Collapse to view only § 74.461 - Transmitter power.

§ 74.401 - Definitions.

Associated broadcasting station(s). The broadcasting station or stations with which a remote pickup broadcast station or system is licensed as an auxiliary and with which it is principally used.

Authorized bandwidth. The occupied or necessary bandwidth, whichever is greater, authorized to be used by a station.

Automatic relay station. A remote pickup broadcast base station which is actuated by automatic means and is used to relay transmissions between remote pickup broadcast base and mobile stations, between remote pickup broadcast mobile stations and from remote pickup broadcast mobile stations to broadcasting stations. (Automatic operation is not operation by remote control.)

Carrier power. The average power at the output terminals of a transmitter (other than a transmitter having a suppressed, reduced or controlled carrier) during one radio frequency cycle under conditions of no modulation.

Mean power. The power at the output terminals of a transmitter during normal operation, averaged over a time sufficiently long compared with the period of the lowest frequency encountered in the modulation. A time of 1/10 second during which the mean power is greatest will be selected normally.

Necessary bandwidth. For a given class of emission, the minimum value of the occupied bandwidth sufficient to ensure the transmission of information at the rate and with the quality required for the system employed, under specified conditions. Emissions useful for the good functioning of the receiving equipment, as for example, the emission corresponding to the carrier of reduced carrier systems, shall be included in the necessary bandwidth.

Occupied bandwidth. The frequency bandwidth such that, below its lower and above its upper frequency limits, the mean powers radiated are each equal to 0.5 percent of the total mean power radiated by a given emission.

Operational communications. Communications concerning the technical and programming operation of a broadcast station and its auxiliaries.

Remote control operation. Operation of a base station 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 therefrom.

Remote pickup broadcast base station. A remote pickup broadcast station authorized for operation at a specified location.

Remote pickup broadcast mobile station. A remote pickup broadcast station authorized for use while in motion or during halts at unspecified locations. (As used in this subpart, mobile stations include hand-carried, pack-carried and other portable transmitters.)

Remote pickup broadcast stations. A term used in this subpart to include both remote pickup broadcast base stations and remote pickup broadcast mobile stations.

Remote pickup mobile repeater unit. A vehicular receiver-transmitter repeater used to provide extended communications range for a low-power hand-carried or pack-carried transmitter.

Station. As used in this subpart, each remote pickup broadcast transmitter, and its associated accessory equipment necessary to the radio communication function, constitutes a separate station.

Studio. Any room or series of rooms equipped for the regular production of broadcast programs of various kinds. A broadcasting booth at a stadium, convention hall, church, or other similar place is not considered to be a studio.

Systems. A complete remote pickup broadcast facility consisting of one or more mobile stations and/or one or more base stations authorized pursuant to a single license.

[41 span 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 42 span 14728, Mar. 16, 1977; 47 span 28388, June 30, 1982; 47 span 54448, Dec. 3, 1982; 51 span 4601, Feb. 6, 1986]

§ 74.402 - Frequency assignment.

Operation on all channels listed in this section (except: frequencies 26.07 MHz, 26.11 MHz, and 26.45 MHz, and frequencies listed in paragraphs (a)(4) and (c)(1) of this section shall be in accordance with the “priority of use” provisions in § 74.403(b)). The channel will be assigned by its center frequency, channel bandwidth, and emission designator. In general, the frequencies listed in this section represent the center of the channel or channel segment. When an even number of channels are stacked in those sections stacking is permitted, channel assignments may be made for the frequency halfway between those listed.

(a) The following channels may be assigned for use by broadcast remote pickup stations using any emission (other than single sideband or pulse) that will be in accordance with the provisions of § 74.462.

(1) [Reserved]

(2) HF Channels: 25.87, 25.91, 25.95, 25.99, 26.03, 26.07, 26.09, 26.11, 26.13, 26.15, 26.17, 26.19, 26.21, 26.23, 26.25, 26.27, 26.29, 26.31, 26.33, 26.35, 26.37, 26.39, 26.41, 26.43, 26.45, and 26.47 MHz. The channels 25.87–26.09 MHz are subject to the condition listed in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.

(3) VHF Channels: 166.25 and 170.15 MHz. These channels are subject to the condition listed in paragraph (e)(8) of this section.

