(a) Hybrid AM and FM licensees must electronically file a digital notification to the Commission in Washington, DC, within 10 days of commencing IBOC digital operation.

(1) All-digital licensees must file a digital notification within 10 days of the following changes:

(i) Any reduction in nominal power of an all-digital AM station;

(ii) A transition from enhanced to core-only operating mode; or

(iii) A reversion from all-digital to hybrid or analog operation.

(2) All-digital licensees will not be permitted to commence operation sooner than 30 calendar days from public notice of digital notification of the following changes:

(i) The commencement of new all-digital operation;

(ii) An increase in nominal power of an all-digital AM station; or

(iii) A transition from core-only to enhanced operating mode.

(b) Every digital notification must include the following information:

(1) The call sign and facility identification number of the station;

(2) If applicable, the date on which the new or modified IBOC operation commenced or ceased;

(3) The name and telephone number of a technical representative the Commission can call in the event of interference;

(4) A certification that the operation will not cause human exposure to levels of radio frequency radiation in excess of the limits specified in §1.1310 of this chapter and is therefore categorically excluded from environmental processing pursuant to §1.1306(b) of this chapter. Any station that cannot certify compliance must submit an environmental assessment (“EA”) pursuant to §1.1311 of this chapter and may not commence IBOC operation until such EA is ruled upon by the Commission.

(c) Each AM digital notification must also include the following information:

(1) A certification that the IBOC DAB facilities conform to applicable nominal power limits and emissions mask limits;

(2) The nominal power of the station; if separate analog and digital transmitters are used, the nominal power for each transmitter;

(3) If applicable, the amount of any reduction in an AM station's digital carriers;

(4) For all-digital stations, the type of notification (all-digital notification, increase in nominal power, reduction in nominal power, transition from core-only to enhanced, transition from enhanced to core-only, reversion from all-digital to hybrid or analog operation);

(5) For all-digital stations, if a notification of commencement of new all-digital service or a nominal power change, whether the station is operating in core-only or enhanced mode; and

(6) For all-digital stations, a certification that the all-digital station complies with all Emergency Alert System (EAS) requirements in part 11 of this chapter.

(d) Each FM digital notification must also include the following information:

(1) A certification that the IBOC DAB facilities conform to the HD Radio emissions mask limits;

(2) FM digital effective radiated power used and certification that the FM analog effective radiated power remains as authorized;

(3) If applicable, the geographic coordinates, elevation data, and license file number of the auxiliary antenna employed by an FM station as a separate digital antenna; and

(4) If applicable, for FM systems employing interleaved antenna bays, a certification that adequate filtering and/or isolation equipment has been installed to prevent spurious emissions in excess of the limits specified in §73.317.

Need assistance?