Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, 2751-2760 [2015-31950]

Agencies

• FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 19, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2751-2760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31950]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[MB Docket No. 13-249; FCC 15-142]


Revitalization of the AM Radio Service

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission adopted a number of 
procedures and procedural changes designed to assist AM broadcasters to 
better serve the public, thereby advancing the Commission's fundamental 
goals of localism, competition, and diversity in broadcast media.

DATES: Effective February 18, 2016, except for the amendment to 47 CFR 
73.1560, which contains new or modified information collection 
requirements that require approval by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and which will 
become effective after the Commission publishes a document in the 
Federal Register announcing such approval and the relevant effective 
date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Doyle, Chief, Media Bureau, 
Audio Division, (202) 418-2700 or Peter.Doyle@fcc.gov; Thomas 
Nessinger, Senior Counsel, Media Bureau, Audio Division, (202) 418-2700 
or Thomas.Nessinger@fcc.gov. For additional information concerning the 
Paperwork Reduction Act information

[[Page 2752]]

collection requirements contained in this document, contact Cathy 
Williams at 202-418-2918, or via the Internet at 
Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission's First 
Report and Order (First R&O), FCC 15-142, adopted October 21, 2015, and 
released October 23, 2015. The full text of the First R&O is available 
for inspection and copying during regular business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center, 445 Twelfth Street SW., Room CY-A257, Portals II, 
Washington, DC 20554. To request materials in accessible formats for 
people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio 
format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 
(TTY).

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis

    This First Report and Order (First R&O) adopts new or revised 
information collection requirements, subject to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA) (Pub. L. 104-13, 109 Stat 163 (1995) (codified in 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3520)). These information collection requirements were 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under 
Section 3507(d) of the PRA. The Commission received OMB preapproval for 
the information collection requirements on January 28, 2014. The 
information collection requirements were adopted as proposed. The 
Commission will activate the burden hours in OMB's inventory. These 
information collection requirements are preapproved under OMB control 
number 3060-1194, Section 73.1560(a)(1) and FCC Form 338. In addition, 
we note that pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 
2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), we previously 
sought specific comment on how the Commission might ``further reduce 
the information collection burden for small business concerns with 
fewer than 25 employees.''

Synopsis of Order

    1. With this First R&O, the Commission addresses the proposals set 
forth in the Notice of Proposed Rule Making in this proceeding, FCC 13-
139, 28 FCC Rcd 15221 (2013) (NPRM). The Commission proposed in the 
NPRM to open a one-time filing window, open to AM licensees and 
permittees only, to apply for and receive authorizations for one new FM 
translator station per AM station, for the sole and limited purpose of 
re-broadcasting the AM signal to provide fill-in and/or nighttime 
service. The Commission further proposed that such translator stations 
must strictly comply with the existing fill-in coverage area technical 
restrictions on FM translators re-broadcasting AM stations, that any 
translator acquired through this one-time window could be used only to 
re-broadcast the signal of the AM station acquiring it, and that such a 
translator could not be assigned or transferred except in conjunction 
with the commonly owned AM primary station. The Commission sought 
comment on this proposal and its limitations. The Commission opted to 
continue allowing so-called ``Mattoon waivers,'' which allow 
broadcasters to relocate FM translators intended to rebroadcast AM 
stations farther than would be allowed under the Commission's rules for 
minor modifications of translator stations.
    2. Although there was strong support for the AM-only new FM 
translator auction filing window proposed in the NPRM, the Commission 
found that there are issues that call into question whether it should 
limit the approach to opening such a window as proposed. Chief among 
its concerns was the time it would take for such a window to open. 
Commenters in this proceeding discuss the need for immediate relief, 
but given other auction commitments, the Commission determined that it 
is not possible at this time to provide such relief in the short term 
with a new FM translator station auction filing window. However, it is 
possible to provide short-term relief to AM broadcasters by providing a 
window where AM stations would be provided greater flexibility to move 
FM translators. This window would take advantage of the availability of 
existing FM translators that can be obtained by many AM broadcasters 
seeking to enhance their local service. Based upon a staff analysis of 
applications available in the Media Bureau's Consolidated Data Base 
System (CDBS), since 2003 the number of FM translator stations has 
increased by 65 percent (from approximately 3,800 to approximately 
6,300). This number is likely to grow in the next 12 to 18 months, as 
more FM translator permits are awarded from the Auction 83 filing 
window, to the point where there could be up to twice the number of 
translators that existed in 2003. Further, the secondary market for FM 
translator stations is robust: Since the Commission's 2009 decision to 
allow AM stations to be rebroadcast over FM translators, almost 4,000 
translators have changed hands, of which over 600 were sold to AM 
stations for use as cross-service fill-in translators. A staff review 
of ``stand alone'' FM translator assignment applications granted over 
the past year has determined that the vast majority of stations have 
sold for under $100,000, and a substantial majority of those for less 
than $50,000. Providing AM broadcasters with a greater opportunity to 
benefit from this secondary market will provide them with tangible and 
immediate relief. Accordingly, the Commission adopted a two-pronged 
approach to enable more AM stations to acquire FM translators. First, 
the Commission directed the Media Bureau to administer in 2016 a 
process where an AM licensee or permittee seeking to rebroadcast on an 
FM translator may acquire and relocate one and only one authorized non-
reserved band FM translator station up to 250 miles, and specify any 
rule-compliant non-reserved band FM channel, as a minor modification 
application. Second, the Commission directed the Media Bureau, in 
conjunction with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureaus), to 
open new FM translator application auction windows, beginning in 2017, 
for AM stations that do not file a modification application in 2016. 
Class C and D stations will be able to take advantage of the 
modification window and the auction window first, prior to second 
windows that will be available to all classes.
    3. The Commission also asked in the NPRM whether, between expanding 
the number of FM translators eligible to re-broadcast AM stations and 
opening the window proposed in this proceeding, there would continue to 
be a need for so-called Mattoon waivers and, if not, when the policy of 
granting such waivers should be eliminated. Most commenters favored 
retention of Mattoon waivers, adoption of the proposed Tell City 
waivers and, for some cases, codifying the Mattoon waiver policy in our 
Rules. Although there has been and will likely continue to be an 
expansion of the number of FM translator stations available to 
rebroadcast AM stations, the decision to delay opening an exclusive AM-
new FM translator window in favor of opening a modification window may 
limit FM translator acquisition options for some AM licensees. Because 
of this, some flexibility in relocating such fill-in FM translators 
will continue to be necessary. The Mattoon waiver policy requires 
satisfaction of three criteria: (1) The applicant does not have a 
history of filing serial minor modification applications; (2) the 
proposed site is mutually exclusive with the licensed translator 
facility; and (3) the translator

