Table of Parts

   Contents

   Subpart A--AM Broadcast Stations
   § 73.1   Scope.
   § 73.14   AM broadcast definitions.
   § 73.21   Classes of AM broadcast channels and stations.
   § 73.23   AM broadcast station applications affected by international
   agreements.
   § 73.24   Broadcast facilities; showing required.
   § 73.25   Clear channels; Class A, Class B and Class D stations.
   § 73.26   Regional channels; Class B and Class D stations.
   § 73.27   Local channels; Class C stations.
   § 73.28   Assignment of stations to channels.
   § 73.29   Class C stations on regional channels.
   § 73.30   Petition for authorization of an allotment in the 1605-1705
   kHz band.
   § 73.31   Rounding of nominal power specified on applications.
   § 73.33   Antenna systems; showing required.
   § 73.35   Calculation of improvement factors.
   § 73.37   Applications for broadcast facilities, showing required.
   § 73.44   AM transmission system emission limitations.
   § 73.45   AM antenna systems.
   § 73.49   AM transmission system fencing requirements.
   § 73.51   Determining operating power.
   § 73.53   Requirements for authorization of antenna monitors.
   § 73.54   Antenna resistance and reactance measurements.
   § 73.57   Remote reading antenna and common point ammeters.
   § 73.58   Indicating instruments.
   § 73.61   AM directional antenna field strength measurements.
   § 73.62   Directional antenna system operation and tolerances.
   § 73.68   Sampling systems for antenna monitors.
   § 73.69   Antenna monitors.
   § 73.72   Operating during the experimental period.
   § 73.88   Blanketing interference.
   § 73.99   Presunrise service authorization (PSRA) and postsunset service
   authorization (PSSA).
   § 73.127   Use of multiplex transmission.
   § 73.128   AM stereophonic broadcasting.
   § 73.132   Territorial exclusivity.
   § 73.150   Directional antenna systems.
   § 73.151   Field strength measurements to establish performance of
   directional antennas.
   § 73.152   Modification of directional antenna data.
   § 73.153   Field strength measurements in support of applications or
   evidence at hearings.
   § 73.154   AM directional antenna partial proof of performance
   measurements.
   § 73.155   Directional antenna performance recertification.
   § 73.157   Antenna testing during daytime.
   § 73.158   Directional antenna monitoring points.
   § 73.160   Vertical plane radiation characteristics, f(th).
   § 73.182   Engineering standards of allocation.
   § 73.183   Groundwave signals.
   § 73.184   Groundwave field strength graphs.
   § 73.185   Computation of interfering signal.
   § 73.186   Establishment of effective field at one kilometer.
   § 73.187   Limitation on daytime radiation.
   § 73.189   Minimum antenna heights or field strength requirements.
   § 73.190   Engineering charts and related formulas.

   Subpart B--FM Broadcast Stations
   § 73.201   Numerical designation of FM broadcast channels.
   § 73.202   Table of Allotments.
   § 73.203   Availability of channels.
   § 73.204   International agreements and other restrictions on use of
   channels.
   § 73.205   Zones.
   § 73.207   Minimum distance separation between stations.
   § 73.208   Reference points and distance computations.
   § 73.209   Protection from interference.
   § 73.210   Station classes.
   § 73.211   Power and antenna height requirements.
   § 73.212   Administrative changes in authorizations.
   § 73.213   Grandfathered short-spaced stations.
   § 73.215   Contour protection for short-spaced assignments.
   § 73.220   Restrictions on use of channels.
   § 73.232   Territorial exclusivity.
   § 73.258   Indicating instruments.
   § 73.267   Determining operating power.
   § 73.277   Permissible transmissions.
   § 73.293   Use of FM multiplex subcarriers.
   § 73.295   FM subsidiary communications services.
   § 73.297   FM stereophonic sound broadcasting.
   § 73.310   FM technical definitions.
   § 73.311   Field strength contours.
   § 73.312   Topographic data.
   § 73.313   Prediction of coverage.
   § 73.314   Field strength measurements.
   § 73.315   FM transmitter location.
   § 73.316   FM antenna systems.
   § 73.317   FM transmission system requirements.
   § 73.318   FM blanketing interference.
   § 73.319   FM multiplex subcarrier technical standards.
   § 73.322   FM stereophonic sound transmission standards.
   § 73.333   Engineering charts.

