Office of the Secretary (1800)
Room 222
FCC
l9l9 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to you today in support of petition RM-9208. This petition is a "Petition for a Microstation Radio Broadcasting Service".
I am an individual who would pay similar licensing application fees and yearly regulatory fees of up to $100 a year for the ability to provide a "Neighborhood FM Broadcast Service" for my local community.
Our community is starved for such forums as "local political programs", "area high school sports profiles and shows", "art & science specials", "community events" and "local musician showcasing". These are the types of broadcasting needs that our community would love to have available to them. LPTV is one form for this type of "Not-for-Big-Profit" endeavor, but the ongoing operational costs and the initial capital outlay are too great an entry barrier for most of us wishing to provide these programs. Traditional FM broadcast stations serve too large an area and are without merit for a local community is equal to or less than 3.2 km (2 miles) in radius. The programming these stations provide, while vital as a link to the world at large, lose the essence of the communal spirit that is required to solving local issues or promoting good community service. This is the realm then of the Microstation Radio and its programming practices. So much has been reported recently about "neighborhood crime" and the "breakdown of the familial unit". I believe that this is related, in small part, to the loss of community spirit and the community involvement. Small businesses are losing to larger companies, unable to afford the high-priced advertising required by larger commercial stations. Public announcement and address programs are put on in the middle of the night when few, if any, people are truly listening. I believe therefore that a local FM broadcast station is essential to the success of revitalizing a "neighborhood". The LPFM station would begin to put back some of the civic pride and community involvement lacking from the large mega-corporation broadcast stations.
If you would allow me to add one more concern, actually something that does not make sense to me. Why IS there an LPTV without an LPFM? I would make the stipulation and assumption that the reasons and rationale for LPTV are at the very least similar, if in fact not exactly, the same? Why was this not done at the same time? Someone, need to explain this to me; as if I am a six year old. Thank you for letting me vent.
Please add my support to any additional correspondence you may receive which asks you to pass and ratify this petition. I believe it is important to and vital for American communities to have this alternative form of broadcast medium available to them. I hope you agree and vote "YES" to this petition referenced by RM-9208.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Jeff Grammer