One of the most common complaints about radio is that no matter where you go on the dial, it all sounds the same. You can take a small step today to change that — dramatically.

We won big last year when President Obama signed the Local Community Radio Act, which opened the door to a new era of Lower Power FM (LPFM) radio. Right now, the Federal Communications Commission is developing the rules that will govern these new community stations. And the agency’s next move will determine whether just a handful of stations start broadcasting — or thousands take to the airwaves.

Here's what's at stake:

The number of LPFM stations

Right now, the FCC requires a whole lot of empty space between radio stations on the dial. This requirement is designed to ensure that one station’s signal does not interfere with another’s. But today’s technology allows stations to be a lot closer together on the dial without causing any interference.  If the FCC allows LPFM stations to apply for waivers on what’s called the “second adjacent channel,” the number of community stations that will go on the air could more than double. For example, in the greater Atlanta region, waivers could put as many as 25 new stations on the air. In Denver, it could be as many as 23; in Houston, 18.

Check out this video for an in-depth breakdown of the issue:

How much local content stations air

Some LPFM stations amount to nothing more than computers broadcasting canned programming from national networks. The FCC is considering a proposal that would require stations to produce at least some local content each week. This would help ensure that new LPFM stations are actually providing a space for local voices to get on the airwaves.

We are truly on the verge of a local radio renaissance. The FCC’s public comment period ends at midnight tonight, and the agency wants to hear from you. Let’s make sure the FCC knows we want thousands more stations broadcasting truly local radio.

If you care about opening up the radio dial, please consider a donation to the Free Press Action Fund.