   Subpart C--Digital Audio Broadcasting
   § 73.401   Scope.
   § 73.402   Definitions.
   § 73.403   Digital audio broadcasting service requirements.
   § 73.404   Interim hybrid IBOC DAB operation.

   Subpart D--Noncommercial Educational FM Broadcast Stations
   § 73.501   Channels available for assignment.
   § 73.503   Licensing requirements and service.
   § 73.504   Channel assignments in the Mexican border area.
   § 73.505   Zones.
   § 73.506   Classes of noncommercial educational FM stations and
   channels.
   § 73.507   Minimum distance separations between stations.
   § 73.508   Standards of good engineering practice.
   § 73.509   Prohibited overlap.
   § 73.510   Antenna systems.
   § 73.511   Power and antenna height requirements.
   § 73.512   Special procedures applicable to Class D noncommercial
   educational stations.
   § 73.513   Noncommercial educational FM stations operating on unreserved
   channels.
   § 73.514   Protection from interference.
   § 73.515   NCE FM transmitter location.
   § 73.525   TV Channel 6 protection.
   § 73.558   Indicating instruments.
   § 73.561   Operating schedule; time sharing.
   § 73.567   Determining operating power.
   § 73.593   Subsidiary communications services.
   § 73.597   FM stereophonic sound broadcasting.
   § 73.599   NCE-FM engineering charts.

   Subpart E--Television Broadcast Stations
   § 73.601   Scope of subpart.
   § 73.602   Cross reference to rules in other parts.
   § 73.603   Numerical designation of television channels.
   § 73.606   Table of allotments.
   § 73.609   Zones.
   § 73.612   Protection from interference.
   § 73.613   Protection of Class A TV stations.
   § 73.614   Power and antenna height requirements.
   § 73.615   Administrative changes in authorizations.
   § 73.616   Post-transition DTV station interference protection.
   § 73.621   Noncommercial educational TV stations.
   § 73.622   Digital television table of allotments.
   § 73.623   DTV applications and changes to DTV allotments.
   § 73.624   Digital television broadcast stations.
   § 73.625   DTV coverage of principal community and antenna system.
   § 73.626   DTV distributed transmission systems.
   § 73.641   Subscription TV definitions.
   § 73.642   Subscription TV service.
   § 73.643   Subscription TV operating requirements.
   § 73.644   Subscription TV transmission systems.
   § 73.646   Telecommunications Service on the Vertical Blanking Interval
   and in the Visual Signal.
   § 73.653   Operation of TV aural and visual transmitters.
   § 73.658   Affiliation agreements and network program practices;
   territorial exclusivity in non-network program arrangements.
   § § 73.659-73.663   [Reserved]
   § 73.664   Determining operating power.
   § 73.665   Use of TV aural baseband subcarriers.
   § 73.667   TV subsidiary communications services.
   § 73.669   TV stereophonic aural and multiplex subcarrier operation.
   § 73.670   Commercial limits in children's programs.
   § 73.671   Educational and informational programming for children.
   § 73.672   [Reserved]
   § 73.673   Public information initiatives regarding educational and
   informational programming for children.
   § 73.681   Definitions.
   § 73.682   TV transmission standards.
   § 73.683   Field strength contours and presumptive determination of
   field strength at individual locations.
   § 73.684   Prediction of coverage.
   § 73.685   Transmitter location and antenna system.
   § 73.686   Field strength measurements.
   § 73.687   Transmission system requirements.
   § 73.688   Indicating instruments.
   § 73.691   Visual modulation monitoring.
   § 73.698   Tables.
   § 73.699   TV engineering charts.

