(a) FM translator. A station in the broadcasting service operated for the purpose of retransmitting the signals of an AM or FM radio broadcast station or another FM broadcast translator station without significantly altering any characteristics of the incoming signal other than its frequency and amplitude, in order to provide radio broadcast service to the general public.

(b) Commercial FM translator. An FM broadcast translator station which rebroadcasts the signals of a commercial AM or FM radio broadcast station.

(c) Noncommercial FM translator. An FM broadcast translator station which rebroadcasts the signals of a noncommercial educational AM or FM radio broadcast station.

(d) Primary station. The AM or FM radio broadcast station radiating the signals which are retransmitted by an FM broadcast translator station or an FM broadcast booster station.

(e) AM or FM radio broadcast station. When used in this Subpart L, the term AM broadcast station or AM radio broadcast station or FM broadcast station or FM radio broadcast station refers to commercial and noncommercial educational AM or FM radio broadcast stations as defined in § 2.1 of this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise.

(f) FM broadcast booster station—(1) In general. A station in the broadcasting service operated for the sole purpose of retransmitting the signals of an FM radio broadcast station, by amplifying and reradiating such signals, without significantly altering any characteristic of the incoming signal other than its amplitude. Unless specified otherwise, an FM broadcast booster station includes LPFM boosters as defined in paragraph (l) of this section.

(2) Program originating FM booster station. An FM broadcast booster station that retransmits the signals of an FM radio broadcast station or a low-power FM broadcast station, and that may replace the content of the incoming signal by originating programming for a period not to exceed three minutes of each broadcast hour. This is a strict hourly limit that may not be exceeded by aggregating unused minutes of program origination. A program originating FM booster station is subject to the same technical and interference protection requirements as are all FM broadcast booster stations, including but not limited to those set forth in §§ 74.1203 through 74.1262.

(g) Translator coverage contour. For a fill-in FM translator rebroadcasting an FM radio broadcast station as its primary station, the FM translator's coverage contour must be contained within the primary station's coverage contour. For purposes of this rule section, the coverage contour of the FM translator has the same field strength value as the protected contour of the primary FM station (i.e., for a commercial Class B FM station it is the predicted 0.5 mV/m field strength contour, for a commercial Class B1 FM station it is the predicted 0.7 mV/m field strength contour, and for all other classes of FM stations it is the predicted 1 mV/m field strength contour). The coverage contour of an FM translator rebroadcasting an AM radio broadcast station as its primary station must be contained within the greater of either the 2 mV/m daytime contour of the AM station or a 25-mile (40 km) radius centered at the AM transmitter site. The protected contour for an FM translator station is its predicted 1 mV/m contour.

(h) Fill-in area. The area where the coverage contour of an FM translator or booster station is within the protected contour of the associated primary station (i.e., predicted 0.5 mV/m contour for commercial Class B stations, predicted 0.7 mV/m contour for commercial Class B1 stations, and predicted 1 mV/m contour for all other classes of stations).

(i) Other area. The area where the coverage contour of an FM translator station extends beyond the protected contour of the primary station (i.e., predicted 0.5 mV/m contour for commercial Class B stations, predicted 0.7 mV/m contour for commercial Class B1 stations, and predicted 1 mV/m contour for all other classes of stations).

(j) AM Fill-in area. The area within the greater of the 2 mV/m daytime contour of the AM radio broadcast station being rebroadcast or a 25-mile (40 km) radius centered at the AM transmitter site.

(k) Listener complaint. A statement that is signed and dated by the listener and contains the following information:

(1) The complainant's full name, address, and phone number;

(2) A clear, concise, and accurate description of the location where interference is alleged or predicted to occur;

(3) A statement that the complainant listens over-the-air to the desired station at least twice a month; and

(4) A statement that the complainant has no legal, financial, employment, or familial affiliation or relationship with the desired station.

(l) LPFM booster. An FM broadcast booster station as defined in paragraph (f) of this section that is commonly-owned by an LPFM station for the purpose of retransmitting the signals of the commonly-owned LPFM station.

[35 FR 15388, Oct. 2, 1970, as amended at 45 FR 37842, June 5, 1980; 52 FR 31405, Aug. 20, 1987; 55 FR 50693, Dec. 10, 1990; 74 FR 45129, Sept. 1, 2009; 82 FR 13072, Mar. 9, 2017; 84 FR 27740, June 14, 2019; 85 FR 35574, June 11, 2020; 87 FR 15344, Mar. 18, 2022; 89 FR 26793, Apr. 16, 2024] Effective Date Note:At 82 FR 13072, Mar. 9, 2017, § 74.1201 was amended by revising the last two sentences of paragraph (g), effective Apr. 10, 2017. At 82 FR 13069, Mar. 9, 2017, the effective date was delayed indefinitely pending Office of Management and Budget approval of a nonsubstantive change in the rule as originally proposed.

(a) An applicant for a new FM broadcast translator station or for changes in the facilities of an authorized translator station shall endeavor to select a channel on which its operation is not likely to cause interference to the reception of other stations. The application must be specific with regard to the frequency requested. Only one output channel will be assigned to each translator station.

(b) Subject to compliance with all the requirements of this subpart, FM broadcast translators may be authorized to operate on the following FM channels, regardless of whether they are assigned for local use in the FM Table of Allotments (§ 73.202(b) of this chapter):

(1) Commercial FM translators: Channels 221-300 as identified in § 73.201 of this chapter.

(2) Noncommercial FM translators: Channels 201-300 as identified in § 73.201 of this chapter. Use of reserved channels 201-220 is subject to the restrictions specified in § 73.501 of this chapter.

(c) An FM broadcast booster station will be assigned the channel assigned to its primary station.

[35 FR 15388, Oct. 2, 1970, as amended at 39 FR 12990, Apr. 10, 1974; 47 FR 30068, July 12, 1982; 52 FR 8260, Mar. 17, 1987; 55 FR 50693, Dec. 10, 1990; 87 FR 15344, Mar. 18, 2022]

(a) An authorized FM translator or booster station will not be permitted to continue to operate if it causes any actual interference to:

(1) The transmission of any authorized broadcast station; or

(2) The reception of the input signal of any TV translator, TV booster, FM translator or FM booster station; or

(3) The direct reception by the public of the off-the-air signals of any full-service station or previously authorized secondary station. Interference will be considered to occur whenever reception of a regularly used signal is impaired by the signals radiated by the FM translator or booster station, regardless of the channel on which the protected signal is transmitted; except that no listener complaint will be considered actionable if the alleged interference occurs outside the desired station's 45 dBu contour. Interference is demonstrated by:

(i) The required minimum number of valid listener complaints as determined using Table 1 of this section and defined in § 74.1201(k) of this part;

(ii) A map plotting the specific location of the alleged interference in relation to the complaining station's 45 dBu contour;

(iii) A statement that the complaining station is operating within its licensed parameters;

(iv) A statement that the complaining station licensee has used commercially reasonable efforts to inform the relevant translator licensee of the claimed interference and attempted private resolution; and

(v) U/D data demonstrating that at each listener location the undesired to desired signal strength exceeds −20 dB for co-channel situations, −6 dB for first-adjacent channel situations or 40 dB for second- or third-adjacent channel situations, calculated using the methodology set out in § 74.1204(b).

(b) If interference cannot be properly eliminated by the application of suitable techniques, operation of the offending FM translator or booster station shall be suspended and shall not be resumed until the interference has been eliminated. Short test transmissions may be made during the period of suspended operation to check the efficacy of remedial measures.