(4) UHF Channels: Up to two of the following 6.25 kHz segments may be stacked to form a channel which may be assigned for use by broadcast remote pickup stations using any emission contained within the resultant channel in accordance with the provisions of § 74.462: 450.00625 MHz, 450.0125 MHz, 450.01875 MHz, 450.025 MHz, 450.98125 MHz, 450.9875 MHz, 450.99375 MHz, 455.00625 MHz, 455.0125 MHz, 455.01875 MHz, 455.025 MHz, 455.98125 MHz, 455.9875 MHz, and 455.99375 MHz. These channels are subject to the condition listed in paragraph (e)(9) of this section.

(b) Up to four of the following 7.5 kHz VHF segments and up to eight of the following 6.25 kHz UHF segments may be stacked to form a channel which may be assigned for use by broadcast remote pickup stations using any emission contained within the resultant channel in accordance with the provisions of § 74.462.

(1) VHF segments: 152.8625, 152.870, 152.8775, 152.885, 152.8925, 152.900, 152.9075, 152.915, 152.9225, 152.930, 152.9375, 152.945, 152.9525, 152.960, 152.9675, 152.975, 152.9825, 152.990, 152.9975, 153.005, 153.0125, 153.020, 153.0275, 153.035, 153.0425, 153.050, 153.0575, 153.065, 153.0725, 153.080, 153.0875, 153.095, 153.1025, 153.110, 153.1175, 153.125, 153.1325, 153.140, 153.1475, 153.155, 153.1625, 153.170, 153.1775, 153.185, 153.1925, 153.200, 153.2075, 153.215, 153.2225, 153.230, 153.2375, 153.245, 153.2525, 153.260, 153.2675, 153.275, 153.2825, 153.290, 153.2975, 153.305, 153.3125, 153.320, 153.3275, 153.335, 153.3425, 153.350, and 153.3575. These channels are subject to the conditions listed in paragraphs (e)(3), (4), (5), and (10) of this section.

(2) VHF segments: 160.860, 160.8675, 160.875, 160.8825, 160.890, 160.8975, 160.905, 160.9125, 160.920, 160.9275, 160.935, 160.9425, 160.950, 160.9575, 160.965, 160.9725, 160.980, 160.9875, 160.995, 161.0025, 161.010, 161.0175, 161.025, 161.0325, 161.040, 161.0475, 161.055, 161.0625, 161.070, 161.0775, 161.085, 161.0925, 161.100, 161.1075, 161.115, 161.1225, 161.130, 161.1375, 161.145, 161.1525, 161.160, 161.1675, 161.175, 161.1825, 161.190, 161.1975, 161.205, 161.2125, 161.220, 161.2275, 161.235, 161.2425, 161.250, 161.2575, 161.265, 161.2725, 161.280, 161.2875, 161.295, 161.3025, 161.310, 161.3175, 161.325, 161.3325, 161.340, 161.3475, 161.355, 161.3625, 161.370, 161.3775, 161.385, 161.3925, 161.400. These channels are subject to the condition listed in paragraph (e)(6) and (10) of this section.

(3) VHF segments: 161.625, 161.6325, 161.640, 161.6475, 161.655, 161.6625, 161.670, 161.6775, 161.685, 161.6925, 161.700, 161.7075, 161.715, 161.7225, 161.730, 161.7375, 161.745, 161.7525, 161.760, 161.7675, 161.775. These channels are subject to the conditions listed in paragraphs (e)(4), (7), and (10) of this section.