   Subpart F--International Broadcast Stations
   § 73.701   Definitions.
   § 73.702   Assignment and use of frequencies.
   § 73.703   Geographical zones and areas of reception.
   § 73.712   Equipment tests.
   § 73.713   Program tests.
   § 73.731   Licensing requirements.
   § 73.732   Authorizations.
   § 73.733   Normal license period.
   § 73.751   Operating power.
   § 73.753   Antenna systems.
   § 73.754   Frequency monitors.
   § 73.755   Modulation monitors.
   § 73.756   System specifications for double-sideband (DBS) modulated
   emissions in the HF broadcasting service.
   § 73.757   System specifications for single-sideband (SSB) modulated
   emissions in the HF broadcasting service.
   § 73.758   System specifications for digitally modulated emissions in
   the HF broadcasting service.
   § 73.759   Auxiliary transmitters.
   § 73.760   Alternate main transmitters.
   § 73.761   Modification of transmission systems.
   § 73.762   Time of operation.
   § 73.765   Determining operating power.
   § 73.766   [Reserved]
   § 73.781   Logs.
   § 73.782   Retention of logs.
   § 73.787   Station identification.
   § 73.788   Service; commercial or sponsored programs.

   Subpart G--Low Power FM Broadcast Stations (LPFM)
   § 73.801   Broadcast regulations applicable to LPFM stations.
   § 73.805   Availability of channels.
   § 73.807   Minimum distance separation between stations.
   § 73.808   Distance computations.
   § 73.809   Interference protection to full service FM stations.
   § 73.810   Third adjacent channel interference.
   § 73.811   LPFM power and antenna height requirements.
   § 73.812   Rounding of power and antenna heights.
   § 73.813   Determination of antenna height above average terrain (HAAT).
   § 73.816   Antennas.
   § 73.825   Protection to reception of TV channel 6.
   § 73.827   Interference to the input signals of FM translator or FM
   booster stations.
   § 73.840   Operating power and mode tolerances.
   § 73.845   Transmission system operation.
   § 73.850   Operating schedule.
   § 73.853   Licensing requirements and service.
   § 73.854   Unlicensed radio operations.
   § 73.855   Ownership limits.
   § 73.858   Attribution of LPFM station interests.
   § 73.860   Cross-ownership.
   § 73.865   Assignment and transfer of LPFM licenses.
   § 73.870   Processing of LPFM broadcast station applications.
   § 73.871   Amendment of LPFM broadcast station applications.
   § 73.872   Selection procedure for mutually exclusive LPFM applications.
   § 73.873   LPFM license period.
   § 73.875   Modification of transmission systems.
   § 73.877   Station logs for LPFM stations.
   § 73.878   Station inspections by FCC; availability to FCC of station
   logs and records.
   § 73.879   Signal retransmission.
   § 73.881   Equal employment opportunities.

