Goto Section: 73.62 | 73.69 | Table of Contents
FCC 73.68
Revised as of October 1, 2007
Goto Year:2006 |
2008
Sec. 73.68 Sampling systems for antenna monitors.
(a) Each AM station permittee authorized to construct a new directional
antenna system, must install the sampling system in accordance with the
following specifications:
(1) Devices used to extract or sample the current and the transmission line
connecting the sampling elements to the antenna monitor must provide
accurate and stable signals to the monitor (e.g., rigidly mounted and
non-rotatable loops and all system components protected from physical and
environmental disturbances).
(2) Sampling lines for directional antennas may be of different lengths
provided the phase difference of signals at the monitor are less than 0.5
degrees between the shortest and longest cable lengths due to temperature
variations to which the system is exposed.
(3) Other configurations of sampling systems may be used upon demonstration
of stable operation to the FCC.
(b) A station having an antenna sampling system constructed according to the
specifications given in paragraph (a) of this section may obtain approval of
that system by submitting an informal letter request to the FCC in
Washington, DC, Attention: Audio Division, Media Bureau. The request for
approval, signed by the licensee or authorized representative, must contain
sufficient information to show that the sampling system is in compliance
with all requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
Note to paragraph(b): A public notice dated December 9, 1985 giving
additional information on approval of antenna sampling systems is available
through the Internet at
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/decdoc/letter/1985-12-09-sample.html.
(c) In the event that the antenna monitor sampling system is temporarily out
of service for repair or replacement, the station may be operated, pending
completion of repairs or replacement, for a period not exceeding 120 days
without further authority from the FCC if all other operating parameters and
the field monitoring point values are within the limits specified on the
station authorization.
(d) If the antenna sampling system is modified or components of the sampling
system are replaced, the following procedure shall be followed:
(1) Special Temporary Authority (see Sec. 73.1635) shall be requested and
obtained from the Commission's Audio Division, Media Bureau in Washington to
operate with parameters at variance with licensed values pending issuance of
a modified license specifying parameters subsequent to modification or
replacement of components.
(2) Immediately prior to modification or replacement of components of the
sampling system, and after a verification that all monitoring point values
and operating parameters are within the limits or tolerances specified in
the rules, the following indications must be recorded for each radiation
pattern: Final plate current and plate voltage, common point current,
antenna monitor phase and current indications, and the field strength at
each monitoring point. Subsequent to these modifications or changes the
procedure must be repeated.
(3) If monitoring point field strengths or antenna monitor parameters exceed
allowable limits following the replacement or modification of that portion
of the sampling system above the base of the towers, a partial proof of
performance shall be executed in accordance with Sec. 73.154 . The partial proof
of performance shall be accompanied by common point impedance measurements
made in accordance with Sec. 73.54.
(4) Request for modification of license shall be submitted to the FCC in
Washington, DC, within 30 days of the date of sampling system modification
or replacement. Such request shall specify the transmitter plate voltage and
plate current, common point current, base currents and their ratios, antenna
monitor phase and current indications, and all other data obtained pursuant
to this paragraph.
(e) If an existing sampling system is found to be patently of marginal
construction, or where the performance of a directional antenna is found to
be unsatisfactory, and this deficiency reasonably may be attributed, in
whole or in part, to inadequacies in the antenna monitoring system, the FCC
may require the reconstruction of the sampling system in accordance with
requirements specified above.
[ 41 FR 7405 , Feb. 18, 1976, as amended at 42 FR 24056 , May 12, 1977; 44 FR 58731 , Oct. 11, 1979; 46 FR 35462 , July 8, 1981; 48 FR 38478 , Aug. 24, 1983;
48 FR 44805 , Sept. 30, 1983; 49 FR 32358 , Aug. 14, 1984; 50 FR 47054 , Nov.
14, 1985; 51 FR 9965 , Mar. 24, 1986; 51 FR 40435 , Nov. 7, 1986; 56 FR 64859 ,
Dec. 12, 1991; 63 FR 33876 , June 22, 1998; 66 FR 20755 , Apr. 25, 2001; 67 FR 13231 , Mar. 21, 2002]
Goto Section: 73.62 | 73.69
Goto Year: 2006 |
2008
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