Form FCC Form 303-S FCC Form 303-S Application for Renewal of Broadcast Station License

Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554

Not Yet Approved by OMB
3060-0110

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FCC 303-S
APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF BROADCAST STATION LICENSE
(FCC FORM 303-S ATTACHED)

A. This form is used to apply for renewal of license of a commercial or noncommercial educational AM, FM,
TV, Class A TV, FM translator, TV translator, Low Power TV or Low Power FM broadcast station. It is
also to be used in seeking the joint renewal of licenses for an FM or TV translator station and its co-owned
primary FM, TV or LPTV station.
B. FCC Form 303-S consists of Sections I, II, III, IV and V. Those sections that do not apply to the station
license being renewed should not be submitted as part of your application. Submit relevant sections only.
All applicants must complete and submit Sections I and II of this form. AM and FM radio applicants must
also submit Section III. TV and Class A TV applicants must submit Section IV. FM Translator, TV
Translator and Low Power FM applicants must also complete Section V.
Applicants seeking to renew the licenses of both a translator (FM or TV) and a co-owned primary FM, TV
or LPTV station on the same form should complete and submit Sections I, II, III, and IV of this form.
C. References to FCC Rules are made in this application form. Before filling it out, applicant should have on
hand and be familiar with the current broadcast, translator, LPTV and LPFM rules, which are contained in
47 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.):
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Part 0 “Commission Organization”
Part 1 “Practice and Procedure”
Part 17 “Construction, Marking, and Lighting of Antenna Structures”
Part 73 “Radio Broadcast Services”
Part 74 “Experimental, Auxiliary, and Special Broadcast and Other Program
Distributional Services”

FCC Rules may be purchased from the Government Printing Office. Current prices may be obtained from
the GPO Customer Service Desk at (202) 512-1803. For payment by credit card, call (202) 518-1800 or 1866-518-1800, M-F, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST; facsimile orders may be placed by dialing (202) 518-2233, 24
hours a day. Payment by check may be made to the Superintendent of Documents, Attn: New Orders, P.O.
Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.
D. Electronic Filing of Application Forms. The Commission is currently developing electronic versions of
various broadcast station application and reporting forms, such as this application form. As each
application form and report goes online, the Commission will, by Public Notice, announce its availability
and the procedures to be followed for accessing and filing the application form or report electronically via
the Internet. For a six-month period following issuance of this Public Notice, the subject application form
or report can be filed with the Commission either electronically or in a paper format. Electronic filing will
become mandatory, on a form-by-form basis, six months after each application form or report becomes
available for filing electronically.
E. Applicants should provide all information requested by this application. If any portions of the application
are not applicable, the applicant should so state. Defective or incomplete applications will be returned

FCC 303-S Instructions
Edition Date December 2016

without consideration. Inadvertently accepted applications are also subject to dismissal. See 47 C.F.R. §
73.3564(b).
F. In accordance with 47 C.F.R. § 1.65, applicants have a continuing obligation to advise the Commission,
through amendments, of any substantial and material changes in the information furnished in this
application. This requirement continues until the FCC action on this application is no longer subject to
reconsideration by the Commission or review by any court.
G. This application requires applicants to certify compliance with many statutory and regulatory requirements.
Detailed instructions and worksheets provide additional information regarding Commission rules and
policies. These materials are designed to track the standards and criteria that the Commission applies to
determine compliance and to increase the reliability of applicant certifications. They are not intended to be
substitutes for familiarity with the Communications Act and the Commission’s regulations, policies, and
precedent. While applicants are required to review all application instructions and worksheets, they are not
required to complete or retain any documentation created or collected to complete the application. See
Section II, Item 1.
H. This application is presented primarily in a “Yes/No” certification format. However, it contains places for
submitting explanations and exhibits where necessary or appropriate. Each certification constitutes a
material representation. Applicants may only mark the “Yes” certification when they are certain that the
response is correct. A “No” response is required if the applicant is requesting a waiver of a pertinent rule
and/or policy, or where the applicant is uncertain that the application fully satisfies the pertinent rule and/or
policy. Thus a “No” response to any of the certification Items will not cause the immediate dismissal of the
application provided that an appropriate exhibit is submitted.
I.

Except as specifically noted to the contrary in Form 303-S or these instructions, each certification covers
the entire license term. However, if the station license was assigned or transferred during the subject
license pursuant to a “long-form” application on FCC Form 314 or 315, the renewal applicant’s
certifications should cover only the period during which the renewal applicant held the station’s license.

J. Except as specifically indicated in Section II, Item 6, below, as used in this application form, the term
“party to the application” includes any individual or entity whose ownership or positional interest in the
applicant is attributable. An attributable interest is an ownership interest in or relation to an applicant or
licensee which will confer on its holder that degree of influence or control over the applicant or licensee
sufficient to implicate the Commission’s multiple ownership rules. Applicants should review the
Commission’s multiple ownership attribution policies and standards which are set forth in the Notes to 47
C.F.R. § 73.3555, as revised pursuant to the Report and Order in MB Docket No. 02-277 et al., 18 FCC Rcd
13620 (2003), aff’d in part and remanded in part, Prometheus Radio Project, et. al. v. F.C.C., 373 F.3d 372
(3d Cir. 2004), and/or as revised and explained in Review of the Commission’s Regulations Governing
Attribution of Broadcast and Cable/MDS Interests, 14 FCC Rcd 12559 (1999), reconsideration granted in
part, 16 FCC Rcd 1097 (2000); 2006 Quadrennial Regulatory Review- Review of the Commission’s
Broadcast Ownership Rules and Other Rules Adopted Pursuant to Section 202 of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996, Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, MB Docket No. 06-121 et al., 23 FCC Rcd
2010 (2008) (“2006 Quadrennial Ownership Order.”).
Equity/Debt Plus Attribution Standard. Certain interests held by substantial investors in, or creditors of, the
applicant may also be attributable and the investor reportable as a party to the application, if the interest
falls within the Commission’s equity/debt plus (EDP) attribution standard. Under the EDP standard, the
interest held is attributable if, aggregating both equity and debt, it exceeds 33 percent of the total asset value
(all equity plus all debt) of the applicant – a broadcast station licensee, cable television system, daily

2

newspaper or other media outlet subject to the Commission’s broadcast multiple ownership or crossownership rules – AND the interest holder also holds (1) an attributable interest in a media outlet in the
same market, or (2) supplies over 15 percent of the total weekly broadcast programming hours of the station
in which the interest is held. For example, the equity interest of an insulated limited partner in a limited
partnership applicant would normally not be considered attributable, but, under the EDP standard, that
interest would be attributable if the limited partner’s interest exceeded 33 percent of the applicant’s total
asset value AND the limited partner also held a 5 percent voting interest in a radio or television station
licensee in the same market.
The interest holder may, however, exceed the 33 percent threshold without triggering attribution where such
investment would enable an eligible entity to acquire a broadcast station provided that: (1) the combined
equity and debt of the interest holder in the eligible entity is less than 50 percent, or (2) the total debt of the
interest holder in the eligible entity does not exceed 80 percent of the asset value of the station being
acquired by the eligible entity and the interest holder does not hold any equity interest, option, or promise to
acquire an equity interest in the eligible entity or any related entity.
The Commission defines an “eligible entity” as any entity that qualifies as a small business under the Small
Business Administration’s size standards for its industry grouping, as set forth in 13 C.F.R. § 121-201, at
the time the transaction is approved by the FCC, and holds (1) 30 percent or more of the stock or
partnership interests and more than 50 percent of the voting power of the corporation or partnership that
will own the media outlet; or (2) 15 percent or more of the stock or partnership interests and more than 50
percent of the voting power of the corporation or partnership that will own the media outlet, provided that
no other person or entity owns or controls more than 25 percent of the outstanding stock or partnership
interests; or (3) more than 50 percent of the voting power of the corporation that will own the media outlet
if such corporation is a publicly traded company.
Additionally, "parties to the application" includes the following with respect to each of the listed applicant
entities:
INDIVIDUAL APPLICANT: The natural person seeking to hold in his or her own right the authorization
specified in this application.
PARTNERSHIP APPLICANT: Each partner, including all limited partners. However, a limited partner in a
limited partnership is not considered a party to the application IF the limited partner is not materially
involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media-related activities of the
partnership. Sufficient insulation of a limited partner for purposes of this certification would be assured if the
limited partnership arrangement:
(1)

specifies that any exempt limited partner (if not a natural person, its directors, officers, partners, etc.)
cannot act as an employee of the limited partnership if his or her functions, directly or indirectly, relate
to the media enterprises of the company;

(2)

bars any exempt limited partner from serving, in any material capacity, as an independent contractor or
agent with respect to the partnership's media enterprises;

(3)

restricts any exempted limited partner from communicating with the licensee or the general partner on
matters pertaining to the day-to-day operations of its business;

(4)

empowers the general partner to veto any admissions of additional general partners admitted by vote of
the exempt limited partners;

3

(5)

prohibits any exempt limited partner from voting on the removal of a general partner or limits this right
to situations where the general partner is subject to bankruptcy proceedings, as described in Sections
402 (4)-(5) of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, is adjudicated incompetent by a court of
competent jurisdiction, or is removed for cause, as determined by an independent party;

(6)

bars any exempt limited partner from performing any services to the limited partnership materially
relating to its media activities, with the exception of making loans to, or acting as a surety for, the
business; and

(7)

states, in express terms, that any exempt limited partner is prohibited from becoming actively involved
in the management or operation of the media businesses of the partnership.

