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FCC's new FM option worries JPR Director fears noise from low-power stations By WENDY SIPOREN ASHLAND -- Established local radio stations may find themselves competing for airwaves with small independents, thanks to a new type of station authorized by the Federal Communications Commission in January. Under the authorization, the airwaves may be opened to individually owned, noncommercial stations to broadcast over a limited area. Proponents of the low-power FM stations say the new licensing option will bring variety to markets where locally owned and programmed stations have become a rarity. But a local station which prides itself on being an alternative to the uniformity of commercial radio is warning its listeners that this new type of station may mean listeners won't be able to choose Jefferson Public Radio in the future. JPR Executive Director Ron Kramer says in authorizing these new stations, the FCC failed to adequately protect existing stations from interference. Jefferson Public Radio broadcasts its three program formats over 12 transmitters and 33 translators in southwest Oregon and Northern California. The station relies on this large number of low-power translators to relay the main signal to areas that can't otherwise receive it because of mountainous terrain. Those are the areas at risk for interference, says Kramer. "Listeners to JPR don't have any other access to the kind of programming we present," said Kramer. "We're not asking for unusual protection. People who listen to us now should be able to continue to listen to us." But the founder of an unauthorized low-power FM says Kramer is being unduly paranoid about the potential negative impact of a type of radio service which has done a lot of good for his small community in the Illinois Valley. "These aren't a bunch of anarchists out to steal the airwaves," said Miguelo Kime, founder and one of 35 volunteer disc jockeys for Free Radio Takilma. "What this station provides for this community is above and beyond any other station." The 4-year-old station now broadcasts at 88.9 FM 24 hours a day on $17,000 worth of "commercial-grade" equipment that keeps its 50-watt signal from wandering into anyone else's territory. Programs range from bedtime stories for children to gangsta rap for slightly older kids to Skip Church's Sunday morning talk show. Kime says the station has alerted residents to fire and postal theft. It's where you'll first hear the results of Tuesday night's boys' basketball game. It gets the word out about births, deaths, parties and happenings. "The concept is local issues discussed by local folks. Homegrown entertainment," he said. "It has been the most positive thing to come to Takilma in the sense that it's brought a cohesiveness -- a very easy way to listen to what the community is saying." Kime says from the beginning the organizers of the unlicensed radio station have been careful not to tamper with anyone else's spot on the radio dial. He said it has moved several times because it was being drowned out by two new Christian stations broadcasting at 88.5 and 88.1 FM. A year ago, Jefferson Public Radio received a flurry of complaints about interference from Free Radio Takilma. But Kramer says the operators of the station were cooperative and he hasn't had complaints since. Kramer is also concerned that after a two-year trial period, the FCC will allow the low-power stations to go commercial and be jointly owned, defeating the original purpose of the stations. Kramer is hoping one of three avenues will remedy his concerns: The FCC could decide to revisit its rules for implementing low-power FM stations. Congress is considering legislation that would force the FCC to do so. JPR is considering a lawsuit against the FCC, similar to one already filed by the National Association of Broadcasters. For its part, Free Radio Takilma isn't about to jump on the low-power FM bandwagon, either. Kime says while he sees the advantages of becoming legal, other station volunteers like things the way they are. So he's turned his attention to persuading one of several local nonprofits to file for a low-power license. "The town is big enough for a second radio station," said Kime. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA