47 C.F.R. Subpart A—Experimental Broadcast Stations
Title 47 - Telecommunication
The term experimental broadcast station means a station licensed for experimental or developmental transmission of radio telephony, television, facsimile, or other types of telecommunication services intended for reception and use by the general public. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32583, Aug. 15, 1984] A license for an experimental broadcast station will be issued for the purposes of carrying on research and experimentation for the development and advancement of new broadcast technology, equipment, systems or services which are more extensive or require other modes of transmission than can be accomplished by using a licensed broadcast station under an experimental authorization (see §73.1510). (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32583, Aug. 15, 1984] (a) Frequencies allocated to broadcasting and the various categories of auxiliary stations, in the FCC's Table of Frequency Allocations (Part 2 of this chapter), may be assigned respectively to experimental broadcast and experimental auxiliary stations. (b) More than one frequency may be assigned upon a satisfactory showing of the need therefor. (c) Frequencies best suited to the purpose of the experimentation and on which there appears to be the least likelihood of interference to established stations shall be selected. (d) In a case of important experimentation which cannot be feasibly conducted on frequencies allocated to broadcasting or the various categories of auxiliary stations, the FCC may authorize an experimental station of any class to operate on other frequencies upon a satisfactory showing of the need therefore and a showing that the proposed operation can be conducted without causing harmful interference to established services. However, experimental operation which looks toward the development of radio transmitting apparatus or the rendition of any type of regular service using such frequencies will not be authorized prior to a determination by the FCC that the development of such apparatus or the rendition of such service would serve the public interest. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [28 FR 13706, Dec. 14, 1963, as amended at 49 FR 32583, Aug. 15, 1984] A supplementary statement shall be filed with, and made a part of, each application for construction permit for any experimental broadcast station confirming the applicant's understanding: (a) That all operation upon the frequency requested is for experimental purposes only. (b) That the frequency requested may not be the best suited to the particular experimental work to be carried on. (c) That the frequency requested need not be allocated for any service that may be developed as a result of the experimental operation. (d) That any frequency which may be assigned is subject to change without advance notice or hearing. (e) That any authorization issued pursuant to the application may be cancelled at any time without notice or hearing, and will expire as a matter of law if the station fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12-month period, notwithstanding any provision, term, or condition of the license to the contrary. (f) That if approval of the experimental broadcast station may have a significant environmental impact, see §1.1307 of this chapter, submission of an environmental assessment, under §1.1311 of this chapter, and compliance with the Commission's environmental rules contained in part 1 of this chapter is required. (Sec. 319, 48 Stat. 1089, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 319; secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [28 FR 13706, Dec. 14, 1963, as amended at 49 FR 32583, Aug. 15, 1984; 55 FR 20398, May 16, 1990; 61 FR 28767, June 6, 1996] (a) A report shall be filed with each application for renewal of experimental broadcast station license which shall include a statement of each of the following: (1) Number of hours operated. (2) Full data on research and experimentation conducted including the types of transmitting and studio equipment used and their mode of operation. (3) Data on expense of research and operation during the period covered. (4) Power employed, field intensity measurements and visual and aural observations and the types of instruments and receivers utilized to determine the station service area and the efficiency of the respective types of transmissions. (5) Estimated degree of public participation in reception and the results of observations as to the effectiveness of types of transmission. (6) Conclusions, tentative and final. (7) Program of further developments in broadcasting. (8) All developments and major changes in equipment. (9) Any other pertinent developments. (b) Special or progress reports shall be submitted from time to time as the Commission shall direct. (Sec. 308, 48 Stat. 1084, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 308; secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [28 FR 13706, Dec. 14, 1963, as amended at 49 FR 32583, Aug. 15, 1984] (a) An applicant for a new experimental broadcast station, change in facilities of any existing station, or modification of license is required to make a satisfactory showing of compliance with the general requirements of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, as well as the following: (1) That the applicant has a definite program of research and experimentation in the technical phases of broadcasting which indicates reasonable promise of substantial contribution to the developments of the broadcasting art. (2) That upon the authorization of the proposed station the applicant can and will proceed immediately with its program of research and experimentation. (3) That the transmission of signals by radio is essential to the proposed program of research and experimentation. (4) That the program of research and experimentation will be conducted by qualified personnel. (b) A license of an experimental broadcast station will not authorize exclusive use of any frequency. In case interference would be caused by simultaneous operation of stations licensed experimentally, such licensees shall endeavor to arrange satisfactory time division. If such agreement cannot be reached, the FCC will determine and specify the time division. (c) A license for an experimental broadcast station will be issued only on the condition that no objectionable interference to the regular program transmissions of broadcast stations will result from the transmissions of the experimental stations. