How To Start A Low Power FM Radio Station (Abridged)

by Stephen Kafka

Overview

New Forwards / Updates Added 8/24/20

Now that your group has applied for a low power FM, do you know how to build it for less than
$5,000 ?

And, have it cover its own expenses, right away, and easily pay for itself in less than 1 year ?

And, give your station manager / director a yearly salary to live on ?

If not, buy this eBook !

Inside You'll Find ;

-A guide to revenue producing programming, to make your station self-sufficient.

-A list of equipment suppliers, and costs for necessary equipment.

-How to file yourself. Finding the right transmitter site, etc.

-Sources of low cost, qualified engineering help.

-Source list of low cost programming, and reduced cost CD's, etc.

-A listing of all the licensing fees you'll have to pay on a yearly basis, to stay legal.

Plus, You'll Also ;

-Learn how to operate your station unattended.

-How remote broadcasts can be a goldmine for a LPFM !!!

-How independent programmers can greatly benefit your station.

-How to get a volunteer worker program established.

-What you need to know about the Emergency Alert System. What equipment to buy, studio to transmitter links, and much more.
This eBook will pay for itself repeatedly !

This eBook is an abridged version. It does not contain the FCC rules for low power FM's, or a copy of the application you file with the FCC.
Recent (2014) Unsolicited Testimonials :

"Thanks Steve, it has already helped, the antenna length will be 80
foot, if City ordinances don't let me its nice to know I can go 60
foot with or without there permission, thank you so much, I really
needed this book, and I have not had the time to read it from page to
page yet I just skimmed through it, I love it
my only hold up now is my registration to the AFF, then I believe I
will get my construction permit, i am a singleton and that great !"

Bill

"Steve, Thank you so much! I appreciate your helping us."

Sincerely,
Jo

Over 250 copies of the eBook have been sold to LPFM applicants, as of 12/2018. Including churches, schools, colleges and universities, state and local government entities and other groups..

Product Details

BN ID:	2940164237189
Publisher:	Stephen Kafka
Publication date:	03/04/2014
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	104 KB

About the Author

Current

President at SGK Publishing
Owner at Stephen G. Kafka, Consulting Broadcast Engineer
Past

President at Liberty Broadcasting of Nebraska, Inc.
Owner at Stephen G. Kafka DBA KIAE-FM Aurora, NE
Film Technician/Librarian at NE Library Commission

Education

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Experience

Former owner KIAE(FM) Aurora, NE 1980-85, (built from scratch and sold station in '85) and former owner/operator K61CU-TV Lincoln, NE 1990-95, (performing the initial engineering work, to the actual construction and operation).

Applicant for several FM stations from 1983-87. (sold out to competing applicants in Kearney, NE, Aspen, CO, Laramie, WYO, Red Lodge, MT, Kingman, KN, etc) .

In 2002, wrote book on low power FM stations, for aspiring owners. Sold around 50 copies to applicants on file.

Stephen G. Kafka DBA KIAE-FM Aurora, NE
January 1980 – January 1985

KIAE(FM) Aurora, NE (now KRGY-FM) March 1, 1980 103.1 mhz, 2.25KW at 90ft with a construction permit for 3K at 250 ft.

The station started with a classic rock format, with classical music on Sundays from 6am -Noon. Quickly we added sports from the local team, the Aurora Huskies, the other schools in the county, Legion Baseball, and Univ. of NE sports. The format changed to country after awhile, then back to classic rock, and ended with a blues/rock format. One week before Christmas the station always went total Christmas music, with hours sponsored. Sports airtime was sold to a contract broadcaster, after the first 2 years, but the station did do it originally. Was the origination station for a 4 station network, set up to broadcast the basketball championships from Aurora a couple of times. No automation until last 1 1/2 yrs. All but one DJ trained on-the-air. About 10 total. Sold 1985

Liberty Broadcasting of Nebraska, Inc.
January 1990 – January 1995

K61CU-TV Lincoln, NE. ch. 61. March 1990. 810 watts at 150ft, 400 watts at 300ft, then 6KW at 250ft. Intercity relay microwave 13,012.5 mhz (A federally licensed low power, over-the-air TV station Ch. 61).

Low powers now have regular type call letters like K J J J. The station broadcast music videos to start with, mainly aimed at the Univ of NE students who lived on campus. The University hadn't allowed Cablevision onto the campus, so the kids only had the major networks, 1 independent station (KPTM) and 61TV. (No Dish or Directv back then.) Programming started to include live sports feeds (football/basketball), classic movies, etc. An independent survey found that Ch. 61 had as many viewers as the #1 radio station had listeners. most times of the day. Back then, Nielsen refused to even list low powers, even if they had a sizable audience. The reason was never explained. They now do carry them, if they qualify with a large enough audience.

How To Apply For, Build and Operate a Low Power FM Radio Station
Self
January 1, 2002

The book was available on Ebay, in the past, from Harlan's Warehouse, Harlan Jacobsen owner. It gives a how-to on the process, with a detailed look at how to make money with the station, to pay for itself, a manager and small staff. It included a copy of the FCC rules and regulations. It was initially sold by direct mail to then current applicants, and later, downloadable online.

Honorary Colonel, The Nebraska Army National Guard
Army National Guard

I had a rock 'n roll station in the state, (KIAE-FM Aurora, NE), that aired their public service ads. A lot of R&R stations across the country didn't air military ads, at that time. Apparently, the station did get a few to sign up, at a time when service in the Guard was quite different, than it is now. They gave me this award yearly, a nice token of appreciation.

Band President
Pius X High School Lincoln, NE
1976