LPFM......The Easy Way

Here’s a quick and easy way to see if an LPFM channel is available in your area:

A) Access www.mapblast.com

Enter your potential LPFM site, by street address, city, or even just ZIP code.

At top of map you will see latitude and longitude coordinates. If these are not in NAD27 form (xx° xx’ xx"), click on to convert. Write down coordinates.

Go to the LPFM channel finder program by accessing www.fcc.gov and pointing and clicking your way, or by entering the complete address:

Enter the NAD27 coordinates.

A listing of available LPFM channels (if any) will be generated.

 

 

The LPFM channel finder program also can determine the antenna height above average terrain (HAAT), which you will need when filing an application.

The program requires you to input the antenna radiation center height above mean sea level (RCAMSL). To calculate this figure, you need the following:

Site elevation above mean sea level. This can be determined using the U.S.G.S. 7.5 minute (1:24000 scale) topographic map of the applicable quadrangle.* An alternative method is to use a Differential GPS receiver at the site.

Height of antenna radiation center above ground level. This is the distance from the physical (vertical) center of the antenna bay(s) to ground. (See diagram at "Antenna Site" section on page 2 of LPFM channel finder program.)

* Map ordering information is available at:

Under "General Information, Indexes, and Catalogs" click on: "Map Finder"