FCC Issues Guidance For Digital Power increase Notifications

Digital Power To The People!

The FCC has issued guidance for broadcasters who wish to increase their IBOC digital HD RADIO signals' power to a maximum of 10% of analog ERP, as recently authorized.  

Until the new electronic form 335 is approved by the Office of Management and Budget, stations increasing digital power no greater than -14 dBc may notify the Commission of operation with increased digital power, within 10 days of commencement of operation, by letter addressed to Digital Radio Notification, 445 12th Street SW, Room 2-B450, WASHINGTON, DC 20554.  The letter needs to include the date of increased power operation, a certification that, except for the digital ERP, the IBOC facilities conform to the iBIQUITY specifications, the name and telephone number of a technical representative the Commission can call in the event of interference, analog, digital and, if applicable, combined transmitter power output, analog and digital ERP, and a certification that the notified operation will not cause human exposure to excess levels of RF radiation.  Stations which have been granted STAs for operation with increased digital ERP will be deemed to have complied with the required notification procedures.

Requests for operation with digital power in excess of -14 dBc, or operation in excess of -20 dBc by super-powered FM stations, must be filed electronically in the CDBS system, using the Engineering STA form and checking the boxes marked "Licensed antenna" and "with other variance." An explanation of the nature of the request should be included as a narrative attachment, and an engineering showing plus a filing fee of $170 should be included.

If an auxiliary antenna is used to transmit the digital signal and the digital ERP would exceed the licensed analog ERP of the auxiliary antenna, the licensee must file an application for construction permit (Form 301 or 340) to increase power and file a covering license application (Form 302-FM) prior to commencing operations at the higher power level.

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