(4) UHF segments: 450.03125, 450.0375, 450.04375, 450.050, 450.05625, 450.0625, 450.06875, 450.075, 450.08125, 450.0875, 450.09375, 450.100, 450.10625, 450.1125, 450.11875, 450.125, 450.13125, 450.1375, 450.14375, 450.150, 450.15625, 450.1625, 450.16875, 450.175, 450.18125, 450.1875, 450.19375, 450.200, 450.20625, 450.2125, 450.21875, 450.225, 450.23125, 450.2375, 450.24375, 450.250, 450.25625, 450.2625, 450.26875, 450.275, 450.28125, 450.2875, 450.29375, 450.300, 450.30625, 450.3125, 450.31875, 450.325, 450.33125, 450.3375, 450.34375, 450.350, 450.35625, 450.3625, 450.36875, 450.375, 450.38125, 450.3875, 450.39375, 450.400, 450.40625, 450.4125, 450.41875, 450.425, 450.43125, 450.4375, 450.44375, 450.450, 450.45625, 450.4625, 450.46875, 450.475, 450.48125, 450.4875, 450.49375, 450.500, 450.50625, 450.5125, 450.51875, 450.525, 450.53125, 450.5375, 450.54375, 450.550, 450.55625, 450.5625, 450.56875, 450.575, 450.58125, 450.5875, 450.59375, 450.600, 450.60625, 450.6125, 450.61875, 455.03125, 455.0375, 455.04375, 455.050, 455.05625, 455.0625, 455.06875, 455.075, 455.08125, 455.0875, 455.09375, 455.100, 455.10625, 455.1125, 455.11875, 455.125, 455.13125, 455.1375, 455.14375, 455.150, 455.15625, 455.1625, 455.16875, 455.175, 455.18125, 455.1875, 455.19375, 455.200, 455.20625, 455.2125, 455.21875, 455.225, 455.23125, 455.2375, 455.24375, 455.250, 455.25625, 455.2625, 455.26875, 455.275, 455.28125, 455.2875, 455.29375, 455.300, 455.30625, 455.3125, 455.31875, 455.325, 455.33125, 455.3375, 455.34375, 455.350, 455.35625, 455.3625, 455.36875, 455.375, 455.38125, 455.3875, 455.39375, 455.400, 455.40625, 455.4125, 455.41875, 455.425, 455.43125, 455.4375, 455.44375, 455.450, 455.45625, 455.4625, 455.46875, 455.475, 455.48125, 455.4875, 455.49375, 455.500, 455.50625, 455.5125, 455.51875, 455.525, 455.53125, 455.5375, 455.54375, 455.550, 455.55625, 455.5625, 455.56875, 455.575, 455.58125, 455.5875, 455.59375, 455.600, 455.60625, 455.6125, 455.61875.

(c) Up to two of the following 25 kHz segments may be stacked to form a channel which may be assigned for use by broadcast remote pickup stations using any emission contained within the resultant channel in accordance with the provisions of § 74.462. Users committed to 50 kHz bandwidths and transmitting program material will have primary use of these channels.

(1) UHF segments: 450.6375, 450.6625, 450.6875, 450.7125, 450.7375, 450.7625, 450.7875, 450.8125, 450.8375, 450.8625, 455.6375, 455.6625, 455.6875, 455.7125, 455.7375, 455.7625, 455.7875, 455.8125, 455.8375, 455.8625 MHz.

(2) [Reserved]

(d) Up to two of the following 50 kHz segments may be stacked to form a channel which may be assigned for use by broadcast remote pickup stations using any emission contained within the resultant channel in accordance with the provisions of § 74.462. Users committed to 100 kHz bandwidths and transmitting program material will have primary use of these channels.

(1) UHF segments: 450.900, 450.950, 455.900, and 455.950 MHz.

(2) [Reserved]

(e) Conditions on Broadcast Remote Pickup Service channel usage as referred to in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section:

(1) [Reserved]

(2) Operation is subject to the condition that no harmful interference is caused to stations in the broadcast service.

(3) Operation is subject to the condition that no harmful interference is caused to stations operating in accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations set forth in part 2 of this chapter. Applications for licenses to use frequencies in this band must include statements showing what procedures will be taken to ensure that interference will not be caused to stations in the Industrial/Business Pool (Part 90).

(4) These frequencies will not be licensed to network entities.

(5) These frequencies will not be authorized to new stations for use on board aircraft.

(6) These frequencies are allocated for assignment to broadcast remote pickup stations in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands only.

Note to paragraph (e)(6):

These frequencies are shared with Public Safety and Industrial/Business Pools (Part 90).

(7) These frequencies may not be used by broadcast remote pickup stations in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. In other areas, certain existing stations in the Public Safety and Industrial/Business Pools (Part 90) have been permitted to continue operation on these frequencies on the condition that no harmful interference is caused to broadcast remote pickup stations.

