Requests for Emergency Alert System (EAS) related documents should be directed to the Commission's EAS Office at (202) 418-1220. Requests for any FCC form or bulletin should be directed to the Commission's forms distribution contractor at (800) 418-3676.

SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL

A. AUTHORIZATIONS:
The station license, construction permit, renewal certificate, auxiliary transmitter authorization, special temporary authorization (STA), and/or any other instrument of authorization shall be readily available and easily accessible. If more than one control point is used, then copies of the appropriate authorization(s) shall be posted at each control point or automatic transmission system (ATS) monitoring and alarm point used. Renewal certificates should be associated with the corresponding station authorization. [See 73.1230(a), 73.1635, 73.1670, 73.3533, 73.3536, 73.3537 and 73.3539]

AUTHORIZATIONS:
Are current station authorizations posted or readily available at all control or automatic transmission system (ATS) monitoring and alarm points?

B. STATION LOGS/RECORDS:

STATION LOGS:
These include entries pertaining to equipment status, the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) and to the recording of tower light outages.

STATION RECORDS:
These include, but are not limited to chief operator designations and equipment performance measurements.

AVAILABILITY:
Station logs and records are to be retained for a period of two years, unless specified otherwise, and they shall be made available for inspection or duplication at the request of the FCC or its representatives. Required logs and records are to be readily available for inspection. [See 73.1225, 73.1226, 73.1590, 73.1820 and 73.1840]

LOGS/RECORDS:
Are required station logs retained for a period of 2 years? [See 73.1840(a)]

AVAILABILITY:
Are station logs/records readily available for inspection and/or duplication at the request of the FCC or its representatives? [See 73.1225 and 73.1226]

EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS:
Are the latest Equipment Performance Measurements maintained and readily available? [See 73.1590(a)]

C. TRANSMITTER DUTY OPERATOR:
Each station shall have at least one person holding a commercial radio operator license or permit on duty and in charge of the transmitter during ALL periods of broadcast operation. The operator is to be on duty at the transmitter, a remote control point, an automatic transmission system (ATS) monitor and alarm point, or a position where extension meters are installed. The operator may be employed for other duties or operation of other transmitting stations if such other duties will not interfere with the proper operation of the transmission system. [See 73.1860]

LICENSED OPERATOR:
Does the licensee maintain at least one person holding a commercial radio operator license or permit on duty and in charge of the transmitter during ALL PERIODS of broadcast operation? [See 73.1860(a)]

POSTING OF LICENSE:
Are the operator licenses or permits, including temporary permits, posted or readily available at all control points where the transmitter operator is normally on duty? [See 73.1230(b)]

TEMPORARY LICENSING:
Are temporary radio operator permits dated within the last 60 days? [See FCC Form 753, Part 3, Temporary Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit]

D. OPERATOR INSTRUCTION:
The licensee is responsible for ensuring that each transmitter operator is fully instructed and able to perform all required observations and adjustments of the transmitting system. As a minimum each operator must be able to turn off the transmitter and to make the necessary observations and calculations for determining compliance with the station's operating parameters. The operator must also be capable of conducting authentications of EBS activations and associated programming in addition to having the ability to initiate EBS activations. [See 73.1860(c)]

INSTRUCTED OPERATORS:
Are all transmitter duty operators fully instructed and able to perform all required observations and adjustments of the transmitting system? [See 73.1860]

E. CHIEF OPERATORS:
Each station must designate a chief operator. The designation is to be in writing with a copy posted with the operator's license. Agreement's with chief operators serving on a contract basis must be in writing with a copy kept in the station files. The chief operator is to review the station logs at least once each week to determine if required entries are being made correctly and to SIGN AND DATE the log upon completion of the review. The chief operator is also responsible for inspection and calibration of the transmission system, monitors, metering and control systems in addition to any equipment performance measurements or other tests as specified in the rules or terms of station authorization. [See 73.1870]

CHIEF OPERATOR DESIGNATION:
Has the licensee designated a person holding a commercial radio operator license or permit to serve as the station chief operator? [See 73.1870(a & b)]

DESIGNATION POSTING:
Is the designation in writing with a copy of the document posted or readily available? [See 73.1870(b)]

STATION LOG REVIEW:
Does the station's chief operator review the station logs at least once each week to determine if required entries are being made? [See 73.1870(c)]

SIGNING STATION LOGS:
Does the chief operator or a designee date and sign the logs upon completion of the weekly review of these documents? [See 73.1870(c)]

F. STATION IDENTIFICATION:
Station identification shall be made at the beginning and ending of each period of operation, and hourly, as close to the hour as feasible, at a natural break in program offerings. The identification shall consist of the station's call letters immediately followed by the community of license. Any reference to additional communities must be made after the community of license. The name of the licensee, or the station frequency, channel number, or both, may be inserted between the call letters and community of license. No other insertion is permissible. Simulcasted AM and FM stations may identify jointly if owned by the same licensee. [See 73.1201]

IDENTIFICATION:
Is the station identification made in accordance with 73.1201?