[[Page 2753]]

will rebroadcast the proposed AM primary station for a period of four 
years of on-air operation, exclusive of silent periods, commencing with 
the initiation of on-air service at the new location. Under the 
circumstances, the Commission directed the Media Bureau to continue 
granting Mattoon waivers, including the four-year operating condition, 
in appropriate cases. Until and unless a different procedure is 
announced on review of the pending Tell City waiver case (Way Media, 
Inc., Letter, 29 FCC Rcd 11287, 11287 (MB 2014), review pending), 
however, the Mattoon waiver policy will not be extended beyond its 
current limits as described above, including as proposed by the Tell 
City applicant, except as discussed below for the limited purpose of 
the modification window adopted in this First R&O.
    4. Although the availability of existing and to-be-authorized FM 
translator stations and the use of Mattoon waivers should provide an 
ample supply of translators for fill-in use by many AM stations, the 
Commission recognized that the availability of such translator stations 
may not, in many cases, completely satisfy demand. Some AM broadcasters 
might enjoy a sufficient supply of translators that conform with 
Commission siting rules, while others may have more difficulty in 
locating potentially rule-compliant translators. Still other AM 
broadcasters, particularly those whose stations have limited power 
(Class C) or lack protected nighttime service (Class D), might need 
additional time to arrange the financing necessary to enter the market 
for an FM translator station. For this reason, the Commission directed 
the Media Bureau to announce, by Public Notice, two modification 
windows during which an AM licensee or permittee seeking to rebroadcast 
on an FM translator may, on a first-come, first-served basis, acquire 
and relocate one and only one authorized non-reserved band FM 
translator station up to 250 miles, and specify any rule-compliant non-
reserved band FM channel, as a minor modification application, 
notwithstanding 47 CFR 74.1233(a)(1), which defines major and minor 
modifications of FM translator facilities. This distance limitation is 
designed to substantially expand purchase options for AM stations, 
particularly those serving smaller markets and rural areas. It is also 
designed to not disrupt the current secondary market for translator 
authorizations.\1\ In this regard the Commission noted that spectrum 
congestion in the largest markets will significantly limit 
opportunities for translator station relocations. The Commission will 
accept applications to modify authorized FM translator stations that 
the AM station licensee or permittee either owns, for which it is the 
proposed assignee or transferee in a pending application (a proposed 
assignee or transferee may file in its own name an application to 
modify the subject translator authorization. See 47 CFR 73.3517(a)), or 
for which it has a rebroadcasting agreement. The Commission further 
directed the Bureau to open the first modification window for six 
months, and to make the first window available only to applications to 
modify and/or relocate FM translator stations rebroadcasting Class C 
and D AM stations, on a one translator per AM station basis. Class C 
and D stations, because of their limited power or lack of protected 
nighttime service, will benefit most from the acquisition of a cross-
service translator, and thus should be afforded the first opportunity 
to obtain one. The second window, to open at the end of the initial 
six-month window, would be open for an additional three-month period, 
and would be available to applications to modify and/or relocate FM 
translator stations rebroadcasting any AM station of any class, 
including Class C and D stations that did not file an application in 
the initial window, also on a one translator per AM station basis. In 
return for this one-time rule waiver, the Media Bureau was directed to 
impose on translators relocated and/or modified using the waiver the 
same four-year operating condition currently attached to FM translators 
relocated using Mattoon waivers. Thus, the modified FM translator must 
rebroadcast the FM translator modification applicant's specified AM 
primary station for a period of four years of on-air operation, 
exclusive of silent periods, commencing with the initiation of on-air 
service at the new location. The Commission also directed the Media 
Bureau to expeditiously initiate a three-month outreach effort to 
promote Class C and Class D participation in this modification window 
filing process; to develop, as practicable, technical tools similar to 
those created for the LPFM window to assess spectrum availability and 
potential FM translator acquisition options; and to establish 
streamlined procedures for handling inquiries from the AM and FM 
translator broadcast community. The modification windows are to be 
opened upon completion of this outreach.\2\
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    \1\ A substantial majority of the approximately 1300 outstanding 
Auction 83 construction permits are scheduled to expire in 2016. 
Modification applicants in one of these two modification windows may 
seek waivers of these construction deadlines. See 47 CFR 1.3. 
Waivers can expand cross-service broadcasting opportunities for AM 
stations, will allow AM licensees to realize service improvements 
quickly, will incentivize FM translator permittee participation in 
the modification window process, and will provide a means to avoid 
the delays and administrative burdens of re-auctioning this 
spectrum. Accordingly, the Commission found that a waiver of an 
Auction 83 FM translator construction deadline is presumptively in 
the public interest for applicants participating in one of the 
modification windows, provided that the AM station licensee 
proposing to use the FM translator for rebroadcasting its AM station 
commits to prompt FM translator station construction and initiation 
of broadcast operations.
    \2\ The pending Tell City waiver request could likely qualify 
for processing under the waiver procedures announced herein. 
However, in order to promote a fair process for all AM stations in 
reallocating FM translator spectrum, including to spectrum limited 
markets, the Commission will not afford that proposal cut-off rights 
over other filings. The Commission also directed the Media Bureau to 
dismiss, without further consideration, waiver requests filed prior 
to and in anticipation of the opening of the modification 
application filing windows.
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    5. The modification windows, as noted above, can provide near-term 
relief to AM broadcasters. However, some AM stations may not be 
successful in locating translators, notwithstanding the availability of 
rule-compliant FM translator channels in their communities. Therefore, 
to further promote the long-term viability of the AM service, the 
Commission also directed the Bureaus to open two new FM translator 
application auction windows, beginning in 2017,\3\ for those AM 
licensees and permittees that do not participate, i.e., file an 
application, in one of the modification windows.\4\ The first FM 
translator auction window, as with the initial modification window, 
shall be limited to Class C and D AM

