Graham Brock, Inc.
Broadcast Technical Consultants
Vol. X, No. 12
December 2003
If you haven’t heard, last month the FCC announced the opening of a window for filing new/major change applications for AM stations. The window will be open from January 26 - 30, 2004. During this five day period, requests for new AM stations can be filed, as well as major changes to existing stations. A major change to an existing station consists of a change in frequency greater than three frequencies above or below the existing frequency or a change in community of license. For all new stations, an application must propose both day and night facilities. No new daytime only stations are allowed. In preparation for this window, the Commission will not accept any minor change applications for AM stations from January 11th through the close of the major change window. Minor change applications can again be submitted in February.
Do you remember the LPTV/TV translator window in the summer of 2000? Well, the FCC does and there were about 2,900 applications submitted. The Commission has announced a settlement window that is now open and runs until March 5, 2004. During this window, mutually exclusive applicants may discuss engineering means to remove the conflict between applicants. The number of applications involved in any one settlement group may include many daisy chained proposals, all of which must be addressed for the FCC to consider the settlement. The Public Notice states this will be the last opportunity for settlements before the remaining applications are awarded by the auction process. There is no mention of a waiving of the cap that would allow for monetary settlements and applicants are only entitled to seek reimbursement for expenses.
Many stations, engineers, attorneys, etc., have begun to receive letters from frequency coordination companies that note a proposed new or changed microwave facility. This letter is part of the new procedures instituted by the FCC for STL and RPU filings. As we noted last month, the FCC now requires an in depth frequency analysis for auxiliary service filings and contacting all licensees or applicants within a certain radius of the proposed station before an application can be submitted to the Commission. For microwave stations, existing licensees within 250 miles may get a letter, to allow the licensee to review the proposed facility to ensure it will not have an impact to the existing facility. If there is no response from the licensee, it is deemed to have no issues with the proposed filing. While this may be true for new stations that are over 150 miles away, the stations closer should verify any possible impact their facility may experience since the frequency analysis relies on the Commission’s ULS database. So, if your current system does not resemble the license due to a transmitter site move, a studio relocation or a change in frequency, your system may not be protected. The new process takes substantially more preparation time than before, so allow more time before actually moving the system. With the required coordination letters, an additional 30 to 45 days is needed before an application can be filed.
Happy Holidays
As we celebrate a decade of service to the broadcast community, we would like to wish each of you the Happiest of Holidays and we look forward to beginning our 11th year!