G. TOLL FREE TELEPHONE:
Each station must maintain a local or toll free telephone number within its community of license. Stations operating from studio locations outside of the community of license must make sure residents in the community have access to this number. [See 73.1125]

TOLL FREE NUMBER:
Does the station maintain a local or toll-free telephone number in its community of license? [See 73.1125(c)]

H. PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE:
All stations are to maintain a public inspection file. If the main studio of the station is located within the community of license, then the public file shall be located at the studio. If the station obtained a written authorization to maintain the studio outside the community of license prior to July 16, 1987, then the file may be maintained at the main studio or within the community of license (at licensees discretion). For all other stations, including combined facilities licensed to more than one community, the public file is to be maintained at any publicly accessible place within the community of license. The file shall be available for public inspection at any time during regular business hours.

Licensees must make certain that the location of the file is disclosed upon request, including telephone inquiries, and that the entire contents of the file are made available without asking the requesting party for any information or reasons pertaining to such request. If a station is concerned about documents being stolen or destroyed, then copies of required documents may be placed into the file in lieu of the originals. The contents of the file are to be made available within a reasonable time for machine reproduction upon request made in person, provided the requesting party pays the reasonable cost of reproduction. [See 73.3526 for commercial station public file rules and 73.3527 for non-commercial station public file rules]

FILE MAINTAINED:
Does the station maintain a public inspection file in accordance with 73.3526(d) or 73.3527(d)?

AVAILABILITY:
Is the file available for public inspection at any time during regular business hours? [See 73.3526(d) or 73.3527(d)]

LOCATION:
Would a member of the public be correctly informed of the location of the public file upon contacting the station personnel at the main studio? [See 73.3526(d) or 73.3527(d)]

PHOTOCOPYING:
Are copies of any material required to be in the public file available for machine reproduction upon request made in person? [See 73.3526(f) or 73.3527(f)]

APPLICATIONS:
Does the public file contain copies of all applications, exhibits, letters, initial and final decisions in hearing cases, and other documents pertaining to the station which were filed with the Commission and which are open for public inspection at the FCC? [See 73.3526(a) or 73.3527(a)]

OWNERSHIP REPORTS:
For station licensees who are not sole proprietorships, does the public file contain copies of annual ownership reports and supplemental ownership reports filed with the Commission, including all exhibits, letters, and other documents associated with these filings? [See 73.3526(a)(3) and 73.3527(a)(3)]

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION:
For non-commercial stations, does the ownership information on file with the Commission reflect the current ownership (board members, officers, etc.) of this station? [See 73.3527(a)(3) and 73.3615(f)]

RETENTION OF OWNERSHIP REPORTS:
Are ownership reports retained for seven years? [See 73.3526(e) or 73.3527(e)]

POLITICAL:
Does the licensee have a complete record of all requests for broadcast time made by or on behalf of candidates for public office, together with an appropriate notation showing the disposition made by the licensee of such requests, and the charges made, if any, if the request was granted? [See 73.1943 and either 73.3526(a)(4) or 73.3527(a)(4)]

FREE POLITICAL TIME:
If free time was provided for use by or on behalf of such candidates, has a record of the free time that was provided been placed into the file? [See 73.1943 and either 73.3526(a)(4) or 73.3527(a)(4)]

RETENTION OF POLITICAL RECORDS:
Are these records retained for a period of two years? [See 73.3526(e) or 73.3527(e)]

EMPLOYMENT REPORTS:
For stations employing five or more full time employees, has the licensee filed an annual employment report on FCC Form 395 on or before May 31st of each year and placed copies of each report in the public file? [See 73.3526(a)(5) or 73.3527(a)(5) and 73.3612]

RETENTION OF EMPLOYMENT REPORTS:
Are employment reports retained for a period of seven years? [See 73.3526(e) or 73.3527(e)]

LETTERS FROM PUBLIC:
For commercial stations, does the licensee retain all written comments and suggestions received from the public regarding operation of their station unless the writer requested that the correspondence not be made public or the licensee felt that it must be excluded because of the nature of its content, such as a defamatory or obscene letter? [See 73.1202 and 73.3526(a)(7)]

RETENTION OF LETTERS:
For commercial stations, are all letters retained for three years from the date received? [See 73.3526(e)]

ISSUES-PROGRAM LISTS:
Has the licensee maintained a list of programs that have provided the station's most significant treatment of community issues during the preceding calendar quarter? [See 73.3526(a)(9) or 73.3527(a)(7)]

FILED QUARTERLY:
Was the issues-programs list filed by the tenth day of the succeeding calendar quarter (e.g. January 10, April 10, July 10, & October 10)? [See 73.3526(a)(9) or 73.3527(a)(7)]

NARRATIVES:
Do the issues-programs lists include a brief narrative describing what issues were given significant treatment and the programming that provided this treatment? [See 73.3526(a)(9) or 73.3527(a)(7)]