[[Page 2754]]

permittees and licensees that have not participated in either 
modification window. The second FM translator auction window, to be 
opened as soon as possible after the first window has closed and 
applicants in the first window have had an opportunity to resolve 
mutual exclusivity through settlement or technical resolution, will be 
open to all AM permittees and licensees that have not participated in 
any of the prior modification or auction windows. The Commission 
believed that the threshold qualification of affording relief first to 
Class C and D stations, with limited power or no protected nighttime 
service, represented the best approach among the many proposed by 
commenters. The FM translator auction windows will otherwise follow the 
NPRM proposal, insofar as participation will be limited to AM 
permittees and licensees, each applicant may apply for one and only one 
translator station that must comply with Commission siting rules for FM 
fill-in translators rebroadcasting AM stations, and any translator 
acquired through the FM translator auction windows will be permanently 
linked to the AM primary station acquiring it. See NPRM, 28 FCC Rcd at 
15227. Just as in FM Translator Auction 83, these new FM translator 
auction windows will include opportunities for mutually exclusive 
applicants to resolve their mutual exclusivity through settlements or 
technical resolutions. See FM Translator Auction 83 Mutually Exclusive 
Applications Subject to Auction, Public Notice, 28 FCC Rcd 9716 (MB 
2013); 47 CFR 73.5002(c), (d).
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    \3\ In order to ensure the efficient processing of these auction 
applications, the Commission directed the Bureaus to undertake and 
complete all revisions to Form 175 necessary to collect the FM 
translator technical specifications, and also directed the Bureaus 
to hold an auction for all remaining mutually exclusive commercial 
Auction 83 applications following the completion of the Incentive 
Auction, Auction 1000, and prior to the first FM translator auction 
window.
    \4\ The NPRM proposed a ``one-to-a-customer'' FM translator 
window to provide limited, targeted relief to AM stations. See NPRM, 
28 FCC Rcd at 15228. Thus, the Commission declined to permit one 
class of eligible applicants to double the number of FM translator 
authorizations that they could acquire under these window 
procedures. Given the supply of translator authorizations, the 
palpable demand for FM translator licensees by other stakeholders, 
and the relief afforded by the modification windows, AM licensees 
and permittees will be eligible to participate in either one 
modification or one auction window, but not both. AM station 
assignments or transfers during the multi-window process will not 
create an opportunity for new owners to participate in an auction 
window when the former licensee participated in a modification 
window.
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    6. The Commission also adopted the NPRM proposal to modify the 
daytime community coverage requirement contained in 47 CFR 73.24(i), 
for existing licensed AM facilities only, to require that the daytime 5 
mV/m contour encompasses either 50 percent of the area, or 50 percent 
of the population of the principal community to be served. This rule 
modification is intended to provide relief to existing broadcasters--
some of which have held AM licenses for many decades--that may find 
themselves lacking the flexibility to relocate their transmission 
facilities in order to meet the rule's community coverage requirements, 
due to expansion of community boundaries and/or lack of available land 
to which to relocate antennas. However, in order to preserve the 
limited intent of this rule modification, the Commission authorized the 
Media Bureau to inquire into the facts justifying any modification that 
would reduce the percentage of community population or area coverage 
within the first four years of licensed on-air operation of the 
applicant station, exclusive of any periods of reduced operations or 
silence pursuant to special temporary authorizations. Should the Bureau 
find there is no compelling reason warranting reduced community 
coverage during this period, it may dismiss the modification 
application.
    7. Likewise, the Commission adopted the NPRM proposal to eliminate 
the nighttime community coverage requirement for existing licensed AM 
stations, and modify the nighttime community coverage requirement in 47 
CFR 73.24(i) to require that applicants for new AM stations and those 
AM stations seeking a change to their communities of license cover 
either 50 percent of the population or 50 percent of the area of the 
communities of license with a nighttime 5 mV/m signal or a nighttime 
interference-free contour, whichever value is higher. It declined to 
eliminate completely nighttime community of license coverage 
requirements for new AM stations and those changing community of 
license, as well as for permittees of unbuilt stations seeking to 
modify their authorizations, in the interest of striking the 
appropriate balance between the need to provide relief to AM 
broadcasters with few siting options (amplified by the added complexity 
of AM nighttime skywave signal propagation and concomitant signal 
restrictions), and the need to provide the community of license with 
some kind of service at night. As with the change to daytime community 
coverage requirements, the Commission instructed the Media Bureau to 
examine closely any request by a station to reduce nighttime community 
coverage during its first four years of licensed on-air operation, and 
granted the Bureau discretion to dismiss any such application absent a 
compelling reason warranting reduced nighttime service.
    8. The Commission proposed in the NPRM to delete the so-called 
``ratchet rule,'' which effectively requires that a Class A or B AM 
broadcaster, seeking to make facility changes that modify its AM 
signal, demonstrate that the improvements will result in an overall 
reduction in the amount of skywave interference that it causes to 
certain other AM stations (primarily by ``ratcheting back'' radiation 
in the direction of certain other AM stations). 47 CFR 73.182(q) n.1. 
Two engineering firms filed a 2009 petition to eliminate the ratchet 
rule, contending that the rule's practical effect was to discourage 
station improvements, because compliance with the rule more often than 
not required the modifying station to reduce power to the point that 
net nighttime interference-free (NIF) service was reduced. Most 
commenters supported this proposal. Accordingly, the Commission deleted 
the ratchet rule, as proposed in the NPRM, agreeing with the commenters 
that confirmed the rule's negative consequences recited in the NPRM, as 
well as with long- and short-term benefits identified by commenters, 
including cost reduction to AM broadcasters making station 
improvements, economic benefits to local AM stations and their 
communities served through expanded nighttime broadcasting and 
consequent expansion to local advertising platforms, and the ability of 
communities served by AM stations affected by the ratchet rule to 
receive information concerning local events, or emergencies at night, 
among others.
    9. In the NPRM, the Commission also proposed modifications to the 
rules affecting AM stations using Modulation Dependent Carrier Level 
(MDCL) control technologies. MDCL control technologies vary either the 
carrier or the carrier and sideband power levels as a function of the 
modulation level, thus allowing the licensee to reduce transmitter 
power consumption while maintaining audio quality and signal coverage. 
Both basic types of MDCL control technologies and various systems 
reduce the station's antenna input power to levels not permitted by 47 
CFR 73.1560(a). The Commission proposed to: (1) Amend 47 CFR 73.1560(a) 
of the Rules to provide that an AM station may commence MDCL control 
operation without prior Commission authority, provided that the AM 
station licensee notifies the Commission of the station's MDCL control 
operation within 10 days after commencement of such operation using the 
Media Bureau's Consolidated Database System (CDBS) Electronic Filing 
System; (2) require, regardless of the MDCL control technology 
employed, that the AM station's transmitter must achieve full licensed 
power at some audio input level, or when the MDCL control technology is 
disabled; and (3) require an AM station using MDCL control technology 
to disable it before field strength measurements on the station are 
taken by the licensee or others. Most commenters supported these 
proposals, although some noted that MDCL control technologies generally 
benefit only those AM stations using newer transmitters, which are the 
only ones with which MDCL control technologies are compatible. The 
Commission adopted the proposals as set forth in the NPRM. AM stations 
must electronically notify the Media Bureau

