NUUF’s VOICE of REASON Project is still growing in numbers and pledges!
This update goes out to 84 as a BCC (as requested, for privacy sake.) And there are several I don’t have email addresses for, so we’ll need to mail.

Since our last update (attached those founders/supporters who just recently joined) there have been several developments.

1) The FCC has set a window for settlement opportunities.  If your air space overlaps with another applicant, you are MXed (Mutually eXclusive) andsomeone has to ‘give’ – or possibly withdraw from part of the air space so that overlap does not occur.  If the 2 (in our case 3) MXed parties can agree on new air space that does not overlap, then all can obtain a broadcast license.  The Settlement Period runs until Jan. 7 and after that the FCC will start making decisions about who gets the license.

2) We have discovered that we are MXed by 2 Christian groups.  Both have applied for the same frequency (89.7 FM) and air space as ours (between Chichasha and Moore … see attached map.)  We believe the FCC will throw one out on technical grounds since they “forgot” to include one of the
existing radio stations which covers the area they claim.  Not including that station would have made them the winner.  But FCC rules require them to list ALL overlapping stations and we will point that out after the Jan. 7th settlement period is over, should the FCC not find it earlier and dismiss their
application.

3) The other competitor is not able to claim the localism points (all Board members living within 25 miles of your City of License.)   This gives us the advantage! We are very optimistic. Still, we are searching the competition’s records and application for other errors, and indeed, we have found another
problem and possibly two!  “We’re makin’ a list and checkin’ it twice.” … sorry … just couldn’t help myself.  ;^{)

4) We have also found much friendlier land owners who will allow us to build a tower.  We are planning to make a “minor change” to our application to move the tower site from the “grumpy” land owner to our new friendly folks.  This new site is also going to be cheaper to access when we get ready to build the tower and run electricity to it.  This, of course, requires more services from our engineer, but the savings will be greater than a factor of ten of our engineering costs.  This turn of events put a big smile on my face!

5) On our Wed. phone conference with Pacifica, we spoke with several other engineers and radio station owners who are volunteering to develop some open source software, audio boards and other studio equipment to be shared with all of the “radio newbies” (that’s definitely us, folks) and thereby save a bundle of money on building the station!

I am constantly amazed at the generosity of these… Read the full story

From our Attorney, Michael Couzens!
“Application has been filed.”

Oct. 20, 2007 — And Thursday night, right after we got our exhibits and forms filed, the FCC site crashed!  (Too many others trying to upload their data.)  In response, the FCC extended the filing period to Oct. 22nd (Monday) which gives competitors over the weekend to file for the same air space and frequency we filed for.  Problem: we don’t want them to know our frequency or air space.
Therefore, I will wait until Monday to announce the exact location of our air space and frequency.

(Note added later: A map of our Frequency contour, 89.7 FM, is now attached to all updates. mf)

The next step is to publish legal notices in the paper,  wait for the FCC to process all the applications … maybe in about 2 months, get all our other paperwork, budget,etc. in order and continue to look for pledges of loans or gifts.  According to the engineers, the first two qualifiers (providing 1st NCE service or 2nd service) are eliminated for everyone!  This is a HUGE advantage for us.  Unless there is a technically superior application by one of the competitors (we doubt it, since 4 engineers reviewed the exhibits and data,) the process goes into the “point system”  where we have a definite advantage.

By the way, 2 engineers-Jeff Sibert and Jeremy Styninger,  were volunteers and the other 2, Keith Hammond and Rocky Moncho, worked for under the normal cost!!! The attorney, Michael Couzens also has 25 years experience and national reputation.  Pacifica recommended him and he generously contracted for approximately a third of his normal fee.  When he saw my quote -
“Now is the time to speak truth to religious charlatans.” - his response was, “Right On!”
Once we are granted a Broadcast License, we have 3 years to build.  And the Feds have a wonderful grant program available ONLY for groups who do secular programming … that’s us!  No free money for the Religious Right (or Left.)  Grants range from 75% to sometimes 100% of all capital expenses!
Any good grant writers out there ready and willing to jump in here?  If so, gimme a call and, once we win the license, we’ll jump on that money!!!

I will propose to the NUUF Board that we hold the door open for Founding Members for another few weeks.  To become a Founder, just sign a pledge of support (gift or loan.)  All levels are welcome.  Those who have already pledged should let me know if we may use your name.  (The first few pledge forms I used did not have a place to indicate that … hey, I can’t think of everything!)  Also, a phone number and/or email address would be good to know.  (We know where you live. :^) )

My first venture into the radio acquisition process has been as scary and exciting as a kid’s first… Read the full story

Hi Everyone, The VOICE of REASON Project is off and running!  Here’s a recap.

We have a Broadcast Engineer, a Communications Attorney, a Budget, a Workplan and the beginnings of a Board! The Norman UU Fellowship agreed to be our sponsor, but they are too far away to meet FCC licensing requirements for points, so we are currently looking for a non-profit in NW OKC or even further NW. Our Engineer can work out a specific area and distances.  Rev. Dr. Robin Meyers, author of Why the Christian Right is Wrong, has agreed to help. He will take our proposal to his Board & others.

In the meantime, I am writing a UUA grant proposal. I have found that there is also a Corporation for Public Broadcasting grant program and, of course, there is the Veatch grant program. And once the license is granted, we can apply forthe big Federal grant from the PublicTelecommunications Facilities Program. PTFP is an annual program at the U.S. Commerce Department that awards grants to public radio for purchase of equipment. We have received and continue to receive amazing help from Pacifica, RadioForPeople, CommonFrequency, Public Radio Capital, FreePress.net and the UUA Staff,
especially District Coordinator Heather Bond and Janiece Sneegas. Unsolicited pledges from Don, Jim, Teresa, Mary and Anonymous have already been put to use. Thank you! Also, thanks to Sam Fredrickson for volunteering to do some fundraising. Truth be told, the generous discount offers
from Attorney Michael Couzens and Engineer Terry Keith Hammond are a big reason why The VOICE of REASON Project has come together. We expect multiple filings from the right-wing elements who have snapped up so much air space in the past. This FCC air space is the last available,and therefore, this process is our last opportunity to get our voice out there.

The filing window is Oct. 12-19. There is no time to waste. Here is what we need:
1) Comments to the FCC by Sept. 6.
We expect multiple filings from the right-wing elements who have
snapped up so much air space in the past. The FCC must be encouraged
to limit filings from one party to a maximum of ten. (See
attachment.)
2) Founding members who will pledge their support.
3) A diverse Board of Directors
4) People to quietly spread the word (Please don’t leak our plans to potential
opponents, but we must show the FCC that The VOICE of REASON Project
has community support.)
If you didn’t see the Bill Moyers program about community radio, go to:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/08242007/watch.html and learn why it is so important to acquire this air space. Thank you for your time. Please give us a little more of it by commenting to the FCC. There’s an easy comment-filing tool with regards to the applicationlimit for full-power non-commercial stations at this address:  www.freepress.net/fcc/comment.php?dn=fullpowerradio
My attachments include a sample letter and more information.

And thank you for supporting The VOICE of REASON Project.