Graham Brock, Inc.
Broadcast Technical Consultants
Vol. X, No. 2
February 2003
The FCC issued a Public Notice last week announcing the opening of a filing window for FM translator applications the week of March 10-14, 2003. The filing widow is for new or major change applications, both commercial and non-commercial, but limited to Channels 221 (92.1 MHz) through 300 (107.9 MHz). The Commission has also implemented a temporary freeze on the filings of minor change applications for existing translator stations from February 8, 2003, through the close of the major change window. Applicants must submit FCC Form 175 along with the technical portion of FCC Form 349. Once the filing widow closes on March 14th, the FCC will review the filings and determine which applications are mutually exclusive. Those that are not mutually exclusive will be listed on a subsequent Public Notice and the FCC will request the balance of the Form 349 application be submitted for consideration. The mutually exclusive applications will be considered in a separate Public Notice. Since this is the first window in over five years for FM translators, now is the time to review whether or not an existing translator needs to be relocated to a non-adjacent channel or whether a new translator may be needed for your facilities. FM translators must protect full-service stations, other FM translators/boosters and licensed and applied for LPFM stations.
The Commission has released a series of Public Notices regarding the DTV transition and issues pertinent to stations operating on Channels 60 to 69. The first Notice indicated the Commission is proposing to set deadlines for the selection of channels for DTV operation following transition. They have tentatively set May 1, 2005, as the date both commercial and non-commercial licensees must select the DTV channel to operate. The FCC also proposes to end DTV relocation and maximization protections for all stations. The four major network affiliates in the top 100 markets loose that protection a year earlier (2005). In some cases, DTV stations are operating under STA’s with less than originally authorized facilities, while the permits for the higher power expanded coverage remain unbuilt. This deadline would eliminate protections for the superior facilities, if the stations have not implemented them. The FCC is accepting comments on these issues in MB Docket #03-15 through April 14, 2003. The Commission has also implemented a freeze on the submission of applications for modifying existing analog and DTV facilities on Channels 60 to 69. These channels will ultimately be abandoned for TV service. Only changes that do not extend the service contours of the analog or DTV service beyond those of either service as authorized in a construction permit, allocation or application, that were on file prior to January 24, 2003, will be accepted. No new DTV maximization applications on these specific channels will be accepted.
The FCC has created an interface between the CDBS database and the ULS database that authorizes auxiliary facilities, STL’s, remote pick-up stations, etc. The link will allow a party to recall data on the parent station (FM, TV and AM) based on the facility ID number. The new features became active late last month. Since all new auxiliary stations must have an associated parent station with a reference facility ID number, it will be easier to file auxiliary applications with the ULS system.
The FCC recently issued fines to broadcasters for several rules violations. In Arkansas, a station that failed to lock the fences around its AM tower site and did not maintain all of the necessary documentation in the station’s public inspection files was fined $17,000. In another matter, the licensee of a station in Mississippi was fined $7,000 for failing to properly maintain documents in the station’s public inspection file and conduct weekly EAS tests. FCC field agents are once again out in the field looking for violations. Are your facilities in compliance?
It is nearly time for the broadcast industry to travel out west (well, it’s a westerly trip for most of us!) to Las Vegas for the annual National Association of Broadcasters Convention on April 5-10, 2003. Both Stu and Jeff will be making the trek to the convention. If you would like to schedule some valuable consulting time with either of them while on site, please contact our office for an opportunity to get together.