[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35673-35675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-15701]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[OMB 3060-1104 and OMB 3060-1121]
Information Collections Requirement Being Reviewed by the Federal
Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens,
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to
comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested
concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission,
including whether the information shall have practical utility; the
accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on the
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer
than 25 employees.
The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be
subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of
information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before September
23, 2019. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments but
find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this
notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email
[email protected] and to [email protected]. Include in the comments the
Title as shown in the Supplementary Information section below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the
information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060-1104.
Title: Section 73.682(d), DTV Transmission and Program System and
Information Protocol (``PSIP'') Standards.
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; not for-profit
institutions.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,812 respondents and 1,812
responses.
Estimated Hours per Response: 0.50 hours.
[[Page 35674]]
Frequency of Response: Third party disclosure requirement; weekly
reporting requirement.
Total Annual Burden: 47,112 hours.
Total Annual Cost: None.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The
statutory authority for this collection is contained in Sections 309
and 337 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Confidentiality is not
required with this collection of information.
Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
Needs and Uses: Section 73.682(d) of the Commission's rules
incorporates by reference the Advanced Television Systems Committee,
Inc. (``ATSC'') Program System and Information Protocol (``PSIP'')
standard ``A/65C.'' PSIP data is transmitted along with a TV broadcast
station's digital signal and provides viewers (via their DTV receivers)
with information about the station and what is being broadcast, such as
program information. The Commission has recognized the utility that the
ATSC PSIP standard offers for both broadcasters and consumers (or
viewers) of digital television (``DTV'').
ATSC PSIP standard A/65C requires broadcasters to provide detailed
programming information when transmitting their broadcast signal. This
standard enhances consumers' viewing experience by providing detailed
information about digital channels and programs, such as how to find a
program's closed captions, multiple streams and V-chip information.
This standard requires broadcasters to populate the Event Information
Tables (``EITs'') (or program guide) with accurate information about
each event (or program) and to update the EIT if more accurate
information becomes available. The previous ATSC PSIP standard A/65-B
did not require broadcasters to provide such detailed programming
information but only general information.
OMB Control No.: 3060-1121.
Title: Sections 1.30002, 1.30003, 1.30004, 73.875, 73.1657 and
73.1690, Disturbance of AM Broadcast Station Antenna Patterns.
Form No.: Not applicable.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities and Not-for-
profit Institutions.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,195 respondents and 1,195
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 1-2 hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third-
party disclosure requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in
Section 154(i) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Total Annual Burden: 1,960 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $1,078,200.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for
confidentiality with this collection of information.
Needs and Uses: On August 14, 2013, the Commission adopted the
Third Report and Order and Second Order on Reconsideration in the
matter of An Inquiry Into the Commission's Policies and Rules Regarding
AM Radio Service Directional Antenna Performance Verification, MM
Docket No. 93-177, FCC 13-115. In the Third Report and Order in this
proceeding, the Commission harmonized and streamlined the Commission's
rules regarding tower construction near AM stations.
In AM radio, the tower itself functions as the antenna.
Consequently, a nearby tower may become an unintended part of the AM
antenna system, reradiating the AM signal and distorting the authorized
AM radiation pattern. Our old rules contained several sections
concerning tower construction near AM antennas that were intended to
protect AM stations from the effects of such tower construction,
specifically, Sections 73.1692, 22.371, and 27.63. These old rule
sections imposed differing requirements on the broadcast and wireless
entities, although the issue is the same regardless of the types of
antennas mounted on a tower. Other rule parts, such as Part 90 and Part
24, entirely lacked provisions for protecting AM stations from possible
effects of nearby tower construction. In the Third Report and Order the
Commission adopted a uniform set of rules applicable to all services,
thus establishing a single protection scheme regarding tower
construction near AM tower arrays. The Third Report and Order also
designates ``moment method'' computer modeling as the principal means
of determining whether a nearby tower affects an AM radiation pattern.
This serves to replace time-consuming direct measurement procedures
with a more efficient computer modeling methodology that is reflective
of current industry practice.
Information Collection Requirements Contained in this Collection:
47 CFR 1.30002(a) requires a proponent of construction or modification
of a tower within a specified distance of a nondirectional AM station,
and also exceeding a specified height, to notify the AM station at
least 30 days in advance of the commencement of construction. If the
tower construction or modification would distort the AM pattern, the
proponent shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of
detuning equipment.
47 CFR 1.30002(b) requires a proponent of construction or
modification of a tower within a specified distance of a directional AM
station, and also exceeding a specified height, to notify the AM
station at least 30 days in advance of the commencement of
construction. If the tower construction or modification would distort
the AM pattern, the proponent shall be responsible for the installation
and maintenance of detuning equipment.
47 CFR 1.30002(c) states that proponents of tower construction or
alteration near an AM station shall use moment method modeling,
described in Sec. 73.151(c), to determine the effect of the
construction or alteration on an AM radiation pattern.
47 CFR 1.30002(f) states that, with respect to an AM station that
was authorized pursuant to a directional proof of performance based on
field strength measurements, the proponent of the tower construction or
modification may, in lieu of the study described in Sec. 1.30002 (c),
demonstrate through measurements taken before and after construction
that field strength values at the monitoring points do not exceed the
licensed values. In the event that the pre-construction monitoring
point values exceed the licensed values, the proponent may demonstrate
that post-construction monitoring point values do not exceed the pre-
construction values. Alternatively, the AM station may file for
authority to increase the relevant monitoring point value after
performing a partial proof of performance in accordance with Sec.
73.154 to establish that the licensed radiation limit on the applicable
radial is not exceeded.
47 CFR 1.30002(g) states that tower construction or modification
that falls outside the criteria described in paragraphs Sec.