(8) Operation on frequencies 166.25 MHz and 170.15 MHz is subject to the condition that harmful interference shall not be caused to present or future Government stations in the band 162–174 MHz and is also subject to the bandwidth and tolerance limitations and compliance deadlines listed in § 74.462 of this part. Authorization on these frequencies shall be in the lower 48 contiguous States only, except within the area bounded on the west by the Mississippi River, on the north by the parallel of latitude 37°30′ N., and on the east and south by that arc of the circle with center at Springfield, Illinois, and radius equal to the airline distance between Springfield, Illinois, and Montgomery, Alabama, subtended between the foregoing west and north boundaries, or within 150 miles (241.4 km) of New York City.

(9) The use of these frequencies is limited to operational communications, including tones for signaling and for remote control and automatic transmission system control and telemetry. Stations licensed or applied for before April 16, 2003, must comply with the channel plan by March 17, 2006, or may continue to operate on a secondary, non-interference basis.

(10) Stations licensed or applied for before April 16, 2003, must comply with the channel plan by March 17, 2006, or may continue to operate on a secondary, non-interference basis.

(f) License applicants shall request assignment of only those channels, both in number and bandwidth, necessary for satisfactory operation and for which the system is equipped to operate. However, it is not necessary that each transmitter within a system be equipped to operate on all frequencies authorized to that licensee.

(g) Remote pickup stations or systems will not be granted exclusive channel assignments. The same channel or channels may be assigned to other licensees in the same area. When such sharing is necessary, the provisions of § 74.403 shall apply.

[68 FR 12763, Mar. 17, 2003, as amended at 68 FR 25540, May 13, 2003]

§ 74.403 - Frequency selection to avoid interference.

(a) Where two or more remote pickup broadcast station licensees are authorized to operate on the same frequency or group of frequencies in the same area and when simultaneous operation is contemplated, the licensees shall endeavor to select frequencies or schedule operation in such manner as to avoid mutual interference. If mutual agreement to this effect cannot be reached the Commission shall be notified and it will specify the frequency or frequencies on which each station is to be operated.

(b) The following order of priority of transmissions shall be observed on all frequencies except frequencies 26.07 MHz, 26.11 MHz, and 26.45 MHz, and frequencies listed in § 74.402(a)(4) and (c)(1):

(1) Communications during an emergency or pending emergency directly related to the safety of life and property.

(2) Program material to be broadcast.

(3) Cues, orders, and other related communications immediately necessary to the accomplishment of a broadcast.

(4) Operational communications.

(5) Tests or drills to check the performance of stand-by or emergency circuits.

[41 FR 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 68 FR 12764, Mar. 17, 2003]

§ 74.431 - Special rules applicable to remote pickup stations.

(a) Remote pickup mobile stations may be used for the transmission of material from the scene of events which occur outside the studio back to studio or production center. The transmitted material shall be intended for the licensee's own use and may be made available for use by any other broadcast station or cable system.

(b) Remote pickup mobile or base stations may be used for communications related to production and technical support of the remote program. This includes cues, orders, dispatch instructions, frequency coordination, establishing microwave links, and operational communications. Operational communications are alerting tones and special signals of short duration used for telemetry or control.

(c) Remote pickup mobile or base stations may communicate with any other station licensed under this subpart.

(d) Remote pickup mobile stations may be operated as a vehicular repeater to relay program material and communications between stations licensed under this subpart. Precautions shall be taken to avoid interference to other stations and the vehicular repeater shall only be activated by hand-carried or pack-carried units.

(e) The output of hand-carried or pack-carried transmitter units used with a vehicular repeater is limited to 2.5 watts. The output of a vehicular repeater transmitter used as a talkback unit on an additional frequency is limited to 2.5 watts.

(f) Remote pickup base and mobile stations in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may be used for any purpose related to the programming or technical operation of a broadcasting station, except for transmission intended for direct reception by the general public.

(g) [Reserved]

(h) In the event that normal aural studio to transmitter circuits are damaged, stations licensed under Subpart D may be used to provide temporary circuits for a period not exceeding 30 days without further authority from the Commission necessary to continue broadcasting.

(i) Remote pickup mobile or base stations may be used for activities associated with the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and similar emergency survival communications systems. Drills and test are also permitted on these stations, but the priority requirements of § 74.403(b) must be observed in such cases.

