Part 73 — Radio Broadcast Services
Subpart A — AM Broadcast Stations
- § 73.1— Scope.
- § 73.14— AM broadcast definitions.
- § 73.21— Classes of AM broadcast channels and stations.
- § 73.23— AM broadcast station applications affected by international agreements.
- § 73.24— Broadcast facilities; showing required.
- § 73.25— Clear channels; Class A, Class B and Class D stations.
- § 73.26— Regional channels; Class B and Class D stations.
- § 73.27— Local channels; Class C stations.
- § 73.28— Assignment of stations to channels.
- § 73.29— Class C stations on regional channels.
- § 73.30— Petition for authorization of an allotment in the 1605-1705 kHz band.
- § 73.31— Rounding of nominal power specified on applications.
- § 73.33— Antenna systems; showing required.
- § 73.35— Calculation of improvement factors.
- § 73.37— Applications for broadcast facilities, showing required.
- § 73.44— AM transmission system emission limitations.
- § 73.45— AM antenna systems.
- § 73.49— AM transmission system fencing requirements.
- § 73.51— Determining operating power.
- § 73.53— Requirements for authorization of antenna monitors.
- § 73.54— Antenna resistance and reactance measurements.
- § 73.57— Remote reading antenna and common point ammeters.
- § 73.61— AM directional antenna field strength measurements.
- § 73.62— Directional antenna system operation and tolerances.
- § 73.68— Sampling systems for antenna monitors.
- § 73.69— Antenna monitors.
- § 73.72— Operating during the experimental period.
- § 73.88— Blanketing interference.
- § 73.99— Presunrise service authorization (PSRA) and postsunset service authorization (PSSA).
- § 73.127— Use of multiplex transmission.
- § 73.128— AM stereophonic broadcasting.
- § 73.132— Territorial exclusivity.
- § 73.150— Directional antenna systems.
- § 73.151— Field strength measurements to establish performance of directional antennas.
- § 73.152— Modification of directional antenna data.
- § 73.153— Field strength measurements in support of applications or evidence at hearings.
- § 73.154— AM directional antenna partial proof of performance measurements.
- § 73.155— Directional antenna performance recertification.
- § 73.157— Antenna testing during daytime.
- § 73.158— Directional antenna monitoring points.
- § 73.160— Vertical plane radiation characteristics, f(θ).
- § 73.182— Engineering standards of allocation.
- § 73.183— Groundwave signals.
- § 73.184— Groundwave field strength graphs.
- § 73.185— Computation of interfering signal.
- § 73.186— Establishment of effective field at one kilometer.
- § 73.187— Limitation on daytime radiation.
- § 73.189— Minimum antenna heights or field strength requirements.
- § 73.190— Engineering charts and related formulas.
Subpart B — FM Broadcast Stations
- § 73.201— Numerical designation of FM broadcast channels.
- § 73.202— Table of Allotments.
- § 73.203— Availability of channels.
- § 73.204— International agreements and other restrictions on use of channels.
- § 73.205— Zones.
- § 73.207— Minimum distance separation between stations.
- § 73.208— Reference points and distance computations.
- § 73.209— Protection from interference.
- § 73.210— Station classes.
- § 73.211— Power and antenna height requirements.
- § 73.212— Administrative changes in authorizations.
- § 73.213— Grandfathered short-spaced stations.
- § 73.215— Contour protection for short-spaced assignments.
- § 73.220— Restrictions on use of channels.
- § 73.232— Territorial exclusivity.
- § 73.267— Determining operating power.
- § 73.277— Permissible transmissions.
- § 73.293— Use of FM multiplex subcarriers.
- § 73.295— FM subsidiary communications services.
- § 73.310— FM technical definitions.
- § 73.311— Field strength contours.
- § 73.312— Topographic data.
- § 73.313— Prediction of coverage.
- § 73.314— Field strength measurements.
- § 73.315— FM transmitter location.
- § 73.316— FM antenna systems.
- § 73.317— FM transmission system requirements.
- § 73.318— FM blanketing interference.
- § 73.319— FM multiplex subcarrier technical standards.
- § 73.322— FM stereophonic sound transmission standards.
- § 73.333— Engineering charts.
Subpart C — Digital Audio Broadcasting
Subpart D — Noncommercial Educational FM Broadcast Stations
- § 73.501— Channels available for assignment.
- § 73.503— Licensing requirements and service.
- § 73.504— Channel assignments in the Mexican border area.
- § 73.505— Zones.
- § 73.506— Classes of noncommercial educational FM stations and channels.
- § 73.507— Minimum distance separations between stations.
- § 73.508— Standards of good engineering practice.
