Discuss with your radio partners what kind of things you will talk about or play on your radio station. What kinds of shows will you produce? Will you hire other people to have shows? What kind of music will you play? Will it be specific to a genre or are you playing music you've composed?
Review your station's budget. The FCC does not accept applications for educational or noncommercial FM stations, so you'll need to have commercial-strength radio signals. A Class A radio station antennae (the lowest power and cheapest) can cost $42,000. It is best to look at a list of sample prices and equipment before you begin the application process so you can make a budget for your radio station (see Resources 1 for a sample list of price information).
Read the Radio Broadcast Rules as outlined by the FCC (see References 1) and make sure you have everything properly in line.
Fill out form 301 online and submit the appropriate filing fee (set at $3,365 in 2009). At the same time, you must submit a proposal including the proposed channel, class and community you would like to broadcast to.
Make four copies of each form and mail three of them to:
Audio Division (MB), c/o Office of the Secretary
TW B204, FCC
445 12th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Wait to a few weeks to hear an approval or denial.
Purchase your equipment once you have received your approval. It is a good idea not to do so until you receive this--you can waste a lot of money on expensive equipment if it is purchased prematurely.
Begin broadcasting. Keep your community in mind as your broadcast.