Notwithstanding conformance of the partnership agreement to these criteria, however, the requisite
certification cannot be made IF the limited partner’s interest is attributable under the Commission’s EDP
attribution standard described below; or IF the applicant has actual knowledge of a material involvement of a
limited partner in the management or operation of the media-related businesses of the partnership. In the
event that the applicant cannot certify as to the noninvolvement of a limited partner, the limited partner will be
considered as a party to this application.
CORPORATE APPLICANT: Each officer, director and owner of stock accounting for 5% or more of the
issued and outstanding voting stock of the applicant is considered a party to the application. Where the 5%
stock owner is itself a corporation, each of its stockholders, directors and “executive” officers (president,
vice-president, secretary, treasurer or their equivalents) is considered a party to this application UNLESS
the applicant submits as an exhibit a statement establishing that an individual director or officer will not
exercise authority or influence in areas that will affect the applicant or the station. In this statement, the
applicant should identify the individual by name and title, describe the individual’s duties and
responsibilities, and explain the manner in which such individual is insulated from the corporate applicant
and should not be attributed an interest in the corporate applicant or considered a party to this application.
In addition, a person or entity holding an ownership interest in the corporate stockholder of the applicant is
considered a party to this application ONLY IF that interest, when multiplied by the corporate
stockholder’s interest in the applicant, would account for 5% or more of the issued and outstanding voting
stock of the applicant. For example, where Corporation X owns stock accounting for 25% of the applicant’s
votes, only Corporation X shareholders holding 20 percent or more of the issued and outstanding voting
stock of Corporation X have a 5% or more indirect interest in the applicant (.25 x .20 = .05) and, therefore,
are considered parties to this application. In applying the multiplier, any entity holding more than 50% of its
subsidiary will be considered a 100% owner. Where the 5% stock owner is a partnership, each general
partner and any limited partner that is not insulated, regardless of the partnership interest, is considered a
party to the application.
Stock subject to stockholder cooperative voting agreements accounting for 5% or more of the votes in a
corporate applicant will be treated as if held by a single entity and any stockholder holding 5% or more of
the stock in that block is considered a party to this application.
An investment company, insurance company or trust department of a bank is not considered a party to this
application, and an applicant may properly certify that such entity’s interest is non-attributable, IF its
aggregated holding accounts for less than 20% of the outstanding votes in the applicant AND IF:
(1)
(2)

such entity exercises no influence or control over the corporation, directly or indirectly; and
such entity has no representatives among the officers and directors of the corporation.

4

ANY OTHER APPLICANT: Each executive officer, member of the governing board and owner or holder
of 5% or more of the votes in the applicant is considered a party to the application.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION I: GENERAL INFORMATION
Item 1: Legal Name of Licensee. The name of the applicant must be stated exactly in Item 1. If the
applicant is a corporation, the exact corporate name; if a partnership, the name under which the partnership
does business; if an unincorporated association, the name of the executive officer, his/her office, and the
name of the association; and if an individual applicant, the person’s full legal name.
Applicants should use only those state abbreviations approved by the U.S. Postal Service.
Facility ID Number. Radio and TV Facility ID Numbers can be obtained at the FCC’s Internet Website at
www.fcc.gov/mb. Once at this website, scroll down and select CDBS Public Access. You can also obtain
your Facility ID Number by calling: Radio (202) 418-2700, TV (202) 418-1600. Further, the Facility ID
Number is now included on all Radio and TV authorizations and postcards.
FCC Registration Number (FRN). To comply with the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, the
applicant must enter its FRN number, a ten-digit unique entity identifier for anyone doing business with the
Commission. The FRN can be obtained through the FCC webpage at http://www.fcc.gov or by manually
submitting FCC Form 160.
FCC Form 160 is available for downloading from
http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html or by calling 1-800-418-3676. Questions concerning the FCC
Registration Number can be directed to the Commission’s Registration System help desk at
http://[email protected] or by calling 1-877-480-3201.
Item 2: Contact Representative. If the applicant is represented by a third party (for example, legal
counsel), that person’s name, firm or company, mailing address and telephone/electronic mail address may
be specified in Item 2.
Item 3: Fees. By law, the Commission is required to collect charges for certain regulatory services it
provides to the public. Generally, applicants seeking to renew the license for a commercial AM, FM TV,
Class A TV, FM translator, TV translator or Low Power TV station is required to pay and submit a fee with
the filing of FCC Form 303-S. However, government entities, which include any possession, state, city,
county, town, village municipal organization or similar political organization or subpart thereof controlled
by publicly elected and/or duly appointed public officials exercising sovereign direction and control over
their respective communities or programs, are exempt from the payment of this fee. Also exempted from
this fee are licensees of noncommercial educational radio or television broadcast stations. (This includes
licensees of noncommercial educational FM and full service TV broadcast stations seeking renewal of the
licenses for their translator or low power TV stations provided those stations operate on a noncommercial
educational basis.) Low Power TV or TV Translator stations that rebroadcast the programming of a
primary noncommercial educational station, but are not co-owned by the licensee of such a station, are
required to file fees. Renewal applications that earlier obtained either a fee refund because of an NTIA
facilities grant for the stations or a fee waiver because of demonstrated compliance with the eligibility and
service requirements of 47 C.F.R. § 73.503 or § 73.621, and that continue to operate those stations on a
noncommercial basis, are similarly exempted from this fee. See 47 C.F.R. § 1.112. To avail itself of any
fee exemption, the renewal applicant must indicate its eligibility by checking the appropriate box in Item 3,
Section I.

5

When filing a fee-exempt application, an applicant must complete Item 3 and provide an explanation as
appropriate.
For further information regarding the applicability of a fee, the amount of the fee, or the payment of the fee,
applicants should consult the “Media Bureau Services Fee Filing Guide” available at http://www.fcc.gov.
Item 4: Purpose of Application. This question requires that the applicant identify the purpose of the
application and should identify whether a renewal is being filed or an amendment to a pending renewal is
being filed.
Item 5: Facility Information. This question requires that the applicant identify whether it is licensed by
the Commission as a commercial or noncommercial educational licensee. A licensee that merely elects to
operate its station on a noncommercial basis is not considered to be a noncommercial educational license.
Item 6: Service and Community of License. The facility should be described by its service, call letters,
and specific community of license or area as listed on the station’s existing license. See 47 C.F.R. §§
74.1201(a), 74.701(a) and 74.701(f) for definition of an FM Translator, TV Translator and Low Power TV
broadcast station, respectively. For purposes of Item 6a., AM, FM or TV stations, the location of the
facility should be described in terms of the specific city or community to which the station is licensed.
Translator and Low Power TV stations should specify the area the stations are licensed to serve.
If the applicant seeks to renew the license only for an individual FM or TV translator, Low Power TV, Low
Power FM, or Class A TV station, the applicant should respond only to Item 6a. The applicant should
identify the appropriate service and list the station’s call letters, facility identification number, community
of license or area, and state.
If the applicant seeks the joint renewal for an FM or TV translator station or LPTV station and its co-owned
primary FM, TV, or LPTV station, the applicant should indicate “Yes” to Item 6b. and skip directly to Item
7. The applicant should provide information with regard to such translator station for which renewal is
sought in response to Section V below.
Item 7: Other Authorizations. This question must be completed by a radio or television renewal applicant
seeking to continue its authority to operate and FM Booster or TV Booster station in conjunction with the
primary station. The FM or TV Booster station should be described in terms of its call letters and the name
of the specific community which it serves.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION II: LEGAL INFORMATION
Item 1: Certification. Each applicant is responsible for the information that the application, instructions,
and worksheets convey. As a key element in the Commission’s streamlined licensing process, a
certification that these materials have been reviewed and that each response is based on the applicant’s
review is required.
Items 2 and 3: Character Issues/Adverse Findings. Item 2 requires the applicant to certify that neither it
nor any party to the application has had any interest in or connection with an application that was or is the
subject of unresolved character issues. An applicant must disclose in response to Item 3 whether an adverse
finding has been made with respect to the applicant or any party to the application regarding certain relevant
non-broadcast matters. The Commission’s character policies and litigation reporting requirements for
broadcast applicants focus on misconduct that violates the Communications Act or a Commission rule or

6

policy and on certain specified non-FCC misconduct. In responding to Items 2 and 3, applicants should
review the Commission’s character qualifications policies, which are fully set forth in Character
Qualifications, 102 FCC 2d 1179 (1985), reconsideration denied, 1 FCC Rcd 421 (1986), as modified, 5
FCC Rcd 3252 (1990) and 7 FCC Rcd 6564 (1992).
Where the response to Item 2a. or 2b. is “No,” the applicant must submit an exhibit that includes an
identification of the party having had the interest, the call letters and location of the station or file number of
the application or docket, and a description of the nature of the interest or connection, including relevant
dates. The applicant should also fully explain why the unresolved character issue is not an impediment to a
grant of this application.
In responding to Item 3, the applicant should consider any relevant adverse finding that occurred within the
past ten years. Where that adverse finding was fully disclosed to the Commission in an application filed on
behalf of this station or in another broadcast station application and the Commission, by specific ruling or
by subsequent grant of the application, found the adverse finding not to be disqualifying, it need not be
reported again and the assignee may respond “Yes” to this item. However, an adverse finding that has not
been reported to the Commission and considered in connection with a prior application would require a
“No” response.
Where the response to Item 3 is “No,” the applicant must provide in an exhibit a full disclosure of the
persons and matters involved, including an identification of the court or administrative body and the
proceeding (by dates and file numbers), and the disposition of the litigation. Where the requisite
information has been earlier disclosed in connection with another pending application, or as required by 47
C.F.R. § 1.65(c), the applicant need only provide an identification of that previous submission by reference
to the file number in the case of an application, the call letters of the station regarding which the application
or Section 1.65 information was filed, and the date of filing. The assignee should also fully explain why the
adverse finding is not an impediment to a grant of this application.
Item 4: FCC Violations During the Preceding License Term. Section 309(k) of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 309(k), states that the Commission shall grant a license renewal
application if it finds, with respect to that station, during the preceding license term, that: (1) the station has
served the public interest, convenience, and necessity; (2) there have been no serious violations by the
licensee of the Communications Act or the Commission’s Rules; and (3) there have been no other violations
of the Act or the Commission’s rules, which, taken together, would constitute a pattern of abuse. This
question asks the applicant to certify that, with respect to the station for which a renewal application is
being submitted, there were no violations of the Communications Act of the Commission’s Rules. If the
renewal applicant has violated the Act or the Rules, it must respond “No” and submit an explanatory exhibit
detailing the number and nature of the violations and any adjudication by the Commission (Notice of
Violation, Forfeiture Order, etc.).
For purposes of this license renewal form only, an applicant is required to disclose only violations of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, or the Rules of the Commission that occurred at the subject
station during the license term, as preliminarily or finally determined by the Commission, staff, or a court of
competent jurisdiction. This includes Notices of Violation, Notices of Apparent Liability, Forfeiture
Orders, and other specific findings of Act or Rule violations. It does not include “violations” identified by
the station itself or in conjunction with the station’s participation in an Alternative Broadcast Inspection
Program. In responding to this item, licensees should not submit any information concerning selfdiscovered or other “violations” that have not been identified by the Commission, staff, or court. Licensees
are advised that the Commission may also consider other violations by the station that come to its attention
in determining whether to grant this license renewal application.