- § 73.509— Prohibited overlap.
- § 73.510— Antenna systems.
- § 73.511— Power and antenna height requirements.
- § 73.512— Special procedures applicable to Class D noncommercial educational stations.
- § 73.513— Noncommercial educational FM stations operating on unreserved channels.
- § 73.514— Protection from interference.
- § 73.515— NCE FM transmitter location.
- § 73.525— TV Channel 6 protection.
- § 73.561— Operating schedule; time sharing.
- § 73.567— Determining operating power.
- § 73.593— Subsidiary communications services.
- § 73.599— NCE-FM engineering charts.
Subpart E — Television Broadcast Stations
- § 73.601— Scope of subpart.
- § 73.602— Cross reference to rules in other parts.
- § 73.603— Numerical designation of television channels.
- § 73.606— Table of allotments.
- § 73.609— Zones.
- § 73.611— Emission levels and mask filter.
- § 73.612— Protection from interference.
- § 73.614— Power and antenna height requirements.
- § 73.616— References to TV station interference protection methodology.
- § 73.617— Interference protection of other services.
- § 73.618— Antenna location and principal community coverage.
- § 73.619— Contours and service areas.
- § 73.620— Interference calculation and protection of TV broadcast services.
- § 73.621— Noncommercial educational TV stations.
- § 73.622— Digital television table of allotments.
- § 73.623— TV application processing.
- § 73.624— Television broadcast stations.
- § 73.625— TV antenna system.
- § 73.626— TV distributed transmission systems.
- § 73.658— Affiliation agreements and network program practices; territorial exclusivity in non-network program arrangements.
- § 73.664— Determining operating power.
- § 73.670— Commercial limits in children's programs.
- § 73.671— Educational and informational programming for children.
- § 73.673— Public information initiatives regarding educational and informational programming for children.
- § 73.681— Definitions.
- § 73.682— TV transmission standards.
- § 73.683— Presumptive determination of field strength at individual locations.
- § 73.686— Field strength measurements.
- § 73.687— Transmission system requirements.
- § 73.699— TV engineering charts.
Subpart F — International Broadcast Stations
- § 73.701— Definitions.
- § 73.702— Assignment and use of frequencies.
- § 73.703— Geographical zones and areas of reception.
- § 73.712— Equipment tests.
- § 73.713— Program tests.
- § 73.731— Licensing requirements.
- § 73.732— Authorizations.
- § 73.733— Normal license period.
- § 73.751— Operating power.
- § 73.753— Antenna systems.
- § 73.754— Frequency monitors.
- § 73.755— Modulation monitors.
- § 73.756— System specifications for double-sideband (DBS) modulated emissions in the HF broadcasting service.
- § 73.757— System specifications for single-sideband (SSB) modulated emissions in the HF broadcasting service.
- § 73.758— System specifications for digitally modulated emissions in the HF broadcasting service.
- § 73.759— Auxiliary transmitters.
- § 73.761— Modification of transmission systems.
- § 73.762— Time of operation.
- § 73.781— Logs.
- § 73.782— Retention of logs.
- § 73.787— Station identification.
- § 73.788— Service; commercial or sponsored programs.
Subpart G — Low Power FM Broadcast Stations (LPFM)
- § 73.801— Broadcast regulations applicable to LPFM stations.
- § 73.805— Availability of channels.
- § 73.807— Minimum distance separation between stations.
- § 73.808— Distance computations.
- § 73.809— Interference protection to full service FM stations.
- § 73.810— Third adjacent channel interference.
- § 73.811— LPFM power and antenna height requirements.
- § 73.812— Rounding of power and antenna heights.
- § 73.813— Determination of antenna height above average terrain (HAAT).
- § 73.816— Antennas.
- § 73.825— Protection to reception of TV channel 6.
- § 73.827— Interference to the input signals of FM translator or FM booster stations.
- § 73.840— Operating power and mode tolerances.
- § 73.845— Transmission system operation.
- § 73.850— Operating schedule.
- § 73.853— Licensing requirements and service.
- § 73.854— Unlicensed radio operations.
- § 73.855— Ownership limits.
- § 73.858— Attribution of LPFM station interests.
- § 73.860— Cross-ownership.
- § 73.865— Assignment and transfer of LPFM permits and licenses.
- § 73.870— Processing of LPFM broadcast station applications.
- § 73.871— Amendment of LPFM broadcast station applications.
- § 73.872— Selection procedure for mutually exclusive LPFM applications.
- § 73.873— LPFM license period.
- § 73.875— Modification of transmission systems.
- § 73.877— Station logs for LPFM stations.
- § 73.878— Station inspections by FCC; availability to FCC of station logs and records.
