self-inspection checklists · 11/15/2010 2 why are the checklists important? the checklist is...
TRANSCRIPT
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Self-Inspection Checklists
Dennis BaldridgePresenter
Why are the checklists important?
The Enforcement Bureau (EB) of the FCC is committed to improving licensee compliance with the broadcast regulations.
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The enforcement effort usually involves an on-scene station inspection conducted by FCC personnel.
Most on-scene inspections are conducted without prior notification to the station licensee.
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Why are the checklists important?
The checklist is designed to assist broadcast managers in conducting a self-inspection of their station.
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It provides the opportunity to review and correct any deficiencies.
Where do I find the checklists?
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http://www.fcc.gov/eb/bc-chklsts/
Important Notes!
Not all broadcast regulations are covered by the checklists!
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Represents Substantial Compliance
Have the checklist in one hand and the FCC rules in the other hand (available online).
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Each question has two or three possible responses
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No is not an acceptable response to the FCC
NO = Violation
FCC Rules are cited throughout the document
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Are you ready to be inspected?
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Each checklist is divided into several sections
Administrative and Non-Technical
AntennaStructures
EmergencyAlert System
(EAS)
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Technical
AttendedVS
UnattendedOperation
LocalMarketing
Agreements(LMA)
Abbreviations Glossary of Broadcast Terms
AM Directional Stations
Other areas include:
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NOTE: Some questions need to be updated. EX: Television Modulation, etc
. .
station license construction permit renewal certificate (associated with authorization)
auxiliary transmitter authorizationspecial temporary authorization (STA)
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL AUTHORIZATIONS
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special temporary authorization (STA) and any other authorization
readily available and easily accessible at the station's principal control point
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equipment status/calibration
Emergency Alert System (EAS)
tower light outages
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL STATION LOGS/RECORDS
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tower light outages
chief operator designations
equipment performance measurements
kept in an orderly and legible manner
suitable form and with sufficient detail
logs and records are to be retained for a period of two years, unless specified (AM stations need th l NRSC t t )
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL STATION LOGS/RECORDS
(cont.)
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the annual NRSC tests)
made available for inspection or duplication at the request of the FCC
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL STATION LOGS/RECORDS
(cont.)
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Who is the Chief Operator?
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Each station must designate a chief operator – in writing and posted with the station authorization
Agreements with chief operators serving on a
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL CHIEF OPERATORS
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contract basis must be in writing
Review the station logs at least weekly
Required entries are being made correctly
SIGN AND DATE the log upon review
Inspection and calibration of the transmission system, monitors, metering and control systems in addition to any equipment performance
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL CHIEF OPERATORS (cont.)
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y q p pmeasurements or other tests as specified in the rules or terms of station authorization
An electronic signature is acceptable in station logs and records which are maintained on digital media
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL CHIEF OPERATORS (cont.)
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What is a legal ID?
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At the beginning and ending of each period of operation and hourly as close to the hour as feasible, at a natural break
Legal ID = Station's call letters immediately followed by the community of license
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL STATION IDENTIFICATION
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Any reference to additional communities must be made after the community of license
The licensee, frequency, channel number, or both, may be inserted between the call letters and community of license
No other insertion is permissible
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL STATION IDENTIFICATION
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL TELEPHONE ACCESS TO STATION
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
PIF available for public inspection at any time during regular business hours = generally any eight hour period between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., M-F
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Licensee may require members of the public to provide personal information as a prerequisite to granting access to the public file: limited to the name and address of the person(s) seeking access to the file
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May be maintained in a computer database as long as the computer terminal is made available to members of the public who wish to review it.
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
If you don't have one – set up a file with hanging file folders
Label a folder for each of the topics pertaining
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Label a folder for each of the topics pertaining to your station. Order not specified but recommend placing it in order of the checklist
If a folder is empty, you may wish to notate that it does not apply to your station at this time
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
What is a Citizen Agreement?
It is an agreement between a licensee and one or more citizens that deal with goals or proposed practices that affect station operations in the public interest in areas such as - but not limited to -
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interest in areas such as but not limited to programming and employments
These agreements shall be retained for the term of the agreement, including any renewal or extensions
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Service Contour Maps, submitted with any application
Showing service contours
Main studio and transmitter location (State,
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( ,county, city, street address, or other identifying information).
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Ownership Report and supplemental reports
Corp. - By-laws, Articles of Inc.
Partnership partnership agreement
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Partnership – partnership agreement –Typically, an LLC does not have By-laws
May remove proprietary or confidential items
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Ownership - cont.
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
EEO Report in PIF
Small station exemption - fewer than five full-time employees
Check rules for details
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Check rules for details
And on WEB site
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
A copy of the most recent version of the manual entitled "The Public and Broadcasting" must be present in the PIF. (current version 2008)
St ti t id th t
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Stations are to provide the current version of this Manual free of charge if requested (see Manual)
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Letters in the Public File – save for 3 years!
E-mails computer or paper
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
FCC Investigations or complaints
Investigation or complaint to the FCC of which the applicant, permittee, or licensee has been advised
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licensee has been advised
Retained until notified in writing that the material may be discarded.
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Issues and Programs
List of programs that have provided the station's most significant treatment of community issues
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community issues
Filed Quarterly
Includes a brief narrative
Minimum of time, date, duration & title
Retained until next renewal is final
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Commercial Limits
No commercial television broadcast station licensee shall air more than 10.5 minutes of commercial matter per hour during children's programming on weekends, or more than 12
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minutes of commercial matter per hour on weekdays
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Children's Programming
Form 398
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Donor Lists
For Non-commercial stations
Save for 2 years
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Local Announcements
A statement certifying compliance with this requirement.