DESCRIPTIONS:
Does the description of the programs include at a minimum the time, date, duration and title of each program in which the issue was treated? [See 73.3526(a)(9) or 73.3527(a)(7)]

RETENTION OF ISSUES-PROGRAMS LISTS:
Are the issues-programs lists retained for the term of the license? [See 73.3526(e) or 73.3527(e)]

DONOR LISTS:
For non-commercial stations, does the licensee maintain a list of donors supporting specific programs? [See 73.3527(a)(8)]

RETENTION OF DONOR LISTS:
For non-commercial stations, does the licensee retain such donor list(s) for a period of two years? [See 73.3527(a)(8)]

TIME BROKERAGE AGREEMENTS:
Does the public file contain a copy of every agreement or contract involving time brokerage of the licensees station, or of another station by the licensee? Confidential or proprietary information may be removed. [See 73.3526(a)(12)]

RETENTION OF TIME BROKERAGE AGREEMENTS:
Are these records maintained as long as the contract or agreement is in force? [See 73.3526]

SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURES

A. ANTENNA STRUCTURES:
The construction permit, station license, or other instrument of authorization provides authority for the station to operate under a specific set of operating parameters. The licensee must thoroughly review the current station authorization and compare the listed specifications to the location, height, etc. that is actually used by this station. [See the terms of the station authorization (TSA)]

OVERALL HEIGHT:
Does the overall height of the structure match that specified in the station authorization? [See TSA]

ANTENNA:
Does the number and height of the antenna bays match that specified in the station authorization? [See TSA]

LOCATION:
Does the street address and geographical coordinates of the station transmitter/tower location match exactly with the information shown on the station authorization? [See TSA]

B. PAINTING/LIGHTING:
The station authorization specifies the painting and lighting requirements for your operation. This is shown as a set of numbers or letters which correspond to paragraphs found on FCC Form 715 or 715A. If no painting or lighting is required, then the authorization will specify "NONE" or "NONE REQUIRED". The licensee must make certain that the number and placement of paint bands and lighting match exactly with that shown on the station authorization. The licensee should also be aware of the requirement to clean or repaint tower structures as often as necessary to maintain good visibility to aircraft. [See Part 17 and TSA]

PAINT SPECIFICATIONS:
Does the painting on the tower structure(s) match the specifications in the station authorization? [See TSA]

PAINT BANDS:
Does the structure have the correct number of bands and are the top and bottom bands painted orange? [See Part 17]

LIGHTING SPECIFICATIONS:
Does the lighting on the tower structure match exactly with the specifications in the station authorization? [See TSA]

C. TOWER LIGHT OBSERVATIONS:
The lighting on tower structures is to be observed at least once every 24 hours either visually or by observing an automatic indicating device; or alternatively the licensee may provide and maintain an automatic alarm system to constantly monitor the lighting on a structure. All automatic or mechanical control devices, indicators, and alarm systems are required to be inspected at intervals NOT TO EXCEED 3 months. [See 17.47]

OBSERVATIONS:
Is the lighting on the tower(s) observed at least once every 24 hours either visually or by observing an automatic indicating device; or alternatively has the licensee provided and maintained an automatic alarm system? [See 17.47]

ALARM MAINTENANCE CHECKS:
If utilizing an automatic alarm system, have all automatic or mechanical control devices, indicators, and alarm systems been inspected within the last 3 months? [See 17.47]

D. FAA NOTIFICATIONS:
The licensee is to notify the nearest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Service Station within 30 minutes of the observation of an improper functioning or extinguished top steady burning light or ANY flashing obstruction light regardless of its position on the structure. Such improper functioning beacons include non-lighted beacons as well as those that are lighted, but non-flashing. Notification is to also be made to the FAA once the beacon or steady burning top light is returned to service. Licensees should insure that the telephone number to the nearest FAA Flight Service Center is readily available and known to all personnel who would be responsible for notifying the FAA of such outages. [See 17.48]

FAA NOTIFICATION:
Is the licensee and all station operators aware of the requirement to notify the nearest FAA Flight Service Station within 30 minutes of the observation of an outage AND to notify the FAA again once the outage is corrected? [See 17.48]

E. STATION LOGS:
For all station's with authorizations that specify tower lighting, the license is to make entries in the station log concerning ANY observed or otherwise known extinguishment or improper functioning of ANY tower light regardless of its position on the tower. [See 17.49, 73.1213 and 73.1820(a)(1)(i)] This log must contain the following:

a.The nature of such extinguishment or improper functioning.
b.The date and time the extinguishment or improper operation was observed or otherwise noted.
c.The date, time and nature of adjustments, repairs or replacements made.

NOTE:
If multiple licensees are on the same tower, on licensee may be designated, in writing, as primarily responsible for tower maintenance and tower related entries in the station logs. However, each licensee is responsible for maintaining compliance with their own station authorization and each licensee is to maintain a copy of the station logs containing tower light outages. Additionally, copies of any written agreements must be kept in the station records.