(c) An FM broadcast booster station will be exempted from the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section to the extent that it may cause limited interference to its primary station's signal, provided it does not disrupt the existing service of its primary station or cause such interference within the boundaries of the principal community of its primary station. A program originating FM booster station will be exempted from the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) to the extent that it may cause limited interference to its primary station's signal. A properly synchronized program originating FM booster station transmitting programming different than that broadcast by the primary station, subject to the limits set forth in § 74.1201(f)(2), is not considered to cause interference to its primary station solely because such originated programming differs from that transmitted by the primary station.

(d) A fill-in FM translator operating on the first, second or third adjacent channel to its primary station's channel will be exempt from the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section to the extent that it may cause limited interference to its primary station's signal, provided it does not disrupt the existing service of its primary station or cause such interference within the boundaries of the principal community of its primary station.

(e) It shall be the responsibility of the licensee of an FM translator or FM booster station to correct any condition of interference which results from the radiation of radio frequency energy by its equipment on any frequency outside the assigned channel. Upon notice by the Commission to the station licensee that such interference is being caused, the operation of the FM translator or FM booster station shall be suspended within three minutes and shall not be resumed until the interference has been eliminated or it can be demonstrated that the interference is not due to spurious emissions by the FM translator or FM booster station; provided, however, that short test transmissions may be made during the period of suspended operation to check the efficacy of remedial measures.

[55 FR 50693, Dec. 10, 1990, as amended at 60 FR 55484, Nov. 1, 1995; 84 FR 27740, June 14, 2019; 86 FR 13663, Mar. 10, 2021; 89 FR 26793, Apr. 16, 2024]

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 100877, Dec. 13, 2024. This amendment was delayed indefinitely at 89 FR 100877, Dec. 13, 2024.

(a) An application for an FM translator station will not be accepted for filing if the proposed operation would involve overlap of predicted field contours with any other authorized commercial or noncommercial educational FM broadcast stations, FM translators, and Class D (secondary) noncommercial educational FM stations; or if it would result in new or increased overlap with an LP100 station, as set forth:

(1) Commercial Class B FM Stations (Protected Contour: 0.5 mV/m)

(2) Commercial Class B1 FM Stations (Protected Contour: 0.7 mV/m)

(3) All Other Classes of FM Stations (Protected Contour: 1 mV/m)

(4) LP100 stations (Protected Contour: 1 mV/m)

Note to paragraph (a)(4):

LP100 stations, to the purposes of determining overlap pursuant to this paragraph, LPFM applications and permits that have not yet been licensed must be considered as operating with the maximum permitted facilities. All LPFM TIS stations must be protected on the basis of a nondirectional antenna.

(b) The following standards must be used to compute the distances to the pertinent contours:

(1) The distances to the protected contours are computed using Figure 1 of § 73.333 [F(50,50) curves] of this chapter.

(2) The distances to the interference contours are computed using Figure 1a of § 73.333 [F(50,10) curves] of this chapter. In the event that the distance to the contour is below 16 kilometers (approximately 10 miles), and therefore not covered by Figure 1a, curves in Figure 1 must be used.

(3) The effective radiated power (ERP) to be used is the maximum ERP of the main radiated lobe in the pertinent azimuthal direction. If the transmitting antenna is not horizontally polarized only, either the vertical component or the horizontal component of the ERP should be used, whichever is greater in the pertinent azimuthal direction.

(4) The antenna height to be used is the height of the radiation center above the average terrain along each pertinent radial, determined in accordance with § 73.313(d) of this chapter.

(c) An application for a change (other than a change in channel) in the authorized facilities of an FM translator station will be accepted even though overlap of field strength contours would occur with another station in an area where such overlap does not already exist, if:

(1) The total area of overlap with that station would not be increased:

(2) The area of overlap with any other station would not increase;

(3) The area of overlap does not move significantly closer to the station receiving the overlap; and,

(4) No area of overlap would be created with any station with which the overlap does not now exist.

(d) The provisions of this section concerning prohibited overlap will not apply where the area of such overlap lies entirely over water. In addition, an application otherwise precluded by this section will be accepted if it can be demonstrated that no actual interference will occur due to intervening terrain, lack of population or such other factors as may be applicable.

(e) The provisions of this section will not apply to overlap between a proposed fill-in FM translator station and its primary station operating on a first, second or third adjacent channel, provided That such operation may not result in interference to the primary station within its principal community.

(f) An application for an FM translator station will not be accepted for filing even though the proposed operation would not involve overlap of field strength contours with any other station, as set forth in paragraph (a) of this section, if grant of the authorization will result in interference to the reception of a regularly used, off-the-air signal of any authorized co-channel, first, second or third adjacent channel broadcast station, including previously authorized secondary service stations within the 45 dBu field strength contour of the desired station. Interference is demonstrated by:

(1) The required minimum number of valid listener complaints as determined using Table 1 to § 74.1203(a)(3) of this part and defined in § 74.1201(k) of this part;

(2) A map plotting the specific location of the alleged interference in relation to the complaining station's 45 dBu contour;

(3) A statement that the complaining station is operating within its licensed parameters;

(4) A statement that the complaining station licensee has used commercially reasonable efforts to inform the relevant translator licensee of the claimed interference and attempted private resolution; and

(5) U/D data demonstrating that at each listener location the undesired to desired signal strength exceeds −20 dB for co-channel situations, −6 dB for first-adjacent channel situations or 40 dB for second- or third-adjacent channel situations, calculated using the methodology set out in paragraph (b) of this section.

(g) An application for an FM translator or an FM booster station that is 53 or 54 channels removed from an FM radio broadcast station will not be accepted for filing if it fails to meet the required separation distances set out in § 73.207 of this chapter. For purposes of determining compliance with § 73.207 of this chapter, translator stations will be treated as Class A stations and booster stations will be treated the same as their FM radio broadcast station equivalents. FM radio broadcast station equivalents will be determined in accordance with §§ 73.210 and 73.211 of this chapter, based on the booster station's ERP and HAAT. Provided, however, that FM translator stations and booster stations operating with less than 100 watts ERP will be treated as class D stations and will not be subject to intermediate frequency separation requirements.

(h) An application for an FM translator station will not be accepted for filing if it specifies a location within 320 kilometers (approximately 199 miles) of either the Canadian or Mexican borders and it does not comply with § 74.1235(d) of this part.

(i) FM booster stations shall be subject to the requirement that the signal of any first adjacent channel station must exceed the signal of the booster station by 6 dB at all points within the protected contour of any first adjacent channel station, except that in the case of FM stations on adjacent channels at spacings that do not meet the minimum distance separations specified in § 73.207 of this chapter, the signal of any first adjacent channel station must exceed the signal of the booster by 6 dB at any point within the predicted interference free contour of the adjacent channel station.

(j) FM translator stations authorized prior to June 1, 1991 with facilities that do not comply with the predicted interference protection provisions of this section, may continue to operate, provided that operation is in conformance with § 74.1203 regarding actual interference. Applications for major changes in FM translator stations must specify facilities that comply with provisions of this section.

[55 FR 50694, Dec. 10, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 56170, Nov. 1, 1991; 58 FR 42025, Aug. 6, 1993; 65 FR 7649, Feb. 15, 2000; 65 FR 67304, Nov. 9, 2000; 65 FR 79780, Dec. 20, 2000; 84 FR 27741, June 14, 2019; 86 FR 13664, Mar. 10, 2021]

The provisions of this section apply to all applications for construction permits for new or modified facilities for a noncommercial educational FM translator station on Channels 201-220, unless the application is accompanied by a written agreement between the NCE-FM translator applicant and each affected TV Channel 6 broadcast station licensee or permittee concurring with the proposed NCE-FM translator facility.