[[Page 2755]]

of the station's MDCL control operation within 10 days after 
commencement of such operation using FCC Form 338--AM Station MDCL 
Notification, available in the CDBS Electronic Filing System. The 
Commission declined to impose additional requirements regarding 
certification of third-party MDCL products, or any other rule changes 
with regard to MDCL operation. The Commission continues to hold 
broadcasters responsible for their signals, and for any interference 
resulting from those signals (interference that has not to this point 
been reported from those broadcasters currently employing MDCL control 
technologies). The Commission stated it would revisit this position if 
interference from third-party MDCL products were to become a problem, 
but noted that it would be up to the broadcaster employing such a 
product to remedy the situation should interference arise.
    10. In the NPRM the Commission discussed a proposal by the 
Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council (MMTC), in which 
MMTC argued for the elimination of the Commission's minimum efficiency 
standards for AM transmission systems (found in 47 CFR 73.182 and 
73.189), replacing them with a ``minimum radiation'' standard. In 
MMTC's view, the minimum efficiency standards hindered AM broadcasters, 
because they require a certain height antenna and length of ground 
radials for a station at a given frequency, causing difficulties in 
finding compliant sites for towers and ground systems. MMTC argued that 
an AM broadcaster should be able to use a less efficient--but also less 
space-intensive--transmission system, driving the system with more 
power to offset the lack of efficiency. The Commission observed in the 
NPRM that MMTC's proposal lacked specifics as to the appropriate 
replacement ``minimum radiation'' standard, noting that the Rules 
contained similar provisions for applicants seeking to avoid the 
minimum antenna efficiency standards. The Commission also stated that 
it did not believe the record was sufficiently developed to propose 
wholesale rule changes to the minimum antenna efficiency standards. In 
order to provide some relief to AM broadcasters finding it increasingly 
difficult to locate rule-compliant antenna sites, however, the 
Commission proposed to reduce the AM antenna efficiency standards by 25 
percent. The Commission also encouraged commenters to provide specifics 
as to any proposed replacement or alternative standard for AM 
transmission systems. Commenters, for the most part, expressed support 
for relaxing the AM efficiency standards, but did not provide the 
specificity requested in the NPRM. Additionally, several commenters 
offered cautions regarding potential problems with shorter, less 
efficient radiators, including decreased signal stability and increased 
skywave interference. The Commission therefore adopted the proposal as 
set forth in the NPRM, reducing the existing AM antenna efficiency 
standards by 25 percent as a means to provide relief to AM 
broadcasters. The Commission did, however, agree with some commenters 
who suggested that it should collect more real-world data on 
alternative and less-efficient AM transmission systems. Accordingly, 
the Commission also directed the Media Bureau to entertain requests by 
existing AM broadcasters for experimental authorizations to operate 
with antenna systems that do not meet the modified antenna efficiency 
rules, provided that they can establish that such operation will not 
increase interference to other domestic or international AM stations 
and can demonstrate the stability of such systems. Such applications 
may be made by informal application pursuant to 47 CFR 5.203, and shall 
be subject to the monitoring and reporting requirements in that section 
and such other conditions as the Media Bureau may require.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    11. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as 
amended (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 603, an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
(IRFA) was incorporated in the NPRM to this proceeding (24 FCC Rcd 5239 
(2009)). The Commission sought written public comment on the proposals 
in the NPRM, including comment on the IRFA. The Commission received no 
comments on the IRFA. This Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) 
conforms to the RFA (5 U.S.C. 604).

Need for, and Objectives of, the First Report and Order

    12. This First Report and Order (First R&O) adopts changes to 
certain technical rules and processes relating to the AM broadcast 
radio service. In the First R&O, the Commission modified daytime and 
nighttime community coverage requirements for certain AM stations; 
eliminated the so-called AM Ratchet Rule; adopted a new form 
notification procedure for stations implementing Modulation Dependent 
Carrier Level Control Technologies; and modified the rules relating to 
AM antenna system efficiency.
    13. In the First R&O, the Commission addressed issues raised in the 
NPRM. The Commission, in the NPRM, explained that it had not done a 
comprehensive review of the AM service in almost 25 years. Moreover, in 
the years since the last comprehensive review of the AM service, 
listenership had declined due to several factors, including: The 
introduction of new media with higher audio fidelity, such as CDs, 
digital media players, and FM digital radio; increased interference 
among AM stations; and increased interference from non-broadcast 
sources, such as computers, LED light bulbs, power supplies, and 
utility lines. Based in part on separate pleadings and petitions for 
rule making filed by stakeholders, the Commission in the NPRM outlined 
six proposals designed to offer assistance to AM broadcasters in light 
of the various difficulties surrounding the AM service.
    14. After considering the comments filed in response to the NPRM, 
the Commission determined that there were impediments to the immediate 
opening of a filing window limited to AM licensees and permittees 
wishing to obtain FM translator stations, including the time it would 
take to open such a window, and the wide availability of FM translator 
stations including the number expected to be authorized in the near 
future. It concluded that the correct approach, to offer near-term 
relief to AM broadcasters, was to open two windows allowing the 
modification and/or relocation of FM translators to rebroadcast AM 
stations. These windows would be preceded by a three-month period of 
outreach by the Media Bureau to AM stations with limited power and/or 
no protected nighttime service (Class C and D stations). Following this 
period of outreach, the Media Bureau will open a six-month window in 
which an AM station seeking to rebroadcast on an FM translator may, on 
a first-come, first-served basis, apply to acquire and relocate one and 
only one authorized non-reserved band FM translator station up to 250 
miles, and specify any rule-compliant non-reserved band FM channel, as 
a minor modification application notwithstanding 47 CFR 74.1233(a)(1), 
which defines major and minor modifications of FM translators. This 
first modification window will be available only to applications to 
modify and/or relocate an FM translator station rebroadcasting a Class 
C or D AM station, on a one translator per AM station basis. The first 
modification window will be followed by a second,

