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Home My WebLink About24 - Low Power FM Radio SystemCity Council Agenda Item No. 2 June 27, 2000 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: General Services Director SUBJECT: Low Power FM Radio System Recommendation To make no decision on acquiring a low power FM radio system, but to continue to research costs, broadcast coverage, and filing opportunities. Background At the March 28, 2000 Council study session, staff provided Council with an informational report regarding the Federal Communications Commission's ( "FCC ") new rules allowing non- commercial low power FM radio stations (LPFM). Little information was known at the time, however, the program has proceeded significantly since March. At Council's direction, staff has prepared a follow -up report with additional information regarding estimated costs, construction needs, and a recommendation. Discussion On January 20, 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules creating a new Low Power FM Radio system (LPFM). The new service will consist of two classes of noncommercial radio stations: (1) 10 -watt station and (2) 100 -watt station. The 10 -watt station can reach an area with a radius of up to two miles while the 100 -watt station would reach a radius of approximately three and a half miles. The new program is intended to enhance community- oriented radio broadcasting for non - commercial purposes. In the past two months, the FCC has proceeded to publish a license application and establish procedures. In late May, the FCC also designated a five -day filing window (5/30/00 through 6/5/00) to receive applications for a 100 -watt station. On June 5, the application window was extended three more days through June 8, 2000. Jurisdictions from only 12 states, including California, were allowed to apply during the designated window. All states will have an opportunity to apply as new filing windows are designated by lottery. There is no fee for an LPFM License, which will be issued for an eight -year term. F:\Uwm\GSV\Shamd\Comeil-LowPwFMRadio.doc The City did not apply during the abbreviated application period because not enough infonnation such as costs, restrictions, and other required data were known at the time. It may be at least twelve months before California jurisdictions will have another opportunity to apply. When applying, applicants must specify the channel by which they will broadcast. When selecting a channel, applicants must determine, prior to application submittal, if the broadcast will interfere with existing FM radio broadcasts. Applicants can obtain this information by entering the latitude and longitude coordinates of a proposed transmission site into the FCC's channel finder program. Based on the required criteria, staff has evaluated three potential sites from which to transmit: 1. Police Headquarters on Santa Barbara Drive 2. Hoag Hospital 3. 610 Newport Center Drive Each proposed site passes the minimum spacing tests required by the FCC and at least one channel exists at each site on which a LPFM station could operate. The City can operate a very simple station for the purposes of transmitting visitor information. Recorded information could be broadcast from a computer, which can run on a timed -loop to repeat continuously. It would be necessary to designate a staff person to record and update the broadcast information as needed, otherwise, the operation would not need to be manned. Other known equipment purchase needs include an audio software program, antenna, cable, and transmitter. Estimated costs for equipment purchases are identified below: 150 Watt Powered Transmitter ............. ............................... $4,000 Antenna (including 100 ft of cable) ....... ............................... $300 Computer, audio software and accessories ........................ $3,000 Total Estimated Equipment Costs $7,300 True equipment costs depend on where the equipment is installed. For example, the equipment needs described above represent minimal costs and assume that the transmitter, antenna and audio source are installed at a single facility. It also assumes that the distance between the antenna and transmitter is not more than 100 feet. The primary factor that will effect equipment costs is the antenna installation location. It is recommended that the antenna be installed in an area where the transmission of radio signals would not be obstructed. Ideally, the antenna should be installed at the highest point above sea level in Newport Beach or at the top of a multi -story building, which would have a similar affect. Analysis Of the three sites proposed above, the Police Facility would result in the least expensive set -up costs. The site has been considered because it is centrally located so that a three -mile radius from the facility would reach most of the City (excluding portions of Corona Del Mar). However, the only potential set back is that natural obstructions exist which could prevent F:\ Users \GSV\SharedlCoweil -L.wPw FMRadio.doc transmissions from broadcasting the maximum three mile range. It is estimated that nearby hills may limit transmissions from the facility to about 1 mile. Staff would need to conduct a coverage survey to determine the maximum service area from the Police Facility. Hoag Hospital and the property at Newport Center Drive have been considered because each are private multi- storied buildings which would transmit beyond any potential obstructions. Both sites are currently used for transmitting Newport Beach Police radio signals to police vehicles on patrol throughout the city. Installations at these sites would require additional equipment purchases in order for information from the audio source to reach the transmitter. The City could pursue two options in this regard. A microwave transmitter could be installed on the rooftop of the facility where the audio source is located. This Studio -to- Transmitter link (STL) would cost approximately $6,000. The link could also be established through telephone lines, which would be much less expensive. The estimated cost for a phone line connection is $50 monthly. Other costs to consider with regard to installing the antenna at either of these privately owned sites is that the City would have to negotiate an agreement with each private property owner for the right to install equipment at the site. Although Hoag Hospital does not require the City to pay any fees with respect to the Police radio equipment currently installed at the Hospital, there is no guarantee that fees may not be associated with any agreement to install the LPFM radio equipment. In addition, it is likely that the property owners of 610 Newport Center Drive may require that the City pay some form of lease fee in exchange for the right to install equipment at the property. Another consideration is that there would also be the need for hold harmless or other legal agreements. The only potential setback associated with both private sites is that staff has been informed that other types of radio equipment currently exist at each site which could possibly interfere with the City LPFM radio transmission. In addition to the equipment costs described above, other variables that would affect installation costs include any excessive cable needs that may be necessary to connect the antenna and transmitter, as well as labor costs to install and tune the equipment. Depending on the extent of work involved, the hourly rate to hire professional radio equipment staff may range from $100- $200 per hour. Installation costs are difficult to specify at this time given that vendors and contractors have no experience with the proposed radio system. In short, conservative estimates for setting -up the radio station begin at $15,000 while the maximum cost is estimated conservatively at $25,000. On -going maintenance and operation costs include electrical costs to power the transmitter and audio source, lease fees, and minor costs associated with miscellaneous software and hardware computer supplies. And finally, there will be some costs associated with the staff time that is needed to operate the system. While the estimated station costs are less than considerable, staff is not convinced the benefits are worth the cost and substantial effort it would take to supply up to date information to the visitor community via the radio station. F:1Usem1OS V \SharedlComcil- LowPwrFMRadio.doc The City cannot file an application for a LPFM until another filing window opens over the next 12 months. During the interim, staff will monitor the Federal program as well as confirm costs, location, and coverage for the proposed system that will form the basis for a future Council report. Very respectfully, David E. Niederhaus F:\ Users \GSV\ Shared \Council- LowP.FMRadio.doc