(a) An application for a construction permit for new or modified facilities for a noncommercial educational FM translator station operating on Channels 201-220 must include a showing that demonstrates compliance with paragraph (b), (c) or (d) of this section if it is within the following distances of a TV broadcast station which is authorized to operate on Channel 6.

(b) Collocated stations. An application for a noncommercial educational FM translator station operating on Channels 201-220 and located at 0.4 kilometer (approximately 0.25 mile) or less from a TV Channel 6 station will be accepted if it includes a certification that the applicant has coordinated its antenna with the affected TV station.

(c) Contour overlap. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an application for a noncommercial educational FM translator station operating on Channels 201-220 will not be accepted if the proposed operation would involve overlap of its interference field strength contour with any TV Channel 6 station's Grade B contour, as set forth below.

(1) The distances to the TV Channel 6 station Grade B (47 dBu) field strength contour will be predicted according to the procedures specified in § 73.684 of this chapter, using the F(50,50) curves in § 73.699, Figure 9 of this chapter.

(2) The distances to the applicable noncommercial educational FM translator interference contour will be predicted according to the procedures specified in § 74.1204(b) of this part.

(3) The applicable noncommercial educational FM translator interference contours are as follows:

(d) FM translator stations authorized prior to June 1, 1991 with facilities that do not comply with the predicted interference protection provisions of this section, may continue to operate, provided that operation is in conformance with § 74.1203 regarding actual interference. Applications for major changes in FM translator stations must specify facilities that comply with the provisions of this section.

[55 FR 50695, Dec. 10, 1990, as amended at 58 FR 42025, Aug. 6, 1993]

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 100877, Dec. 13, 2024.

(a) FM translators provide a means whereby the signals of AM or FM broadcast stations may be retransmitted to areas in which direct reception of such AM or FM broadcast stations is unsatisfactory due to distance or intervening terrain barriers, and a means for AM Class D stations to continue operating at night.

(b) An FM translator may be used for the purpose of retransmitting the signals of a primary AM or FM radio broadcast station or another translator station the signal of which is received directly through space, converted, and suitably amplified, and originating programming to the extent authorized in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section. However, an FM translator providing fill-in service may use any terrestrial facilities to receive the signal that is being rebroadcast. An FM booster station or a noncommercial educational FM translator station that is operating on a reserved channel (Channels 201-220) and is owned and operated by the licensee of the primary noncommercial educational station it rebroadcasts may use alternative signal delivery means, including, but not limited to, satellite and terrestrial microwave facilities. Provided, however, that an applicant for a noncommercial educational translator operating on a reserved channel (Channel 201-220) and owned and operated by the licensee of the primary noncommercial educational AM or FM station it rebroadcasts complies with either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section:

(1) The applicant demonstrates that:

(i) The transmitter site of the proposed FM translator station is within 80 kilometers of the predicted 1 mV/m contour of the primary station to be rebroadcast; or,

(ii) The transmitter site of the proposed FM translator station is more than 160 kilometers from the transmitter site of any authorized full service noncommercial educational FM station; or,

(iii) The application is mutually exclusive with an application containing the showing as required by paragraph 74.1231(b)(2) (i) or (ii) of this section; or,

(iv) The application is filed after October 1, 1992.

(2) If the transmitter site of the proposed FM translator station is more than 80 kilometers from the predicted 1 mV/m contour of the primary station to be rebroadcast or is within 160 kilometers of the transmitter site of any authorized full service noncommercial educational FM station, the applicant must show that:

(i) An alternative frequency can be used at the same site as the proposed FM translator's transmitter location and can provide signal coverage to the same area encompassed by the applicant's proposed 1 mV/m contour; or,

(ii) An alternative frequency can be used at a different site and can provide signal coverage to the same area encompassed by the applicant's proposed 1 mV/m contour.

Note:

For paragraphs 74.1231(b) and 74.1231(i) of this section, auxiliary intercity relay station frequencies may be used to deliver signals to FM translator and booster stations on a secondary basis only. Such use shall not interfere with or otherwise preclude use of these frequencies for transmitting aural programming between the studio and transmitter location of a broadcast station, or between broadcast stations, as provided in paragraphs 74.531 (a) and (b) of this part. Prior to filing an application for an auxiliary intercity relay microwave frequency, the applicant shall notify the local frequency coordination committee, or, in the absence of a local frequency coordination committee, any licensees assigned the use of the proposed operating frequency in the intended location or area of operation.

(c) The transmissions of each FM translator or booster station shall be intended only for direct reception by the general public. An FM translator or booster shall not be operated solely for the purpose of relaying signals to one or more fixed received points for retransmission, distribution, or further relaying in order to establish a point-to-point FM radio relay system.

(d) The technical characteristics of the retransmitted signals shall not be deliberately altered so as to hinder reception on conventional FM broadcast receivers.

(e) An FM translator shall not deliberately retransmit the signals of any station other than the station it is authorized to retransmit. Precautions shall be taken to avoid unintentional retransmission of such other signals.

(f) A locally generated radio frequency signal similar to that of an FM broadcast station and modulated with aural information may be connected to the input terminals of an FM translator for the purpose of transmitting voice announcements. The radio frequency signals shall be on the same channel as the normally used off-the-air signal being rebroadcast. Connection of the locally generated signals shall be made by any automatic means when transmitting originations concerning financial support. The connections for emergency transmissions may be made manually. The apparatus used to generate the local signal that is used to modulate the FM translator must be capable of producing an aural signal which will provide acceptable reception on FM receivers designed for the transmission standards employed by FM broadcast stations.

(g) The aural material transmitted as permitted in paragraph (f) of this section shall be limited to emergency warnings of imminent danger and to seeking or acknowledging financial support deemed necessary to the continued operation of the translator. Originations concerning financial support are limited to a total of 30 seconds an hour. Within this limitation the length of any particular announcement will be left to the discretion of the translator station licensee. Solicitations of contributions shall be limited to the defrayal of the costs of installation, operation and maintenance of the translator or acknowledgements of financial support for those purposes. Such acknowledgements may include identification of the contributors, the size or nature of the contributions and advertising messages of contributors. Emergency transmissions shall be no longer or more frequent than necessary to protect life and property.

(h) An FM translator station that rebroadcasts a Class D AM radio broadcast station as its primary station may originate programming during the hours the primary station is not operating, subject to the provisions of § 74.1263(b) of this part.

(i) FM broadcast booster stations provide a means whereby the licensee of an FM broadcast station may provide service to areas in any region within the primary station's predicted authorized service contour. An FM broadcast booster station is authorized to retransmit only the signals of its primary station which have been received directly through space and suitably amplified, or received by alternative signal delivery means including, but not limited to, satellite and terrestrial microwave facilities. The FM booster station shall not retransmit the signals of any other station nor make independent transmissions except as set forth in § 74.1201(f)(2), and except that locally generated signals may be used to excite the booster apparatus for the purpose of conducting tests and measurements essential to the proper installation and maintenance of the apparatus.

(j) In the case of an FM broadcast station authorized with facilities in excess of those specified by § 73.211 of this chapter, an FM booster station will only be authorized within the protected contour of the class of station being rebroadcast as predicted on the basis of the maximum powers and heights set forth in that section for the applicable class of FM broadcast station concerned.

[35 FR 15388, Oct. 2, 1970, as amended at 45 FR 37842, June 5, 1980; 52 FR 31406, Aug. 20, 1987; 53 FR 14803, Apr. 26, 1988; 54 FR 35342, Aug. 25, 1989; 55 FR 50695, Dec. 10, 1990; 57 FR 41111, Sept. 9, 1992; 58 FR 42026, Aug. 6, 1993; 63 FR 33879, June 22, 1998; 74 FR 45130, Sept. 1, 2009; 89 FR 26793, Apr. 16, 2024]

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 100877, Dec. 13, 2024.