[[Page 2756]]

three-month modification window, open for applications to modify and/or 
relocate an FM translator rebroadcasting any AM station of any class, 
including a Class C or D station that did not participate (i.e., file 
an application) in the initial modification window, also on a one 
translator per AM station basis. FM translator stations modified and/or 
relocated during these modification windows will be subject to the same 
four-year operating condition currently attached to FM translators 
relocated using Mattoon waivers.
    15. To further promote the long-term viability of the AM service, 
the Commission also directed the Bureaus to open, in 2017 after 
completion of the Incentive Auction, Auction 1000, two auction windows 
for new FM translator stations to rebroadcast AM stations, open to AM 
licensees and permittees that did not file applications in either of 
the modification windows. As with the modification windows, the first 
new FM translator auction window will be limited to applications filed 
by licensees or permittees of Class C and D AM stations, on a one 
translator per station basis, that did not file applications in the 
modification windows. After close of the first new FM translator 
auction window, and after applicants in that window have had the 
opportunity to resolve mutual exclusivity through settlement or 
technical resolution, the Bureaus will open a second new FM translator 
auction window, which will be open to all AM licensees and permittees, 
of any class, that did not participate in either of the modification 
windows or the first auction window. The new FM translator auction 
windows will otherwise follow the proposal in the NPRM: Participation 
will be limited to AM licensees and permittees, each applicant may 
apply for one and only one translator station that must comply with our 
siting rules for FM fill-in translators rebroadcasting AM stations, and 
any translator acquired through the FM translator auction windows will 
be permanently linked to the AM primary station acquiring it. Both new 
FM translator auction windows will include opportunities for mutually 
exclusive applicants to resolve their mutual exclusivity through 
settlements or technical resolutions.
    16. In the NPRM, the Commission also proposed to change the daytime 
and nighttime community coverage requirements for AM stations. It noted 
that MMTC had filed a 2009 petition for rule making, which it styled a 
``Radio Rescue Petition,'' in which among other things it sought some 
flexibility in transmitter siting for AM stations. MMTC's reasoning was 
that some existing stations were unable to comply with the requirements 
that an AM station place a 5 mV/m daytime signal over at least 80 
percent of its community of license, and that at least 80 percent of 
the community of license be encompassed by either a 5 mV/m nighttime 
signal or an NIF signal (except in the case of Class D stations, which 
have no protected nighttime service). MMTC argued that, as communities 
grow and boundaries expand farther from an AM transmitter site, it 
becomes impossible for the station to comply with the community 
coverage rules, and further argued that scarcity of land suitable for 
AM transmission systems makes it difficult or impossible for such 
stations to find rule-compliant transmitter sites. MMTC thus suggested, 
and the Commission proposed, that the rule be changed to allow an 
existing AM station to cover only 50 percent of either the population 
or the area of its community of license with a 5 mV/m signal during the 
day, and to eliminate the community of license coverage requirement at 
night. Additionally, the Commission proposed to allow a new AM station 
or one changing its community of license to encompass only 50 percent 
of either the population or area of the community of license within its 
nighttime 5 mV/m contour or its NIF contour, whichever value is higher. 
Based on substantially favorable commenter support, the Commission 
adopted these proposals, adding the proviso that any request to utilize 
the new community coverage standards within the first four years of on-
air operations, exclusive of any periods of reduced operation or 
silence, would be met with increased scrutiny and granted only upon a 
compelling showing.
    17. The Commission also proposed, in the NPRM, to eliminate the so-
called ``ratchet rule.'' This rule required a Class A or B AM station 
proposing signal modifications to demonstrate an overall reduction in 
the amount of skywave interference it caused to other AM stations; in 
other words, the modifying station was required to ``ratchet back'' 
radiation in the direction of certain other AM stations. Two 
engineering firms filed a 2009 petition for rulemaking to eliminate the 
ratchet rule, claiming that the rule's practical effect was not, as 
intended, to reduce nighttime skywave interference, but rather to 
discourage station improvements and NIF service by the modifying 
station. The Commission adopted this proposal after near-universal 
approval by commenters. Likewise, there was little opposition in the 
comments to the NPRM proposal to allow AM stations to initiate MDCL 
control technologies by simply notifying the Commission, rather than 
seeking authorization to do so, as had been the procedure. MDCL control 
technologies vary a station's radiated power with carrier modulation, 
enabling power savings. The Commission adopted this proposal.
    18. The last of the proposals set forth in the NPRM was to modify 
the AM antenna efficiency standards set forth in the Commission's 
Rules. MMTC had, in its 2009 Radio Rescue Petition, argued that the 
Commission's long-standing rules mandating minimum lengths for AM 
radiators and ground systems, to assure efficient transmission, were 
outdated and limited AM stations' flexibility in choosing transmission 
system sites in an era of diminished property availability for such 
sites. MMTC suggested replacing the minimum efficiency standards with a 
``minimum radiation'' standard, its contention being that a station 
should be allowed to choose to operate a less efficient, less space-
intensive transmission system, making up for the lack of system 
efficiency by using more input power to the system to yield the same 
amount of radiated power. The Commission questioned some of the 
assumptions underlying MMTC's proposal, but agreed that some reduction 
in the antenna efficiency standards might provide some relief to AM 
broadcasters. Accordingly, the Commission proposed a 25 percent 
reduction in the antenna efficiency standards, and requested comment on 
the technical underpinnings to any further reduction in, or elimination 
of, those standards.

Summary of Significant Issues Raised by Public Comments in Response to 
the IRFA

    19. There were no comments filed that specifically addressed the 
rules and policies proposed in the IRFA.

Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the 
Proposed Rules Will Apply

    20. The RFA directs the Commission to provide a description of and, 
where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that will 
be affected by the rules adopted herein. 5 U.S.C. 603(b)(3). The RFA 
generally defines the term ``small entity'' as having the same meaning 
as the terms ``small business,'' small organization,'' and ``small 
government jurisdiction.'' 5 U.S.C. 601(6). In addition, the term 
``small business'' has the same meaning as the term ``small business 
concern'' under