[51 FR 4602, Feb. 6, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 12764, Mar. 17, 2003]

§ 74.432 - Licensing requirements and procedures.

(a) A license for a remote pickup station will be issued to: the licensee of an AM, FM, noncommercial FM, low power FM, TV, Class A TV, international broadcast or low power TV station; broadcast network-entity; or cable network-entity.

(b) Base stations may operate as automatic relay stations on the frequencies listed in § 74.402(b)(4) and (c)(1) under the provisions of § 74.436, however, one licensee may not operate such stations on more than two frequency pairs in a single area.

(c) Base stations may use voice communications between the studio and transmitter or points of any intercity relay system on frequencies in Groups I and J.

(d) Base stations may be authorized to establish standby circuits from places where official broadcasts may be made during times of emergency and circuits to interconnect an emergency survival communications system.

(e) In Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, base stations may provide program circuits between the studio and transmitter or to relay programs between broadcasting stations. A base station may be operated unattended in accordance with the following:

(1) The station must be designed, installed, and protected so that the transmitter can only be activated or controlled by persons authorized by the licensee.

(2) The station must be equipped with circuits to prevent transmitter operation when no signal is received from the station which it is relaying.

(f) Remote pickup stations may use only those frequencies and bandwidths which are necessary for operation.

(g) An application for a remote pickup broadcast station or system shall specify the broadcasting station with which the remote pickup broadcast facility is to be principally used and the licensed area of operation for a system which includes mobile stations shall be the area considered to be served by the associated broadcasting station. Mobile stations may be operated outside the licensed area of operation pursuant to § 74.24 of this part. Where the applicant for remote pickup broadcast facilities is the licensee of more than one class of broadcasting station (AM, FM, TV), all licensed to the same community, designation of one such station as the associated broadcasting station will not preclude use of the remote pickup broadcast facilities with those broadcasting stations not included in the designation and such additional use shall be at the discretion of the licensee.

(h) In cases where a series of broadcasts are to be made from the same location, portable or mobile transmitters may be left at such location for the duration of the series of broadcasts: Provided, The transmitting apparatus is properly secured so that it may not be operated by unauthorized persons when unattended. Prior Commission authority shall be obtained for the installation of any transmitting antenna which requires notification to the FAA, pursuant to § 17.7 of the Commission's rules and regulations, and which will be in existence for more than 2 days.

(i) The location of each remote pickup broadcast base station will be specified in the station or system license and such stations may not be operated at any other location without prior authority of the Commission.

(j) The license shall be retained in the licensee's files at the address shown on the authorization.

(k) In case of permanent discontinuance of operations of a station licensed under this subpart, the licensee shall cancel the station license using FCC Form 601. For purposes of this section, a station which is not operated for a period of one year is considered to have been permanently discontinued.

(Sec. 5, 48 Stat. 1068; 47 U.S.C. 155) [41 FR 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 42 FR 2071, Jan. 10, 1977; 47 FR 21496, May 18, 1982; 49 FR 14509, Apr. 12, 1984; 51 FR 4602, Feb. 6, 1986; 58 FR 19775, Apr. 16, 1993; 60 FR 55482, Nov. 1, 1995; 65 FR 30011, May 10, 2000; 68 FR 12764, Mar. 17, 2003; 84 FR 2759, Feb. 8, 2019]

§ 74.433 - Temporary authorizations.

(a) Special temporary authority may be granted for remote pickup station operation which cannot be conducted in accordance with § 74.24. Such authority will normally be granted only for operations of a temporary nature. Where operation is seen as likely on a continuing annual basis, an application for a regular authorization should be submitted.

(b) A request for special temporary authority for the operation of a remote pickup broadcast station must be made in accordance with the procedures of § 1.931(b) of this chapter.

(c) All requests for special temporary authority of a remote pickup broadcast station must include full particulars including: licensee's name and address, facility identification number of the associated broadcast station or stations, call letters of remote pickup station (if assigned), type and manufacturer of equipment, power output, emission, frequency or frequencies proposed to be used, commencement and termination date, location of operation and purpose for which request is made including any particular justification.