(a) Subject to the restrictions set forth in paragraph (d) of this section, a license for an FM broadcast translator station may be issued to any qualified individual, organized group of individuals, broadcast station licensee, or local civil governmental body, upon an appropriate showing that plans for financing the installation and operation of the translator are sufficiently sound to assure prompt construction of the translator and dependable service.

(b) More than one FM translator may be licensed to the same applicant, whether or not such translators serve substantially the same area, upon an appropriate showing of technical need for such additional stations. FM translators are not counted as FM stations for the purpose of § 73.3555 of this chapter concerning multiple ownership.

Note:

As used in this section need refers to the quality of the signal received and not to the programming content, format, or transmission needs of an area.

(c) Only one input and one output channel will be assigned to each FM translator. Additional FM translators may be authorized to provide additional reception. A separate application is required for each FM translator and each application shall be complete in all respects.

(d) An authorization for an FM translator whose coverage contour extends beyond the protected contour of the commercial primary station will not be granted to the licensee or permittee of a commercial FM radio broadcast station. Similarly, such authorization will not be granted to any person or entity having any interest whatsoever, or any connection with a primary FM station. Interested and connected parties extend to group owners, corporate parents, shareholders, officers, directors, employees, general and limited partners, family members and business associates. For the purposes of this paragraph, the protected contour of the primary station shall be defined as follows: the predicted 0.5mV/m contour for commercial Class B stations, the predicted 0.7 mV/m contour for commercial Class B1 stations and the predicted 1 mV/m field strength contour for all other FM radio broadcast stations. The contours shall be as predicted in accordance with § 73.313(a) through (d) of this chapter. In the case of an FM radio broadcast station authorized with facilities in excess of those specified by § 73.211 of this chapter, a co-owned commercial FM translator will only be authorized within the protected contour of the class of station being rebroadcast, as predicted on the basis of the maximum powers and heights set forth in that section for the applicable class of FM broadcast station concerned. An FM translator station in operation prior to March 1, 1991, which is owned by a commercial FM (primary) station and whose coverage contour extends beyond the protected contour of the primary station, may continue to be owned by such primary station until March 1, 1994. Thereafter, any such FM translator station must be owned by independent parties. An FM translator station in operation prior to June 1, 1991, which is owned by a commercial FM radio broadcast station and whose coverage contour extends beyond the protected contour of the primary station, may continue to be owned by a commercial FM radio broadcast station until June 1, 1994. Thereafter, any such FM translator station must be owned by independent parties. An FM translator providing service to an AM fill-in area will be authorized only to the permittee or licensee of the AM radio broadcast station being rebroadcast, or, in the case of an FM translator authorized to operate on an unreserved channel, to a party with a valid rebroadcast consent agreement with such a permittee or licensee to rebroadcast that station as the translator's primary station. In addition, any FM translator providing service to an AM fill-in area must have been authorized by a license or construction permit in effect as of May 1, 2009, or pursuant to an application that was pending as of May 1, 2009. A subsequent modification of any such FM translator will not affect its eligibility to rebroadcast an AM signal.

(e) An FM translator station whose coverage contour goes beyond the protected contour of the commercial primary station shall not receive any support, before or after construction, either directly or indirectly, from the commercial primary FM radio broadcast station. Such support also may not be received from any person or entity having any interest whatsoever, or any connection with the primary FM station. Interested and connected parties extend to group owners, corporate parents, shareholders, officers, directors, employees, general and limited partners, family members and business associates. Such an FM translator station may, however, receive technical assistance from the primary station to the extent of installing or repairing equipment or making adjustments to equipment to assure compliance with the terms of the translator station's construction permit and license. FM translator stations in operation prior to March 1, 1991 may continue to receive contributions or support from the commercial primary station for the operation and maintenance of the translator station until March, 1, 1994. Thereafter, any such FM translator station shall be subject to the prohibitions on support contained in this section. Such an FM translator station may, however, receive technical assistance from the primary station to the extent of installing or repairing equipment or making adjustments to equipment to assure compliance with the terms of the translator station's construction permit and license. FM translator stations in operation prior to June 1, 1991 may continue to receive contributions or support from a commercial FM radio broadcast station for the operation and maintenance of the translator station until June 1, 1994. Thereafter, any such FM translator station shall be subject to the prohibitions on support contained in this section.

Note:

“Technical assistance” refers to actual services provided by the primary station's technical staff or compensation for the time and services provided by independent engineering personnel. Conversely, such support must not include the supply of equipment or direct funding for the translator's discretionary use. “Technical assistance” must occur after the issuance of the translator's construction permit or license in order to meet expenses incurred by installing, repairing, or making adjustments to equipment.

(f) An FM broadcast booster station will be authorized only to the licensee or permittee of the FM radio broadcast station whose signals the booster station will retransmit, to serve areas within the protected contour of the primary station, subject to § 74.1231(j).

(g) No numerical limit is placed upon the number of FM booster stations which may be licensed to a single licensee. A separate application is required for each FM booster station. FM broadcast booster stations are not counted as FM broadcast stations for the purposes of § 73.5555 of this chapter concerning multiple ownership.

(h) Any authorization for an FM translator station issued to an applicant described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section will be issued subject to the condition that it may be terminated at any time, upon not less than sixty (60) days written notice, where the circumstances in the community or area served are so altered as to have prohibited grant of the application had such circumstances existed at the time of its filing.

[35 FR 15388, Oct. 2, 1970, as amended at 43 FR 14660, Apr. 7, 1978; 52 FR 10571, Apr. 2, 1987; 52 FR 31406, Aug. 20, 1987; 55 FR 50696, Dec. 10, 1990; 58 FR 42026, Aug. 6, 1993; 74 FR 45130, Sept. 1, 2009; 77 FR 21015, Apr. 9, 2012; 89 FR 26793, Apr. 16, 2024]

(a) Applications for FM translator and booster stations are divided into two groups:

(1)(i) In the first group are applications for new stations or for major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. For FM translator stations, a major change is:

(A) Any change in frequency (output channel) except—

(1) Changes to first, second or third adjacent channels, or intermediate frequency channels; or

(2) Upon a showing of interference to or from any other broadcast station, remedial changes to any same-band frequency; or

(B) Any change in antenna location where the station would not continue to provide 1 mV/m service to some portion of its previously authorized 1 mV/m service area. In addition, any change in frequency relocating an unbuilt station from the non-reserved band to the reserved band, or from the reserved band to the non-reserved band, will be considered major. All other changes will be considered minor.

(ii) All major changes are subject to the provisions of §§ 73.3580 and 1.1104 of this chapter pertaining to major changes.

(2) In the second group are applications for licenses and all other changes in the facilities of the authorized station.

(b) Processing booster and reserved band FM translator applications.

(1) Applications for minor modifications for reserved band FM translator stations, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and will be processed on a “first come/first served” basis, with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent, conflicting applicants. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those applications accepted for filing. Conflicting applications received on the same day will be treated as simultaneously filed and mutually exclusive. Conflicting applications received after the filing of a first acceptable application will be grouped, according to filing date, behind the lead application in a queue. The priority rights of the lead applicant, against all other applicants, are determined by the date of filing, but the filing date for subsequent, conflicting applicants only reserves a place in the queue. The rights of an applicant in a queue ripen only upon a final determination that the lead applicant is unacceptable and if the queue member is reached and found acceptable. The queue will remain behind the lead applicant until a construction permit is finally granted, at which time the queue dissolves.

