really a corporation. I see.

Does NPR really serve the public interest?? According to this link, not really. Not only by not representing a variety of viewpoints, but also by hoarding translator frequencies that they really don't need. They seem to be representing increasingly commercial interests. There are others who are noticing this also. NPR has even tried putting a bandaid on it. As can be seen, NPR takes out the "community" in "community radio".

After NPR goes dark from drives like the unpledge, those that love it can pick it up on satellite radio. NPR is not an irreplaceable resource. There are thousands of people ready to put up LPFM transmitters in its place that are really non-commercial.

I know that there are alot of of people who listen on NPR on slashdot, but it is time to realize that NPR no longer represents community interests. Sure their programming is fun and interesting to listen to at times. But the same could be said of any

broken link above -- click here to comment to the fcc.

welcome to the grassroots fight of your life, if you're a media democracy activist. we've been working on this for a year, trying to build a coalition of peace and justice groups against the issue. during the war in iraq, many national peace activists would turn on the nightly news and say, 'what the hell? where are the bodies? why are retired generals and embedded reporters giving me my news?'

so they embraced the issue. it's a lot harder to ignore the group of people on the steps of the fcc whining 'FREE AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA' if those people are anti-war citizens from all across the country with money, clout, and celebrity spokesmen (michael moore).

the smallish team media democracy activists has ballooned into a huge group of peace and justice activists, hackers, consumer rights activists, kids, parents, people of all stripes. now groups like moveon.org are planning national call-in days. now code pink is pink-slipping fcc chairman michael powell alongside his much-more-famous father, colin powell.

so we have the people. what do we do? what's our power?

1) call your senator. like, now. right now. the senate, after the second commerce committee hearing on this issue, is rattling some sabers and could definitely use some encouragement that this issue isn't just one for the lobbyists.

2) comment to the fcc. you can do so here and the comments you make will also go to the senate commerce committee, and to the president.

3) tell someone who isn't tech savvy about this. you're reading slashdot. you have a choice about where you get your media. most people don't. newspaper, radio, and television matter more than we can say in most parts of this country. just ask the good people of minot.

and visit us at prometheus. we're here all the time. and we will be until june 2nd and after.

hannah sassaman
prometheusradioproject

welcome to the grassroots fight of your life, if you're a media democracy activist. we've been working on this for a year, trying to build a coalition of peace and justice groups against the issue. during the war in iraq, many national peace activists would turn on the nightly news and say, 'what the hell? where are the bodies? why are retired generals and embedded reporters giving me my news?'

so they embraced the issue. it's a lot harder to ignore the group of people on the steps of the fcc whining 'FREE AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA' if those people are anti-war citizens from all across the country with money, clout, and celebrity spokesmen (michael moore).

the smallish team media democracy activists has ballooned into a huge group of peace and justice activists, hackers, consumer rights activists, kids, parents, people of all stripes. now groups like moveon.org are planning national call-in days. now code pink is pink-slipping fcc chairman michael powell alongside his much-more-famous father, colin powell.

so we have the people. what do we do? what's our power?

1) call your senator. like, now. right now. the senate, after the second commerce committee hearing on this issue, is rattling some sabers and could definitely use some encouragement that this issue isn't just one for the lobbyists.

2) comment to the fcc. you can do so here and the comments you make will also go to the senate commerce committee, and to the president.

3) tell someone who isn't tech savvy about this. you're reading slashdot. you have a choice about where you get your media. most people don't. newspaper, radio, and television matter more than we can say in most parts of this country. just ask the good people of minot.

and visit us at prometheus. we're here all the time. and we will be until june 2nd and after.

hannah sassaman
prometheusradioproject

That info is pretty old. There is a new legal LPFM service, however it was severely hobbled after intense lobbying by industry which convinced Congress to take the unprecedented step of overriding the FCC on a technical matter. The outcome is hundreds of licenses were made available rather than several thousands, mostly in rural, sparsely populated areas. There are no licenses currently available with thousands more applications than there were frequencies.

For more info see the Prometheus Radio Project, they're former radio pirates that do grassroots organizing around this issue. They helped community groups apply for licenses and travel around helping to setup stations, are connected w/ lawyers and engineers that can help, really a great resource.

Actually, the people at the Prometheus Radio Project has developed what they call a studio transmitter link (available on SourceForge, imagine that!). Basically, the setup goes like this: there is one transmitter, and two studios. Each studio is alloted a certain amount of time in the day. The audio from the studios is streamed to the transmitter, which decides on what stream to use and broadcasts it over the airwaves.

It is not the cleanest setup, but it gets the job done. I would post a link to SourceForge but I keep getting the following error:

"We apologize, our search server is temporarily overloaded. Please wait and try your search again"

While the stl might not be exactly what the original poster was hoping for, it could be a good starting point to see how to do it (or how not to!!) ;-)

Check out the Flow Studio to Transmitter Link project. It is being developed by the Philadelphia Independent Media Center and Radio Volta who are using it to feed audio to WPEB 88.1FM, a low power station in West Philly.

They have used modems, 802.11b, and the Internet to do the actual link, I'm not sure what they are using right now.

I strongly suggest you get in touch with the Prometheus Radio Project. They work with the above groups on this project and they help out LPFM's with all aspects of their stations, from the FCC process, to transmitter tech, studio setup, community outreach. They travel around the country holding radio "barnraisings" with the new crop of LPFM licenses that have been granted, I've been to one and it was fabulous.

you are right. the FCC did grant a bunch of new licenses for low powered FM. but from what I understand, NAB and NPR petitioned Congress to apply more restrictions to the new frequencies. If you go to Prometheus Radio, they will have more information about this. The Promethus Radio Project helps communities set up their low powered radio stations.

The Prometheus Radio Project works with applicants for new Low Power FM stations, while also advocating for new laws that will actually allow for new community stations. They were a major advocate during the last fight for new FCC regulations allowing community stations, although sadly those regulations were gutted at the last moment by the National Association of Broadcasters.