(d) A request for special temporary authority shall specify a frequency or frequencies consistent with the provisions of § 74.402: Provided, That, in the case of events of wide-spread interest and importance which cannot be transmitted successfully on these frequencies, frequencies assigned to other services may be requested upon a showing that operation thereon will not cause interference to established stations: And provided further, In no case will operation of a remote pickup broadcast station be authorized on frequencies employed for the safety of life and property.

(e) The user shall have full control over the transmitting equipment during the period it is operated.

(f) Special temporary authority to permit operation of remote pickup broadcast stations or systems pending Commission action on an application for regular authority will not normally be granted.

[41 FR 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 47 FR 9220, Mar. 4, 1982; 47 FR 55936, Dec. 14, 1982; 50 FR 23709, June 5, 1985; 58 FR 19775, Apr. 16, 1993; 68 FR 12765, Mar. 17, 2003]

§ 74.434 - Remote control operation.

(a) A remote control system must provide adequate monitoring and control functions to permit proper operation of the station.

(b) A remote control system must be designed, installed, and protected so that the transmitter can only be activated or controlled by persons authorized by the licensee.

(c) A remote control system must prevent inadvertent transmitter operation caused by malfunctions in the circuits between the control point and transmitter.

[51 FR 4602, Feb. 6, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 55482, Nov. 1, 1995]

§ 74.436 - Special requirements for automatic relay stations.

(a) An automatic relay station must be designed, installed, and protected so that the transmitter can only be activated or controlled by persons authorized by the licensee.

(b) An automatic relay station may accomplish retransmission of the incoming signals by either heterodyne frequency conversion or by modulating the transmitter with the demodulated incoming signals.

(c) An automatic relay station transmitter may relay the demodulated incoming signals from one or more receivers.

[51 FR 4602, Feb. 6, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 55483, Nov. 1, 1995]

§ 74.451 - Certification of equipment.

(a) Applications for new remote pickup broadcast stations or systems or for changing transmitting equipment of an existing station will not be accepted unless the transmitters to be used have been certificated by the FCC pursuant to the provisions of this subpart, or have been certificated for licensing under part 90 of this chapter and do not exceed the output power limits specified in § 74.461(b).

(b) Any manufacturer of a transmitter to be used in this service may apply for certification for such transmitter following the certification procedure set forth in part 2 of the Commission's rules and regulations. Attention is also directed to part 1 of the Commission's rules and regulations which specifies the fees required when filing an application for certification.

(c) An applicant for a remote pickup broadcast station or system may also apply for certification for an individual transmitter by following the certification procedure set forth in part 2 of the Commission's rules and regulations.

(d) All transmitters marketed for use under this subpart shall be certificated by the Federal Communications Commission. (Refer to subpart J of part 2 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations.)

(e) Remote pickup broadcast station equipment authorized to be used pursuant to an application accepted for filing prior to December 1, 1977, may continue to be used by the licensee or its successors or assignees: Provided, however, If operation of such equipment causes harmful interference due to its failure to comply with the technical standards set forth in this subpart, the Commission may, at its discretion, require the licensee to take such corrective action as is necessary to eliminate the interference.

(f) Each instrument of authority which permits operation of a remote pickup broadcast station or system using equipment which has not been certificated will specify the particular transmitting equipment which the licensee is authorized to use.

(Sec. 5, 48 Stat. 1068; 47 U.S.C. 155) [41 FR 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 42 FR 14728, Mar. 16, 1977; 42 FR 43636, Aug. 30, 1977; 43 FR 14661, Apr. 7, 1978; 45 FR 28142, Apr. 28, 1980; 63 FR 36604, July 7, 1998; 68 FR 12765, Mar. 17, 2003]

§ 74.452 - Equipment changes.

(a) Modifications may be made to an existing authorization in accordance with §§ 1.929 and 1.947 of this chapter.

(b) All transmitters initially installed after November 30, 1977, must be certificated for use in this service or other service as specified in § 74.451(a).

[68 FR 12765, Mar. 17, 2003]

§ 74.461 - Transmitter power.

(a) Transmitter power is the power at the transmitter output terminals and delivered to the antenna, antenna transmission line, or any other impedance-matched, radio frequency load. For the purpose of this Subpart, the transmitter power is the carrier power.