(2) All other applications for booster stations and reserved band FM translator stations will be processed as nearly as possible in the order in which they are filed. Such applications will be placed in the processing line in numerical sequence, and will be drawn by the staff for study, the lowest file number first. In order that those applications which are entitled to be grouped for processing may be fixed prior to the time processing of the earliest filed application is begun, the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing reserved band applications that have been accepted for filing and announcing a date (not less than 30 days after publication) on which the listed applications will be considered available and ready for processing and by which all mutually exclusive applications and/or petitions to deny the listed applications must be filed.

(3) Applications for reserved band FM translator stations will be processed using filing window procedures. The FCC will specify by Public Notice, a period for filing reserved band FM translator applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station. FM translator applications for new facilities or for major modifications will be accepted only during these specified periods. Applications submitted prior to the window opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely.

(4) Timely filed applications for new facilities or for major modifications for reserved band FM Translators will be processed pursuant to the procedures set forth in subpart K of part 73 (§ 73.7000 et seq.) Subsequently, the FCC will release Public Notices identifying: mutually exclusive groups of applications; applications received during the window filing period which are found to be non-mutually exclusive; tentative selectees determined pursuant to the point system procedures set forth in § 73.7003 of this chapter; and acceptable applications. The Public Notices will also announce: additional procedures to be followed for certain groups of applications; deadlines for filing additional information; and dates by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of § 73.7004 of this chapter. If the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of the application, it will be granted. If an application is found not to be acceptable for filing, the application will be returned, and subject to the amendment requirements of § 73.3522 of this chapter.

(c) In the case of an application for an instrument of authorization, other than a license pursuant to a construction permit, grant will be based on the application, the pleadings filed, and such other matters that may be officially noticed. Before a grant can be made it must be determined that:

(1) There is not pending a mutually exclusive application.

(2) The applicant is legally, technically, financially and otherwise qualified;

(3) The applicant is not in violation of any provisions of law, the FCC rules, or established policies of the FCC; and

(4) A grant of the application would otherwise serve the public interest, convenience and necessity.

(d) Processing non-reserved band FM translator applications.

(1) Applications for minor modifications for non-reserved band FM translator stations, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and will be processed on a “first come/first served” basis, with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent, conflicting applicants. The FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing those applications accepted for filing. Applications received on the same day will be treated as simultaneously filed and, if they are found to be mutually exclusive, must be resolved through settlement or technical amendment. Conflicting applications received after the filing of a first acceptable application will be grouped, according to filing date, behind the lead application in a queue. The priority rights of the lead applicant, against all other applicants, are determined by the date of filing, but the filing date for subsequent, conflicting applicants only reserves a place in the queue. The rights of an applicant in a queue ripen only upon a final determination that the lead applicant is unacceptable and if the queue member is reached and found acceptable. The queue will remain behind the lead applicant until a construction permit is finally granted, at which time the queue dissolves.

(2)(i) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, pursuant to § 73.5002(a) of this chapter, a period for filing non-reserved band FM translator applications for a new station or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station. FM translator applications for new facilities or for major modifications, whether for commercial broadcast stations or noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be accepted only during these specified periods. Applications submitted prior to the window opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely.

(ii) Such FM translator applicants will be subject to the provisions of §§ 1.2105 and 73.5002(a) regarding the submission of the short-form application, FCC Form 175, and all appropriate certifications, information and exhibits contained therein. To determine which FM translator applications are mutually exclusive, FM translator applicants must submit the engineering data contained in FCC Form 349 as a supplement to the short-form application. Such engineering data will not be studied for technical acceptability, but will be protected from subsequently filed applications as of the close of the window filing period. Determinations as to the acceptability or grantability of an applicant's proposal will not be made prior to an auction.

(iii) FM translator applicants will be subject to the provisions of § 1.2105 regarding the modification and dismissal of their short-form applications.

(iv) Consistent with § 1.2105(a), beginning January 1, 1999, all short-form applications must be filed electronically.

(3) Subsequently, the FCC will release Public Notices:

(i) Identifying the short-form applications received during the appropriate filing period or “window” which are found to be mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as defined in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), as well as the procedures the FCC will use to resolve the mutually exclusive applications;

(ii) Establishing a date, time and place for an auction;

(iii) Providing information regarding the methodology of competitive bidding to be used in the upcoming auction, bid submission and payment procedures, upfront payment procedures, upfront payment deadlines, minimum opening bid requirements and applicable reserve prices in accordance with the provisions of § 73.5002;

(iv) Identifying applicants who have submitted timely upfront payments and, thus, are qualified to bid in the auction.

(4) After the close of the filing window, the FCC will also release a Public Notice identifying any short-form applications which are found to be non-mutually exclusive, including any applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6). These non-mutually exclusive applicants will be required to submit the appropriate long form application within 30 days of the Public Notice and, for applicants for commercial broadcast stations, pursuant to the provisions of § 73.5005 of this chapter. Non-mutually exclusive applications for commercial broadcast stations will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.5006 and 73.3584 of this chapter. Non-mutually exclusive applications for noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described by 47 U.S.C. 397(6), will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such non-mutually exclusive applications determined to be acceptable for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.7004 and 73.3584 of this chapter. If the applicants are duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of the non-mutually exclusive long-form application, the same will be granted.

(5)(i) Pursuant to § 1.2107 of this chapter, a winning bidder that meets its down payment obligations in a timely manner must, within 30 days of the release of the public notice announcing the close of the auction, submit the appropriate long-form application for each construction permit for which it was the winning bidder. Long-form applications filed by winning bidders shall include the exhibits identified in § 73.5005 of this chapter.

(ii) Winning bidders are required to pay the balance of their winning bids in a lump sum prior to the deadline established by the Commission pursuant to § 1.2109(a) of this chapter. Long-form construction permit applications will be processed and the FCC will periodically release a Public Notice listing such applications that have been accepted for filing and announcing a date by which petitions to deny must be filed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 73.5006 and 73.3584. Construction permits will be granted by the Commission only after full and timely payment of winning bids and any applicable late fees, and if the applicant is duly qualified, and upon examination, the FCC finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served. If a winning bidder fails to pay the balance of its winning bid in a lump sum by the applicable deadline as specified by the Commission, it will be allowed to make payment within ten (10) business days after the payment deadline, provided that it also pays a late fee equal to five (5) percent of the amount due in accordance with § 1.2109(a) of this chapter. Construction of the FM translator station shall not commence until the grant of such permit to the winning bidder and only after full and timely payment of winning bids and any applicable late fees.

(iii) All long-form applications will be cut-off as of the date of filing with the FCC and will be protected from subsequently filed long-form translator applications. Applications will be required to protect all previously filed applications. Winning bidders filing long-form applications may change the technical proposals specified in their previously submitted short-form applications, but such change may not constitute a major change. If the submitted long-form application would constitute a major change from the proposal submitted in the short-form application or the allotment, the long-form application will be returned pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section.

(e) Selection of mutually exclusive reserved band FM translator applications.

(1) Applications for FM translator stations proposing to provide fill-in service (within the primary station's protected contour) of the commonly owned primary station will be given priority over all other applications.

(2) Where applications for FM translator stations are mutually exclusive and do not involve a proposal to provide fill-in service of commonly owned primary stations, the FCC may stipulate different frequencies as necessary for the applicants.

(3) Where there are no available frequencies to substitute for a mutually exclusive application, the FCC will apply the same point system identified for full service reserved band FM stations in § 73.7003(b) of this chapter. In the event of a tie, the FCC will consider:

(i) Existing authorizations. Each applicant's number of existing radio authorizations (licenses and construction permits for AM, FM, and FM-translators but excluding fill-in translators) as of the time of application shall be compared, and the applicant with the fewest authorizations will be chosen as tentative selectee. If each applicant is applying for a fill-in translator only, and consideration of its other radio stations is not dispositive, its number of existing fill-in translator authorizations will also be considered, and the fill-in applicant with the fewest fill-in authorizations will be chosen as tentative selectee.

