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Graham Brock, Inc. |
|
Broadcast Technical Consultants |
| Vol. XI, No. 4 |
R. Stuart Graham, Jr. |
| April 2004 |
Jefferson G. Brock |
| Separate FM Antenna Systems
for Digital Operation? |
Last month the FCC issued a Public Notice that stated FM
stations may use separate antenna systems for digital
operation, subject to conditions. First, the separate
antenna must be a licensed auxiliary FM antenna for the
station. Second, the auxiliary antenna site must be
within three seconds Latitude and Longitude of the main
station’s location. Finally, the height above average
terrain of the proposed digital/licensed auxiliary must
be between 70% and 100% of the licensed main antenna
system. In order to operate the auxiliary as a digital
facility, a station must submit a Request for Special
Temporary Authorization (STA) to the Commission at least
ten days prior to the desired commencement of digital
operation. The STA request must contain certification of
the iBiquity digital specifications; list the power of
both the analog and digital transmitters; certify the
analog power of the station is not affected by the
digital; submit a radio frequency radiation
certification for the system; provide data on the
proposed site; and insure there are no spurious
emissions in excess of the limits in the Commission’s
rules. |
| The National Association of Broadcasters has
submitted a request to the Commission to begin
nighttime operation on AM stations. The FCC has
issued a Public Notice seeking comments on whether
to allow AM stations to add nighttime digital
service. The Commission is initially proposing that
station wishing to commence operation at night can
propose to do so using the Special Temporary
Authority process and potential interference issues
would be addressed on a case by case basis. Comments
on the NAB request must be submitted by June 14,
2004. |
| FINES...Fines and More
Fines |
| There has been a recent flurry - isn’t
winter over? - of fines regarding indecent and
obscene programming, and an increase of fines
for technical issues as well. An AM station was
recently fine $7,000 for failing to keep the AM
Radiator fence secured. A field agent noted the
fence was broken and in disrepair, allowing
anyone access to the base of the tower. Another
AM station was recently fined for failing to
reduce power after local sunset. After several
days of monitoring the signal level after
sunset, the Commission contacted the station and
despite a malfunctioning remote control, a fine
of $4,000 was levied. Another station was fined
$13,000 for failure to register its tower and
keeping it painted. The largest of the recent
fines cost a licensee $34,000 for failing to
have a legal main studio, keeping the antenna
tower properly lit; not notifying the FAA,
having a public inspection file available or any
operational EAS equipment. |
| The Commission recently released its
list of proposed regulatory for 2004; as
expected they were not reduced. For AM
stations, the fees range from $850 to
$2,875. For Class A, B1 and C3 FM stations
the fees will be $1,775. The fees for the
remaining classes of FM stations will be
$2,325. TV stations fees are based on VHF or
UHF operation and are market dependent. A
VHF station in New York will pay $60,250,
while UHF station in a small market will pay
$1,660. Auxiliary licenses (STL and RPU)
will be $10 each. |
| By the time our newsletter reaches
many of you, Stu and Jeff will be in Las
Vegas attending the National Convention.
For those of you who also plan to go,
you can leave a message for Stu or Jeff
at the Las Vegas Hilton or our Graham
Brock office if you would like to set up
a desert meeting to rainstorm ideas,
shop for equipment or utilize other
resources available at the Convention. |
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