New Rules Clarify Tower Construction Near AM Antenna Arrays

On August 16, 2013, the FCC released its new rules regarding the construction of towers in the vicinity of AM antenna arrays. The rules now clarify that parties proposing to construct a tower nearby AM antenna arrays are responsible to correct pattern distortion in excess of 2 dB. Furthermore the parties must notify the AM station of construction plans 30 days prior to construction. The new rules also designate “moment method” computer modeling as the principal means of determining whether a nearby tower affects an AM radiation pattern.

These are the final rules in the Third Report and Order and Second Order on Reconsideration in MM Docket No. 93-177. The Commission stated that the overall goal of this proceeding has been to modernize and simplify the Media Bureau’s AM licensing procedures. Relevant excerpts from the Part 74 Rules are show below. Part I Rules are here. If you are responsible for the operation of an AM station, we strongly recommend that you study these rules carefully. The complete Third Report & Order may be found here.

PART 73 – RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES
The authority for Part 73 continues to read as follows:
AUTHORITY: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339.
Amend § 73.45(c) to read as follows:
§ 73.45 AM antenna systems.
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(c) Should any changes be made or otherwise occur which would possibly alter the resistance of the antenna system, the licensee must commence the determination of the operating power by a method described in § 73.51(a)(1) or (d). (If the changes are due to the addition of antennas to the AM tower, see § 1.30003.) ***
Amend § 73.316(e) to read as follows:
§ 73.316 FM antenna systems.
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(e) Where an FM licensee or permittee proposes to mount its antenna on or near an AM tower, as defined in § 1.30002, the FM licensee or permittee must comply with § 1.30003 or § 1.30002, depending on whether the antenna is proposed to be mounted on an AM tower (§ 1.30003) or near an AM tower (§ 1.30002).
Amend § 73.685(h) to read as follows:
§ 73.685 Transmitter location and antenna system.
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(h) Where the TV licensee or permittee proposes to mount its antenna on or near an AM tower, as defined in § 1.30002, the TV licensee or permittee must comply with § 1.30003 or § 1.30002.

Amend § 73.875(c) by revising the last sentence to read as follows:
§ 73.875 Modification of transmission systems.
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(c)*** In addition, for applications filed solely pursuant to paragraphs (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this section, where the installation is on or near an AM tower, as defined in § 1.30002, an exhibit demonstrating compliance with § 1.30003 or § 1.30002, as applicable, is also required.
(1)***
(2)***
Amend § 73.1675(c)(1) by revising the last sentence to read as follows:
§ 73.1675 Auxiliary antennas.
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(c)(1)*** Where an FM, TV, or Class A TV licensee or permittee proposes to mount an auxiliary facility on an AM tower, it must also demonstrate compliance with § 1.30003 in the license application.
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Amend § 73.1690(c) by revising the last sentence to read as follows:
§ 73.1690 Modification of transmission systems.
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(c) ***In addition, except for applications solely filed pursuant to paragraphs (c)(6) or (c)(9) of this section, where the installation is located on or near an AM tower, as defined in § 1.30002, an exhibit demonstrating compliance with § 1.30003 or § 1.30002, as applicable, is also required.
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§ 73.1692 [Removed].
Remove § 73.1692.
Amend § 73.6025(c) to read as follows:
§ 73.6025 Antenna system and station location.
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(c) Where a Class A TV licensee or permittee proposes to mount its antenna on or near an AM tower, as defined in § 1.30002, the Class A TV licensee or permittee must comply with § 1.30003 or § 1.30002.
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Amend § 74.1237(e) to read as follows:
§ 74.1237 Antenna location.
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(e) Where an FM translator or booster licensee or permittee proposes to mount its antenna on or near an AM tower, as defined in § 1.30002, the FM translator or booster licensee or permittee must comply with § 1.30003 or § 1.30002.

In-Vehicle Dashboard Opportunities for Radio

Discover Radio’s current and future in-vehicle digital dashboard opportunities during the FREE Membership in Motion Webcast, NAB Labs Presents: Advancements in Radio: Radio's Evolving Place in the Dashboard on Wednesday, August 21 at 2 p.m. EDT.

The list of dashboard audio service options keeps growing and growing and this trend presents new challenges and opportunities for radio. During this webcast NAB’s Chief Technology Officer Kevin Gage will explain how NAB Labs and key industry innovators have been working tirelessly to ensure radio stays at the forefront of the digital dash. Participants will also hear from sources outside the NAB on what radio must do to stay ahead of the competition including an update on hybrid FM and why it is radio's "bridge" into the digital dash. This information-packed hour will also cover the latest developments for AM radio, and contain an NAB Labs progress report.

As an added bonus, all registrants will automatically be registered into a drawing for one of five copies of the NAB 2013 Broadcast Engineering Conference Proceedings!

Registration is free for NAB members. To register, click here and be sure to have your member ID. You can look up your member ID here. Can't join us August 21? Register for access to an archive of the webcast starting August 23.
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Questions? Contact NAB Radio Manager Josh Miely.

The August 19, 2013 Radio TechCheck is also available in an Adobe Acrobat file. Please click here to read the Adobe Acrobat version of Radio TechCheck.