STATION LOGS:
Does the licensee maintain a station log containing entries concerning ANY observed or otherwise known extinguishment or improper functioning of ANY tower light? [See 17.49, 73.1213 and 73.1820(a)(1)(i)]

F. FENCING:
For stations utilizing antenna tower(s) having radio frequency (RF) potential at the base (series fed, folded unipole, and insulated base antenna's), all towers are to be enclosed within an effective locked fence or other enclosure. Fencing must be capable of preventing access to small children or livestock. The design of the fence must be such that a concerted effort is made to gain access to the tower. [See 73.49]

FENCING:
Does the station maintain an effective locked fence around all antenna(s) with RF potential at the base? [See 73.49]

SECTION III: EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)

On December 9, 1994, the Commission released a report and order which essentially moved the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) rules of Part 73 to the newly established Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules under Part 11. This new rule part reflects the expansion of EAS into other radio services, including cable, along with establishing the move from the analog technology used in EBS to the digital technology used with EAS.

For all broadcast stations, as of July 1, 1995, all two tone decoders must be reset to decode within 3 to 4 secondsl. After July 1, 1995 stations may transmit the shortened two tone attention signal for not less than eight seconds nor more than 25 seconds. As of July 1, 1996, all broadcast stations must have installed and operational EAS equipment capable of sending and receiving the digital EAS protocol. If there are any questions pertaining to the new EAS rules or to the above timetable, then please contact the Commission's EAS office at (202) 418-1220.

A. PARTICIPATING vs. NON-PARTICIPATING:
The difference between a "Participating" and a "Non-Participating" station occurs during national level emergency activation notification (EAN) alerts. Upon receipt of an EAN the participating station will stay on the air providing necessary information while the non-participating station takes its carrier off the air. ALL stations are to install and maintain EAS equipment and participate in the weekly and monthly tests of the system. Additionally, all stations are required to monitor for state and local EAS activations. Once a state or local level activation has been received, the station management can then decide whether or not to participate further at that level. [See 11.19, 11.54, 11.55 and the EAS plan for your state]

PARTICIPATING:
Does the management of this station know whether the station is a participating or non-participating EAS station?

B. HANDBOOK/AUTHENTICATOR LIST:
All stations are to maintain an EAS Handbook and current authenticator word list. The authenticator word lists are mailed annually to all broadcast stations on file with the Commission's EAS Office. The handbook and authenticator word list are to be maintained and available at ALL normal duty operator positions. Please contact the EAS office for copies of the handbook and authenticator word list. [See 11.15 and 11.17]

HANDBOOK/AUTHENTICATOR LIST:
Does the station have an EAS Handbook AND a current authenticator word list posted or available at EACH normal duty operator position, including all remote control and ATS points utilized during any portion of the broadcast day? [See 11.15 and 11.17]

C. EAS DECODER/MONITOR:
Until July 1, 1997, all AM stations must install and maintain equipment capable of receiving the shortened 8 second EAS two-tone attention signal. After July 1, 1996 all AM stations must install equipment capable of decoding, either manually or automatically, the digitally encoded EAS protocol while monitoring at least two assigned EAS stations. This equipment must be operational during all hours of broadcast operation. Manually operated equipment must be located so that operators at their normal duty stations can be alerted immediately when EAS messages are received. Only one EAS decoder is required for combined facilities operating from one common location, such as a collocated AM and FM studio. All decoder devices are to be certified by the Commission in accordance with Part 15 of the Commission's rules. [See 11.31, 11.33, 11.34, 11.35 and 11.52]

CERTIFIED EQUIPMENT:
Does the station use only certified equipment at each location utilized for EAS monitoring? [See 11.34]

EQUIPMENT STATUS:
Is the required EAS decoding/receiving equipment currently installed and in operational condition? [See 11.35]

INSTANTANEOUS ALERT RECEPTION:
For manually operated EAS decoding equipment, is the decoder installed in a way that enables broadcast station staff to be alerted instantaneously upon receipt of an activation occurring during any portion of your broadcast operation? [See 11.52]

MONITORING ASSIGNED STATION:
Is the EAS decoder/monitor tuned to receive EAS activations from the monitoring priorities named in the EAS Operating Handbook? [See 11.52 and the EAS Operating Handbook]

D. EAS ENCODER/GENERATOR:
All AM stations are to maintain equipment capable of generating the attention signal to modulate the transmitter so that the signal may be broadcast to other receiving stations. After July 1, 1996, all AM stations are to have installed and operational equipment capable of transmitting the digitally encoded EAS protocol. The equipment may be installed for either manual or automatic activation of the generator. If manual activations are used, the EAS encoder must be located so that station staff, at normal duty locations, can initiate the EAS code and Attention Signal transmission. Only one generator is required at combined studio facilities. Any encoder device used for generating the EAS Attention Signal must be type accepted. [See 11.34, 11.35 and 11.51]

