FCC RULES

[Paullie]

I would be interested in learning the FCC requirements for transmitter readings. On stations that have remote control, do they require readings every three hours inclusive of sunup and sunset.

I would like to have your input on this, and if anyone can give me a link to the specific FCC rule on this matter it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tjthedj]

Try Google. Put in FCC, transmitter and look around.

Google always works.

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

I would be interested in learning the FCC requirements for transmitter readings. On stations that have remote control, do they require readings every three hours inclusive of sunup and sunset.

I would like to have your input on this, and if anyone can give me a link to the specific FCC rule on this matter it would be greatly appreciated.

This is a link to the current FCC rule on logging transmitter readings:

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/...cess.gpo.gov/cfr_2005/octqtr/47cfr73.1820.htm

Cliff's Notes: No transmitter readings required at all, unless you're logging a directional AM without an approved sampling system.

 

[littlejohn]

True, no readings are quired in many instances. But, also true, you're required to have that remote control, and it's required to be accurate. And you're required to operate the transmitter within the parameters of the license. So, >if< the Gentleman from the FCC who is Here To Help You walks in and finds an out - of - tolerance reading when he looks (and he will look) and you haven't read them remote for six months, he's fully justified in issuing a Notice of Violation for six months worth of out - of - tolerance readings... and you've no good way to refute him. Read them regularly, and he can only complain since the last reading. They removed the repetitive requirement of reading, and left it to your judgement. They didn't remove the reuqiremnts that counts, an accurate remote control and in tolerance operation of the transmiter. My suggestion is, play C.Y.A. and you're safe and correct.

 

[tjthedj]

Littlejohn,
A GREAT suggestion.

I once worked for a GREAT engineer (to be contrary to the old thread here about ah--- engineers) who was ALWAYS HOUNDING PEOPLE about that kind of stuff and believe me, it paid dividends (by NOT having to pay fines.

 

[Tom Wells]

My, how far this standard has dropped. At one time, remotely mounted meters for transmitter conditions were permitted, but not legal for monitoring or logging of readings. The board op or whoever, had to physically SEE the meters on the transmitter. This often led to creative use of mirrors and windows, which were legal. I don't know of any instances where binoculars became necessary.

 

[zach_morton]

Times have changed...back "in the day" broadcasters were first and foremost "transmitter operators" then disc jockeys.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Welcome to the New Millennium

My, how far this standard has dropped.

We now use integrated circuits instead of tubes, and have automated control systems that were unknown to the framers of the Communications Act of 1934. I'm far more confident in the capabilities of the automation systems that are now available than I am in the abilities/responsibility of most jocks - even if they were required to pass Elements 1, 2, and 9 of the FCC Radiotelephone Operators test. At least auto-loggers output readable numbers that are reliable, as opposed to the chicken-scratch of jocks who just copied the previous readings at the end of their shifts.

That's not to say that having the jocks do readings on a regular (every 3 hours) basis isn't a good double-check. It also makes them feel "involved". Heck, some jocks even have an interest in the engineering side of the house, and can be trusted to follow directions over the phone. That can save high-speed races back to the studios from remote/home locations just to punch a couple of buttons.

 

[jammerdave]

I have all of our operators take readings for my 2 AM's and 2 FM's every two hours. They log them down, and when things start to go awry, we can see the trend develop. Very valuble info to us.

 

[littlejohn]

The current stuff, especially the transistor radios, cook along for months on end without any changes in the operating parameters. And, unlike the tube ones, usually don't give a lot of warning before something in them pukes. Today, any change in any reading is justification for a ride to the plant to see what's happening. I'd like to see a system which snapshots the entire readings every twenty seconds or so, and builds maybe thirty minutes of a FIFO file. Then, when it quits, you've got the last half hour, and probably a clue to what took it down. Except for a slow antenna fault.. icing maybe, readings every two hours on mine would be SAMEsameSAMEsameSAMEsameSAMEsameNOTHING.
They dont bust much, but they can be a fun evening when they do...

 

[Paullie]

Thanks for all the help fellas. I appreciate it. All this tells me is an engineer who says the FCC requires readings every three hours is full of ----!