7

Item 5: Alien Ownership and Control. All applications must comply with Section 310 of the
Communications Act, as amended. Specifically, Section 310 proscribes issuance of a construction permit or
station license to an alien, a representative of an alien, a foreign government or the representative thereof, or a
corporation organized under the laws of a foreign government. This proscription also applies with respect to
any entity of which more than 20% of the capital stock is owned or voted by aliens, their representatives, a
foreign government or its representative, or an entity organized under the laws of a foreign country. The
Commission may also deny a construction permit or station license to a licensee directly or indirectly
controlled by another entity of which more than 25% of the capital stock is owned or voted by aliens, their
representatives, a foreign government or its representative, or another entity organized under the laws of a
foreign country. Any such applicant seeking Commission consent to exceed this 25% benchmark in Section
310(b)(4) of the Act must do so by filing a petition for declaratory ruling pursuant to Section 1.5000 et seq. of the
Commission’s rules. For more detailed information on identifying and calculating foreign interests, see
Review of Foreign Ownership Policies for Broadcast, Common Carrier and Aeronautical Radio Licensees
Under Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934, as Amended, Report and Order, 31 FCC Rcd
11272, paras. 44-77 (2016).
Item 6: Anti-Drug Abuse Act Certification. This question requires the applicant to certify that neither it
nor any party to the application is subject to denial of federal benefits pursuant to the Anti-Drug Abuse Act
of 1988. 21 U.S.C. § 862.
Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 provides federal and state court judges the discretion to
deny federal benefits to individuals convicted of offenses consisting of the distribution or possession of
controlled substances. Federal benefits within the scope of the statute include FCC authorizations. A “Yes”
response to Item 6 constitutes a certification that neither the applicant nor any party to this application has
been convicted of such an offense or, if it has, it is not ineligible to receive the authorization sought by this
application because of Section 5301.
With respect to this question only, the term “party to the application” includes if the applicant is an
individual, that individual; if the applicant is a corporation or unincorporated association, all officers,
directors, or persons holding 5 percent or more of the outstanding stock or shares (voting and/or non-voting)
of the applicant; all members if a membership association’s and if the applicant is a partnership, all general
partners and all limited partners, including both insulated and non-insulated limited partners, holding a 5
percent or more interest in the partnership.
Item 7: Non-Discriminatory Advertising Sales Agreements. Applicants for renewal of commercial
stations are required to complete the certification that their advertising agreements do not discriminate on
the basis of race or ethnicity and that all such agreements contain nondiscrimination clauses. See
Promoting Diversification of Ownership in the Broadcasting Services, Report and Order and Third Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 23 FCC Rcd 5922, 5941-42 (2008); see also Third Erratum, 75 FR 27199
(May 14, 2010). Prohibited discriminatory practices include “no urban/no Spanish” dictates. Broadcasters
must have a reasonable basis for making this certification. If the response to Item 7 is “no,” please attach
an exhibit explaining the persons and matters involved and why the matter is not an impediment to a grant
of this application. Applicants for renewal of noncommercial stations should answer “not applicable.”

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION III: AM and FM Licensees Only
Item 1: Biennial Ownership Report. This question asks the renewal applicant to certify that it has filed
with the Commission the biennial ownership reports required by 47 C.F.R. § 73.3615. Each licensee of a

8

commercial AM or FM broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report on FCC Form 323 (commercial) on
November 1, 2009, and every two years thereafter. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.3615(a). Each licensee of a
noncommercial educational AM or FM broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report on FCC Form 323E when filing the station’s license renewal application and every two years thereafter on the anniversary of
the date that its renewal application is required to be filed. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.3615(d).
Item 2: EEO Program. Each licensee of an AM, FM and TV broadcast station is required to afford equal
employment opportunity to all qualified persons and to refrain from discrimination in employment and
related benefits on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, etc. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.2080. Pursuant
to these requirements, a license renewal applicant whose station employs five or more full-time employees
must file a report of its activities to ensure equal employment opportunity. If a station employment unit
employs fewer than five full-time employees, no equal employment opportunity program information need
be filed.
Additionally, each licensee must place in the station’s public inspection file annually AND POST ON THE
STATION’S WEBSITE, if any, a report containing lists of (1) all full-time vacancies filled during the
preceding year, identified by job title; (2) for each such vacancy, the recruitment source(s) utilized to fill the
vacancy, (including, if applicable, organizations entitled to notification pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of
this section, which should be separately identified), identified by name, address, contact person and
telephone number; (3) the recruitment source that referred the hiree for each full-time vacancy during the
preceding year; (4) data reflecting the total number of persons interviewed for full-time vacancies during the
preceding year and the total number of interviewees referred by each recruitment source utilized in
connection with such vacancies; and (5) a list and brief description of initiatives undertaken pursuant to
Section 73.2080(c)(2) during the preceding year.
Item 3: Local Public File. Commercial and noncommercial educational AM and FM licensees must
maintain certain documents pertaining to its station in a file that is to be kept at the station’s main studio or
other accessible place in the community of license. The file must be available for inspection by anyone
during regular business hours. The documents to be maintained generally include applications for a
construction permit and for license renewal, assignment or transfer of control; ownership and employment
reports; and quarterly lists of the community issues most significantly addressed by the station’s
programming during the preceding three months. A complete listing of the required documents and their
mandatory retention periods is set forth in 47 C.F.R. §§ 73.3526 and 73.3527. Applicants that have not so
maintained their file should provide an exhibit identifying the items that are missing/late filed, and
identifying steps taken to reconstruct missing information, and to prevent such problems in the future.
Item 4: Adherence to Minimum Operating Schedule. This question requires the applicant to certify that
the station has not been silent (or operating for less than its prescribed minimum operating hours) for any
period of more than 30 days. Commercial broadcast stations are required to operate not less than the
minimum operating hours set forth in 47 C.F.R. § 73.1740. Noncommercial educational FM stations are
required to operate not less than the minimum operating hours set forth in 47 C.F.R. § 73.561. Low-power
FM stations are required to operate not less than the minimum operating hours set forth in 47 C.F.R. §
73.850. Noncommercial educational AM stations are not required to operate on a regular schedule and no
minimum hours of operation are specified, but the hours of actual operation during a license period shall be
taken into consideration in the renewal of an NCE AM licensee. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.1745(b).
In the event that causes beyond the control of a licensee make it impossible to adhere to its minimum
operating schedule or to continue operating, the station may limit or discontinue operation for a period of
not more than 30 days without further authority from the FCC. Notification must be sent to the FCC no
later than the 10th day of limited or discontinued operation. See 47 C.F.R. §§ 73.1740(a)(4), 73.561(d).

9

An applicant whose station was silent or broadcasting for less than the prescribed minimum hours for any
period of more than 30 days in the preceding license term must submit an exhibit specifying the exact dates
on which the station was silent or operating at less than its prescribed minimum operating schedule.
Note: “Broadcasting” means “the dissemination of radio communications intended to be received by the
public.” 47 U.S.C. § 153(6). Accordingly, the transmission of “test signals” does not count toward a
station’s minimum operating hours. See A-O Broadcasting Corp., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 23
FCC Rcd 603, 609 (2008) (finding that test signals, even if audible to the public, are not broadcast signals).
Item 5: Discontinued Operation. Section 312(g) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. § 312(g),
states that if a broadcast station fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12-month period,
then the station license expires automatically, by operation of law, at the end of that 12-month period. The
Commission has no discretion to reinstate a broadcast license that has expired pursuant to Section 312(g).
See OCC Acquisition, Inc., 17 FCC Rcd 6147 (2002). Additionally, a station that does cease broadcasting
for nearly 12 months may not preserve its license by recommencing operation with unauthorized facilities.
See Letter to Idaho Broadcasting Consortium, 16 FCC Rcd 1721 (M.M. Bur. 2001). Accordingly, this item
requires the licensee to certify that the station was not silent for any consecutive 12-month period during the
preceding license term. By answering “Yes” to this question, the applicant certifies that (1) it was not silent
for any consecutive 12-month period during the preceding license term; and (2) if the station was silent for
any period of time during the preceding license term, it resumed broadcasting with authorized facilities
before 12 months from the date on which that station went silent. If the applicant cannot make this
certification, its license renewal application will be dismissed and the Commission’s data base will be
amended to reflect the expiration of the station’s license.
Item 6: Silent Station. The Commission will not renew the license of a station that is not broadcasting.
See Birach Broadcasting Corporation, 16 FCC Rcd 5015 (2001). “Broadcasting” means “the dissemination
of radio communications intended to be received by the public.” 47 U.S.C. § 153(6). Accordingly, this item
requires the applicant to certify that its commercial AM or FM broadcast station is currently transmitting
signals intended to be received by the public. An application may not answer “Yes” to this question if the
station is transmitting only “test signals.”
Note: Noncommercial educational FM stations, while authorized for limited-time operation, are required to
operate at least 36 hours per week, consisting of at least 5 hours of operation on at least 6 days of the week.
Stations licensed to educational institutions are not required to operate on Saturday or Sunday or observe
the minimum operating requirements during those days when school is not in session. 47 C.F.R. § 73.561(a)
(Licensees of noncommercial educational FM applicants adhering to these requirements may answer “Yes”
to this question whether or not the station is on the air on the particular day on which the license renewal
application is submitted electronically.).
Note: A noncommercial educational AM broadcast station is expected to provide continuous service except
where causes beyond its control warrant interruption. Where causes beyond the control of the licensee make
it impossible to continue operation, the station may discontinue operation for a period of 30 days without
further authority from the FCC. However, notification of the discontinuance must be sent to the FCC in
Washington, D.C. no later than 10 days after the discontinued operation. Failure to operate for a period of
30 days or more, except for causes beyond the control of the licensee, as well as the actual hours of
operation during the entire license period, shall be taken into consideration in the renewal of the station’s
license. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.1740(b).