CERTIFIED EQUIPMENT:
Does the station maintain certified equipment capable of generating the attention signal to modulate the transmitter so that the signal may be broadcast to other receiving stations? [See 11.34]

EQUIPMENT STATUS:
Is the required EAS encoding/generating equipment currently installed and operational at this station? [See 11.35]

LOCATION:
For manually operated equipment, is the equipment positioned where responsible broadcast staff can initiate an activation during any portion of the broadcast day? [See 11.51]

E. ATTENTION SIGNAL:
All stations are to use only EAS encoder devices which comply with the requirements of Section 11.31 for the transmission of the two-tone attention signal. The retransmission of another off-the-air signal, the use of audio recording devices or any method other than the specified EAS encoder device for the transmission of the two-tone attention signal is prohibited until July 1, 1997. [See 11.31 and 11.52]

ATTENTION SIGNAL:
Does the station use only certified EAS encoders/generators to conduct the weekly tests of the attention signal? [See 11.31 and 11.52]

F. EAS TESTS:
All AM stations are to conduct transmission tests of the EAS attention signal a minimum of once a week at random days and times. Until July 1, 1996, these weekly tests are to be conducted between the hours of 8:
30 a.m. local time and local sunset. Effective July 1, 1996, all weekly tests are to occur at random days and times, which can include any time of the day or night. In addition, tests are to be conducted once a month as coordinated by the Emergency Communications Committee for each state. The EAS weekly test is optional during the week that a monthly test is conducted. The monthly tests conducted in odd numbered months shall occur between 8:
30 a.m. local time and local sunset. The monthly tests conducted in even numbered months shall occur between local sunset and 8:
30 a.m. local time. [See 11.61]

CONDUCT EAS TESTS:
Does the station conduct transmission tests of the EAS two tone attention signal a minimum of once a week at random days and times? [See 11.61(a)]

RECEIPT OF EAS TESTS:
Did the station receive an EAS test activation during the last full calendar week? [See 11.61(a)]

G. STATION LOGS:
All stations are to maintain a station log containing entries pertaining to each test of the Emergency Alert System that is received or initiated by the station. EAS test entries must be made in the station log either manually by responsible broadcast station staff, or by an automatic device. Stations may keep EAS test data in a special EAS log which can be maintained at any convenient location; however, such log must be considered a part of the official station log. It is also to contain entries which adequately describe the reason why any test activation was not received and any corrective action taken. [See 11.35(a), 11.51(l), 11.52(l), 11.61(b) and 73.1820(a)(1)(c)(iii)]

Whenever any EAS equipment becomes defective, the station may operate without the defective equipment, pending its repair or replacement, for a period not in excess of 60 days. The station must make appropriate entries into the station log showing the date and time the equipment was removed and restored to service. [See 11.35(b)]

If the station cannot restore service to the defective equipment within 60 days due to conditions beyond the control of the licensee, then the station must request an extension of this time from the Engineer-In-Charge of the area in which the station is located. Such request shall include the steps that were taken to repair or replace the defective equipment, the alternative procedures being used while the defective equipment is out of service and an estimation when the defective equipment will be repaired or replaced. [See 11.35(c)]

STATION LOGS MAINTAINED:
Does the licensee maintain a station log containing an entry of each test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS)? [See 11.51(l), 11.52(l), and 73.1820(a)(1)(c)(iii)]

FAILURE TO RECEIVE EAS TEST:
Does the station log contain appropriate entries indicating the reasons why required EAS Weekly Test Transmissions were not received? If all tests have been received and logged during the last two year period, then the appropriate response is yes "Y". [See 11.35(a)]

EQUIPMENT OUTAGE:
Does the station log contain appropriate entries documenting the date and time any EAS equipment was removed and/or restored to service? If there have been no such outages in the last two years, then the appropriate response is yes "Y". [See 11.35(b)]

SECTION IV: TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

A. POWER:
All AM stations are to maintain antenna or common point input power between 90% and 105% of that authorized. The power is to be maintained as near as practicable to the station's authorized power. [See 73.1560 and TSA]

In the event that it becomes technically impossible to operate at authorized power, a station may operate at reduced power for a period of not more than 30 days without specific authority from the FCC. If operation at reduced power will exceed 10 consecutive days, a notification must be sent to the FCC-Mass Media Bureau no later than the 10th day. If normal power is restored prior to the expiration of the 30 day period, the licensee must notify the FCC upon restoration of normal operation.

OPERATING POWER:
Is the station's operating power between 90% and 105% of that authorized? [See TSA and 73.1560]

B. DIRECT vs INDIRECT METHOD:
The antenna input power of AM stations must be determined using the direct method. However, the indirect method may be used on a temporary basis when it is not possible or appropriate to use the direct method due to technical reason. The direct method of power determination for an AM station uses either 1) a suitable instrument for determining the antenna's input power directly from the RF voltage, RF current, and phase; or 2) calculating the product of the licensed antenna or common point resistance at the operating frequency and the square of the indicated unmodulated antenna current at that frequency, as measured at the point where the resistance has been determined.