(ii) Existing applications. If a tie remains, after the tie breaker in paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section, the remaining applicant with the fewest pending radio new and major change applications (AM, FM, and non fill-in FM translators) will be chosen as tentative selectee. If each applicant is applying for a fill-in translator only, and consideration of its other radio stations is not dispositive, its number of existing fill-in translator applications will also be considered, and the fill-in applicant with the fewest fill-in authorizations will be chosen as tentative selectee.

(iii) Where the procedures in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2) and (e)(3)(i) and (e)(3)(ii) of this section fail to resolve the mutual exclusivity, the applications will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis.

[63 FR 48632, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 19502, Apr. 21, 1999; 65 FR 36382, June 8, 2000; 66 FR 15357, Mar. 19, 2001; 67 FR 45375, July 9, 2002; 68 FR 26229, May 15, 2003; 71 FR 6229, Feb. 7, 2006; 76 FR 18953, Apr. 6, 2011; 84 FR 27741, June 14, 2019]

(a) A station authorized under this subpart may be operated without a designated person in attendance if the following requirements are met:

(1) If the transmitter site cannot be reached promptly at all hours and in all seasons, means shall be provided so that the transmitting apparatus can be turned on and off at will from a point which is readily accessible at all hours and in all seasons.

(2) The transmitter shall also be equipped with suitable automatic circuits which will place it in a nonradiating condition in the absence of a signal on the input channel.

(3) The on-and-off control (if at a location other than the transmitter site) and the transmitting apparatus, shall be adequately protected against tampering by unauthorized persons.

(4) The FCC in Washington, DC, Attention: Audio Division, Media Bureau, shall be supplied by letter with the name, address, and telephone number of a person or persons who may be contacted to secure suspension of operation of the translator promptly should such action be deemed necessary by the Commission. Such information shall be kept current by the licensee.

(5) Where the antenna and supporting structure are required to be painted and lighted under the provisions of Part 17 of this chapter, the licensee shall make suitable arrangements for the daily inspection and logging of the obstruction lighting and associated control equipment as required by §§ 17.47, 17.48, and 17.49 of this chapter.

(b) An application for authority to construct a new station pursuant to this subpart or to make changes in the facilities of such a station, which proposes unattended operation shall include an adequate showing as to the manner of compliance with this section.

[35 FR 15388, Oct. 2, 1970, as amended at 37 FR 18540, Sept. 13, 1972; 38 FR 25992, Sept. 17, 1973; 60 FR 55484, Nov. 1, 1995; 63 FR 33879, June 22, 1998; 67 FR 13234, Mar. 21, 2002]

(a) An application for an FM translator station filed by the licensee or permittee of the primary station to provide fill-in service within the primary station's coverage area will not be accepted for filing if it specifies an effective radiated power (ERP) which exceeds 250 watts.

(b) An application for an FM translator station, other than one for fill-in service which is covered in paragraph (a) of this section, will not be accepted for filing if it specifies an effective radiated power (ERP) which exceeds the maximum ERP (MERP) value determined in accordance with this paragraph (b). The antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) shall be determined in accordance with § 73.313(d) of this chapter for each of 12 distinct radials, with each radial spaced 30 degrees apart and with the bearing of the first radial bearing true north. Each radial HAAT value shall be rounded to the nearest meter. For each of the 12 radial directions, the MERP is the value corresponding to the calculated HAAT in the following tables that is appropriate for the location of the translator. For an application specifying a nondirectional transmitting antenna, the specified ERP must not exceed the smallest of the 12 MERP's. For an application specifying a directional transmitting antenna, the ERP in each azimuthal direction must not exceed the MERP for the closest of the 12 radial directions.

(1) For FM translators located east of the Mississippi River or in Zone I-A as described in § 73.205(b) of this chapter:

(2) For FM translators located in all other areas:

(c) The effective radiated power of FM booster stations shall be limited such that the predicted service contour of the booster station, computed in accordance with § 73.313 paragraphs (a) through (d) of this chapter, may not extend beyond the corresponding service contour of the primary FM station that the booster rebroadcasts. In no event shall the ERP of the booster station exceed 20% of the maximum allowable ERP for the primary station's class.

(d)(1) Translator or booster stations located within 125 kilometers of the Mexican border may not exceed an ERP of 50 watts (0.050 kW) in the direction of the Mexican border. Such stations also may not produce an interfering contour in excess of 32 km from the transmitter site in the direction of the Mexican border, nor may the 60 dBu service contour exceed 8.7 km from the transmitter site in the direction of the Mexican border.

(2) Translator or booster stations located between 125 kilometers and 320 kilometers from the Mexican border may operate with an ERP in excess of 50 watts. However, in no event shall the location of the 60 dBu contour lie within 116.3 km of the Mexican border.

(3) Applications for translator or booster stations within 320 km of the Canadian border may employ an ERP up to a maximum of 250 watts, as specified in § 74.1235(a) and (b). The distance to the 34 dBu interfering contour may not exceed 60 km in any direction.

(e) In no event shall a station authorized under this subpart be operated with a transmitter power output (TPO) in excess of the transmitter certificated rating. A station authorized under this subpart for a TPO that is less than its transmitter certificated rating shall determine its TPO in accordance with § 73.267 of this chapter and its TPO shall not be more than 105 percent of the authorized TPO.

(f) Composite antennas and antenna arrays may be used where the total ERP does not exceed the maximum determined in accordance with paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this section.

(g) Either horizontal, vertical, circular or elliptical polarization may be used provided that the supplemental vertically polarized ERP required for circular or elliptical polarization does not exceed the ERP otherwise authorized. Either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation may be used. Separate transmitting antennas are permitted if both horizontal and vertical polarization is to be provided.

(h) All applications must comply with § 73.316, paragraphs (d) and (e) of this chapter.

(i) An application that specifies use of a directional antenna must comply with § 73.316, paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) of this chapter. Prior to issuance of a license, the applicant must: (1) Certify that the antenna is mounted in accordance with the specific instructions provided by the antenna manufacturer; and (2) certify that the antenna is mounted in the proper orientation. In instances where a directional antenna is proposed for the purpose of providing protection to another facility, a condition may be included in the construction permit requiring that before program tests are authorized, a permittee: (1) Must submit the results of a complete proof-of-performance to establish the horizontal plane radiation patterns for both the horizontally and vertically polarized radiation components; and, (2) must certify that the relative field strength of neither the measured horizontally nor vertically polarized radiation component shall exceed at any azimuth the value indicated on the composite radiation pattern authorized by the construction permit.

Note:

Existing licensees and permittees that do not furnish data sufficient to calculate the contours in conformance with § 74.1204 will be assigned protected contours having the following radii:

Up to 10 watts—1 mile (1.6 km) from transmitter site. Up to 100 watts—2 miles (3.2 km) from transmitter site. Up to 250 watts—4 miles (6.5 km) from transmitter site.

(j) FM translator stations authorized prior to June 1, 1991, with facilities that do not comply with the ERP limitation of paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate, may continue to operate, provided that operation is in conformance with § 74.1203 regarding interference. Applications for major changes in FM translator stations must specify facilities that comply with paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate.