10

Item 7: Environmental Effects. This question requires that the applicant certify that its facility complies
with the Commission’s maximum permissible radiofrequency electromagnetic exposure limits for
controlled and uncontrolled environments. In the event there has been no material change in a station’s RF
environment since the station last received a grant of a license application or a license renewal application,
the licensee may certify its compliance with RF exposure limits based on the information submitted with
such application. In the event that there has been a material change in the station’s RF environment since
such application was granted, the licensee should follow the instructions below.
Note: Licensees are reminded that the Commission retains the authority to revoke any station license for a
licensee’s failure to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, the National
Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, or other environmental statute, regulation, or
directive at the time it sought authorization for the original construction or modification of its broadcast
facilities. 47 U.S.C. § 312(a)(2) (authorizing the revocation of a station license “because of conditions
coming to the attention of the Commission which would warrant it in refusing to grant a license or permit
on an original application . . .”) See also FCC Form 301 Instructions, Page 11, “General Environmental”
Worksheet.
RF Exposure Requirements. In 1996, the Commission adopted guidelines and procedures for evaluating
environmental effects of RF emissions. All applications subject to environmental processing filed on or
after October 15, 1997 must demonstrate compliance with these requirements. These guidelines incorporate
two tiers of exposure limits:
General population/uncontrolled exposure limits apply to situations in which the general public
may be exposed or in which persons who are exposed as a consequence of their employment may not
be made fully aware of the potential for exposure or cannot exercise control over their exposure.
Members of the general public are always considered under this category when exposure is not
employment-related.
Occupational/controlled exposure limits apply to human exposure to RF fields when persons are
exposed as a consequence of their employment and in which those persons who are exposed have
been made fully aware of the potential for exposure and can exercise control over their exposure.
These limits also apply where exposure is of a transient nature as a result of incidental passage
through a location where exposure levels may be above the general populations/uncontrolled limits as
long as the exposed person has been made fully aware of the potential for exposure and can exercise
control over his or her exposure by leaving the area or some other appropriate means.
The guidelines are explained in more detail in OET Bulletin 65, entitled Evaluating Compliance with FCC
Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields, Edition 97-01, released August,
1997, and Supplement A: Additional Information for Radio and Television Broadcast Stations (referred to
here as “OET Bulletin 65” and “Supplement A,” respectively). Both OET Bulletin 65 and Supplement A
can be viewed and/or downloaded from the FCC Internet site at http://www/fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety. Copies
can also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating/research contractor, Best Copy and Printing,
Inc.,, Room CY-B402, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554 (1-800-378-3160, facsimile 202-4885563) or at http://www.bcpiweb.com. Additional information may be obtained from the RF Safety Group
at [email protected] or (202) 418-2464 or from the FCC Call Center at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-2255322).
The RF worksheets and tables appended to Worksheet #1 below will enable certain categories of stations to
determine whether or not the proposed facility will have a significant environmental impact as defined by
Section 1.1307. Some, but not all, stations will be able to use the RF worksheets. Generally, the RF

11

worksheets can only be used in the following situations: (1) single use tower; (2) single tower with several
FM/FM translators; or (3) a multiple tower AM array with no other user co-located within the array.
Additionally, the RF worksheets can be used in regard to an AM station only if access to the AM station is
restricted by a fence or other barrier that will preclude casual or inadvertent access to the site and warning
signs are posted at appropriate intervals describing the potential for RF exposure. See “RF Exposure
Compliance Worksheet Instructions” for more detail on eligibility.
If after using the worksheets the applicant finds that levels will exceed the RF guidelines, levels may still be
acceptable based on a more detailed evaluation of a number of variables (e.g., antenna radiation patterns or
measurement data). In that case, the applicant must submit an exhibit to the application that explains why
the proposed facility does not exceed the RF radiation exposure guidelines at locations where humans are
likely to be present, or describing measures or circumstances which will prevent or discourage humans from
entering those areas where the RF exposure exceeds the guidelines (e.g., fencing or remote location). The
guidelines are explained in more detail in OET Bulletin 65.
If the applicant is not eligible to use the worksheets, it is not an indication that the proposed facility will
cause excessive exposure. Generally, applicants that are not able to use the worksheets may need to utilize
more complex calculations or measurements to be able to certify compliance. For this reason, applicants
who are not able to use the worksheets to certify compliance should consider seeking the assistance of a
qualified consulting engineer in determining whether the proposed facility will meet the RF exposure
guidelines.
Item 8: Radio/Newspaper Cross-Ownership. This question requires the applicant to certify that neither it
nor any party to the application has an attributable interest in a newspaper that is within the scope of 47
C.F.R. § 73.3555(d). If the applicant answered “No” to Question 7.a or 7.b and “Yes” to the question under
7.b, then the applicant must submit an exhibit providing a citation to the Commission decision that made an
affirmative finding that the newspaper/broadcast combination in question is in the public interest.
If the applicant answered “No” to Question 7.a or 7.b and “No” to the question under 7.b, then the applicant
must submit an exhibit stating the reasons why a waiver of the Commission’s newspaper / broadcast crossownership rule complies with the Commission’s public interest standard and the criteria set out in the 2006
Quadrennial Ownership Order, 23 FCC Rcd 2010 (2008).
In making a public interest finding, the Commission shall presume that it is consistent with the public
interest for an entity to own a daily newspaper and one commercial AM or FM broadcast station whose
relevant contour encompasses the entire community in which such newspaper is published if that
community is in a top 20 Nielsen Designated Market Area (“DMA”). However, the Commission shall
presume that such a combination is inconsistent with the public interest if the newspaper is published in a
community that is not in a top 20 DMA. The relevant contour of a commercial AM station in this context is
the 2 mV/m contour as computed in accordance with 47 C.F.R. § 73.183 or § 73.186. The relevant contour
of a commercial FM station in this context is the 1 mV/m contour as computed in accordance with 47
C.F.R. § 73.313. 2006 Quadrennial Ownership Order, 23 FCC Rcd at 2042-46, ¶¶ 57-62.
A negative presumption shall be reversed if the newspaper or broadcast station is failed or failing. In order
to qualify as failed, the newspaper or broadcast outlet has to have stopped circulating or have been dark for
at least four months immediately prior to the filing of the assignment or transfer of control application, or
must be involved in court-supervised involuntary bankruptcy or involuntary insolvency proceedings. To
qualify as failing, the applicant must show that (1) the broadcast station has had a low all-day audience
share (i.e., 4 percent or lower), (2) the financial condition of the newspaper or broadcast station is poor (i.e.,
a negative cash flow for the previous three years), and (3) the combination will produce public interest

12

benefits. In addition, in both instances, the applicant must show that the in-market buyer is the only
reasonably available candidate willing and able to acquire and operate the failed or failing newspaper or
station and that selling the newspaper or station to any out-of-market buyer would result in an artificially
depressed price. 2006 Quadrennial Ownership Order, 23 FCC Rcd at 2047, ¶ 65.
The negative presumption shall also be reversed if the combination is with a broadcast station that was not
offering local newscasts prior to the combination, and the station will initiate at least seven hours per week
of local news programming after the combination. 2006 Quadrennial Ownership Order, 23 FCC Rcd at
2049, ¶ 67.
Applicants that answer “Yes” to Question 7.a or 7.b should refer to the 2006 Quadrennial Ownership
Order, 23 FCC Rcd at 2040-54, ¶¶ 53-75.

13

WORKSHEET #1: ENVIRONMENTAL
In the event there has been no material change in a station’s RF environment since the station last received a
grant of a license application or a license renewal application, the licensee may certify its compliance with
RF exposure limits based on the information submitted with such application. In the event that there has
been a material change in the station’s RF environment since such application was granted, the licensee
should follow the directions below to determine whether the station complies with RF exposure limits.
Some, but not all, applicants for AM and FM facilities will be able to use the RF worksheets. Generally, an
AM or FM applicant can use the RF worksheets if: (1) it is the only user on its tower; (2) its station is one of
several FM/FM translator stations located on a single tower; or (3) its station uses a multiple-tower AM array
but no other user is co-located within the array. Additionally, the RF worksheets can be used in regard to an
AM station only if access to the AM station is restricted by use of a fence or other barrier that will preclude
casual or inadvertent access to the site and warning signs are posted at appropriate intervals describing the
potential for RF exposure.
If an applicant cannot use the RF worksheets, it may show its compliance with RF guidelines in other ways, as
detailed in OET Bulletin 65.
If the worksheets indicate that an applicant exceeds acceptable RF levels, it does not necessarily mean that the
proposed station does not or cannot meet the Commission’s RF requirements. The worksheets are based on
generalized “worst case” presumptions. It may be that a more individualized evaluation of the proposed
station (possibly with the help of a consulting engineer) will demonstrate that RF levels are acceptable.
Among the individual factors that may be relevant are antenna radiation patterns, actual RF measurements,
barriers/precautions that prevent access to high RF areas, etc. These factors are also explained in OET
Bulletin 65.
Applicants satisfying the RF requirements on the basis of such non-worksheet factors should submit a detailed
explanation demonstrating their compliance. Otherwise, applicants should submit an Environmental
Assessment, as explained in 47 C.F.R. § 1.1311, explaining the environmental consequences of the proposed
operation.

14

RF EXPOSURE COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET/INSTRUCTIONS
Who may use these worksheets?
1. A directional AM station (i.e., one using a multiple tower array) that does not share its towers with any
other non-excluded RF sources (including, but not limited to FM or TV transmitting antennas) and is
located more than 315 meters (1.034 feet) from any other tower or non-excluded RF radiation sources; or
2. A non-directional AM station located on a single-use tower more that 315 meters (1,034 feet) from any
other tower or other non-excluded RF radiation sources; or
3. An FM station on a single tower that may or may not support other FM stations (including FM
translators and boosters) and that is more than 315 meters (1,034 feet) from any other tower or nonexcluded RF sources.
4. An FM translator on a single tower that may or may not support other FM stations (including FM
translators and boosters) that is more than 315 meters (1,034 feet) from any other tower or other nonexcluded RF sources.
Ineligible Sites
Please note that the applicant cannot use these worksheets if any of the following apply:
1.