The dates and times that the pre filing
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The dates and times that the pre-filing and post-filing notices were broadcast and the text.
The certifying statement shall be retained in the public file for the period specified in § 73.3580 (for as long as the application to which it refers).
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Must Carry Election
For Commercial Stations
Retained for 3 years election period
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Questions about the PIF
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SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Main Studio Presence
Allows the licensee to make the station available for inspection at any time during normal business hours
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Normal hours are typically an 8 hour period between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time M-F
This requirement is separate from the unattended transmitter operation rules
SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE AND NON-TECHNICAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE
Main Studio Location Within principle contour
Within 25 miles of reference center
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See FCC rules for other options
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SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURESTopics Covered
Antenna Registration
Antenna Specifics
Tower Light Observations
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Painting/Lighting
FAA Notifications
Station Logs
SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURESAntenna Registration
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SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURESAntenna Specifics
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SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURESTower Light Observations
Check Lights at least every 24 hours
Quarterly Tower Light Inspection
Tower Renters may share some responsibility if a problem occurs!
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responsibility if a problem occurs!
SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURESPainting/Lighting
One of the most common problems associated with tower painting is the feedlines that are on the outside legs of a tower. The solid black colored feedlines may defeat the purpose of the painting by covering up the outside legs of the
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painting by covering up the outside legs of the tower.
SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURESFAA NOTIFICATIONS – HOW LONG DO I HAVE?
The tower owner/licensee is to notify the FAA within 30 minutes of the observation of an improper functioning or extinguished top steady burning light or ANY flashing obstruction light regardless of its position on
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the structure.
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SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURESFAA NOTIFICATIONS – HOW LONG DO I HAVE?
Such improper functioning beacons include non-lighted beacons as well as those that are lighted, but non-flashing.
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Notification is to also be made immediately to the FAA once it is returned to service.
FAA Phone: 877-487-6867 (for NOTAM)
SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURESLOGS must contain the following
The nature of such extinguishment or improper functioning
The date and time the extinguishment or improper operation was observed or otherwise noted
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Date and time of FAA notification, required for outages of any flashing light, NOTAM
The date, time and nature of adjustments, repairs or replacements made. This would include any work conducted as part of a system inspection or preventive maintenance program
SECTION II: ANTENNA STRUCTURESLOGS (cont.)
Log quarterly inspections of lighting systems
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Is your EAS working?
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SECTION III: EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS) Q 70 - 85
PARTICIPATING vs. NON-PARTICIPATING
Current EAS Handbook at EACH normal duty operator position
Certified Equipment & Status (monitor and
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q p (Generator)
Automatic & Manual operation = staff altered
Monitoring the stations assigned in State EAS plan
SECTION III: EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS) (cont.)
Does the station send RWT at random days and times?
RMT each month: receive and send
RWT each week from each of its two
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RWT each week from each of its two assigned monitoring sources?
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SECTION III: EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS) Station Logs
EAS logs maintained?
Any failures notated?
Equipment outages notated?
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Request Extension if more than 60 days
SECTION IV: TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Updates needed to accommodate new forms of transmission: 8-VSB, IBOC etc.
Operating Power Q86
Does the License specify TOP if so is it still correct?
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If not, you need the calculations for TOP – Antenna Gain, feed-line loss, combiners, filters
Direct vs. Indirect measurements: power calibration Q87
Frequency Q88
SECTION IV: TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS(cont.)
Modulation Q89
Remote Control Q90-91
Functioning
Metering: readings & calibration
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g g
Emission Limits Q92
Monitoring Schedule Q93
Periodic Calibration Q94
Logging of adjustments Q95
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SECTION V: ATTENDED VS UNATTENDED OPERATION
Attended = live person on duty 24/7
Unattended = automated remote control
FCC rules specify time requirements
U tt d d t t b f d ith i
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Unattended not to be confused with main studio presence
SECTION V: ATTENDED VS UNATTENDED OPERATION
Alternate Control Point
Other than main studio or transmitter
Applies to Attended operation
Notification letter in station records
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Notification letter in station records
SECTION VI: LOCAL MARKETING AGREEMENT (LMA)
If you have an LMA then you will need Q 100-
104
Copy of agreement sent to FCC and in file
List of all contracts in effect
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List of all contracts in effect
Licensee maintain control
Licensee must maintain managerial staff at the station
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SECTION VII: AM DIRECTIONAL STATIONS
Field Strength – are all monitor points at or below the maximum values specified in the authorization? Q101 AM
Are the monitor points documented
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Are the monitor points documented correctly in the authorization? Q102 AM
Is approved monitor and metering in use Q103 -104 AM
SECTION VII: AM DIRECTIONAL STATIONS (cont.)
Directional Parameters – do current ratios (5%) and phases (3°) match the authorization
At variance for 10 days w/p FCC approval
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At variance for 10 days w/p FCC approval then must request STA – reduce power if necessary
Logged?
SECTION VII: AM DIRECTIONAL STATIONS (cont.)
Most recent field strength measurements available?
Most recent partial directional antenna
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Most recent partial directional antenna proof readily available?
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The FCC, Media Bureau, Audio Division maintains a web page at "http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio".
Current rules pertaining to AM and FM stations are maintained at ""
Where can I get further help?
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are maintained at .
Information on EEO requirements for broadcasters are maintained at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/eeo or by calling EEO staff at (202)418-1450.
Hopefully at the end of any real, self or mock inspection you will get a well done handshake.
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Credits
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Q & A
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