- § 73.879— Signal retransmission.
- § 73.881— Equal employment opportunities.
Subpart H — Rules Applicable to All Broadcast Stations
- § 73.1001— Scope.
- § 73.1010— Cross reference to rules in other parts.
- § 73.1015— Truthful written statements and responses to Commission inquiries and correspondence.
- § 73.1020— Station license period.
- § 73.1030— Notifications concerning interference to radio astronomy, research and receiving installations.
- § 73.1120— Station location.
- § 73.1125— Station telephone number.
- § 73.1150— Transferring a station.
- § 73.1201— Station identification.
- § 73.1206— Broadcast of telephone conversations.
- § 73.1207— Rebroadcasts.
- § 73.1208— Broadcast of taped, filmed, or recorded material.
- § 73.1209— References to time.
- § 73.1210— TV/FM dual-language broadcasting in Puerto Rico.
- § 73.1211— Broadcast of lottery information.
- § 73.1212— Sponsorship identification; list retention; related requirements.
- § 73.1213— Antenna structure, marking and lighting.
- § 73.1215— Specifications for indicating instruments.
- § 73.1216— Licensee-conducted contests.
- § 73.1217— Broadcast hoaxes.
- § 73.1225— Station inspections by FCC.
- § 73.1226— Availability to FCC of station logs and records.
- § 73.1250— Broadcasting emergency information.
- § 73.1300— Unattended station operation.
- § 73.1350— Transmission system operation.
- § 73.1400— Transmission system monitoring and control.
- § 73.1515— Special field test authorizations.
- § 73.1520— Operation for tests and maintenance.
- § 73.1530— Portable test stations [Definition].
- § 73.1540— Carrier frequency measurements.
- § 73.1545— Carrier frequency departure tolerances.
- § 73.1560— Operating power and mode tolerances.
- § 73.1570— Modulation levels: AM and FM.
- § 73.1580— Transmission system inspections.
- § 73.1590— Equipment performance measurements.
- § 73.1610— Equipment tests.
- § 73.1615— Operation during modification of facilities.
- § 73.1620— Program tests.
- § 73.1635— Special temporary authorizations (STA).
- § 73.1650— International agreements.
- § 73.1660— Acceptability of broadcast transmitters.
- § 73.1665— Main transmitters.
- § 73.1670— Auxiliary transmitters.
- § 73.1675— Auxiliary antennas.
- § 73.1680— Emergency antennas.
- § 73.1690— Modification of transmission systems.
- § 73.1700— Broadcast day.
- § 73.1705— Time of operation.
- § 73.1715— Share time.
- § 73.1720— Daytime.
- § 73.1725— Limited time.
- § 73.1730— Specified hours.
- § 73.1735— AM station operation pre-sunrise and post-sunset.
- § 73.1740— Minimum operating schedule.
- § 73.1745— Unauthorized operation.
- § 73.1750— Discontinuance of operation.
- § 73.1800— General requirements related to the station log.
- § 73.1820— Station log.
- § 73.1835— Special technical records.
- § 73.1840— Retention of logs.
- § 73.1870— Chief operators.
- § 73.1940— Legally qualified candidates for public office.
- § 73.1941— Equal opportunities.
- § 73.1942— Candidate rates.
- § 73.1943— Political file.
- § 73.1944— Reasonable access.
- § 73.2080— Equal employment opportunities (EEO).
- § 73.2090— Ban on discrimination in broadcast transactions.
- § 73.3500— Application and report forms.
- § 73.3511— Applications required.
- § 73.3512— Where to file; number of copies.
- § 73.3513— Signing of applications.
- § 73.3514— Content of applications.
- § 73.3516— Specification of facilities.
- § 73.3517— Contingent applications.
- § 73.3518— Inconsistent or conflicting applications.
- § 73.3519— Repetitious applications.
- § 73.3520— Multiple applications.
- § 73.3521— Mutually exclusive applications for low power television and television translator stations.
- § 73.3522— Amendment of applications.
- § 73.3525— Agreements for removing application conflicts.
- § 73.3526— Online public inspection file of commercial stations.
- § 73.3527— Online public inspection file of noncommercial educational stations.
- § 73.3533— Application for construction permit or modification of construction permit.
- § 73.3536— Application for license to cover construction permit.
- § 73.3537— Application for license to use former main antenna as an auxiliary.
- § 73.3538— Application to make changes in an existing station.
- § 73.3539— Application for renewal of license.
- § 73.3540— Application for voluntary assignment or transfer of control.
- § 73.3541— Application for involuntary assignment of license or transfer of control.
- § 73.3542— Application for emergency authorization.