The application is for a television or digital television facility;

2.

There are other towers or supporting structures with non-excluded RF sources within 315 meters of the
tower; See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1307(b)

3.

There are TV antennas and/or other RF sources on the tower other than AM or FM antennas that are not
categorically excluded from environmental processing by 47 C.F.R. § 1.1307;

4.

There is an FM, TV or other non-excluded RF source co-located within a multiple tower AM array;

5.

The tower is located at a site where the terrain or a building or other inhabited structure (other than a
transmitter building) within a 315 meter radius is higher than the level of the terrain at the base of the
tower. (Note: Sites with transmitter buildings at the base of the tower are considered “eligible”
provided that procedures are established in accordance with the methods described in OET Bulletin 65
to protect persons with access to such buildings from RF exposure in excess of the FCC-adopted
limits.); or

6.

AM towers where access is not restricted by fencing or other barrier that preclude casual or inadvertent
access to the site and warning signs are not included at appropriate intervals describing the potential for
RF exposure.

The above categories have been excluded from the RF worksheets not because of a propensity to cause
excessive RF radiation, but because a determination of their compliance involves more complex
calculations and measurements. If you are not eligible to use the RF worksheets, or elect not to use them,
before reaching a determination with respect to your facilities you should review OET Bulletin 65 and
Supplement A in order to properly evaluate your facility for compliance with the RF guidelines. The
bulletin provides information and assistance on the RF guidelines, prediction methods, measurement

15

procedures and instrumentation, methods for controlling exposure, and reference material. It will instruct
the applicant on the type of data which may demonstrate compliance with the Commission’s RF guidelines
in support of your response. If you continue to have trouble evaluating your site after consulting the
Bulletin, you may want to seek the assistance of a qualified engineer in determining whether these facilities
meet the FCC RF exposure guidelines.

Other Evaluations
These worksheets represent “worst case” calculations, and as such, should be used in your initial attempt to
determine compliance. If use of the worksheet indicates that you exceed the RF guidelines, levels may still
be acceptable based on more detailed evaluation of variables such as antenna type and vertical radiation
patterns. In this case you may submit a statement explaining why your facilities do not exceed the RF
exposure guidelines at locations where humans are likely to be present, or describing those measures or
circumstances which will prevent or discourage humans from entering those areas where the RF levels
exceed the guidelines or which will otherwise control access in accordance with the time-averaging limits
described in the guidelines. See OET Bulletin 65 and Supplement A. This statement may include:
(i)

antenna radiation patterns showing that the site complies with the guidelines described in OET
Bulletin 65;

(ii)

measurements that show the site to comply with the FCC-adopted guidelines;

(iii)

a description of what warning signs, fences or other barriers preclude excessive RF exposure;

(iv)

any other statement necessary to demonstrate compliance with the RF guidelines.

16

How to Use RF Worksheets
Attached are:
Worksheet #1 – FM, FM translator & FM booster
Worksheet #1A-Multiple FM User Tower
Worksheet #2 – AM
Worksheet #2A – Multiple Tower AM Array
AM Fence Distance Tables
FM Contributors:
a. Single Use FM or FM translator tower – Use Worksheet #1 to determine compliance with the FCC
RF exposure limits.
b. Multiple – use FM (including translator & booster) – Use Worksheet #1A for each FM facility on
the tower to obtain an approximate power and antenna height and complete Worksheet #1 as
above.
AM Contributors:
a. Single Tower Site: Use Worksheet #2 to determine if the distance to the fence or other restrictive
barrier provides adequate protection to the general public pursuant to FCC guidelines.
b. Multiple Tower Site – Use Worksheet #2 for each tower in the array to determine if the tower is
adequately distanced from the fence (or other restrictive barrier). This determination may be made by
either of the following methods:
i.

a “worst case” prediction could be made by assuming that all transmitted power is radiated from
each tower. Use Worksheet #2A to list the power and fence distance for each tower. Then use
Worksheet #2 for each tower to determine compliance with the FCC guidelines for the single
tower.

ii.

use the actual transmitted power for each tower. Use Worksheet #2A to list transmitted powers
and restriction distances for each tower. Then, use Worksheet #2 for each tower to determine
compliance with the FCC guidelines for the single tower.

If any single tower is not adequately distanced from the fence or restrictive barrier, you may not continue
to use these worksheets.
CAUTION: Even if you conclude from the use of these worksheets that human exposure to RF electromagnetic
fields is consistent with our guidelines, be aware that each site user must also meet requirements with respect to
“on-tower” or other exposure by workers at the site (including RF exposure on one tower caused by sources on
another tower or towers). These requirements include, but are not limited to the reduction or cessation of
transmitter power when persons have access to the site, tower, or antenna. Such procedures must be
coordinated among all tower users. See OET Bulletin 65 for further details.

17

RF Worksheet #1 – FM (including translators & boosters)
PLEASE COPY BEFORE USING. THE DETERMINATION OF COMPLIANCE MAY INVOLVE
REPEATED CALCULATIONS. IF LOCATED ON A MULTIPLE FM USER TOWER, PLEASE
COMPLETE RF WORKSHEET 1A BEFORE PROCEEDING.
EFFECTIVE RADIATION CENTER HEIGHT
Enter proposed “height of radiation center above ground” OR as listed in Line 1
of Worksheet 1A.

_________ m (1)

Is antenna supporting structure located on the roof of a building? (check one)
Yes

No (2)

If Line 2 is “Yes” enter the building height measured at the base of the antenna
supporting structure in Line 3
If Line 2 is “No” enter “0” in Line 3……………………………...……… ……..._________ m (3)
Subtract Line (3) from Line (1)……………………………………...……… ......._________ m (4)
Subtract the value 2.0 from Line (4)………………………………… ……… ...._________ m (5)
TOTAL EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER
(If “beam tilt” is utilized, list maximum values)
List Effective Radiated Power in the Horizontal Plane………………..……….._________ kW (6)
List Effective Radiated Power in the Vertical Plane……………………..…….._________ kW (7)
Add Lines (6) and (7) OR list value from Line 2 in Worksheet 1A………..…..._________ kW (8)
PERCENTAGE OF FCC RF LIMIT(S) FOR MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
Multiply Line (8) by 33.41 ………………………………………………………__________ (9)
Multiply the value listed in Line (5) by itself…………………………...………..__________ (10)
Divide Line (9) by Line (10) …………………………………………………….__________ (11)
Multiply Line (11) by (100) ……………………………………………………...__________ (12)
DETERMINATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONTROLLED/OCCUPATIONAL LIMIT
Does Line (12) exceed 100%................................................................

..

Yes

No (13)

IF YOU ANSWERED “YES” IN LINE (13), THE WORKSHEETS MAY NOT BE USED IN THIS
CASE.*
IF YOU ANSWERED “NO” IN LINE (13), THEN THE SITE SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE FCC’S
CONTROLLED/OCCUPATIONAL RF EXPOSURE LIMITS FOR GROUND LEVEL EXPOSURE
*In this case, you may need to prepare an Environmental Assessment. See Instructions for Section III-C
FCC Form 301.
DETERMINATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNCONTROLLED/GENERAL POPULATION
LIMIT
Does Line (12) exceed 20%................................................................................ Yes

18

No (14)

IF YOU ANSWERED “NO” IN LINE (14), THEN THE SITE SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE FCC’S
UNCONTROLLED/GENERAL POPULATION RF EXPOSURE LIMITS FOR GROUND LEVEL
EXPOSURE. NO FURTHER STUDY REQUIRED.
IF YOU ANSWERED “YES” IN LINE (14), CONTINUE.
ROOFTOP WITH RESTRICTED ACCESS.
If you answered “YES” in Line (14) and “YES”in Line (2) (indicating that the tower is located on the roof of a
building), and the general public is not allowed access to the rooftop level, repeat lines 5 through 12, entering
the value in Line (1) directly in Line (4). (If Multiple FM Use tower, recalculations should be in accordance
with instructions on Worksheet #1A.) Otherwise, go to the next section.
Upon recalculation, does Line (12) exceed 20%............................................... Yes

No (15)

IF YOU ANSWERED “YES” IN LINE (15), THE WORKSHEETS MAY NOT BE USED IN THIS
CASE. *
IF YOU ANSWERED “NO” IN LINE (15), THEN THE AREA AT GROUND LEVEL SHOULD
COMPLY WITH THE FCC’S UNCONTROLLED/GENERAL POPULATION EXPOSURE LIMIT.
NO FURTHER STUDY REQUIRED.
ACCESS TO BASE OF TOWER RESTRICTED BY FENCING.
If the tower is not located on the roof of a building, is the base of the tower surrounded by fencing or other
restrictive barrier and are appropriate warning signs posted on the fence that adequately detail the nature of the
RF exposure environment contained therein?........
Yes
No (16)
IF YOU ANSWERED “NO” IN LINE (16), THE WORKSHEET MAY NOT BE USED IN THIS CASE.*
If you answered “Yes” in Line (16), what is the distance from the base
of the tower to the fence or barrier at its nearest point…………… ….…….
Multiply Line (9) (as calculated previously) by 5…………………………..
Subtract Line (10) (as calculated previously) from Line (18)………………
Take the square root of Line (19)…………………………………………..

_________
_________
_________
_________

Is Line (20) less than or equal to Line (17)…………………….………

Yes

m (17)
(18)
(19)
m (20)
No (21)

IF YOU ANSWERED “YES” IN LINE (21), THEN THE RF FIELD OUTSIDE THE FENCE
COMPLIES WITH THE FCC’S UNCONTROLLED/GENERAL POPULATION EXPOSURE LIMIT.
NO FURTHER STUDY REQUIRED.
IF YOU ANSWERED “NO” IN LINE (21), THE WORKSHEETS MAY NOT BE USED IN THIS
CASE.*
* In this case, you may need to prepare an Environmental Assessment. See instructions for Section III-C of
FCC Form 301.

