A low powered low frequency radio station is one with power of 10-100 watts. The power of these stations can reach from 35 feet to 8.8 miles dependent upon the wattage and the frequency. On FM frequencies, no license is required for stations that reach 35 to 100 feet. These stations are utilized most often by entities such as drive through restaurants, security agencies within a building or shopping mall and small outdoor events. On the AM band, the service range is from 200-250 feet. Further, any interference from more powerful devices must be accepted by the device (FCC, 1999).

Another type of system is a carrier station. These are often Campus Radio Stations. They run on an AM frequency across an actual power line rather than through the radio spectrum. A carrier station usually is effective in the 200 feet range from a power line. The glitch is that if there is a utility transformer between the station and the receiver, the signal will not pass through. According to the FCC rulings Part 15 no license is required for this type of station.(FCC, 1999; Bracy, 1999).

A third option is not currently available but is well worth the research... A radio station that runs on the FM signal of between 100 and 100 watts is considered a low power FM radio station. Currently radio FM radio stations are only licensed if they can operate at 6000 watts. A station with a FM signal between 100 and 1000 watts would be able to service an area between 3.5 and 8.8 miles.(FCC, 1999; Bracy, 1999; Fairchild, 1999).

Governmental entities such as National Parks are eligible to use a low powered AM radio station solely for the purpose of sharing information with travelers. These stations are limited to a 10 watt transmitter with local antenna not exceeding 50 feet. These stations must only provide information and may not include any type of commercial information. These stations are easily transmitted because they do not require any special receiver other than an AM radio. A family visiting the park can tune into the channel and can receive information about the sites relatively easily.(FCC, 1999; WHOISGP,1999).

Equipment for an AM informational station includes a voice recorder, and an AM transmitter system. It would behoove the agency to display signs throughout the park or area in order that visitors would be able to tune into the station. Although a FCC license is required for this type of station, the limitations on what type of agency can use these stations makes this a relatively mute point.

Equipment for the FM stations is more complex. Very low frequency FM stations need a transmitter and a receiver. These are relatively inexpensive. Although the FCC has not issued licenses since 1978 for the 10 watt stations a license is required. The FM stations with wattage between 100 and 1000 would also require a license, although these stations are not currently legal.

Educational use of any radio service is plenty. First, with a very low frequency FM station a school can create an in house radio station. Students and teachers can broadcast daily announcements and other pertinent information over these signals. The negative aspect of these very low frequencies is that this type of device can only be used in house. There is no ability to transmit information outside the building or even across the school yard. With a range of only 35 to 100 feet these stations would not be of use for external marketing or sharing information about the school with the community. (FCC, 1999; McGaughey, 1999; Bracy, 1999).

The Campus Radios that carry information signals across existing power lines have more potential. The signal can travel further and can be received by a wider audience. However, the FCC limits these stations to mostly college and university campuses. The average elementary or secondary school would not benefit from this type of broadcast.

Although, the informational stations on the AM band are not available for schools, such a station could have redeeming value. If a school wanted to highlight itself to the neighborhood a recorded message seems very apropos. It can be conceived that a school could share its mission and vision by broadcasting information such as upcoming events, recently received awards, or other newsworthy items.

The most worthwhile opportunity of educational entities does not currently exist. The low powered FM station could have lasting effects on an individual school. According to Mike Bracy and Kevin McGaughey of the Low Powered Radio Coalition (1999) a school could use the 100 watt station to reach not only its local constituents but also public official. It seems that many school have researched the use of such a station to provide students a learning opportunity at a reduced cost from the 6000 watt station option. The students could perform not only fine arts programs but informational programs such as the science fairs as well.

Marketing in schools is big business. Alfie Kohn at the 1999 National Staff Development Conference (1999) spoke about the need for school and schools officials to learn how to market their product. The public school system needs all its members to be proactive in gaining support for the schools. A radio station that reached outside the school building could be a wonderful tool. It is imaginable that a principal or superintendent could hold public forums on the radio. They could even hold " Fireside Chats" to update the community about the district’s newest innovations or decisions.

When this research began it seemed that the information was straight forward and establishing a radio station for a school would be relatively easy. However, the political battles that are attached to low powered radio have astounded the writer. When researching over the Internet information was found from all political levels. The Far right had issues about the availability of radio frequencies because they want to share their ideas. The far left had issues for the same reasons. The timing of the research was impeccable because of the hot debate about the availability of the FM frequencies between 100 and 1000 watts. Currently these signals are not available for use.

(Fairchild,1999; Bracy, 1999; FCC, 1999; McGaughey, 1999)

The large 6000 watt stations are fighting to protect their rights as the commercial stations in an area. The advocates for the lower frequencies want equal opportunity to use commercial radios to get their word out. At the time of this writing the FCC had not made its final ruling about the 100- 1000 watt stations.

Issues on both sides are understandable. Free speech is not really at issue. It appears that the issues are much more economic. The large stations worry that smaller stations will usurp their commercial supporters. The small stations want an opportunity to use airspace that is not currently being utilized.

As an educator it seems that the availability of these small stations would be such a benefit to schools in all sectors. It is conceivable that local vendors and merchants of a school would gladly support a school radio station. The cost of running a small station like this is minimal relative to the cost of a large commercial station.

Radio can be a real benefit to a school. Although there are political ramifications for the creation of local radio stations that broadcast outside the school doors, the fight appears to be worth it. A radio station that broadcasts only within the school can have promise if it is used for sharing daily announcements and students have the opportunity to plan the weekly or daily programming. In all of the research, little has been said about the role of the students. If a school is going to implement any tool the educational terms of the tool must be assessed and the role of the student must always be considered.

Mike Bracy, Executive Director, Low Powered Radio Coalition, November 1999

Alfie Kohn, National Staff Development Council Conference, Dallas Texas December 1999.

Kevin McGaughey, Principal, Brookland High School, Brookland, Arkansas. December 1999

ARD Low Power FM resource Page. (1999). Join the micro radio campaign.

http://ard.radparker.com/lpfm.html

Fairchild, Charles. (1999) Low-power radio: The FCC and community radio.

Z Magazine. http://burn.ucsd.edu/~mai/NEWS/fcc_z.html

Federal Communication Commission. (1999). Frequently asked questions about low power FM radio. http://www.fcc.gov/mmb/prd/lpfm.lpfmfaq.html

Federal Communications Commission. (1999). Part 15 – Current policy.

http://www.fcc.gov/mmb/asd/

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant Program(WHOISGP). (1999). http://www.whoi.edu/seagrant/education/soundwaves/LPR.html