After years of anticipation, The FCC lifted a freeze on applications for full-powered, noncommercial (NCE) radio licenses between October 12 and October 22. During those ten days, more than 200 Americans applied for frequencies on behalf of community radio. NCE frequencies, which reside on the FM dial between 88.1 MHz and 91.9 MHz, are granted to American citizens by the federal government as a public trust at no cost.

For many Americans, last week was the culmination of months, even years, of preparation.This is a story of great hope and belief in democracy. We bring you the stories of the applicants and the organizers, described in their own words.

Radio engineer Michael Brown of Brown Broadcast and FCC attorneys Michael Couzens and John Crigler worked exclusively with applicants who planned to build community radio stations. They also helped Radio For People, a coalition of media democracy groups who came together to promote and assist community radio applicants. For two years, these groups have been bringing together radio professionals and novice applicants with one common goal: local, community radio. Their motto: "Be the media!"

Partly due to the work of the Radio For People coalition, more than 200 applications were filed on behalf of community radio last week. Groups who organized Radio for People included the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Native Public Media, Common Frequency, Prometheus Radio Project, Public Radio Capital, Pacifica Radio, Free Press, and the Future of Music Coalition.

FCC attorneys John Crigler and Michael Couzens and Consulting Radio Engineer Michael Brown volunteered their services to the coalition's work, as did countless of other radio professionals and managers of existing community radio stations.

We dedicate this Sprouts show to the many radio applicants and professionals across the country who gave countless hours of hard hard work and immeasurable energy to participate in democracy.