19

RF WORKSHEET #1A –Multiple FM Use Tower
The procedure below will allow for a “worst-case” determination to be made in situations where several FM
stations share a common tower. This determination is based upon the “worst case” assumption that all RF
energy is emanating from a single antenna located at the same height (i.e., antenna center of radiation above
ground level) as the lowest user on the tower.
Complete for all call signs.
For each call sign, the total of the Horizontal and the Vertical ERP’s must be used. If “beam tilt” is utilized, list
maximum values.

COLUMN 1

COLUMN 2

COLUMN 3

CALL SIGN

HEIGHT OF ANTENNA
RADIATION CENTER
ABOVE GROUND LEVEL

TOTAL EFFECTIVE
RADIATED POWER
(HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL)

meters

kilowatts

meters

kilowatts

meters

kilowatts

meters

kilowatts

meters

kilowatts

meters

kilowatts

List the smallest value in Column 2……………………………………..._________ m (1)
List the total of all values in Column 3………………………………….._________ kW (2)
The value listed in line (1) above must be used in line (1) on Worksheet 1.
The value listed in line (2) above must be used in line (8) on Worksheet 1.
Now complete worksheet 1 (except for lines 6 and 7).

20

RF WORKSHEET #2: AM

PLEASE COPY THIS WORKSHEET PRIOR TO USING. IN THE CASE OF A MULTIPLE TOWER
ARRAY, A COPY IS NECESSARY FOR EACH TOWER LISTED IN RF WORKSHEET #2A. See AM
Instruction b. to “How to Use RF worksheets” on page 5 of Appendix A.

SINGLE TOWER
Enter the transmitted power………………………………………………..………….________ kW (1)
Enter the distance from the tower to the nearest point of the fence or other
restrictive barrier enclosing the tower……………………… . ……………...…….________ m (2)
DETERMINATION OF WAVELENGTH
Method 1: Electrical Height
The tower height in wavelength may be obtained from the electrical height in degrees of the radiator.
Electrical height of the radiator………………………………………………________ degrees (3a)
Divide Line 3(a) by 360 degrees………………...……….……………………________ wavelength (3b)
Method 2: Physical Height
Alternatively, the wavelength may be obtained from the physical height of the radiator above the tower base and
the frequency of the station.
Overall height of the radiator above the tower base………………………....________
m (4a)
List the station’s frequency………………………………….……………....________
kHz (4b)
Divide 300,000 by Line (4b)………………………………………………...________
m (4c)
Divide Line (4a) by Line 4(c) ………… ………………………….………...________ wavelength (4d)
REQUIRED RESTRICTION DISTANCE
Use the appropriate AM fence distance table based on the wavelength determined in either Line (3b) or Line (4d)
above. If the transmitted power is not listed in the table, use next highest value (e.g., if the transmitted power is 2.5
kW, use the fence value in the 5 kW column).
List the fence distance obtained from the appropriate table…………………..________

m (5)

Is the value listed in Line (5) less than or equal to the value listed in Line (2)?

Yes

No

(6)

If line (6) is “Yes,” are warning signs posted at appropriate intervals which
describe the nature of the potential hazard?

Yes

No

(7)

21

IF EITHER LINE (6) OR LINE (7) WAS ANSWERED “NO”, you may need to prepare an Environmental
Assessment. However, in order to determine the need for such an Assessment please see the NOTE on page 5 of
Appendix A. If after consideration of such factors as the antenna radiation pattern, measurement data and the
barriers which restrict access you conclude that an Environmental Assessment is required, please see Section I of
the instructions to this worksheet entitled “Environmental Assessment.”
IF BOTH LINE (6) AND LINE (7) WERE ANSWERED “YES”, it appears that this tower complies with the FCC
guidelines with respect to the general public. Please be aware, that each site user must also meet requirements with
respect to “on-tower” or other exposure by workers at the site (including RF fields caused by other facilities on the
tower, or RF fields caused by facilities on another tower or towers). These requirements include, but are not
limited to the reduction or cessation of transmitter power when persons have access to the site, tower, or antenna.
See OET Bulletin 65 for more details.

22

RF WORKSHEET #2A Multiple Tower AM Array
Do not use this table if there are FM, TV or other non-excluded RF sources on any single tower of the array.

Tower Number

Transmitted Power (kW)

Distance to Fence (meters)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

If each tower listed above meets the distance requirements of the worksheet #2, it appears this tower complies with
the FCC guidelines with respect to the general public. Please be aware, that each site user must also meet
requirements with respect to “on-tower” or other exposure by workers at the site. These requirements include, but
are not limited to the reduction or cessation of transmitter power when persons have access to the site, tower, or
antenna. See OET Bulletin 65 for more details.
If the distance from the base of the tower to the fence is less than the value listed above, you may need to prepare
an Environmental Assessment. However, in order to determine the need for such an Assessment please see the
NOTE on page 5 of Appendix A. If after consideration of such factors as the antenna radiation pattern,
measurement data and the barriers which restrict access you conclude that an Environmental Assessment is
required, please see Section I of the instructions to this worksheet entitled “Environmental Assessment.”

23

AM FENCE DISTANCE TABLES

TABLE 1. Predicted Distances for Compliance with FCC Limits: 0.1-0.2 Wavelength
Frequency
(kHz)

50

535-740
750-940
950-1140
1150-1340
1350-1540
1550-1705

13
12
11
10
10
10

Transmitter Power (kW)
10
5
Predicted Distance for Compliance with FCC Limits (meters)
7
6
7
5
6
5
6
5
6
5
6
5

1
3
3
3
3
3
3

TABLE 2. Predicted Distances for Compliance with FCC Limits: 0.21-0.4 Wavelength
Frequency
(kHz)

50

535-740
750-940
950-1140
1150-1340
1350-1540
1550-1705

4
4
4
4
4
5

Transmitter Power (kW)
10
5
Predicted Distance for Compliance with FCC Limits (meters)
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

TABLE 3. Predicted Distances for Compliance with FCC Limits: 0.41-0.55 Wavelength
Frequency
(kHz)

50

535-740
750-940
950-1140
1150-1340
1350-1540
1550-1705

4
4
4
4
4
4

Transmitter Power (kW)
10
5
Predicted Distance for Compliance with FCC Limits (meters)
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
2

24

1
2
2
1
2
2
1

TABLE 4. Predicted Distances for Compliance with FCC Limits: 0.56-6255 Wavelength
Frequency
(kHz)

50

535-740
750-940
950-1140
1150-1340
1350-1540
1550-1705

4
4
4
4
4
4

Transmitter Power (kW)
10
5
Predicted Distance for Compliance with FCC Limits (meters)
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

25

1
1
1
1
1
1
2

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION IV – To be Completed by TV and Class A TV licensees only.
Item 1: Biennial Ownership Report. This question asks the renewal applicant to certify that it has filed
with the Commission the biennial ownership reports required by 47 C.F.R. § 73.3615. Each licensee of an
AM, FM, TV, commercial Class A and commercial LPTV broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report
on FCC Form 323 (commercial) or 323-E (noncommercial/educational) every two years. See 47 C.F.R. §§
73.3615, 74.797.
Item 2: EEO Program. Each licensee of an AM, FM and TV broadcast station is required to afford equal
employment opportunity to all qualified persons and to refrain from discrimination in employment and
related benefits on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, etc. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.2080. Pursuant
to these requirements, a license renewal applicant whose station employs five or more full-time employees
must file a report of its activities to ensure equal employment opportunity. If a station employment unit
employs fewer than five full-time employees, no equal employment opportunity program information need
be filed.
Additionally, each licensee must place in the station’s public inspection file annually AND POST ON THE
STATION’S WEBSITE, if any, a report containing lists of (1) all full-time vacancies filled during the
preceding year, identified by job title; (2) for each such vacancy, the recruitment source(s) utilized to fill
the vacancy, (including, if applicable, organizations entitled to notification pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)
of this section, which should be separately identified), identified by name, address, contact person and
telephone number; (3) the recruitment source that referred the hiree for each full-time vacancy during the
preceding year; (4) data reflecting the total number of persons interviewed for full-time vacancies during
the preceding year and the total number of interviewees referred by each recruitment source utilized in
connection with such vacancies; and (5) a list and brief description of initiatives undertaken pursuant to
Section 73.2080(c)(2) during the preceding year.
Item 3: Local Public File. Commercial and noncommercial educational TV and Class A TV licensees
must maintain certain documents pertaining to its station in a file that is to be kept at the station’s main
studio. The file must be available for inspection by anyone during regular business hours. The documents
to be maintained generally include applications for a construction permit and for license renewal,
assignment or transfer of control; ownership and employment reports; and quarterly lists of the community
issues most significantly addressed by the station’s programming during the preceding three months. A
complete listing of the required documents and their mandatory retention periods is set forth in 47 C.F.R.
§§ 73.3526 and 73.3527. Applicants that have not so maintained their file should provide an exhibit
identifying the Items that are missing/late filed, and identifying steps taken to reconstruct missing
information, and to prevent such problems in the future.

Item 4: Children’s Programming Commercial Limitations. Commercial TV and Class A commercial
television licensees must limit the amount of commercial matter in “children’s programming”, which is
defined for this purpose as programming originally produced and broadcast primarily for an audience of
children 12 years of age and under. The children’s programming commercial limitations are no more than 12
minutes of commercial matter per hour on weekdays, and no more than 10.5 minutes of commercials on
weekends. The limits also apply pro rata to children’s programs which are 5 minutes or more and which are
not part of a longer block of children’s programming. There are no restrictions on how commercials within
the limits are configured within an hour’s block of children’s programming, i.e., it is not necessary to prorate
the commercial limits for separate children’s programs within the hour.