 

[Neal]

well lets not go there. The Rules may have changed that says 3 hour logging is no longer required.
as a Matter of fact you are no longer required to have a modulation monitor Either.. I learned Of this during an FCC inspection last year. however it is still a good Idea to log and have a modulation monitor
Reason Being that First you can prove that you are in fact Powering up or Down at the Required Times as Per the License. This was If your being acused of not powering down at the correct time or power level you can prove otherwise. Gotta love that automated 3 hour logging mode of the Burk.
Second. is knowing that you are operating within spec of +125% and -99 % modulation levels
If you have a modulation monitor. no supprises no excuses
There is one station I can swear is not powering down.. Its Engineer is that areas Local SBE station inspector.
He Swears that his station is powering down.. only 2 ways to prove he is not telling the truth.
one is If his station is taking transmitter readings Every 3 hours. The second
is for me to take a 800+ mile road trip with a FIM,Dated Clock and a camcorder.
and sit 1 km fom his site with the FIM and clock with date in the camera View and Record both the meter and Clock with the stations audio. and See if the FIM actually Changes Power.
If the meter does not change in Time with the Clock at the required power down time
plus or minus 30 minuites.. Im sure the FCC will accept this data as Proof of Failure to power down.
Over the word of the Engineer who swears it is powering down.
especically if one Logs a week of this activity. this n on powering down has Been going on for over a year
with No change..

 

[Paullie]

I know for a FACT that the FCC does not require transmitter readings every three hours, two hours, one hour, etc. No offense intended, but there are engineers who take things way too far and in so doing create hostile, offensive, and unstable working environments when the simple solution is...if an engineer wants transmitter readings at specific intervals then as the station(s) engineer, he is the one most qualified to do so….so why not just do it. IMHO the answer is some engineers don't like the hassle of transmitter readings, spec data, etc., and just want to hassle station staff with something that is there field of responsibility. Plus, if station staff are taking readings for engineering and do not have the ability to shut down the transmitter, or power it up, then that is a violation of the FCC rules.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Speaking of Hostile, Offensive, and Unstable...

Paullie, the Chief Engineer at most radio stations is a member of upper management. If the GM says that you should jump through a hoop before you enter the studio and start you air shift, you'd better hope that the hoop isn't too high. If the Chief wants readings, you'd better take them.

There are legitimate reasons for the Chief to want readings at regular intervals. Several of them have been recounted in previous posts. If you're the operator on duty, it doesn't seem like much of a task for you to take readings. Part of the duties of the operator are to make sure that the station is operating according to FCC specifications. If you sign on the log, that makes YOU responsible. If the station gets out of acceptable parameters, it YOUR JOB to contact the Chief or the engineer on duty so they can take action.

It is not a violation of FCC rules for you to take readings. It IS a violation of FCC rules for you to operate in an illegal manner. If you don't take readings, you don't know if you're legal or not, so taking readings is at least a CYA move on your part.

 

[jammerdave]

Geez, Paullie.. You sound like an unhappy board op or something...

First and foremost, we PROTECT THE LICENSE (and our budgets). We do what it takes to insure that we are operating legally.
Yes, there are a lot of things that aren't required these days, BUT, you better be in spec, and have proof that you are and have been operating in spec. I am especially hard on ops about EAS related issues.
Having been inspected myself, they come looking to be sure your public file is in order, that your EAS system is and has been functioning correctly, licenses on hand, and that you are operating within your legal parameters, among other things. Those are the biggies..

Fines are expensive, and yes folks get popped all the time for various things. Why push your luck?
Doing readings, etc is pretty cheap insurance these days.

I REALLY don't want to be involved in an issue that results in a fine. Too embarrassing, and I really don't want to go look for another job..

 

[tjthedj]

Speaking as a (used to be) small-market owner, the engineer is INVALUABLE for "sniffing out" problems before they happen. In our location, we could NEVER hire experienced people. Nearly all of them
came fresh out of broadcasting school or college.

The engineer can "get the rookies in line." or "get the Bozo's out."