PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 13-2030 October 18, 2013 MEDIA BUREAU PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO POTENTIAL LPFM APPLICANTS ABOUT DATA FIELDS CONTAINING TRANSLATOR INPUT SIGNAL STATION DATA On October 17, 2013, the Federal Communications Commission released Creation of a Low Power Radio Service, Sixth Order on Reconsideration. 1 The Sixth Order clarified the methodology for determining predicted LPFM interference to third-adjacent channel translator input signals. It also directs the Media Bureau (Bureau) to identify various data fields in its Consolidated Database System (“CDBS”) that may contain relevant information. 2 By this Public Notice, the Bureau provides this information. Background: As noted in the Sixth Order, the CDBS database may include conflicting and/or missing translator input data. The principal deficiency is missing delivery method data. This can occur for several different reasons. Some translator stations were authorized prior to the collection or recordation of this data. In addition, translator input station and delivery method data are collected on several forms, including FCC Form 349, Application for Authority to Construct or Make changes in a FM Translator or FM Booster Station, and FCC Form 303-S, Application for Renewal License for AM, FM, TV, Translator, or LPTV Station. Because the Sixth Order’s clarified methodology requires LPFM license applicants to rely on this data in their calculations, the Commission “direct[ed] the Media Bureau to issue a public notice providing guidance to potential LPFM applicants by identifying the various CDBS data fields that may contain relevant information.” 3 Locating input signal delivery method data: Input station and delivery method data can be accessed from the “CDBS Public Database Files” website, located at: http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/databases/cdbs/. Applicants are encouraged to review the readme.html link on the page before downloading any of this data. Relevant data can be found at the following two locations: 1. the “facility” table, using the “assoc_facility_id” to identify the facility ID of the station being rebroadcast; and 2. the “int_translator” table, using the “delivery_method,” “prim_callsign,” “primary_via,” and “prim_facility_id” fields, to identify the delivery method, the callsign, the intermediate translator and the facility ID of the station being rebroadcast, respectively. “Delivery_method” is a one-letter code that corresponds to delivery 1 See Creation of a Low Power Radio Service, Sixth Order on Reconsideration, FCC 13-134 (rel. Oct. 17, 2013) (“Sixth Order”). 2 See id. at ¶ 25. 3 Id. methods identified on FCC Form 349. 4 “Primary_via” is used to identify another translator, by callsign, that is used to relay a primary station’s signal to the subject translator. In instances where both tables contain input station data, and the data differ, applicants should rely upon the “assoc_facility_id” data in the “facility” table to identify the station being rebroadcast by the translator. In instances where the “facility” table does not contain information in the “assoc_facility_id” field, applicants should rely upon the data in the “int_translator” table. In instances where the “assoc_facility_id” specifies the facility ID number of an authorized translator, LPFM applicants should assume that the translator is rebroadcasting the signal of the referenced authorized translator, directly off- air, and thus entitled to Section 73.827 protections. Furthermore, in instances where there is no information available about the delivery method, applicants should assume that the input signal is received directly off-air. This Public Notice is intended to provide guidance on the procedures the Bureau staff will use to review for compliance with Section 73.827 input signal protection requirements. It is not intended to establish binding precedent. In instances where translator stations can document proper and timely notification of a specific delivery method and/or identification of the station being rebroadcast, the Bureau will make specific determinations as required by the rule and by the Sixth Order. For further information, contact James Bradshaw or Gary Loehrs, Audio Division, Media Bureau, (202) 418-2700. - FCC - 4 “D” denotes off-air signal delivery, “V” denotes off-air signal delivery from (“via”) another translator.