Larry Wilkins CPBE®
Alabama Broadcasters Association
334-303-2525

I know that an engineer’s “to-do” list can get rather large, but here is an item that needs to be added near the top.

Take a moment (in between fires) and review the Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) for all towers owned by your company.  Don’t forget towers that you are not using but still own.  Even if you are not using the tower if your company name is on the ASR you must still maintain it.

Verify that all the information on registration is correct, including….

Correct owner name and address/phone number, correct coordinates, and correct height

 The FCC’s current rules specify that alteration of a registered antenna structure requires a new registration prior to the alteration but the rules do not define what constitutes an “alteration.”

Today more and more translator and LPFM antennas are being installed, some at the top of structures. Some towers have been in place for decades and this could create an issue, as coordinates estimated on the old topo maps might be significantly in error. 

Recently the Commission proposed new standards indicating that any height change of one foot or more, and any change in latitude or longitude of one second or more is considered a material change.

However, those changes have not yet gone into effect, since they have not yet been approved by the Office of Management and Budget. That means this is a good time to get any errors corrected. 

It is also a good idea to review the painting and lighting requirements on the registration.  Over the years stations may have changed their lighting from incandescent to strobe.  Authorization to do so is required by the FAA and must be reflected on the ASR.

Finally make copies of ASR, leave original in Public File (authorization folder) and post copy at transmitter.  Make sure the ASR number is posted at correct location at the transmitter site!

Side note on documents at the transmitter….to keep them from becoming a meal for the site “guard rodents”, purchase an inexpensive plastic box with a good lid and place any papers in it. 

Radio Broadcast Engineering class July 13th – 17th.  Register online now.

 

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