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [28 FR 13706, Dec. 14, 1963, as amended at 49 FR 32583, Aug. 15, 1984] The license for experimental broadcast stations will specify the maximum authorized power. The operating power shall not be greater than necessary to carry on the service and in no event more than 5 percent above the maximum power specified. Engineering standards have not been established for these stations. The efficiency factor for the last radio stage of transmitters employed will be subject to individual determination but shall be in general agreement with values normally employed for similar equipment operated within the frequency range authorized. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32583, Aug. 15, 1984] In case emission of a different type than that specified in the license is necessary or desirable in carrying on any phases of experimentation, application setting out fully the needs shall be made by informal application. [28 FR 13706, Dec. 14, 1963] The licensee of an experimental broadcast station may make any changes in the equipment that are deemed desirable or necessary provided: (a) That the operating frequency is not permitted to deviate more than the allowed tolerance; (b) That the emissions are not permitted outside the authorized band; (c) That the power output complies with the license and the regulations governing the same; and (d) That the transmitter as a whole or output power rating of the transmitter is not changed. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [28 FR 13706, Dec. 14, 1963, as amended at 49 FR 32584, Aug. 15, 1984] The departure of the carrier frequency or frequencies of an experimental broadcast station must not exceed the tolerance specified in the instrument of authorization. For modes of transmission that do not have a resting or center carrier frequency, the occupied bandwidth of the station transmissions may not exceed that specified in the instrument of authorization. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32584, Aug. 15, 1984] The licensee of an experimental broadcast station shall provide the necessary means for determining that the frequency of the station is within the allowed tolerance. The date and time of each frequency check, the frequency as measured, and a description or identification of the method employed shall be entered in the station log. Sufficient observations shall be made to insure that the assigned carrier frequency is maintained within the prescribed tolerance. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32584, Aug. 15, 1984] (a) Unless specified or restricted hours of operation are shown in the station authorization, experimental broadcast stations may be operated at any time and are not required to adhere to a regular schedule of operation. (b) The FCC may limit or restrict the periods of station operation in the event interference is caused to other broadcast or nonbroadcast stations. (c) The FCC may require that an experimental broadcast station conduct such experiments as are deemed desirable and reasonable for development of the type of service for which the station was authorized. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32584, Aug. 15, 1984] The instrument of authorization or a clearly legible photocopy thereof shall be available at the transmitter site. [60 FR 55482, Nov. 1, 1995] (a) The licensee of each experimental broadcast station must maintain adequate records of the operation, including: (1) Information concerning the nature of the experimental operation and the periods in which it is being conducted. (2) Information concerning any specific data requested by the FCC. (b) Station records must be retained for a period of two years. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32584, Aug. 15, 1984] (a) The licensee of an experimental broadcast station may transmit program material only when necessary to the experiments being conducted, and no regular program service may be broadcast unless specifically authorized. (b) The licensee of an experimental broadcast station may make no charges nor ask for any payment, directly or indirectly, for the production or transmission of any programming or information used for experimental broadcast purposes. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32584, Aug. 15, 1984] Each experimental broadcast station shall make aural or visual announcements of its call letters and location at the beginning and end of each period of operation, and at least once every hour during operation. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32584, Aug. 15, 1984] (a) The term rebroadcast means reception by radio of the programs or other transmissions of a broadcast station, and the simultaneous or subsequent retransmission of such programs or transmissions by a broadcast station. (1) As used in this section, the word “program” includes any complete program or part thereof. (2) The transmission of a program from its point of origin to a broadcast station entirely by common carrier facilities, whether by wire line or radio, is not considered a rebroadcast. (3) The broadcasting of a program relayed by a remote broadcast pickup station is not considered a rebroadcast. (b) No licensee of an experimental broadcast station may retransmit the program of another U.S. broadcast station without the express authority of the originating station. A copy of the written consent of the licensee originating the program must be kept by the licensee of the experimental broadcast station retransmitting such program and made available to the FCC upon request. (Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1032; 47 U.S.C. 158, 303) [49 FR 32584, Aug. 15, 1984]
Title 47: Telecommunication
PART 74—EXPERIMENTAL RADIO, AUXILIARY, SPECIAL BROADCAST AND OTHER PROGRAM DISTRIBUTIONAL SERVICES
Subpart A—Experimental Broadcast Stations
§ 74.101 Experimental broadcast station.
§ 74.102 Uses of experimental broadcast stations.
§ 74.103 Frequency assignment.
§ 74.112 Supplementary statement with application for construction permit.
§ 74.113 Supplementary reports with application for renewal of license.
§ 74.131 Licensing requirements, necessary showing.
§ 74.132 Power limitations.
§ 74.133 Emission authorized.
§ 74.151 Equipment changes.
Technical Operation and Operators
§ 74.161 Frequency tolerances.
§ 74.162 Frequency monitors and measurements.
§ 74.163 Time of operation.
§ 74.165 Posting of station license.
§ 74.181 Station records.
§ 74.182 Program service and charges.
§ 74.183 Station identification.
§ 74.184 Rebroadcasts.