   Subpart H--Rules Applicable to All Broadcast Stations
   § 73.1001   Scope.
   § 73.1010   Cross reference to rules in other parts.
   § 73.1015   Truthful written statements and responses to Commission
   inquiries and correspondence.
   § 73.1020   Station license period.
   § 73.1030   Notifications concerning interference to radio astronomy,
   research and receiving installations.
   § 73.1120   Station location.
   § 73.1125   Station telephone number.
   § 73.1150   Transferring a station.
   § 73.1201   Station identification.
   § 73.1202   [Reserved]
   § 73.1206   Broadcast of telephone conversations.
   § 73.1207   Rebroadcasts.
   § 73.1208   Broadcast of taped, filmed, or recorded material.
   § 73.1209   References to time.
   § 73.1210   TV/FM dual-language broadcasting in Puerto Rico.
   § 73.1211   Broadcast of lottery information.
   § 73.1212   Sponsorship identification; list retention; related
   requirements.
   § 73.1213   Antenna structure, marking and lighting.
   § 73.1215   Specifications for indicating instruments.
   § 73.1216   Licensee-conducted contests.
   § 73.1217   Broadcast hoaxes.
   § 73.1225   Station inspections by FCC.
   § 73.1226   Availability to FCC of station logs and records.
   § 73.1250   Broadcasting emergency information.
   § 73.1300   Unattended station operation.
   § 73.1350   Transmission system operation.
   § 73.1400   Transmission system monitoring and control.
   § 73.1515   Special field test authorizations.
   § 73.1520   Operation for tests and maintenance.
   § 73.1530   Portable test stations [Definition].
   § 73.1540   Carrier frequency measurements.
   § 73.1545   Carrier frequency departure tolerances.
   § 73.1560   Operating power and mode tolerances.
   § 73.1570   Modulation levels: AM, FM, TV and Class A TV aural.
   § 73.1580   Transmission system inspections.
   § 73.1590   Equipment performance measurements.
   § 73.1610   Equipment tests.
   § 73.1615   Operation during modification of facilities.
   § 73.1620   Program tests.
   § 73.1635   Special temporary authorizations (STA).
   § 73.1650   International agreements.
   § 73.1660   Acceptability of broadcast transmitters.
   § 73.1665   Main transmitters.
   § 73.1670   Auxiliary transmitters.
   § 73.1675   Auxiliary antennas.
   § 73.1680   Emergency antennas.
   § 73.1690   Modification of transmission systems.
   § 73.1692   [Reserved]
   § 73.1695   Changes in transmission standards.
   § 73.1700   Broadcast day.
   § 73.1705   Time of operation.
   § 73.1710   Unlimited time.
   § 73.1715   Share time.
   § 73.1720   Daytime.
   § 73.1725   Limited time.
   § 73.1730   Specified hours.
   § 73.1735   AM station operation pre-sunrise and post-sunset.
   § 73.1740   Minimum operating schedule.
   § 73.1745   Unauthorized operation.
   § 73.1750   Discontinuance of operation.
   § 73.1800   General requirements related to the station log.
   § 73.1820   Station log.
   § 73.1835   Special technical records.
   § 73.1840   Retention of logs.
   § 73.1870   Chief operators.
   § 73.1940   Legally qualified candidates for public office.
   § 73.1941   Equal opportunities.
   § 73.1942   Candidate rates.
   § 73.1943   Political file.
   § 73.1944   Reasonable access.
   § 73.2080   Equal employment opportunities (EEO).
   § 73.2090   Ban on discrimination in broadcast transactions.
   § 73.3500   Application and report forms.
   § 73.3511   Applications required.
   § 73.3512   Where to file; number of copies.
   § 73.3513   Signing of applications.
   § 73.3514   Content of applications.
   § 73.3516   Specification of facilities.
   § 73.3517   Contingent applications.
   § 73.3518   Inconsistent or conflicting applications.
   § 73.3519   Repetitious applications.
   § 73.3520   Multiple applications.
   § 73.3521   Mutually exclusive applications for low power television,
   television translators and television booster stations.
   § 73.3522   Amendment of applications.
   § 73.3523   Dismissal of applications in renewal proceedings.
   § 73.3525   Agreements for removing application conflicts.
   § 73.3526   Online public inspection file of commercial stations.
   § 73.3527   Online public inspection file of noncommercial educational
   stations.
   § 73.3533   Application for construction permit or modification of
   construction permit.
   § 73.3534   [Reserved]
   § 73.3536   Application for license to cover construction permit.
   § 73.3537   Application for license to use former main antenna as an
   auxiliary.
   § 73.3538   Application to make changes in an existing station.
   § 73.3539   Application for renewal of license.
   § 73.3540   Application for voluntary assignment or transfer of control.
   § 73.3541   Application for involuntary assignment of license or
   transfer of control.
   § 73.3542   Application for emergency authorization.
   § 73.3543   Application for renewal or modification of special service
   authorization.
   § 73.3544   Application to obtain a modified station license.
   § 73.3545   Application for permit to deliver programs to foreign