26

Item 5: Children’s Programming. Each commercial TV and Class A TV licensee is required to describe in
its renewal application its efforts to serve the educational and information needs of children. Programming
directed to the educational and informational needs of children is an identifiable unit of program material that
is not a commercial or promotional announcement, that is originally produced and broadcast for an audience
of children 16 years of age and under, and that furthers the positive development of the child in any respect,
including, but not limited to, the child’s cognitive/intellectual or emotional/social needs.
Each year, on a quarterly basis, each commercial TV and Class A TV licensee is required to prepare and
electronically file a Children’s Television Programming Report (FCC Form 398), setting forth the efforts
made by the licensee during the quarter, as well as efforts planned for the next quarter, to serve the educational
and informational needs of the children. FCC Form 398 is required to be filed with the Commission and a
copy placed in the station’s public inspection file by the tenth day of the preceding calendar quarter (i.e., by
April 10 for the first quarterly report; by July 10 for the second quarterly report; by October 10 for the third
quarterly report; and by January 10 for the fourth quarterly report). Incorporating by reference previously
filed FCC Form 398s satisfies the children’s program information sought to be elicited by the FCC Form 303S.
Item 6: CORE Programming. CORE Programming is defined as programming that is specifically designed
to serve the educational and informational needs of children and that also satisfies each of the following
criteria:
(1) the program has serving the educational and informational needs of children ages 16 and under as a
significant purpose;
(2) the program is aired between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10 p.m.;
(3) the program is a regularly scheduled weekly program;
(4) the program is at least 30 minutes in length;
(5) the educational and information objective of the program and the target child audience are
specified in writing in the licensee’s Children’s Television Programming Report, as described in
47 C.F.R. § 73.3526(a)(8)(iii); and
(6) instructions for listing the program as educational and informational, including an indication of the
age group for which the program is intended, are provided to publishers of program guides.
When the licensee has broadcasted three hours per week (averaged over a six-month period) of CORE
Programming, it will be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to meet the educational and informational
needs of children. A licensee will also be deemed to have satisfied this obligation (and be similarly eligible
for Commission staff approval of its children’s programming showing), where the licensee sets forth in an
exhibit that it has aired an assortment of different types of educational and informational programming that,
while somewhat less than three hours per week of CORE Programming, demonstrates a level of commitment
to educating and informing children that it is at least equivalent to airing three hours per week of CORE
Programming.
Items 7, 8, and 19: To assist parents in planning and selecting programs for their children to watch, the
Commission has established various public information initiatives. In accord with these initiatives, a licensee
is required to identify CORE Programming at the time those programs are aired in a form that is at the sole
discretion of the licensee; to disseminate information identifying the station’s CORE Programming to
publishers of program guides and listings; and to publicize the existence and location where the public can
access information regarding the station’s informational and educational children’s programming efforts.
Item 10: An applicant may provide any other comments or information it wishes the Commission to consider
in evaluating whether the licensee has met its obligations under the Children’s Television Act and the

27

Commission’s rules. This may include, but is not limited to, information on any non-CORE educational and
informational programming that the station plans to air, as well as information on any existing or proposed
non-broadcast activities that the licensee believes enhance the educational and informational value to children
of the licensee’s educational programming.
Item 11: Continued Class A Eligibility. On November 29, 1999, the Community Broadcasters Protection
Act of 1999 was signed into law. That legislation provides that a low power television licensee may convert
the secondary status of its station to the new Class A status, provided it can satisfy certain statutorilyestablished criteria. To become eligible for a Class A certificate of eligibility, the licensee’s station must,
during the 90-day period ending November 28, 1999, have: (1) broadcast a minimum of 18 hours per day; (2)
broadcast an average of at least three hours per week of programming produced within the market area served
by the station or by a group of commonly-controlled low power television stations; and (3) been in compliance
with the Commission’s regulations applicable to the low power television service. The legislation also
provided that a licensee obtaining Class A designation shall continue to be accorded primary status as a
television broadcaster, as long as its station continues to meet the requirements of (1) and (2) above.
Item 12: Discontinued Operations. Section 312(g) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. § 312(g),
states that if a broadcast station fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12-month period, then
the station license expires automatically, by operation of law, at the end of that 12-month period. The
Commission has no discretion to reinstate a broadcast license that has expired pursuant to Section 312(g). See
OCC Acquisition, Inc., 17 FCC Rcd 6147 (2002). Additionally, a station that does cease broadcasting for
nearly 12 months may not preserve its license by recommencing operation with unauthorized facilities. See
Letter to Idaho Broadcasting Consortium. 16 FCC Rcd 1721 (M.M. Bur. 2001). Accordingly, this Item
requires the licensee to certify that the station was not silent for any consecutive 12-month period during the
preceding license term. By answering “Yes” to this question, the applicant is considered to be certifying that:
(1) it was not silent for any consecutive 12-month period during the preceding license term; and (2) if the
station was silent for any period of time during the preceding license term, it resumed broadcasting with
authorized facilities before 12 months from the date on which that station went silent. If the applicant cannot
make this certification, its license renewal application will be dismissed and the Commission’s data base will
be amended to reflect the expiration of the station’s license.
Item 13: Silent Station. The Commission will not review the license of a station that is not broadcasting. See
Birach Broadcasting Corporation, 16 FCC Rcd 5015 (2001). “Broadcasting” means “the dissemination of
radio communications intended to be received by the public.” 47 U.S.C. § 153(6). Accordingly, this Item
requires the applicant to certify that its commercial TV or Class A TV broadcast station is currently
transmitting signals intended to be received by the public. An application may not answer “Yes” to this
question if the station is transmitting only “test signals.”
Note: A noncommercial educational TV broadcast station is expected to provide continuous service, except
where causes beyond its control warrant interruption. Where causes beyond the control of the licensee make it
impossible to continue operation, the station may discontinue operation for a period of 30 days without further
authority from the FCC. However, notification of the discontinuance must be sent to the FCC in Washington,
D.C. no later than 10 days after the discontinued operation. Failure to operate for a period of 30 days or more,
except for causes beyond the control of the licensee, as well as the actual hours of operation during the entire
license period, shall be taken into consideration in the renewal of the station’s license. See 47 C.F.R. §
73.1740(b).
Item 15: Environmental Effects. TV and Class A TV renewal applications must review the instructions for
Section III, Item 5, of this form before completing this item.

28

Item 14: Local TV Ownership Waiver. Section 73.3555(b) of the Commission Rules limits the number of
full-power commercial television broadcast stations in the same Nielsen Designated Market Area (DMA) in
which a licensee may have a cognizable interest. That rule, however, may be waived by the Commission in
cases where the station is “failing.” The Commission presumes a waiver is in the public interest where the
licensee has demonstrated that the station to be acquired has had a low all-day audience share, its financial
condition is poor, and its acquisition will produce public interest benefits. In DMA’s with 11 or fewer fullpower commercial and noncommercial educational stations, the Commission will also consider waiver of its
proscription of the common ownership of more than one of the four top-ranked commercial television stations
in the market for “marginal” – but not yet “failing” stations. At renewal time, the licensee must briefly
describe the “failing” or “marginal” station waiver granted by the Commission and submit a specific, factual
showing of the program-related benefits that have accrued to the public as a result of that waiver.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION V: To Be Completed By FM and TV Translator and
Low Power TV Licensees Only
Item 1. Station Information. The licensee should identify the FM and TV translator and LPTV station(s)
for which license renewal is requested. Licensees must specify the station’s community of license, call
letters, and facility identifier.
Item 2. Operational Status. A FM, TV translator, or LPTV station is expected to provide continuous
service, except where causes beyond its control warrant interruption. Where causes beyond the control of
the licensee make it impossible to continue operation, the station may discontinue operation for a period of
30 days without further authority from the FCC. However, notification of the discontinuance must be sent to
the FCC no later than 10 days after the discontinued operation. Failure to operate for a period of 30 days or
more, except for causes beyond the control of the licensee, shall be deemed evidence of discontinuation of
operation and the licensee of the translator or LPTV station may be cancelled at the discretion of the FCC.
See 47 C.F.R. §§ 74.763 and 74.1263. Item 2 requires a licensee to certify that it is on the air.
Section 325(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, prohibits the rebroadcast of the programs
of a broadcast station without the express authority of the originating station. Where the renewal applicant is
not the licensee of the originating station, written authority must be obtained prior to any rebroadcasting.
Also, where the licensee has changed the station being rebroadcast, written notification must be made to the
Commission in accordance with 47 C.F.R. § 74.784 or 74.1251.
Item 2(a). Requires an FM Translator, TV Translator and LPTV licensee to certify compliance with this
requirement. When the primary station is co-owned, the applicant also should answer “Yes” to this Item.
Item 3a. The provisions of 47 C.F.R. § 74.1232(d) provide that an authorization for an “other area” FM
translator (i.e., FM translator station whose coverage contour extends beyond the protected contour of the
commercial FM primary station) will not be granted to the licensee or permittee of the primary commercial
FM radio broadcast station, or to any person or entity having an interest or connection with the primary
commercial FM radio broadcast station. For the purposes of this rule, interested and connected parties
extend to group owners, corporate parents, shareholders, officers, directors, employees, general and limited
partners, family members and business associates.
The Commission adopted rules in MB Docket No. 07-172 that would allow AM stations to use FM translator
stations to rebroadcast the AM signal locally, retransmitting their AM programming as a fill-in service. The
cross-service translating rules limit FM translators to providing fill-in service only, specifically within the
primary AM station’s authorized service area. In addition, the Commission limited the cross-service rule

