April 14, 1998

Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
 
Re: RM-9208 and RM-9242

Dear Ms. Salas:

Submitted herewith are an original and 11 copies of the Comments of Bradmark Communications, Inc. with respect to the above-referenced rule making proposals.

If you have any questions concerning this amendment, please call me.

Sincerely,

David Tillotson

April 9,1998
 

Secretary Of the FCC  Federal Communications Commission  Washington, DC 20554

RE: RM-9208 RM-9242

Dear Secretary:

I've recently read about the petition for rule making on RM-9208 and RM-9242 and became totally horrified.  I'm a small business radio station owner, along with my wife, in Upstate New York.  I've been in business for myself since 1986; in broadcasting since 1959.  I've seen alot of changes in our industry since then.  One in particular pierces the heart of many FM broadcasters, ie, "80-90".  Haven't we learned the lesson of that debacle?

I live in the small market of Glens Falls, New York.  "80-90" dropped in five new FM's in and around my town, which already have three FM'S and two AM's, most of which were losing money.  Today, those FM's or AM's can't compete economically because there are just too many radio signals in the market.

If the FCC rules to add more low power FM's, what will that do to the shrinking economic base as we all fight for audience and revenue?  It will be disatrous.

Your memory is short;   "80-90" allowed minorities to own their own radio station.  And what did they do as soon as they got their license?  They sold it for a profit and got out.  And, have you also forgotten that you no longer have a comparative hearing  process to decide who gets these low power frequencies?  You still have a mess left with the "big-guy" FM'S that have been siting there for years ala "Bechtel".

The fact is, the current breed of small business broadcaster does serve the small communities now.  By adding low power stations, it will only weaken the ability of the current FM's to do the job properly.

If the FCC is interested in destroying the FM dial as it now exists, then pass the low power FM petition.   But if the FCC is genuinely interested in preserving the economic strength of the current FM broadcasters and the communities they serve, then you must deny the low power petition.

Sincerely,

Donald W Heckman
President
Bradmark Communications, LLC
 

DWH/bjf