[[Page 2757]]

the Small Business Act. 5 U.S.C. 601(3) (incorporating by reference the 
definition of ``small business concern'' in 15 U.S.C. 632). A small 
business concern is one which: (1) Is independently owned and operated; 
(2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) satisfies any 
additional criteria established by the Small Business Administration 
(SBA). 15 U.S.C. 632.
    21. The subject rules and policies potentially will apply to all AM 
radio broadcasting licensees and potential licensees. A radio 
broadcasting station is an establishment primarily engaged in 
broadcasting aural programs by radio to the public. 15 U.S.C. 632. 
Included in this industry are commercial, religious, educational, and 
other radio stations. Radio broadcasting stations which primarily are 
engaged in radio broadcasting and which produce radio program materials 
are similarly included. However, radio stations that are separate 
establishments and are primarily engaged in producing radio program 
material are classified under another NAICS number. The SBA has 
established a small business size standard for this category, which is: 
Firms having $38.5 million or less in annual receipts. 13 CFR 121.201, 
NAICS code 515112 (updated for inflation in 2008). According to the 
BIA/Kelsey, MEDIA Access Pro Database on October 15, 2015, 4,691 
(99.94%) of 4,694 AM radio stations have revenue of $38.5 million or 
less. Therefore, the majority of such entities are small entities. The 
Commission noted, however, that, in assessing whether a business 
concern qualifies as small under the above definition, business 
(control) affiliations must be included. 13 CFR 121.103(a)(1). Our 
estimate, therefore, likely overstates the number of small entities 
that might be affected by our action, because the revenue figure on 
which it is based does not include or aggregate revenues from 
affiliated companies.
    22. The proposed policies could affect licensees of FM translator 
stations, as well as potential licensees in this radio service. The 
same SBA definition that applies to radio broadcast licensees would 
apply to these stations. The SBA defines a radio broadcast station as a 
small business if such station has no more than $38.5 million in annual 
receipts. Currently, there are approximately 6,312 licensed FM 
translator and booster stations. In addition, there are approximately 
225 applicants with pending applications filed in the 2003 translator 
filing window. Given the nature of these services, the Commission will 
presume that all of these licensees and applicants qualify as small 
entities under the SBA definition.

Description of Projected Reporting, Record Keeping and Other Compliance 
Requirements

    23. As described, certain rules and procedures will change, 
although the changes will not result in substantial increases in 
burdens on applicants. The Commission has added a new form, FCC Form 
338, which an AM station must use to notify the Commission that it is 
initiating operation using MDCL control technologies. Use of FCC Form 
338, however, replaces the current procedure whereby an AM station 
makes a request to use MDCL control technologies. Use of the form is 
not only less burdensome than the previous request process, but enables 
the applicant to initiate MDCL operation immediately, rather than 
waiting for Commission approval. The remaining rule changes adopted in 
the First R&O are substantive and do not involve application changes, 
reporting requirements, or record keeping requirements beyond what is 
already required. For example, currently applicants for AM construction 
permits or modifications are required only to certify that they comply 
with the community coverage requirements of 47 CFR 73.24(i). Such 
applicants will continue to do so, but under a less stringent rule 
standard in some cases.

Steps Taken To Minimize Significant Impact of Small Entities, and 
Significant Alternatives Considered

    24. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant 
alternatives that it has considered in reaching its proposed approach, 
which may include the following four alternatives (among others): (1) 
The establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or 
timetables that take into account the resources available to small 
entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of 
compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small entities; 
(3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an 
exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small 
entities. 5 U.S.C. 603(c)(1)-(c)(4).
    25. With regard to the proposals in the NPRM, the Commission 
received many comments proposing different plans for an FM translator 
window limited to applicants that hold AM station authorizations. Most 
of these comments centered around whether the window could be limited 
to certain AM broadcasters, and to whom it should be limited. 
Ultimately, while recognizing that an exclusive window limited to some 
or all AM station licensees and permittees would assist those entities, 
the Commission concluded that immediately opening such a window would 
be impractical, and could disrupt the robust secondary market in FM 
translators. It decided instead to implement, first, a period of 
outreach to Class C and D AM station licensees and permittees, which 
have lower power and/or no protected nighttime service, to assist them 
in locating existing translators that could meet their needs. 
Immediately following a three-month outreach period, the Commission 
will open two windows in which applicants may propose to relocate an 
existing FM translator up to 250 miles, and/or modify a translator to 
specify any rule-compliant non-reserved FM channel. This procedure is 
expected to lower prices for FM fill-in translators for AM stations by 
opening up the available market, thus benefiting AM station owners, and 
would also benefit small businesses owning FM translator stations. The 
first, six-month modification window would be open only to applicants 
proposing to modify FM translators rebroadcasting Class C and D AM 
stations, followed by a second, three-month window open to applicants 
to modify translators to rebroadcast any class of AM station, including 
for Class C and D stations for which there were no applications in the 
first window. All modification applications filed in the windows will 
be on a one translator-per-AM station basis, and any translator 
stations modified pursuant to modification window applications will be 
subject to the same four-year operating condition currently attached to 
translators modified pursuant to Mattoon waivers. The modification 
windows will provide short-term relief to AM broadcasters. They will be 
followed, upon completion of the Commission's Incentive Auction 
proceeding, by two auction windows for AM licensees and permittees 
seeking to obtain new FM translator stations. The two new FM translator 
auction windows will follow a similar pattern to the modification 
windows: the first will be open only to Class C and D AM licensees and 
permittees whose stations were not participants in either modification 
window, while the second will be open to all AM licensees and 
permittees whose stations were not participants in either modification 
window or the first auction window. The new FM translator auction 
windows will otherwise be subject to the same conditions set forth in 
the NPRM, including the limitation of one and only one application per 
applicant,

[[Page 2758]]