[55 FR 50697, Dec. 10, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 56170, Nov. 1, 1991; 58 FR 42026, Aug. 6, 1993; 62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997; 63 FR 33879, June 22, 1998; 63 FR 36605, July 7, 1998; 87 FR 15344, Mar. 18, 2022; 89 FR 26793, Apr. 16, 2024]

(a) The license of a station authorized under this subpart allows the transmission of either F3 or other types of frequency modulation (see § 2.201 of this chapter) upon a showing of need, as long as the emission complies with the following:

(1) For transmitter output powers no greater than 10 watts, paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section apply.

(2) For transmitter output powers greater than 10 watts, § 73.317 (a), (b), (c), and (d) apply.

(b) Standard width FM channels will be assigned and the transmitting apparatus shall be operated so as to limit spurious emissions to the lowest practicable value. Any emissions including intermodulation products and radiofrequency harmonics which are not essential for the transmission of the desired aural information shall be considered to be spurious emissions.

(c) The power of emissions appearing outside the assigned channel shall be attenuated below the total power of the emission as follows:

(d) Greater attenuation than that specified in paragraph (c) of this section may be required if interference results outside the assigned channel.

[35 FR 15388, Oct. 2, 1970, as amended at 52 FR 31406, Aug. 20, 1987; 55 FR 50698, Dec. 10, 1990]

(a) An applicant for a new station to be authorized under this subpart or for a change in the facilities of such a station shall endeavor to select a site which will provide a line-of-sight transmission path to the entire area intended to be served and at which there is available a suitable signal from the primary station. The transmitting antenna should be placed above growing vegetation and trees lying in the direction of the area intended to be served, to minimize the possiblity of signal absorption by foliage.

(b) Consideration should be given to accessibility of the site at all seasons of the year and to the availability of facilities for the maintenance and operation of the FM translator.

(c) Consideration should be given to the existence of strong radiofrequency fields from other transmitters at the translator site and the possibility that such fields may result in the retransmission of signals originating on frequencies other than that of the primary station.

(d) The transmitting antenna of an FM booster station shall be located within the protected contour of its primary station, subject to Note, § 74.1231 (h). The transmitting antenna of a commonly owned commercial FM translator station shall be located within the protected contour of its commercial primary FM station.

(e) Where an FM translator or booster licensee or permittee proposes to mount its antenna on or near an AM tower, as defined in § 1.30002, the FM translator or booster licensee or permittee must comply with § 1.30003 or § 1.30002.

[35 FR 15388, Oct. 2, 1970, as amended at 55 FR 50698, Dec. 10, 1990; 58 FR 42026, Aug. 6, 1993; 62 FR 51063, Sept. 30, 1997; 78 FR 66298, Nov. 5, 2013]

(a) FM translator and booster transmitting apparatus, and exciters employed to provide a locally generated and modulated input signal to translator and booster equipment, used by stations authorized under the provisions of this subpart must be certified upon the request of any manufacturer of transmitters in accordance with this section and subpart J of part 2 of this chapter. In addition, FM translator and booster stations may use FM broadcast transmitting apparatus authorized via Supplier's Declaration of Conformity or approved under the provisions of part 73 of this chapter.

Note 1 to paragraph (a):

The Declaration of Conformity procedure has been replaced by Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. Equipment previously authorized under subpart J of part 2 of this chapter may remain in use. See § 2.950 of this chapter.

(b) Transmitting antennas, antennas used to receive signals to be rebroadcast, and transmission lines are not subject to the requirement for certification.

(c) The following requirements must be met before translator, booster or exciter equipment will be certified in accordance with this section:

(1) Radio frequency harmonics and spurious emissions must conform with the specifications of § 74.1236 of this part.

(2) The local oscillator or oscillators, including those in an exciter employed to provide a locally generated and modulated input signal to a translator or booster, when subjected to variations in ambient temperature between minus 30 degrees and plus 50 degrees centigrade, and in primary supply voltage between 85 percent and 115 percent of the rated value, shall be sufficiently stable to maintain the output center frequency within plus or minus 0.005 percent of the operating frequency and to enable conformance with the specifications of § 74.1261 of this part.

(3) The apparatus shall contain automatic circuits to maintain the power output in conformance with § 74.1235(e) of this part. If provision is included for adjusting the power output, then the normal operating constants shall be specified for operation at both the rated power output and the minimum power output at which the apparatus is designed to operate. The apparatus shall be equipped with suitable meters or meter jacks so that the operating constants can be measured while the apparatus is in operation.

(4) Apparatus rated for transmitter power output of more than 1 watt shall be equipped with automatic circuits to place it in a nonradiating condition when no input signal is being received in conformance with § 74.1263(b) of this part and to transmit the call sign in conformance with § 74.1283(c)(2) of this part.

(5) For exciters, automatic means shall be provided for limiting the level of the audio frequency voltage applied to the modulator to ensure that a frequency swing in excess of 75 kHz will not occur under any condition of the modulation.

[55 FR 50698, Dec. 10, 1990, as amended at 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998; 82 FR 50836, Nov. 2, 2017]

(a) No change, either mechanical or electrical, except as provided in part 2 of this chapter, may be made in FM translator or booster apparatus which has been certificated by the Commission without prior authority of the Commission.

(b) Formal application on FCC Form 349 is required of all permittees and licensees for any of the following changes:

(1) Replacement of the transmitter as a whole, except replacement with a transmitter of identical power rating which has been certificated by the FCC for use by FM translator or FM booster stations, or any change which could result in the electrical characteristics or performance of the station. Upon the installation or modification of the transmitting equipment for which prior FCC authority is not required under the provisions of this paragraph, the licensee shall place in the station records a certification that the new installation complies in all respects with the technical requirements of this part and the terms of the station authorization.

(2) A change in the transmitting antenna system, including the direction of radiation or directive antenna pattern.

(3) Any change in the overall height of the antenna structure except where notice to the Federal Aviation Administration is specifically not required under § 17.14(b) of this chapter.

(4) Any change in the location of the translator or booster except a move within the same building or upon the same pole or tower.

(5) Any horizontal change in the location of the antenna structure which would (i) be in excess of 152.4 meters (500 feet), or (ii) would require notice to the Federal Aviation Administration pursuant to § 17.7 of the FCC's rules.

(6) Any change in the output frequency of a translator.

(7) Any increase of authorized effective radiated power. FM translator and booster stations may decrease ERP on a modification of license application provided that exhibits are included to demonstrate that the following requirements are met:

(i) The license application may not propose to eliminate the authorized horizontally polarized ERP, if a horizontally polarized ERP is currently authorized;

(ii) The installed height of the antenna radiation center is not increased by more than two meters nor decreased by more than four meters from the authorized height for the antenna radiation center; and

(iii) The station is not presently authorized with separate horizontal and vertical antennas mounted at different heights. Use of separate horizontal and vertical antennas requires a construction permit before implementation or changes.

(8) Any change in area being served.

(c) Changes in the primary FM station being retransmitted must be submitted to the FCC in writing.

(d) Any application proposing a change in the height of the antenna structure or its location must also include the Antenna Structure Registration Number (FCC Form 854R) of the antenna structure upon which it proposes to locate its antenna. In the event the antenna structure does not have a Registration Number, either the antenna structure owner shall file FCC Form 854 (“Application for Antenna Structure Registration”) in accordance with part 17 of this chapter or the applicant shall provide a detailed explanation why registration and clearance are not required.

[35 FR 15388, Oct. 2, 1970, as amended at 45 FR 26068, Apr. 17, 1980; 47 FR 24580, June 7, 1982; 50 FR 3525, Jan. 25, 1985; 50 FR 23710, June 5, 1985; 55 FR 50698, Dec. 10, 1990; 61 FR 4368, Feb. 6, 1996; 63 FR 33879, June 22, 1998; 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998; 65 FR 79780, Dec. 20, 2000]

(a) The licensee of an FM translator or booster station with an authorized transmitter power output of 10 watts or less shall maintain the center frequency at the output of the translator within 0.01 percent of its assigned frequency.