1.30002(a) and (b) is presumed to have no significant effect on an AM
station. In some instances, however, an AM station may be affected by
tower construction notwithstanding the criteria set forth in paragraphs
Sec. 1.30002(a) and (b). In such cases, an AM station may submit a
showing that its operation has been affected by tower construction or
alteration. Such
[[Page 35675]]
showing shall consist of either a moment method analysis or field
strength measurements. The showing shall be provided to (i) the tower
proponent if the showing relates to a tower that has not yet been
constructed or modified and otherwise to the current tower owner, and
(ii) to the Commission, within two years after the date of completion
of the tower construction or modification. If necessary, the Commission
shall direct the tower proponent to install and maintain any detuning
apparatus necessary to restore proper operation of the AM antenna.
47 CFR 1.30002(h) states that an AM station may submit a showing
that its operation has been affected by tower construction or
modification commenced or completed prior to or on the effective date
of the rules adopted in this Part pursuant to MM Docket No. 93-177.
Such a showing shall consist of either a moment method analysis or of
field strength measurements. The showing shall be provided to the
current owner and the Commission within one year of the effective date
of the rules adopted in this Part. If necessary, the Commission shall
direct the tower owner, if the tower owner holds a Commission
authorization, to install and maintain any detuning apparatus necessary
to restore proper operation of the AM antenna.
47 CFR 1.30002(i) states that a Commission applicant may not
propose, and a Commission licensee or permittee may not locate, an
antenna on any tower or support structure, whether constructed before
or after the effective date of these rules, that is causing a
disturbance to the radiation pattern of the AM station, as defined in
paragraphs Sec. 1.30002(a) and (b), unless the applicant, licensee, or
tower owner completes the new study and notification process and takes
appropriate ameliorative action to correct any disturbance, such as
detuning the tower, either prior to construction or at any other time
prior to the proposal or antenna location.
47 CFR 1.30003(a) states that when antennas are installed on a
nondirectional AM tower the AM station shall determine operating power
by the indirect method (see Sec. 73.51). Upon the completion of the
installation, antenna impedance measurements on the AM antenna shall be
made. If the resistance of the AM antenna changes, an application on
FCC Form 302-AM (including a tower sketch of the installation) shall be
filed with the Commission for the AM station to return to direct power
measurement. The Form 302-AM shall be filed before or simultaneously
with any license application associated with the installation.
47 CFR 1.30003(b) requires that, before antennas are installed on a
tower in a directional AM array, the proponent shall notify the AM
station so that, if necessary, the AM station may determine operating
power by the indirect method (see Sec. 73.51) and request special
temporary authority pursuant to Sec. 73.1635 to operate with
parameters at variance. For AM stations licensed via field strength
measurements (see Sec. 73.151(a)), a partial proof of performance (as
defined by Sec. 73.154) shall be conducted both before and after
construction to establish that the AM array will not be and has not
been adversely affected. For AM stations licensed via a moment method
proof (see Sec. 73.151(c)), the proof procedures set forth in Sec.
73.151(c) shall be repeated. The results of either the partial proof of
performance or the moment method proof shall be filed with the
Commission on Form 302-AM before or simultaneously with any license
application associated with the installation.
47 CFR 1.30004(a) requires proponents of proposed tower
construction or modification to an existing tower near an AM station
that are subject to the notification requirement in Sec. Sec. 1.30002-
1.30003 to provide notice of the proposed tower construction or
modification to the AM station at least 30 days prior to commencement
of the planned tower construction or modification. Notification to an
AM station and any responses may be oral or written. If such
notification and/or response is oral, the party providing such
notification or response must supply written documentation of the
communication and written documentation of the date of communication
upon request of the other party to the communication or the Commission.
Notification must include the relevant technical details of the
proposed tower construction or modification, and, at a minimum, also
include the following: Proponent's name and address; coordinates of the
tower to be constructed or modified; physical description of the
planned structure; and results of the analysis showing the predicted
effect on the AM pattern, if performed.
47 CFR 1.30004(b) requires that a response to a notification
indicating a potential disturbance of the AM radiation pattern must
specify the technical details and must be provided to the proponent
within 30 days.
47 CFR 1.30004(d) states that if an expedited notification period
(less than 30 days) is requested by the proponent, the notification
shall be identified as ``expedited,'' and the requested response date
shall be clearly indicated.
47 CFR 1.30004(e) states that in the event of an emergency
situation, if the proponent erects a temporary new tower or makes a
temporary significant modification to an existing tower without prior
notice, the proponent must provide written notice to potentially
affected AM stations within five days of the construction or
modification of the tower and cooperate with such AM stations to remedy
any pattern distortions that arise as a consequence of such
construction.
47 CFR 73.875(c) requires an LPFM applicant to submit an exhibit
demonstrating compliance with Sec. 1.30003 or Sec. 1.30002, as
applicable, with any modification of license application filed solely
pursuant to paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section, where the
installation is on or near an AM tower, as defined in Sec. 1.30002.
47 CFR 73.1675(c)(1) states that where an FM, TV, or Class A TV
licensee or permittee proposes to mount an auxiliary facility on an AM
tower, it must also demonstrate compliance with Sec. 1.30003 in the
license application.
47 CFR 73.1690(c) requires FM, TV, or Class A TV station applicants
to submit an exhibit demonstrating compliance with Sec. 1.30003 or
Sec. 1.30002, as applicable, with a modification of license
application, except for applications solely filed pursuant to
paragraphs (c)(6) or (c)(9) of this section, where the installation is
located on or near an AM tower, as defined in Sec. 1.30002.
Federal Communications Commission.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-15701 Filed 7-23-19; 8:45 am]
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