for an FM translator station that must comply with our siting rules for 
FM fill-in translators rebroadcasting AM stations, which will be 
permanently linked to the AM primary station acquiring it. Both new FM 
translator auction windows will include opportunities for mutually 
exclusive applicants to resolve their mutual exclusivity through 
settlements or technical resolutions. In adopting this process of 
modification windows followed by new translator auction windows, the 
Commission intends to provide immediate relief through a modified 
secondary translator market for AM broadcasters that are small 
businesses, while providing some of those businesses an opportunity to 
acquire a new fill-in FM translator at a later time, if that better 
comports with their situation.
    26. With regard to the other, more technical proposals in the NPRM, 
the Commission's proposals were in most cases supported by a majority 
of commenters, giving little reason to consider alternatives. The 
proposals to reduce community coverage requirements for existing AM 
broadcasters were grounded in the idea that such broadcasters, small 
businesses that in some cases had occupied their transmitter sites for 
decades, could not easily change transmitter sites because their 
communities of license had grown, and land had become increasingly 
expensive, thus making it difficult or impossible to locate new, rule-
compliant sites. Relaxing the community coverage standards for existing 
AM stations reduces burdens on such businesses by relieving them of the 
obligation to locate other, more expensive transmitter sites or 
upgrading their equipment to meet those standards. Some commenters 
suggested that the Commission abandon community coverage rules 
altogether, or re-define ``community'' to mean something other than 
geographic boundaries. While such re-definitions would provide further 
relief to AM broadcasters, the Commission rejected them in part because 
47 U.S.C. 307(b) requires that radio stations be assigned fairly and 
equitably among the several States and communities, and that any re-
definition of ``community'' would run counter to the Commission's 
historic expectation that a radio station meet its local service 
obligations, that is, provide service to the designated community, and 
adapt its programming to the shifting needs of that community. The 
principle of broadcast localism, which derives from Section 307(b), 
requires that there be certain minimum service requirements. 
Additionally, it is not necessarily a burden on radio stations to 
require that they cover as much population as possible, because 
increased listenership typically translates into increased advertising 
revenue. Thus, while the Commission considered these alternatives, it 
concluded that the proposals as adopted provided the most relief to AM 
broadcasters while still adhering to the requirements of the 
Communications Act and the expectation that a station will provide 
local service.
    27. As for the proposed repeal of the ratchet rule, the vast 
majority of commenters favored that repeal because of the burdens the 
rule placed on broadcasters seeking to improve their facilities and, 
thus, their signal coverage. There were no significant alternatives to 
consider other than leaving the rule in effect, which was only favored 
by a few commenters. Those favoring retention of the rule did so in 
order to retain the interference reduction benefits for which it was 
designed. The Commission, however, agreed with those commenters, 
including many broadcasters, who argued that the benefits of increased 
flexibility in facility improvement outweighed the minimal interference 
reduction resulting from the ratchet rule's application.
    28. The Commission's proposal regarding notification procedures for 
MDCL control technology use by AM broadcasters did not involve a 
substantive change in the rules, merely a procedural change whereby AM 
broadcasters wishing to use such technologies would no longer have to 
seek leave to do so, but would notify the Commission of the fact. Those 
commenters opposed to the proposal did not oppose it as much as 
question the benefits of MDCL control technologies, observing that they 
are only available to stations with newer transmitters, that in some 
cases the power savings are minimal, and that the fluctuations in 
signal power could result in decreased listenability. These objections, 
however, do not go to the Commission's proposal, which merely makes it 
easier for those AM stations opting to use MDCL control technologies to 
do so. Although the proposal does introduce a new notification form, 
this form replaces the former system of requesting leave to use MDCL 
control technologies, and should result in an overall decrease in the 
burden on AM stations electing to use the technologies. The Commission 
thus decided that adoption of the proposal should be favored over 
retention of the prior procedure.
    29. The Commission also received many comments on its proposal to 
relax, but not eliminate, AM antenna system efficiency rules. The 
Commission proposed a 25 percent reduction in the minimum standards for 
radiators. The most significant alternative to this proposal, put 
forward by many commenters, was to eliminate the efficiency standards 
for AM transmission systems altogether, leaving it to the individual 
broadcaster to decide how much power to feed into the system in order 
to achieve the level of signal radiation needed to provide rule-
compliant coverage. Such a proposal, while power-intensive, would allow 
AM broadcasters to install less-efficient transmission systems in 
smaller plots of land, using radiators (towers) short enough to avoid 
zoning or FAA strictures. In considering this alternative, however, the 
Commission was also informed by those commenters pointing out that 
inefficient AM transmission systems, with short towers and/or ground 
systems, tend to be unstable, and might also result in greater levels 
of high-angle skywave interference to other stations. The Commission 
seeks to reduce burdens on AM broadcasters, but must also protect the 
integrity of the service, including minimizing inter-station 
interference. After considering the alternatives, the Commission 
concluded that adopting its proposed 25 percent reduction of AM antenna 
system efficiency standards represented the best accommodation between 
those considerations. It also decided, however, that more real-world 
data on inefficient AM transmission systems was called for, and 
therefore indicated that it would be willing to allow the installation 
of alternative or inefficient systems on an experimental basis, upon a 
showing that such systems are stable and will not cause excessive 
interference to other AM stations, and subject to the monitoring and 
reporting requirements in Part 5 of the Commission's Rules. Data 
gleaned from such experimental operations, it is hoped, will allow the 
Commission to consider, in the future, whether the AM antenna system 
efficiency rules could be relaxed further or eliminated.

Report to Congress

    30. The Commission will send a copy of the First R&O, including 
this FRFA, in a report to be sent to Congress and the Government 
Accountability Office pursuant to the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). In addition, 
the Commission will send a copy of the First R&O, including the FRFA, 
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small

[[Page 2759]]

Business Administration. A copy of the First R&O and FRFA (or summaries 
thereof) will also be published in the Federal Register. (See 5 U.S.C. 
604(b)).

Ordering Clauses

    31. Accordingly, it is ordered that pursuant to the authority 
contained in Sections 1, 2, 4(i), 303, 307, and 309(j) of the 
Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i), 303, 307, and 
309(j), that this First Report and Order is adopted.
    32. It is further ordered that, pursuant to the authority found in 
Sections 1, 2, 4(i), 303, 307, and 309(j) of the Communications Act of 
1934, 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i), 303, 307, and 309(j), the 
Commission's Rules are hereby amended as set forth herein and in 
Appendix A to the First R&O.
    33. It is further ordered that the rules adopted herein will become 
effective February 18, 2016, except for 47 CFR 73.1560, which contains 
new or modified information collection requirements that require 
approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and which will become effective after 
the Commission publishes a document in the Federal Register announcing 
such approval and the relevant effective date.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73

    Communications equipment, Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Federal Communications Commission.

Gloria J. Miles,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary.

Rule Changes

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal 
Communications Commission amends 47 CFR part 73 as follows:

PART 73--RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES

0
1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336, and 339.


0
2. Section 73.14 is amended by adding in alphabetical order the 
definition for ``Modulation dependent carrier level (MDCL) control 
technologies'' to read as follows:


Sec.  73.14  AM broadcast definitions.

* * * * *
    Modulation dependent carrier level (MDCL) control technologies. 
Transmitter control techniques that vary either the carrier power level 
or both the carrier and sideband power levels as a function of the 
modulation level.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  73.21 revise paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) to read as follows:


Sec.  73.21  Classes of AM broadcast channels and stations.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Class B station. Class B stations are authorized to operate 
with a minimum power of 0.25 kW (or, if less than 0.25 kW, an 
equivalent RMS antenna field of at least 107.5 mV/m at 1 kilometer) and 
a maximum power of 50 kW, or 10 kW for stations that are authorized to 
operate in the 1605-1705 kHz band.
    (3) Class D station. A Class D station operates either daytime, 
limited time or unlimited time with nighttime power less than 0.25 kW 
and an equivalent RMS antenna field of less than 107.5 mV/m at 1 
kilometer. Class D stations shall operate with daytime powers not less 
than 0.25 kW nor more than 50 kW. Nighttime operations of Class D 
stations are not afforded protection and must protect all Class A and 
Class B operations during nighttime hours. New Class D stations that 
had not been previously licensed as Class B will not be authorized.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  73.24 revise paragraph (i) to read as follows:


Sec.  73.24  Broadcast facilities; showing required.

