73.816 Antennas
LPFM stations can use nondirectional or directional antennas. To use a directional antenna, the license application must include a proof of performance from the antenna manufacturer and a certification from a surveyor to verify the installation. The proof and certification is not required when the directional antenna is for:
- LPFM stations operated by a state or local government that provides traveler's information services,
- Solely in order to request a second-adjacent channel waiver,
Original Report and Order (01/27/2000) Paras. 108, 110.
MO&O on Reconsideration (09/22/2000) Paras. 45-50.
Sixth Report and Order (11/30/2012) Paras. 79, 80, 97, 104, 120.
19-193: Report and Order (04/22/2020) Paras. 4-15.
Text of Current Rule
(a) Permittees and licensees may employ nondirectional antennas with horizontal only polarization, vertical only polarization, circular polarization or elliptical polarization.
(b) Permittees and licenses may employ directional antennas in the LPFM service, in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.
(c) [reserved]
(d) Directional antennas.
(1) Composite antennas and antenna arrays may be used where the total ERP does not exceed the maximum determined in accordance with §73.811(a) of this subpart.
(2) Either horizontal, vertical, circular or elliptical polarization may be used provided that the supplemental vertically polarized ERP required for circular or elliptical polarization does not exceed the ERP otherwise authorized. Either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation may be used. Separate transmitting antennas are permitted if both horizontal and vertical polarization is to be provided.
(3) An application that specifies the use of a directional antenna must provide the information identified in §73.316(c) of this subpart except that such information shall not be required of (i) public safety and transportation permittees and licensees eligible pursuant to §73.853(a)(2) using directional antennas in connection with operation of Travelers’ Information Service stations; (ii) LPFM permittees and licensees proposing a waiver of the second-adjacent channel spacing requirements of §73.807 for the sole purpose of justifying such a waiver; and (iii) LPFM permittees and licensees using directional antennas solely for the purpose of meeting the international border zone distance requirements of §73.807(g).
Rule History
§ 73.816 Antennas.
(a) Directional antennas will not be authorized in the LPFM service.
(b) Permittees and licensees may employ nondirectional antennas with horizontal only polarization, vertical only polarization, circular polarization or elliptical polarization.
65 FR 7640 (Feb 15, 2000).
§ 73.816 Antennas.
(a) Directional antennas will not be authorized in the LPFM service.
(b) (a) Permittees and licensees may employ nondirectional antennas with horizontal only polarization, vertical only polarization, circular polarization or elliptical polarization.
(b) Directional antennas will not be authorized and may not be utilized in the LPFM service, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.
(c) Public safety and transportation permittees and licensees, eligible pursuant to § 73.853(a)(ii), may utilize directional antennas in connection with the operation of a Travelers’ Information Service (TIS) provided each LPFM TIS station utilizes only a single antenna with standard pattern characteristics that are predetermined by the manufacturer. In no event may composite antennas (i.e. antennas that consist of multiple stacked and/or phased discrete transmitting antennas) and/or transmitters be employed.
(d) LPFM TIS stations will be authorized as nondirectional stations. The use of a directional antenna as provided for in paragraph (c) of this section will not be considered in the determination of compliance with any requirements of this part.
65 FR 67302 (Nov 9, 2000).
§ 73.816 Antennas.
(a) Permittees and licensees may employ nondirectional antennas with horizontal only polarization, vertical only polarization, circular polarization or elliptical polarization.
(b) Directional antennas generally will not be authorized and may not be utilized in the LPFM service, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.
(c)(1) Public safety and transportation permittees and licensees, eligible pursuant to § 73.853(a)(2) (a)(ii), may utilize directional antennas in connection with the operation of a Travelers’ Information Service (TIS) provided each LPFM TIS station utilizes only a single antenna with standard pattern characteristics that are predetermined by the manufacturer. Public safety and transportation permittees and licensees may not use composite antennas (i.e., antennas that consist of multiple stacked and/or phased discrete transmitting antennas).
(2) LPFM permittees and licensees proposing a waiver of the secondadjacent channel spacing requirements of § 73.807 may utilize directional antennas for the sole purpose of justifying such a waiver.
(d) LPFM TIS stations will be authorized as nondirectional stations. The use of a directional antenna as provided for in paragraph (c) of this section will not be considered in the determination of compliance with any requirements of this part.
78 FR 2102 (Jan 9, 2013)
(a) Permittees and licensees may employ nondirectional antennas with horizontal only polarization, vertical only polarization, circular polarization or elliptical polarization.
(b) Permittees and licenses may employ Ddirectional antennas
generally will not be authorized and may not be utilized in the LPFM service, except as
provided in accordance with paragraph (c) (d) of this section.
(c) [reserved] The following may use directional antennas in the LPFM service:
(1) Public safety and transportation permittees and licensees, eligible pursuant to § 73.853(a)(ii),
may utilize directional antennas in connection with the operation of a Travelers’ Information Service
(TIS) provided each LPFM TIS station utilizes only a single antenna with standard pattern characteristics that are
predetermined by the manufacturer. Public safety and transportation permittees and licensees may not use composite
antennas (i.e., antennas that consist of multiple stacked and/or phased discrete transmitting antennas).
(2) LPFM permittees and licensees proposing a waiver of the second-adjacent channel spacing requirements of Section 73.807 may utilize directional antennas for the sole purpose of justifying such a waiver.
(d) LPFM TIS stations will be authorized as nondirectional stations. The use of a directional antenna as provided for in paragraph (c) of this section will not be considered in the determination of compliance with any requirements of this part.
(d) Directional antennas.
(1) Composite antennas and antenna arrays may be used where the total ERP does not exceed the maximum determined in accordance with §73.811(a) of this subpart.
(2) Either horizontal, vertical, circular or elliptical polarization may be used provided that the supplemental vertically polarized ERP required for circular or elliptical polarization does not exceed the ERP otherwise authorized. Either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation may be used. Separate transmitting antennas are permitted if both horizontal and vertical polarization is to be provided.
(3) An application that specifies the use of a directional antenna must provide the information identified in §73.316(c) of this subpart except that such information shall not be required of (i) public safety and transportation permittees and licensees eligible pursuant to §73.853(a)(2) using directional antennas in connection with operation of Travelers’ Information Service stations; (ii) LPFM permittees and licensees proposing a waiver of the second-adjacent channel spacing requirements of §73.807 for the sole purpose of justifying such a waiver; and (iii) LPFM permittees and licensees using directional antennas solely for the purpose of meeting the international border zone distance requirements of §73.807(g).