The indirect method is determined by applying the appropriate factor to the input power to the last radio-frequency power amplifier stage of the transmitter, using the following formula:

Transmitter output power = Ep x Ip x F, where:

Ep = DC input voltage of final radio stage.
Ip = Total DC input current of final radio stage.
F = Efficiency factor of the transmitter.

The value of the efficiency factor, F, is to be determined and a record of its value is to be maintained and available upon request. [See 73.51]

Licensees must make certain that all duty operators know which method of power determination is being used and how to calculate the output power based on that method.

EFFICIENCY FACTOR:
Is the efficiency factor known for each transmitter used and a record kept as to its value, along with the source from which this value was determined? [See 73.51(e) and 73.51(f)]

C. FREQUENCY:
The carrier frequency for monophonic transmissions or the center frequency for stereophonic transmissions may not depart more than 20 Hz from the assigned frequency. [See 73.1545(a)]

FREQUENCY:
Is the station in compliance with the frequency tolerance specified in 73.1545?

D. MODULATION:
In no case shall the amplitude modulation of the carrier wave exceed 100% on negative peaks of frequent recurrence, or 125% on positive peaks at any time. [See 73.1570]

MODULATION:
Is the station in compliance with the modulation limits specified in 73.1570(b)?

E. TRANSMITTER METERING & CONTROL:
All stations are to maintain sufficient control at all normal duty operator locations to allow the transmitter duty operator to turn off the transmitter. Stations are also required to maintain sufficient metering to determine compliance with the power limits specified in the station authorization. In addition, all AM stations are to maintain a thermocouple type ammeter or other device capable of providing an indication of RF current which is installed at the base of each antenna element. All remote reading ammeters must be calibrated within 2 percent of the corresponding regular ammeter(s). For directional AM stations, there must also be sufficient metering installed to allow observation of all monitor and phase current indications for each mode of operation monitored from that duty operator location. [See 73.57, 73.58, 73.1410 and 73.1860]

METERING & CONTROL:
Does the station have sufficient metering and control at all normal duty operator locations to allow the transmitter duty operator to turn off the transmitter and to determine compliance with the power limits? [See 73.57 and 73.1410]

CURRENT METERING:
Does the licensee maintain appropriate metering to provide an indication of RF current at the base of each antenna element? [See 73.58(b)]

CALIBRATION:
Are all remote reading ammeters calibrated to within 2 percent of the regular ammeter? [See 73.57(d)]

SECTION V: AUTOMATED and REMOTE CONTROL POINTS

A. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM (ATS):
Prior to commencing use of the ATS, the station chief operator, technical director, or consulting engineer shall certify in writing to the station licensee that the system has been installed, tested, and fully complies with all prescribed technical standards of the Rules applicable to the particular class of station. [See 73.1500(b)]

ATS:
Does the station utilize an ATS system?

CERTIFICATION:
Has a written certification been made to the station licensee that the system complies with the applicable rules? [See 73.1500(b)]

B. REMOTE CONTROL:
Whenever a malfunction causes loss of accurate indications of the transmitter operating parameters, use of remote control must be discontinued within 3 hours after the malfunction is first detected. After this 3 hours period, the licensee shall either maintain a transmitter duty operator at the transmitter location or terminate station operation until repairs are made. [See 73.1410(e)]

REMOTE CONTROL:
Does the station operate by remote control during any portion of the broadcast day?

SUFFICIENT METERING:
Does the remote control equipment provide accurate indications of the transmitter operating parameters? [See 73.1410]

C. NOTIFICATION:
Stations which utilize a remote control point or ATS monitoring and alarm point other than the main studio or transmitter location must notify the Commission in writing within 3 days of initial use of that point. Notification is not required if responsible station personnel may be contacted at the transmitter or studio site during ALL hours of operation when the remote control or ATS duty operator is elsewhere. [See 73.1400(c) and 73.1500(d)]

NOTIFICATION:
Has the licensee notified the Commission in writing of the location of all remote control or ATS points other than the main studio or transmitter? [See 73.1400(c) and 73.1500(d)]

STATION RECORDS:
Is a copy of this notification available in the station records?

D. TELEPHONE DIAL-UP CIRCUITS:
Station's using telephone dial up systems for remote control of a transmitting system shall meet all of the following:

1. The station is to provide dial up circuits that either a) remain available at all times for the exclusive use of the duty operator; or b) provide a means for the operator to interrupt or preempt any other telephone access to the remote control equipment at the transmitter. Alternatively, the station may employ a method, independent of the dial-up circuit, which enables the operator to turn off the transmitter.

2. The licensee shall maintain a transmitter duty operator at a fixed location who provides continuous attendance of the station. Automatic alarms and warnings of out-of-tolerance conditions that may result in interference are to be directed to the duty operator first.