(b) The authorized transmitter power for a remote pickup broadcast station shall be limited to that necessary for satisfactory service and, in any event, shall not be greater than 100 watts, except that a station to be operated aboard an aircraft shall normally be limited to a maximum authorized power of 15 watts. Specific authorization to operate stations on board aircraft with an output power exceeding 15 watts will be issued only upon an adequate engineering showing of need, and of the procedures that will be taken to avoid harmful interference to other licensees.

(Sec. 5, 48 Stat. 1068; 47 U.S.C. 155) [41 FR 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 43 FR 14662, Apr. 7, 1978]

§ 74.462 - Authorized bandwidth and emissions.

(a) Each authorization for a new remote pickup broadcast station or system shall require the use of certificated equipment and such equipment shall be operated in accordance with emission specifications included in the grant of certification and as prescribed in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section.

(b) The maximum authorized bandwidth of emissions corresponding to the types of emissions specified below, and the maximum authorized frequency deviation in the case of frequency or phase modulated emission, shall be as follows:

Frequencies Authorized bandwidth
(kHz)
Maximum frequency deviation 1
(kHz)
Type of emission 2MHz: 25.87 to 26.03
26.07 to 26.47
152.8625 to 153.3575 3
40
20
30/60
10
5
5/10
Frequencies 25.87 to 153.3575 MHz: A3E, F1E, F3E, F9E. 160.860 to 161.4006010 161.625 to 161.775305 166.25 and 170.15 412.5/255 450.00625 to 450.025
450.98125 to 450.99375
455.00625 to 455.025
455.98125 to 455.99375


Up to 12.5


1.5
Frequencies 160.860 to 455.950 MHz: A1A, A1B, A1D, A1E, A2A, A2B, A2D, A2E, A3E, F1A, F1B, F1D, F1E, F2A, F2B, F2D, F2E, F3E, F9E 450.03125 to 450.61875 455.03125 to 455.61875Up to 255 450.6375 to 450.8625 455.6375 to 455.862525–5010 450.900, 450.950 455.900, 455.95050–10035

1 Applies where F1A, F1B, F1D, F1E, F2A, F2B, F2D, F2E, F3E, or F9E emissions are used.

2 Stations operating above 450 MHz shall show a need for employing A1A, A1B, A1D, A1E, A2A, A2B, A2D, A2E, F1A, F1B, F1D, F1E, F2A, F2B, F2D, or F2E emission.

3 New or modified licenses for use of the frequencies will not be granted to utilize transmitters on board aircraft, or to use a bandwidth in excess of 30 kHz and maximum deviation exceeding 5 kHz

4 For stations licensed or applied for before April 16, 2003, the sum of the bandwidth of emission and tolerance on frequencies 166.25 MHz or 170.15 MHz shall not exceed 25 kHz, and such operation may continue until January 1, 2005. For new stations licensed or applied for on or after April 16, 2003, the sum of the bandwidth of emission and tolerance on these frequencies shall not exceed 12.5 kHz. For all remote pickup broadcast stations, the sum of the bandwidth of emission and tolerance on these frequencies shall not exceed 12.5 kHz on or after January 1, 2005.

(c) For emissions on frequencies above 25 MHz with authorized bandwidths up to 30 kHz, the emissions shall comply with the emission mask and transient frequency behavior requirements of §§ 90.210 and 90.214 of this chapter. For all other emissions, the mean power of emissions shall be attenuated below the mean output power of the transmitter in accordance with the following schedule:

(1) On any frequency removed from the assignment frequency by more than 50 percent up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: at least 25 dB:

(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent up to and including 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: at least 35 dB;

(3) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250 percent on the authorized bandwidth; at least 43 plus 10 log 10 (mean output power, in watts) dB.

(d) In the event a station's emissions outside its authorized channel cause harmful interference, the Commission may, at its discretion, require the licensee to take such further steps as may be necessary to eliminate the interference.

Note:

The measurements of emission power can be expressed in peak or mean values provided they are expressed in the same parameters as the unmodulated transmitter carrier power.