* * * * *
    (i) That, for all proposals for new stations, applications to 
modify a construction permit for an unlicensed station, and all 
applications to change a station's community of license, the daytime 5 
mV/m contour encompasses the entire principal community to be served. 
That, for all other applications for modification of licensed stations, 
the daytime 5 mV/m contour encompasses either 50 percent of the area, 
or 50 percent of the population, of the principal community to be 
served. That, for all proposals for new stations in the 535-1605 kHz 
band, applications to modify a construction permit for an unlicensed 
station, or applications to change a station's community of license, 
either 50 percent of the area, or 50 percent of the population of the 
principal community is encompassed by the nighttime 5 mV/m contour or 
the nighttime interference-free contour, whichever value is higher. 
That, for stations in the 1605-1705 kHz band, 50 percent of the 
principal community is encompassed by the nighttime 5 mV/m contour or 
the nighttime interference-free contour, whichever value is higher. 
That Class D stations with nighttime authorizations need not 
demonstrate such coverage during nighttime operation.
* * * * *
0
5. In Sec.  73.182 revise the first sentence in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
introductory text; revise paragraph (a)(4); revise the second sentence 
in paragraph (m), the table, and Note (2) to paragraph (m); and revise 
paragraph (q) to read as follows:


Sec.  73.182  Engineering standards of allocation.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) Class A stations in Alaska operate on the channels allocated 
by Sec.  73.25 with a minimum power of 10 kW, a maximum power of 50 kW 
and an antenna efficiency of 215 mV/m/kW at 1 kilometer. * * *
* * * * *
    (4) Class D stations operate on clear and regional channels with 
daytime powers of not less than 0.25 kW (or equivalent RMS field of 
107.5 mV/m at 1 kilometer if less than 0.25 kW) and not more than 50 
kW. Class D stations that have previously received nighttime authority 
to operate with powers of less 0.25 kW (or equivalent RMS fields of 
less than 107.5 mV/m at 1 kilometer) are not required to provide 
nighttime coverage in accordance with Sec.  73.24(i) and are not 
protected from interference during nighttime hours. Such nighttime 
authority is permitted on the basis of full nighttime protection being 
afforded to all Class A and Class B stations.
* * * * *
    (m) * * * Certain approximations, based on the curve or other 
appropriate theory, may be made when other than such antennas and 
ground systems are employed, but in any event the effective field to be 
employed shall not be less than the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Class of station                 Effective field (at 1 km)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Class A (except Alaskan)..............  275 mV/m.
Class A (Alaskan), B and D................  215 mV/m.
Class C...................................  180 mV/m.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

    Note (2):  For Class B stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 180 mV/m shall be used.

* * * * *
    (q) Normally protected service contours and permissible 
interference signals for broadcast stations are as follows (for Class A 
stations, see also paragraph (a) of this section):

[[Page 2760]]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Signal strength contour of area protected      Permissible interfering signal ([mu]V/m)
                                                                from objectionable interference \[remove   ---------------------------------------------
          Class of station            Class of channel used          footnote reference]\ ([mu]V/m)
                                                            -----------------------------------------------        Day \1\               Night \2\
                                                                     Day \1\                 Night
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A..................................  Clear.................  SC 100................  SC 500 50% SW........  SC 5.................  SC 25.
                                                             AC 500................  AC 500 GW............  AC 250...............  AC 250.
A (Alaskan)........................  ......do..............  SC 100................  SC 100 50% SW........  SC 5.................  SC 5.
                                     ......................  AC 500................  AC 500 GW............  AC 250...............  AC 250.
B..................................  Clear.................  500...................  2000 \1\.............  25...................  25.
                                     Regional..............  ......................  .....................  AC 250...............  250.
C..................................  Local.................  500...................  No presc.\3\.........  SC 25................  Not presc.
D..................................  Clear.................  500...................  Not presc............  SC 25................  Not presc.
                                     Regional..............  ......................  .....................  AC 250...............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Groundwave.
\2\ Skywave field strength for 10 percent or more of the time.
\3\ During nighttime hours, Class C stations in the contiguous 48 States may treat all Class B stations assigned to 1230, 1240, 1340, 1400, 1450, and
  1490 kHz in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as if they were Class C stations.


    Note: SC = Same channel; AC = Adjacent channel; SW = Skywave; GW 
= Groundwave

* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  73.189 revise paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  73.189  Minimum antenna heights or field strength requirements.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) These minimum actual physical vertical heights of antennas 
permitted to be installed are shown by curves A, B, and C of Figure 7 
of Sec.  73.190 as follows:
    (i) Class C stations, and stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands on 1230, 1240, 1340, 1400, 1450 and 1490 
kHz that were formerly Class C and were redesignated as Class B 
pursuant to Sec.  73.26(b), 45 meters or a minimum effective field 
strength of 180 mV/m for 1 kW at 1 kilometer (90 mV/m for 0.25 kW at 1 
kilometer). (This height applies to a Class C station on a local 
channel only. Curve A shall apply to any Class C stations in the 48 
conterminous States that are assigned to Regional channels.)
    (ii) Class A (Alaska), Class B and Class D stations other than 
those covered in Sec.  73.189(b)(2)(i), a minimum effective field 
strength of 215 mV/m for 1 kW at 1 kilometer.
    (iii) Class A stations, a minimum effective field strength of 275 
mV/m for 1 kW at 1 kilometer.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  73.1560 revise paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  73.1560  Operating power and mode tolerances.

    (a) AM stations. (1) Except for AM stations using modulation 
dependent carrier level (MDCL) control technology, or as provided for 
in paragraph (d) of this section, the antenna input power of an AM 
station, as determined by the procedures specified in Sec.  73.51, must 
be maintained as near as practicable to the authorized antenna input 
power and may not be less than 90 percent nor greater than 105 percent 
of the authorized power. AM stations may, without prior Commission 
authority, commence MDCL control technology use, provided that within 
10 days after commencing such operation, the licensee submits an 
electronic notification of commencement of MDCL control operation using 
FCC Form 338. The transmitter of an AM station operating using MDCL 
control technology, regardless of the MDCL control technology employed, 
must achieve full licensed power at some audio input level or when the 
MDCL control technology is disabled. MDCL control operation must be 
disabled before field strength measurements on the station are taken.

[FR Doc. 2015-31950 Filed 1-15-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P