- § 73.3544— Application to obtain a modified station license.
- § 73.3545— Application for permit to deliver programs to foreign stations.
- § 73.3549— Requests for extension of time to operate without required monitors, indicating instruments, and EAS encoders and decoders.
- § 73.3550— Requests for new or modified call sign assignments.
- § 73.3555— Multiple ownership.
- § 73.3556— Sponsorship identification; list retention; related requirements.
- § 73.3561— Staff consideration of applications requiring Commission action.
- § 73.3562— Staff consideration of applications not requiring action by the Commission.
- § 73.3564— Acceptance of applications.
- § 73.3566— Defective applications.
- § 73.3568— Dismissal of applications.
- § 73.3571— Processing of AM broadcast station applications.
- § 73.3572— Processing of TV broadcast, Class A TV broadcast, low power TV, and TV translators applications.
- § 73.3573— Processing FM broadcast station applications.
- § 73.3574— Processing of international broadcast station applications.
- § 73.3578— Amendments to applications for renewal, assignment or transfer of control.
- § 73.3580— Local public notice of filing of broadcast applications.
- § 73.3584— Procedure for filing petitions to deny.
- § 73.3587— Procedure for filing informal objections.
- § 73.3588— Dismissal of petitions to deny or withdrawal of informal objections.
- § 73.3589— Threats to file petitions to deny or informal objections.
- § 73.3591— Grants without hearing.
- § 73.3592— Conditional grant.
- § 73.3593— Designation for hearing.
- § 73.3594— Local public notice of designation for hearing.
- § 73.3597— Procedures on transfer and assignment applications.
- § 73.3598— Period of construction.
- § 73.3601— Simultaneous modification and renewal of license.
- § 73.3603— Special waiver procedure relative to applications.
- § 73.3605— Retention of applications in hearing status after designation for hearing.
- § 73.3612— Annual employment report.
- § 73.3613— Availability to FCC of station contracts.
- § 73.3615— Ownership reports.
- § 73.3617— Information available on the internet.
- § 73.3700— Post-incentive auction licensing and operation.
- § 73.3701— Reimbursement under the Reimbursement Expansion Act.
- § 73.3800— Full power television channel sharing outside the incentive auction.
- § 73.3801— Full power television simulcasting during the ATSC 3.0 (Next Gen TV) transition.
- § 73.3999— Enforcement of 18 U.S.C. 1464 (restrictions on the transmission of obscene and indecent material).
Subpart I — Procedures for Competitive Bidding and for Applications for Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Stations on Non-Reserved Channels
- § 73.5000— Services subject to competitive bidding.
- § 73.5002— Application and certification procedures; return of mutually exclusive applications not subject to competitive bidding procedures; prohibition of collusion.
- § 73.5003— Submission of full payments.
- § 73.5005— Filing of long-form applications.
- § 73.5006— Filing of petitions to deny against long-form applications.
- § 73.5007— Designated entity provisions.
- § 73.5008— Definitions applicable for designated entity provisions.
- § 73.5009— Assignment or transfer of control.
Subpart J — Class A Television Broadcast Stations
- § 73.6000— Definitions.
- § 73.6001— Eligibility and service requirements.
- § 73.6002— Licensing requirements.
- § 73.6006— Channel assignments.
- § 73.6007— Power limitations.
- § 73.6008— Distance computations.
- § 73.6010— Class A TV station protected contour.
- § 73.6017— Class A TV station protection of Class A TV stations.
- § 73.6018— Class A TV station protection of TV stations.
- § 73.6019— Class A TV station protection of low power TV and TV translator stations.
- § 73.6020— Protection of stations in the land mobile radio service.
- § 73.6022— Negotiated interference and relocation agreements.
- § 73.6023— Distributed transmission systems.
- § 73.6024— Transmission standards and system requirements.
- § 73.6025— Antenna system and station location.
- § 73.6026— Broadcast regulations applicable to Class A television stations.
- § 73.6028— Class A television channel sharing outside the incentive auction.
- § 73.6029— Class A television simulcasting during the ATSC 3.0 (Next Gen TV) transition.
- § 73.6030— Low Power Protection Act.
Subpart K — Application and Selection Procedures for Reserved Noncommercial Educational Channels, and for Certain Applications for Noncommercial Educational Stations on Non-Reserved Channels
- § 73.7000— Definition of terms (as used in subpart K only).
- § 73.7001— Services subject to evaluation by point system.
- § 73.7002— Fair distribution of service on reserved band FM channels.
- § 73.7003— Point system selection procedures.
- § 73.7004— Petitions to deny tentative selectee(s).
- § 73.7005— Maintenance of comparative qualifications.