3. The remote control system shall provide sufficient control and operating parameter monitoring capability to maintain compliance with the rules.

[See 73.1410 and the Commission's Public Notice "Clarification of the Commission's Rules Pertaining to Broadcast Station Transmitter Remote Control Operation" released September 12, 1988, 3 FCC Rcd 5695 (1988)] Copies of this document may be obtained by contacting the Commission's contractor for public records duplication at (202)857-3800.

NOTE:
The use of remote control points other than the main studio or transmitter site is subject to the station meeting all EBS, notification, and duty operator requirements. Duty operator positions equipped with a telephone and nothing else are NOT considered remote control points and any such operation may be considered unattended operation.

DIAL-UP CIRCUITS:
Does the station utilize telephone dial-up circuitry for remote control of a transmitting system?

CONSTANT CONTROL:
Does the station provide dial up circuits that either a) remain available at all time for the exclusive use of the duty operator; or b) provide a means for the operator to interrupt or preempt any other telephone access to the remote control equipment at the transmitter; or alternatively, does the station employ a method, independent of the dial-up circuit, which enables the operator to turn off the transmitter from the duty operator location?

ALARM CONDITIONS:
Are automatic alarms and warnings of out-of-tolerance conditions that may result in interference directed to the duty operator first?

SECTION VI: AM DIRECTIONAL STATIONS

A. DIRECTIONAL OPERATION

DIRECTIONAL STATIONS:
Does this station utilize a directional antenna system during any portion of the broadcast day? [See TSA]

NOTE:
If this station does not utilize a directional antenna system during any part of the broadcast day, then you are not required to answer any further questions contained in this section (Section VI).

B. FIELD STRENGTH MEASUREMENTS:
Unless the station authorization specifies otherwise, each directional AM station is to conduct measurements of the field strength at each monitoring point location specified in the station authorization. These measurements are to be taken as often as necessary to ensure that the radiated field at those points does not exceed the values specified in the station authorization. The field strength values specified in the station authorization are maximum values which are not to be exceeded without specific written authority from the Commission. Additionally, stations not having an approved sampling system must make the measurements once each calendar quarter at intervals not exceeding 120 days. If the licensee has reason to believe that the radiated field at any point is exceeding the authorized limits, then the licensee must conduct partial proof of performance measurements. [See 73.61 and 73.154]

FIELD STRENGTH:
Is the field strength at each of the specified monitoring point locations at or below the maximum values specified in the station authorization? [See TSA]

C. MONITORING POINT ROUTING:
When the descriptive routing to reach any of the monitoring points as shown on the authorization is no longer correct, the station must file a request for a corrected license. Licensees should make certain each point can be located based solely on the description shown on the authorization. [See 73.158 and TSA]

ROUTING:
Do the descriptions shown in the current station authorization accurately document the routing necessary to reach all specified monitoring point locations, including current road designations and landmarks? [See 73.158(b) and TSA]

D. METERING:
All directional AM stations are to maintain sufficient metering for the observation of all directional parameters specified in the station authorization. In addition, there must be sufficient metering available to observe the monitor and phase current indications at all duty operator positions utilized during directional operation. An FCC authorized antenna monitor, which is either type approved or notified by the FCC, must be installed at the transmitter site. [See 73.53, 73.57, 73.58, 73.62, 73.69, 73.1410 and 73.1860]

ANTENNA METERING:
Does the station utilize and maintain equipment capable of determining compliance with the antenna monitor currents and relative phase currents at all transmitter duty operator locations utilized during directional operation? [See 73.1860(b)]

APPROVED MONITOR:
Is the station utilizing an FCC authorized antenna monitor at the transmitter site? [See 73.53 and 73.69]

E. DIRECTIONAL PARAMETERS:
Stations operating a directional antenna system must maintain the indicated relative amplitudes of the antenna base currents and antenna monitor (loop) currents within 5% of authorized, unless other tolerances are specified in the station authorization. Most licenses specify a current ratio instead of individual current values. Stations must maintain any specified current ratio within 5% of authorized. Additionally, each directional AM station must maintain the indicated relative phase currents within 3 degrees of that shown on the station authorization for all modes of operation.

Whenever periods of inclement weather or severe climatic conditions make it impossible to maintain the operating parameters (phase, monitor, and base current indications) within tolerance, then the station may operate with parameters at variance for up to 10 days without approval of the FCC. Appropriate entries must be made into the station log documenting these conditions. If the station parameters are at variance for any other reason or if the weather related conditions have continued for 10 days, then the station must request special temporary authority (STA) from the FCC-Mass Media Bureau in Washington, D.C. The station must continue to maintain all monitoring point radiated field strength values within that authorized unless written permission is otherwise given. [See 73.62 and TSA]

DIRECTIONAL PARAMETERS:
Are all base current ratio's, antenna monitor current ratio's, and relative phase currents for all modes of operation within the tolerances specified in 73.62 and the TSA? If station is currently operating under an STA to operate with parameters at variance, then the appropriate response to this question is to mark the "Y" (Yes) box.

