Sec.  25.132   Verification of earth station antenna performance standards.

   (a)(1) All applications for transmitting earth stations, except for earth
   stations  operating  in  the  20/30 GHz band, must be accompanied by a
   certificate pursuant to  Sec. 2.902 of this chapter from the manufacturer of each
   antenna that the results of a series of radiation pattern tests performed on
   representative  equipment  in  representative  configurations  by  the
   manufacturer demonstrates that the equipment complies with the performance
   standards set forth in  Sec. 25.209. The licensee must be prepared to demonstrate
   the measurements to the Commission on request.

   (2) All applications for transmitting earth stations operating in the 20/30
   GHz band must be accompanied by the measurements specified in  Sec.  Sec. 25.138(d)
   and (e).

   (b)(1) In order to demonstrate compliance with  Sec. 25.209 (a) and (b), the
   following measurements on a production antenna performed on calibrated
   antenna range, as a minimum, shall be made at the bottom, middle and top of
   each allocated frequency band and submitted to the Commission:

   (i) Co-polarized patterns for each of two orthogonal senses of polarizations
   in two orthogonal cuts of the antenna.

   (A) In the azimuth plane, plus and minus 7 degrees and plus and minus 180
   degrees.

   (B) In the elevation plane, zero to forty-five degrees.

   (ii) Cross-polarization patterns in the E- and H-planes, plus and minus 9
   degrees.

   (iii) Main beam gain.

   (2) The FCC envelope specified in  Sec. 25.209 shall be superimposed on each
   pattern. The minimum tests specified above are recognized as representative
   of the performance of the antenna in most planes although some increase in
   sidelobe levels should be expected in the spar planes and orthogonal spar
   planes.

   (3) Applicants seeking authority to use an antenna that does not meet the
   standards set forth in  Sec. 25.209(a) and (b), pursuant to the procedure set
   forth in  Sec. 25.220, are required to submit a copy of the manufacturer's range
   test plots of the antenna gain patterns specified in paragraph (b)(1) of
   this section.

   (c)  The tests specified in paragraph (b) of this section are normally
   performed at the manufacturer's facility; but for those antennas that are
   very large and only assembled on-site, on-site measurements may be used for
   product qualification data. If on-site data is to be used for qualification,
   the test frequencies and number of patterns should follow, where possible,
   the recommendations in paragraph (b) of this section, and the test data is
   to be submitted in the same manner as described in paragraph (a) of this
   section.

   (d) For each new or modified transmitting antenna over 3 meters in diameter,
   the following on-site verification measurements must be completed at one
   frequency on an available transponder in each frequency band of interest and
   submitted to the Commission.

   (1) Co-polarized patterns in the elevation plane, plus and minus 7 degrees,
   in the transmit band.

   (2) Co-polarized patterns in the azimuth and elevation planes, plus and
   minus 7 degrees, in the receive band.

   (3) System cross-polarization discrimination on-axis. The FCC envelope
   specified in  Sec. 25.209 shall be superimposed on each pattern. The transmit
   patterns are to be measured with the aid of a co-operating earth station in
   coordination with the satellite system control center under the provisions
   of  Sec. 25.272.

   (e) Certification that the tests required by paragraph (c) of this section
   have been satisfactorily performed shall be provided to the Commission in
   notification that construction of the facilities has been completed as
   required by  Sec. 25.133.

   (f) Antennas less than 3 meters in diameter and antennas on simple (manual)
   drive  mounts  that  are  operated at a fixed site are exempt from the
   requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section provided that a
   detailed  technical showing is made that confirms proper installation,
   pointing procedures, and polarization alignment and manufacturing quality
   control. These showing must also include a plan for periodic testing and
   field installation procedures and precautions.

   (g) Records of the results of the tests required by this section must be
   maintained at the antenna site or the earth station operator's control
   center and be available for inspection.

   [ 58 FR 13419 , Mar. 11, 1993, as amended at  69 FR 5710 , Feb. 6, 2004;  70 FR 32253 , June 2, 2005]