   stations.
   § 73.3549   Requests for extension of time to operate without required
   monitors, indicating instruments, and EAS encoders and decoders.
   § 73.3550   Requests for new or modified call sign assignments.
   § 73.3555   Multiple ownership.
   § 73.3556   Duplication of programming on commonly owned or time
   brokered stations.
   § 73.3561   Staff consideration of applications requiring Commission
   action.
   § 73.3562   Staff consideration of applications not requiring action by
   the Commission.
   § 73.3564   Acceptance of applications.
   § 73.3566   Defective applications.
   § 73.3568   Dismissal of applications.
   § 73.3571   Processing of AM broadcast station applications.
   § 73.3572   Processing of TV broadcast, Class A TV broadcast, low power
   TV, TV translators, and TV booster applications.
   § 73.3573   Processing FM broadcast station applications.
   § 73.3574   Processing of international broadcast station applications.
   § 73.3578   Amendments to applications for renewal, assignment or
   transfer of control.
   § 73.3580   Local public notice of filing of broadcast applications.
   § 73.3584   Procedure for filing petitions to deny.
   § 73.3587   Procedure for filing informal objections.
   § 73.3588   Dismissal of petitions to deny or withdrawal of informal
   objections.
   § 73.3589   Threats to file petitions to deny or informal objections.
   § 73.3591   Grants without hearing.
   § 73.3592   Conditional grant.
   § 73.3593   Designation for hearing.
   § 73.3594   Local public notice of designation for hearing.
   § 73.3597   Procedures on transfer and assignment applications.
   § 73.3598   Period of construction.
   § 73.3601   Simultaneous modification and renewal of license.
   § 73.3603   Special waiver procedure relative to applications.
   § 73.3605   Retention of applications in hearing status after
   designation for hearing.
   § 73.3612   Annual employment report.
   § 73.3613   Availability to FCC of station contracts.
   § 73.3615   Ownership reports.
   § 73.3617   Information available on the internet.
   § 73.3700   Post-incentive auction licensing and operation.
   § 73.3701   Reimbursement under the Reimbursement Expansion Act.
   § 73.3800   Full power television channel sharing outside the incentive
   auction.
   § 73.3801   Full power television simulcasting during the ATSC 3.0 (Next
   Gen TV) transition.
   § 73.3999   Enforcement of 18 U.S.C. 1464 (restrictions on the
   transmission of obscene and indecent material).
   § 73.4000   Listing of FCC policies.
   § 73.4005   Advertising--refusal to sell.
   § 73.4015   Applications for AM and FM construction permits, incomplete
   or defective.
   § 73.4017   Application processing: Commercial FM stations.
   § 73.4045   Barter agreements.
   § 73.4050   Children's TV programs.
   § 73.4055   Cigarette advertising.
   § 73.4060   Citizens agreements.
   § 73.4075   Commercials, loud.
   § 73.4082   Comparative broadcast hearings--specialized programming
   formats.
   § 73.4091   Direct broadcast satellites.
   § 73.4094   Dolby encoder.
   § 73.4095   Drug lyrics.
   § 73.4097   EBS (now EAS) attention signals on automated programing
   systems.
   § 73.4099   Financial qualifications, certification of.
   § 73.4100   Financial qualifications; new AM and FM stations.
   § 73.4101   Financial qualifications, TV stations.
   § 73.4102   FAA communications, broadcast of.
   § 73.4104   FM assignment policies and procedures.
   § 73.4107   FM broadcast assignments, increasing availability of.
   § 73.4108   FM transmitter site map submissions.
   § 73.4110   Format changes of stations.
   § 73.4135   Interference to TV reception by FM stations.
   § 73.4140   Minority ownership; tax certificates and distress sales.
   § 73.4154   Network/AM, FM station affiliation agreements.
   § 73.4157   Network signals which adversely affect affiliate broadcast
   service.
   § 73.4163   Noncommercial nature of educational broadcast stations.
   § 73.4165   Obscene language.
   § 73.4170   Obscene broadcasts.
   § 73.4180   Payment disclosure: Payola, plugola, kickbacks.
   § 73.4185   Political broadcasting and telecasting, the law of.
   § 73.4190   Political candidate authorization notice and sponsorship
   identification.
   § 73.4195   Political advertising by UHF translators.
   § 73.4210   Procedure Manual: "The Public and Broadcasting".
   § 73.4215   Program matter: Supplier identification.
   § 73.4242   Sponsorship identification rules, applicability of.
   § 73.4246   Stereophonic pilot subcarrier use during monophonic
   programming.
   § 73.4247   STV: Competing applications.
   § 73.4250   Subliminal perception.
   § 73.4255   Tax certificates: Issuance of.
   § 73.4260   Teaser announcements.
   § 73.4265   Telephone conversation broadcasts (network and like
   sources).
   § 73.4266   Tender offer and proxy statements.
   § 73.4267   Time brokerage.
   § 73.4275   Tone clusters; audio attention-getting devices.
   § 73.4280   Character evaluation of broadcast applicants.