F. STATION RECORDS:
The most recent field strength measurements made to establish the performance of the directional antenna and the most recent partial proof of performance of the directional antenna are to be maintained in the station records and made available upon request. [See 73.151, 73.154 and 73.1225]

FIELD STRENGTH MEASUREMENTS:
Are the most recent field strength measurements, made to establish performance of the directional antenna, readily available? [See 73.151 and 73.1225(d)]

PROOFS:
Are the most recent partial directional antenna proof of performance measurements readily available? [See 73.154 and 73.1225(d)]

SECTION VII: ABBREVIATIONS

AM - Amplitude Modulation
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
ATS - Automatic Transmission System
db - Decibel
EAS - Emergency Alert System
EBS - Emergency Broadcast System
EFM - Educational FM Station
ERP - Effective Radiated Power
F - Transmitter Efficiency Factor
FAA - Federal Aviation Administration
FCC - Federal Communications Commission
FM - Frequency Modulation
KHz - Kilohertz
MHz - Megahertz
NRSC - National Radio Systems Committee
RF - Radio Frequency
RPU - Remote Pickup Unit
SCA - Subsidiary Communications Authorization
STA - Special Temporary Authority
TPO - Transmitter Power Output
TSA - Terms of the Station Authorization
TV - Television Broadcast

SECTION VIII: GLOSSARY OF BROADCAST TERMS

Amplitude Modulation (AM) - A type of transmission used in the standard radio broadcast band at 550-1705 kilohertz.

Antenna Proof - See Proof of Performance Measurements

Authenticator Word Lists - This document is used for authentication purposes in conjunction with the procedures contained in the EBS checklists. These lists are issued annually by the FCC and mailed to the last known address of each station.

Bandwidth - The amount of frequency spectrum a radio signal occupies.

EAS Attention Signal - An audio signal using the two tone frequencies of 853 and 960 Hz which is transmitted by an EAS station to actuate muted receivers for interstation receipt of emergency cuing announcements and broadcasts.

EAS Handbook - A booklet which states in summary form the actions to be taken by station personnel upon receipt of emergency action notification, termination, or test messages. The authenticator word list is considered part of the EAS Handbook.

EBS Checklist - The old name for the EAS Handbook. It was used under the EBS system.

Generator/Encoder - Equipment capable of generating the EAS attention signal for transmission.

EAS Monitor/Decoder - Equipment capable of receiving the EAS attention signal and emergency programming transmitted by other EAS stations.

EAS Tests - Tests conducted weekly by broadcast stations to ensure that their EAS equipment is functioning properly and that station personnel are familiar with the use of these devices.

Equipment Performance Measurement - Measurements performed to determine the overall performance characteristics of a broadcast transmission system from point of program origination to sampling of signal as radiated.

Experimental Period - The time between 12 midnight local time and local sunrise, used by AM broadcast stations for tests, maintenance and experimentation.

Extension Metering - The meters used to provide indications of a sampled parameter of a broadcast station transmitting system. To be considered an extension meter and not a remote meter, it must be less than 100 feet from the transmitter and installed in the same building as the transmitter.

Field Strength - Electric field intensity, usually measured in millivolts per meter (mV/m) or in decibels above 1 microvolt per meter (dBu).

Frequency Modulation (FM) - A method of modulation where the amplitude remains constant and the frequency of the carrier wave is varied according to the modulating wave. The FM broadcast band covers 88-108 Megahertz.

Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) - See Time Brokerage

NRSC-1 - An audio pre-emphasis standard for AM stations which was implemented June 30, 1990. The pre-emphasis generally is obtained by using special "NRSC-1-equipped" audio processing equipment or a special NRSC-1 audio "filter".

NRSC-2 - An emission standard for AM stations aimed at attenuating AM sideband energy beyond 10 kHz of the assigned carrier frequency. This standard was implemented June 30, 1994.

Output Power - The radio frequency output power of a transmitter's final radio frequency stage as measured at the output terminal while connected to a load. Often referred to as TPO.

Proof of Performance Measurements (Proofs) - The measurements of field strengths made to determine the radiation pattern or characteristics of an AM directional antenna system.

Public Inspection File - A publicly accessible file to be maintained by broadcast stations which contains documents pertaining to the station's licensing, ownership, and operation.

Remote Control - Operation by a properly designated person on duty at a control position from which the transmitter is not visible but that position is equipped with suitable controls so that essential functions can be performed.

Spurious Emissions - An emission on a frequency or frequencies which are outside the necessary bandwidth and the level of which may be reduced without affecting the corresponding transmission of information. Spurious emissions include harmonic emissions, parasitic emissions, intermodulation products and frequency conversion products.

Station Authorization - Any construction permit, license, special temporary authority, or any other authorization issued by the FCC.

Time Brokerage - Sale by a licensee of discrete blocks of time to a broker who then supplies the programming to fill that time and sells the commercial spot announcements to support it.