(Sec. 5, 48 Stat. 1068; 47 U.S.C. 155) [41 FR 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 41 FR 32429, Aug. 3, 1976; 41 FR 35068, Aug. 19, 1976; 43 FR 14662, Apr. 7, 1978; 43 FR 38391, Aug. 28, 1978; 44 FR 65765, Nov. 15, 1979; 56 FR 28498, June 21, 1991; 63 FR 36604, July 7, 1998; 68 FR 12765, Mar. 17, 2003; 68 FR 25540, May 13, 2003]

§ 74.463 - Modulation requirements.

(a) Each new remote pickup broadcast station authorized to operate with a power output in excess of 3 watts shall be equipped with a device which will automatically prevent modulation in excess of the limits set forth in this subpart.

(b) If amplitude modulation is employed, modulation shall not exceed 100 percent on negative peaks.

(c) If frequency modulation is employed, emission shall conform to the requirements specified in § 74.462.

[41 FR 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 47 FR 54448, Dec. 3, 1982]

§ 74.464 - Frequency tolerance.

For operations on frequencies above 25 MHz using authorized bandwidths up to 30 kHz, the licensee of a remote pickup broadcast station or system shall maintain the operating frequency of each station in compliance with the frequency tolerance requirements of § 90.213 of this chapter. For all other operations, the licensee of a remote pickup broadcast station or system shall maintain the operating frequency of each station in accordance with the following:

Frequency range Tolerance (percent) Base station Mobile station 25 to 30 MHz: 3 W or less.002.005 Over 3 W.002.002 30 to 300 MHz: 3 W or less.0005.005 Over 3 W.0005.0005 300 to 500 MHz, all powers.00025.0005
(Secs. 4, 5, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1068, 1082 (47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 303)) [41 FR 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 42 FR 2071, Jan. 10, 1977; 43 FR 38391, Aug. 28, 1978; 44 FR 65765, Nov. 15, 1979; 68 FR 12766, Mar. 17, 2003; 68 FR 25540, May 13, 2003]

§ 74.465 - Frequency monitors and measurements.

The licensee of a remote pickup station or system shall provide the necessary means to assure that all operating frequencies are maintained within the allowed tolerances.

[51 FR 4603, Feb. 6, 1986]

§ 74.482 - Station identification.

(a) Each remote pickup broadcast station shall be identified by the transmission of the assigned station or system call sign, or by the call sign of the associated broadcast station. For systems, the licensee (including those operating pursuant to § 74.24 of this part) shall assign a unit designator to each station in the system. The call sign (and unit designator, where appropriate) shall be transmitted at the beginning and end of each period of operation. A period of operation may consist of a single continuous transmission, or a series of intermittent transmissions pertaining to a single event.

(b) In cases where a period of operation is of more than one hour duration identification of remote pickup broadcast stations participating in the operation shall be made at approximately one-hour intervals. Identification transmissions during operation need not be made when to make such transmissions would interrupt a single consecutive speech, play, religious service, symphony, concert, or any type of production. In such cases, the identification transmissions shall be made at the first interruption in the program continuity and at the conclusion thereof. Hourly identification may be accomplished either by transmission of the station or system call sign and unit designator assigned to the individual station or identification of an associated broadcasting station or network with which the remote pickup broadcast station is being used.

(c) In cases where an automatic relay station is a part of the circuit, the call sign of the relay transmitter may be transmitted automatically by the relay transmitter or by the remote pickup broadcast base or mobile station that actuates the automatic relay station.

(d) Automatically activated equipment may be used to transmit station identification in International Morse Code, provided that the modulation tone is 1200 Hz±800 Hz, the level of modulation of the identification signal is maintained at 40%±10%, and that the code transmission rate is maintained between 20 and 25 words per minute.

(e) For stations using F1E or G1E emissions, identification shall be transmitted in the unscrambled analog (F3E) mode or in International Morse Code pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section at intervals not to exceed 15 minutes. For purposes of rule enforcement, all licensees using F1E or G1E emissions shall provide, upon request by the Commission, a full and complete description of the encoding methodology they currently use.

Note:

Stations are encouraged to identify using their associated part 73 station call sign.

[41 FR 29686, July 19, 1976, as amended at 47 FR 9220, Mar. 4, 1982; 52 FR 47569, Dec. 15, 1987; 56 FR 28499, June 21, 1991; 68 FR 12766, Mar. 17, 2003]