Starting and operating a radio station may seem like a dream, but the opportunity is just around the corner. The FCC has recently taken actions that will enable you to apply for a station later this year!

Several things must take place before this is a reality. For the hard-core radio geeks (mostly those engineers and attourneys that stand to profit from the FCC decisions), there is a great deal of lobbying and banter to read about on the web. For 95% of LPFM applicants, tracking and following this is not where you should be expending energy. Instead, you should focus on the LPFM business plan.

For the first time in over 10 years, this year the FCC is scheduled to enable anyone to start an FM station (for free)! That is right, within the next year or so anyone can start an FM station. Think of it: the chance to not only deejay a show, but direct the entire operations of a radio station. The station can breath life into the local music scene, bring high school sports coverage back to the airwaves, and/or give you an outlet to make your voice heard. It can be your station, to do with as you please.

This is a tremendous opportunity. Generally, the only way to get on the FM dial is to spend $1MM+ and purchase a commercial FM station. But thanks to the Local Radio Act, passed in December 2010, there will soon be a window of opportunity for FM stations to be started across the country. This opportunity will come quickly, will require you to take action within a one-week time frame, and likely will not occur again for another 10 years.

Starting these low-power FM (LPFM) radio stations takes a little work, a little money, and a lot of preparation. And unfortunately, there are a lot of people running scams to take advantage of people who have never been in broadcasting (see FCC warnings about these scams). LPFMhelp.com is here to help you start and operate an LPFM station. Whether you are an experienced LPFM operator or investigating LPFM for the first time, LPFMhelp.com will help you navigate your way through the intricacies of LPFM.

Get involved in the forums. Read the FAQs and How-Tos. And for those who are serious about starting an LPFM station, get started today by reading the 400-page, 8¹/₂x11 format, full-color self-help book, The Complete Guide to Starting and Operating an LPFM Station.

Perhaps it is because it is difficult to believe that someone would write such a comprehensive guide to LPFM. Others might have a doubt due to the number of internet scams out there. In any case, we decided to post highly amateur photographs of the book to alleviate any concerns.