   Subpart I--Procedures for Competitive Bidding and for Applications for
   Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Stations on Non-Reserved Channels
   § 73.5000   Services subject to competitive bidding.
   § 73.5001   [Reserved]
   § 73.5002   Application and certification procedures; return of mutually
   exclusive applications not subject to competitive bidding procedures;
   prohibition of collusion.
   § 73.5003   Submission of full payments.
   § 73.5004   [Reserved]
   § 73.5005   Filing of long-form applications.
   § 73.5006   Filing of petitions to deny against long-form applications.
   § 73.5007   Designated entity provisions.
   § 73.5008   Definitions applicable for designated entity provisions.
   § 73.5009   Assignment or transfer of control.

   Subpart J--Class A Television Broadcast Stations
   § 73.6000   Definitions.
   § 73.6001   Eligibility and service requirements.
   § 73.6002   Licensing requirements.
   § § 73.6003-73.6005   [Reserved]
   § 73.6006   Channel assignments.
   § 73.6007   Power limitations.
   § 73.6008   Distance computations.
   § 73.6010   Class A TV station protected contour.
   § 73.6012   Protection of Class A TV, low power TV and TV translator
   stations.
   § 73.6013   Protection of DTV stations.
   § 73.6014   Protection of digital Class A TV stations.
   § 73.6017   Digital Class A TV station protection of Class A TV and
   digital Class A TV stations.
   § 73.6018   Digital Class A TV station protection of DTV stations.
   § 73.6019   Digital Class A TV station protection of low power TV, TV
   translator, digital low power TV and digital TV translator stations.
   § 73.6020   Protection of stations in the land mobile radio service.
   § 73.6022   Negotiated interference and relocation agreements.
   § 73.6023   Distributed transmission systems.
   § 73.6024   Transmission standards and system requirements.
   § 73.6025   Antenna system and station location.
   § 73.6026   Broadcast regulations applicable to Class A television
   stations.
   § 73.6027   Class A TV notifications concerning interference to radio
   astronomy, research and receiving installations.
   § 73.6028   Class A television channel sharing outside the incentive
   auction.
   § 73.6029   Class A television simulcasting during the ATSC 3.0 (Next
   Gen TV) transition.

   Subpart K--Application and Selection Procedures for Reserved
   Noncommercial Educational Channels, and for Certain Applications for
   Noncommercial Educational Stations on Non-Reserved Channels
   § 73.7000   Definition of terms (as used in subpart K only).
   § 73.7001   Services subject to evaluation by point system.
   § 73.7002   Fair distribution of service on reserved band FM channels.
   § 73.7003   Point system selection procedures.
   § 73.7004   Petitions to deny tentative selectee(s).
   § 73.7005   Holding period.

   Subpart L--Incorporated Standards
   § 73.8000   Incorporation by reference.
   Alphabetical Index--Part 73