(b) The licensee of an FM translator or booster station with an authorized transmitter power output greater than 10 watts shall maintain the center frequency at the output of the translator or booster station in compliance with the requirement of § 73.1545(b)(1) of this chapter.

[55 FR 50699, Dec. 10, 1990]

(a) The licensee of a station authorized under this subpart is not required to provide means for measuring the operating frequency of the transmitter. However, only equipment having the required stability will be approved for use by an FM translator or booster.

(b) In the event that a station authorized under this subpart is found to be operating beyond the frequency tolerance prescribed in § 74.1261, the licensee shall promptly suspend operation of the station and shall not resume operation until the station has been restored to its assigned frequency. Adjustment of the frequency determining circuits of an FM translator or booster shall be made by a qualified person in accordance with § 74.1250(g).

(a) The licensee of an FM translator or booster station is not required to adhere to any regular schedule of operation. However, the licensee of an FM translator or booster station is expected to provide a dependable service to the extent that such is within its control and to avoid unwarranted interruptions to the service provided.

(b) An FM booster or FM Translator station rebroadcasting the signal of an AM, FM or LPFM primary station shall not be permitted to radiate during extended periods when signals of the primary station are not being retransmitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, FM translators rebroadcasting Class D AM stations may continue to operate during nighttime hours only if the AM station has operated within the last 24 hours.

(c) The licensee of an FM translator or booster station must notify the Commission of its intent to discontinue operations for 30 or more consecutive days. Notification must be made within 10 days of the time the station first discontinues operation and Commission approval must be obtained for such discontinued operation to continue beyond 30 days. The notification shall specify the causes of the discontinued operation and a projected date for the station's return to operation, substantiated by supporting documentation. If the projected date for the station's return to operation cannot be met, another notification and further request for discontinued operations must be submitted in conformance with the requirements of this section. Within 48 hours of the station's return to operation, the licensee must notify the Commission of such fact. All notification must be in writing.

(d) The licensee of an FM translator or booster station must notify the Commission of its intent to permanently discontinue operations at least two days before operation is discontinued. Immediately after discontinuance of operation, the licensee shall forward the station license and other instruments of authorization to the FCC, Washington, DC for cancellation.

(e) Failure of an FM translator or booster station to operate for a period of 30 or more consecutive days, except for causes beyond the control of the licensee or authorized pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, shall be deemed evidence of discontinuation of operation and the license of the station may be cancelled at the discretion of the Commission. Furthermore, the station's license will expire as a matter of law, without regard to any causes beyond control of the licensee or to any authorization pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, if the station fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12-month period, notwithstanding any provision, term, or condition of the license to the contrary.

[55 FR 50699, Dec. 10, 1990, as amended at 61 FR 28768, June 6, 1996; 74 FR 45130, Sept. 1, 2009; 85 FR 35574, June 11, 2020; 86 FR 37061, July 14, 2021]

Each licensee or permittee of a station authorized under this subpart shall be familiar with those rules relating to stations authorized under this subpart. Copies of the Commission's Rules may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC 20401, or accessed online at https://www.ecfr.gov or https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR.

[83 FR 13683, Mar. 30, 2018]

(a) The licensee of a station authorized under this Subpart shall maintain adequate station records, including the current instrument of authorization, official correspondence with the FCC, maintenance records, contracts, permission for rebroadcasts, and other pertinent documents.

(b) Entries required by § 17.49 of this chapter concerning any observed or otherwise known extinguishment or improper functioning of a tower light:

(1) The nature of such extinguishment or improper functioning.

(2) The date and time the extinguishment of improper operation was observed or otherwise noted.

(3) The date, time and nature of adjustments, repairs or replacements made.

(c) The station records shall be maintained for inspection at a residence, office, or public building, place of business, or other suitable place, in one of the communities of license of the translator or booster, except that the station records of a booster or translator licensed to the licensee of the primary station may be kept at the same place where the primary station records are kept. The station records shall be made available upon request to any authorized representative of the Commission.

(d) Station logs and records shall be retained for a period of two years.

[48 FR 44807, Sept. 30, 1983, as amended at 84 FR 2759, Feb. 8, 2019]

(a) The call sign of an FM broadcast translator station will consist of the initial letter K or W followed by the channel number assigned to the translator and two letters. The use of the initial letter will generally conform to the pattern used in the broadcast service. The two letter combinations following the channel number will be assigned in order and requests for the assignment of particular combinations of letters will not be considered.

(b) The call sign of an FM booster station or LPFM booster will consist of the call sign of the primary station followed by the letters “FM” or “LP” and the number of the booster station being authorized, e.g., WFCCFM-1 or WFCCLP-1.

(c) A translator station authorized under this subpart shall be identified by one of the following methods.

(1) By arranging for the primary station whose station is being rebroadcast to identify the translator station by call sign and location. Three such identifications shall be made during each day: once between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., once between 12:55 p.m. and 1:05 p.m. and once between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Stations which do not begin their broadcast before 9 a.m. shall make their first identification at the beginning of their broadcast days. The licensee of an FM translator whose station identification is made by the primary station must arrange for the primary station licensee to keep in its file, and to make available to FCC personnel, the translator's call letters and location, giving the name, address and telephone number of the licensee or his service representative to be contacted in the event of malfunction of the translator. It shall be the responsibility of the translator licensee to furnish current information to the primary station licensee for this purpose.

(2) By transmitting the call sign in International Morse Code at least once each hour. Transmitters of FM broadcast translator stations of more than 1 watt transmitter output power must be equipped with an automatic keying device that will transmit the call sign at least once each hour, unless there is in effect a firm agreement with the translator's primary station as provided in § 74.1283(c)(1) of this section. Transmission of the call sign can be accomplished by:

(i) Frequency shifting key; the carrier shift shall not be less than 5 kHz nor greater than 25 kHz.

(ii) Amplitude modulation of the FM carrier of at least 30 percent modulation. The audio frequency tone use shall not be within 200 hertz of the Emergency Broadcast System Attention signal alerting frequencies.

(d) FM broadcast booster stations shall be identified by their primary stations, by the broadcasting of the primary station's call signs and location, in accordance with the provisions of § 73.1201 of this chapter.

(e) The Commission may, in its discretion, specify other methods of identification.

[55 FR 50699, Dec. 10, 1990, as amended at 85 FR 35574, June 11, 2020]

(a) The term rebroadcast means the reception by radio of the programs or other signals of a radio station and the simultaneous retransmission of such programs or signals for direct reception by the general public.

(b) The licensee of an FM translator shall not rebroadcast the programs of any AM or FM broadcast station or other FM translator without obtaining prior consent of the primary station whose programs are proposed to be retransmitted. The Commission shall be notified of the call letters of each station rebroadcast and the licensee of the FM translator shall certify that written consent has been received from the licensee of the station whose programs are retransmitted.

(c) An FM translator is not authorized to rebroadcast the transmissions of any class of station other than an AM or FM broadcast station or another FM translator.

[35 FR 15388, Oct. 2, 1970, as amended at 74 FR 45130, Sept. 1, 2009]

[50 FR 38535, Sept. 23, 1985, as amended at 51 FR 34622, Sept. 30, 1986; 52 FR 37316, Oct. 6, 1987; 52 FR 47569, Dec. 15, 1987; 63 FR 33879, June 22, 1998; 63 FR 65127, Nov. 25, 1998; 64 FR 63744, Nov. 22, 1999]