A low power radio station emits a comparatively weak radio signal. It is similiar to a big commercial radio station but instead of broadcasting over a whole region or an entire country, it only serves a small region like a single town - like a community radio station. The range of a radio station is a function of many things, such as the frequency band it uses e.g, SW or FM, the topography of the country in which it operates (lots of mountains or flat), atmospheric conditions, and finally the amount of radio frequency energy it transmits. As a general rule, the more energy it transmits, the further the signal goes.

Normally, a radio station needs a broadcasting license from the specific country's licensing authorithy, but in some countries you are allowed to broadcast without a license if the power of your radio signal is below a certain level (ex. 10mW in the USA). This makes it possible for a school or college to have its own radio station without all the hassles of licensing - although of course, the signal will not go very far.