Generically LPFM could mean something like a part 15 transmitter that would work for cars in a parking lot, but the term is also a specific FCC license class up to 100 watts ERP.
For the FCC's LPFM there is not a filing window to get a license/construction permit and the last one was in 2013.
But maybe we can get Congress to get the FCC to create a new one due to this crisis.
https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/lpfm#WINDOWS
73, John Brier KG4AKV
On Thu, Apr 2, 2020, 15:20 Robert Bruninga via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
A fair question. I've been considering something like that for my wife's church (outdoor seating very widely spaced)...
But then we realized it went against another of our goals... that is, saving emissions. I have helped our church install solar for all its energy and installed 5 EV charging stations in the parking lot and now at least 1/4 of our members drive plugins.
The problem is that the emissions from 60 people driving to services on Sunday is much more than the entire energy of the church itself! So the consensus was to stay put and use on-line meeting.
In earlier times we had plotted where all the members live and it turns out that there are 3 major groupings (due to rivers and bays). Were we to "broadcast" as suggested, one could set up three such short range transmtters in those three clusters and then people would only have to drive to a home in their local cluster instead of across the bridge and all to the same place.
Just thinking out loud.
bob
On Thu, Apr 2, 2020 at 2:27 PM Scott via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
I hope the group doesn't mind a non-ham question since we're all trying to help our communities in this difficult time.
Can anyone recommend a low-power transmitter for broadcast on the commercial FM radio band? An LPFM license can be acquired asap, but the first order of business is finding some hardware.
As you can imagine, church gatherings are out of the question so I've
been
asked to see if I can locate a "drive-in theater" type transmitter for short-range broadcasting to car radios.
Interested in commercial products only; thanks but not something I want
to
build & be responsible for maintaining.
Thanks very much a good wishes to all.
-Scott, K4KDR _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
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Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb