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  June 4, 2012
Radio Tech Check

Check the Accuracy of Your 7 and 13 GHz BAS Licenses to Avoid Potential Interference

On August 9, 2011 the FCC released a decision (WT Docket No. 10-153) that allowed Fixed-Service Point-to-Point microwave (FS) users licensed under part 101 of the rules to share certain spectrum bands exclusively used by the Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS). These new rules permit FS operations to share the 6875-7125 MHz (7 GHz) band and the 12700-13200 MHz (13 GHz) band which broadcasters use for mobile and temporary fixed TV pick-up operations (Electronic News Gathering) and fixed links such as Studio-To-Transmitter links (STLs). (See TV TechCheck from 08-15-2011 for details.)

The new rules that allow this sharing took effect on October 27, 2011. As of that time, Part 101 fixed service microwave users have been allowed to apply for licenses to construct and operate point-to-point fixed links in the 7 and 13 GHz bands. The new rules require these links to engage in the same frequency coordination process that's required of all Part 101 services. In order to facilitate this coordination, the new rules also require BAS licensees to "register" their stationary ENG receive sites using the Commission's Universal Licensing System (ULS). However this registration requirement will not be effective until the FCC issues a Public Notice announcing the effective date/deadline (which has not happened but will likely be issued in the coming weeks).

Non-broadcast entities have already begun applying for licenses in the 7 and 13 GHz bands. Some TV stations have received a Prior Coordination Notification (PCN) letter from potential licensees seeking to coordinate a new link in these bands. It is important that stations evaluate these requests and respond to the letters. It is also very important that BAS licensees check their licenses in the ULS for both fixed and TV Pick-up facilities to ensure that the information on the licenses is complete, accurate and up-to-date, especially data such as contact information and link coordinates. New applicants in the 7 and 13 GHz bands base the frequency coordination on the data contained in the ULS, thus inaccurate or incomplete data could result in interference to your station's operation in those bands.

You may search for BAS licenses on the FCC's ULS facility ID search page. You will need your TV station's Facility ID. The Report and Order is available here.

IPAWS Webinar: Getting Ready for CAP: Countdown to June 30

On Wednesday, June 6 FEMA's IPAWS program in Partnership with the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Association (NASBA) and NAB will hold the next discussion in a continuing EAS Webinar Series. The webinar will be hosted by Manny Centeno of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Suzanne Goucher of NASBA and the Maine Association of Broadcasters (MAB).

The Webinar will discuss what EAS Participants need to know to ensure they are prepared to receive alert messages in Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and will include presentations on the following topics:

  • Antwane Johnson, FEMA IPAWS Director, will provide an overall update on IPAWS developments;
  • IPAWS staff will discuss general EAS-CAP best-practices, EAS device configuration, and parallel operation of the EAS using traditional monitoring and CAP;
  • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will address recent changes to Part 11 Rules governing EAS and what State and local Emergency Communications Committees should be aware of as they update their State EAS Plans;
  • Whit Adamson, President of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters (TAB) will share the steps he has taken to develop local officials' interest in using the EAS;
  • IPAWS staff will provide an update on the Primary Entry Point (PEP) Expansion Program.
Event Details:
What: FEMA IPAWS Special Event - Getting Ready for CAP: Countdown to June 30
When: Wednesday, June 6, 2012; 4:00 PM-5:00 PM ET
Where: WebEx (This link will only be active the afternoon of June 6) (https://eiip.webex.com/eiip/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=922661163)

NOTE: The audio portion of the program will be delivered via your computer speakers. Please review the instructions posted at: http://www.emforum.org/WebExInstructions.htm prior to the program.

Webinar Login: The following login link can be used not earlier than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled meeting time: https://eiip.webex.com/eiip/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=922661163 The password is attend.

Questions can be directed to the FEMA IPAWS email address: ipaws@dhs.gov, Manny Centeno, or Suzanne Goucher.

Reminder: June 30 EAS CAP Deadline

No later than June 30, 2012, all broadcast stations must have CAP-capable EAS equipment installed and operating in their facilities. FCC rule 11.56 requires all broadcasters to have equipment installed and operating that can receive and decode National Level (federal) Emergency messages (EANs) encoded in the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) format.

The original CAP compliance deadline was March 31, 2011. In response to a petition filed by NAB and others, the FCC extended that dead line to September 30, 2011. On Friday September 16, 2011, the FCC released an order further extending the deadline to June 30, 2012.

This requirement was reaffirmed in the most recent FCC EAS Report and Order released January 10, 2012 (Fifth Report and Order in EB Docket No. 04-296 - "5th R&O"). The rules adopted in the 5th R&O also require broadcasters to interface with and monitor FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) server for those federal CAP-formatted EAS messages. However, because IPAWS monitoring will be largely conducted via an Internet connection, the FCC will consider, on a case by case basis, applications for waivers from this monitoring requirement based on the physical lack of availability of broadband.

The 5th R&O is available here. The order extending the CAP compliance deadline is here.






The June 4, 2012 TV TechCheck is also available in an Adobe Acrobat file. Please click here to read the Adobe Acrobat version of TV TechCheck.

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