29

changes to “currently authorized FM translators,” that is, those translators with licenses or permits in effect
as of May 1, 2009. Report and Order in MB Docket 07-172, FCC 09-59, released June 29, 2009.
The rules limit cross-service translators to providing fill-in service within an AM station’s authorized service
area. Specifically, the provisions of 47 C.F.R. §§ 74.1232(d) and 74.1201(g) provide that the entire 60 dBu
contour of an FM translator rebroadcasting an AM radio broadcast station as its primary station must be
contained within the lesser of the 2 mV/m daytime contour of the AM primary station, and a 25-mile (40
km) radius centered at the AM station’s transmitter site.
Item 3b. The provisions of 47 C.F.R. § 74.1232(e) provide that an authorization for an other area FM
translator station (i.e., FM translator whose coverage contour extends beyond the protected contour of the
commercial primary station) shall not receive any support, before, during, or after construction, either
directly or indirectly, from the commercial primary FM radio broadcast station, or from any person or entity
having an interest or connection with the primary FM station. For the purposes of this rule, interested and
connected parties extend to group owners, corporate parents, shareholders, officers, directors, employees,
general and limited partners, family members, business associates, and advertisers. Since the primary station
financial support and technical assistance prohibition of Section 74.1232(e) does not apply to “fill-in” FM
translators, applicants proposing to rebroadcast the signal of an AM primary station should mark “N/A” to
this question.
Item 4. Each licensee of an LPTV broadcast station is required to afford equal employment opportunity to
all qualified persons and to refrain from discrimination in employment and related benefits on the basis of
race, color, religion, national origin, etc. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.2080. Pursuant to these requirements, a license
renewal applicant whose station employs five or more full-time employees must file a report of its activities
to ensure equal employment opportunity. If a station employment unit employs fewer than five full-time
employees, no equal employment opportunity program information need be filed. Additionally, each
licensee must maintain with its station’s records, AND POST ON THE STATION’S WEBSITE, if any, an
annual report containing lists of (1) all full-time vacancies filled during the preceding year, identified by job
title, (2) for each such vacancy, the recruitment source(s) utilized to fill the vacancy, (including, if
applicable, organizations entitled to notification pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, which should
be separately identified), identified by name, address, contact person and telephone number; (3) the
recruitment source that referred the hiree for each full-time vacancy during the preceding year; (4) data
reflecting the total number of persons interviewed for full-time vacancies during the preceding year and the
total number of interviewees referred by each recruitment source utilized in connection with such vacancies;
and (5) a list and brief description of initiatives undertaken pursuant to Section 73.2080(c)(2) during the
preceding year.
Note that all LPTV stations must file the applicable parts of Form 396, EEO Program Report, with their
license renewal applications, in accordance with the instructions for Form 396. But, the just-referenced
"annual report" which must be posted to a station's website, is required only for those LPTV stations that are
part of a station employment unit that includes full-power stations where the unit employs five or more fulltime employees. If an LPTV station is not part of an employment unit with other stations, or if it is part of
such a unit but the unit employs fewer than five full-time employees, there is no requirement for the LPTV
station or its unit to create an annual EEO public file report.
Item 5. Environmental Effects. FM and TV translator and LPTV renewal applicants must review the
Instructions to Section III, Item 6, of this form before completing this item.

FCC NOTICE REQUIRED BY THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

30

If you do not provide the information requested on this form, the application may be returned without action
having been taken upon it or its processing may be delayed while a request is made to provide the missing
information. Your response is required to obtain the requested authorization.
We have estimated that each response to this collection of information will take from 1.25 to 12 hours. Our
estimate includes the time to read the instructions, look through existing records, gather and maintain the
required data, and actually complete and review the form or response. If you have any comments on this
burden estimate, or on how we can improve the collection and reduce the burden it causes you, please e-mail
them to [email protected] or send them to the Federal Communications Commission, AMD-PERM, Paperwork
Reduction Project (3060-0110), Washington, DC 20554. Please DO NOT SEND COMPLETED
APPLICATIONS TO THIS ADDRESS. Remember - you are not required to respond to a collection of
information sponsored by the Federal government, and the government may not conduct or sponsor this
collection, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number or if we fail to provide you with this
notice. This collection has been assigned an OMB control number of 3060-0110.
THE FOREGOING NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995,
P.L. 104-13, OCTOBER 1, 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507.

31

Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D. C 20554

Approved by OMB
3060-0110

FOR
FCC

USE
ONLY

FCC 303-S
APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF
BROADCAST STATION LICENSE

FOR COMMISSION USE ONLY

FILE NO.

READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE
FILLING OUT FORM
Section I - General Information - TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL APPLICANTS
1.

Legal Name of the Licensee

Mailing Address

City

State or Country (if foreign address)

Telephone Number (include area code)

E-Mail Address (if available)

FCC Registration Number

2.

Contact Representative

Facility ID Number

ZIP Code

Call Sign

Firm or Company Name

Mailing Address

3.

City

State or Country (if foreign address)

Telephone Number (include area code)

E-Mail Address (if available)

ZIP Code

If this application has been submitted without a fee, indicate reason for fee exemption (see 47 C.F.R. Section 1.1114):

Governmental Entity

Noncommercial Educational Licensee

Other

FCC Form 303-S
March 2011

Purpose of Application.

4.

Renewal of license
Amendment to pending renewal application.

Exhibit

If an amendment, submit as an exhibit a listing by Section and Item
Number the portions of the pending application that are being
revised.
5.

Facility Information:

6.

Service and Community of License
AM

a.

Commercial

FM

TV Translator

Noncommercial Educational

TV

FM Translator

Low Power TV

LPFM

Class A TV

Community of License/Area to be Served
City

b.

State

Does this application include one or more FM translator station(s), or TV translator
station(s), LPTV station(s), in addition to the station listed in Section I, Question 1?
(The callsign(s) of any associated FM translators, TV translators or LPTV stations will
be requested in Section V).
Yes

7.

No

Other Authorizations. List call signs, facility identifiers and location(s) of any
FM booster or TV booster station(s) for which renewal of license is also requested.

FCC Form 303-S (Page 2)

Exhibit No.

N/A

NOTE: In addition to the information called for in Sections II, III, IV and V, an explanatory exhibit providing full
particulars must be submitted for each item for which a ''No'' response is provided.
Section II - Legal - TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL APPLICANTS
1.

2.

Certification. Licensee certifies that it has answered each question in this application
based on its review of the application instructions and worksheets. Licensee further
certifies that where it has made an affirmative certification below, this certification
constitutes its representation that the application satisfies each of the pertinent standards
and criteria set forth in the application, instructions, and worksheets.

b.

4.

No

Character Issues. Licensee certifies that neither the licensee nor any party to the
application has or has had any interest in, or connection with:
a.

3.

Yes

any broadcast application in any proceeding where character issues were left
unresolved or were resolved adversely against the applicant or any party to the
application; or
any pending broadcast application in which character issues have been raised.

Adverse Findings. Licensee certifies that, with respect to the licensee and each party to
the application, no adverse finding has been made, nor has an adverse final action been
taken by any court or administrative body in a civil or criminal proceeding brought under
the provisions of any laws related to the following: any felony; mass media-related
antitrust or unfair competition; fraudulent statements to another governmental unit; or
discrimination.
FCC Violations during the Preceding License Term. Licensee certifies that, with
respect to the station(s) for which renewal is requested, there have been no violations by
the licensee of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, or the rules or regulations
of the Commission during the preceding license term. If No, the licensee must submit an
explanatory exhibit providing complete descriptions of all violations.

5.

Alien Ownership and Control. Licensee certifies that it complies with the provisions of
Section 310 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, relating to interests of
aliens and foreign governments.

6.

Anti-Drug Abuse Act Certification. Licensee certifies that neither licensee nor any
party to the application is subject to denial of federal benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of
the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862.

7.

Non-Discriminatory Advertising Sales Agreements. Commercial licensee certifies that
its advertising sales agreements do not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity and
that all such agreements held by the licensee contain nondiscrimination clauses.
Noncommercial licensees should select “not applicable.”

See Explanation
in Exhibit No.
Yes

No
See Explanation
in Exhibit No.

Yes

No

Yes

No

See Explanation
in Exhibit No.

Yes

No

See Explanation
in Exhibit No.

Yes

No

See Explanation
in Exhibit No.

Yes

No

Yes

No

N/A

See Explanation
in Exhibit No.

I certify that the statements in this application are true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and are made
in good faith. I acknowledge that all certifications and attached Exhibits are considered material representations. I hereby waive any
claim to the use of any particular frequency as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the previous use of the
same, whether by license or otherwise, and request an authorization in accordance with this application. (See Section 304 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended.)
Typed or Printed Name of Person Signing

Typed or Printed Title of Person Signing

Signature

Date

WILLFUL FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS FORM ARE PUNISHABLE BY FINE AND/OR IMPRISONMENT (U.S.
CODE, TITLE 18, SECTION 1001), AND/OR REVOCATION OF ANY STATION LICENSE OR CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT (U.S. CODE, TITLE 47, SECTION 312(a)(1)), AND/OR FORFEITURE (U.S. CODE, TITLE 47, SECTION 503).
FCC Form 303-S (Page 3)

Section III - TO BE COMPLETED BY AM and FM LICENSEES ONLY
1. Biennial Ownership Report: Licensee certifies that the station's Biennial
Ownership Report (FCC Form 323 or 323-E) has been filed with the Commission
as required by 47 C.F.R. Section 73.3615.
2. EEO Program: Licensee certifies that:
a. The station's Broadcast EEO Program Report (FCC Form 396) has been filed
with the Commission, as required by 47 C.F.R. Section 73.2080(f)(1).

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

Specify FCC Form 396 File Number
b. The station has posted its most recent Broadcast EEO Public File Report on
the station's website, as required by 47 C.F.R. Section 73.2080(c)(6).

Yes

No

N/A

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

3. Local Public File. Licensee certifies that the documentation, required by 47
C.F.R. Sections 73.3526 or 73.3527, as applicable, has been placed in the station's
public inspection file at the appropriate times.

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

4. Adherence to Minimum Operating Schedule. Licensee certifies that, during the
preceding license term, the station has not been silent (or operating for less than its
prescribed minimum operating hours) for any period of more than 30 days.

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

If No, submit an Exhibit specifying the exact dates in the preceding license term on
which the station was silent or operating for less than its prescribed minimum hours.
5.

Discontinued Operations. Licensee certifies that during the preceding license term
the station has not been silent for any consecutive 12-month period.

6.

Silent Station. Licensee certifies that the station is currently on the air broadcasting
programming intended to be received by the public.

7.

Environmental Effects. Licensee certifies that the specified facility complies with
the maximum permissible radio frequency electromagnetic exposure limits for
controlled and uncontrolled environments.

Yes

No

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

By checking ''Yes'' above, the licensee also certifies that it, in coordination with
other users of the site, will reduce power or cease operation as necessary to protect
persons having access to the site, tower, or antenna from radio frequency
electromagnetic exposure in excess of FCC guidelines.
8.

Radio/Newspaper Cross-Ownership. Licensee certifies that neither the applicant
nor any party to this application has an attributable interest in a newspaper which:
(1) is published four or more days per week, (2) is in the dominant language in the
market, and (3) is published in a community entirely encompassed by:
a. the 1 mV/m contour of one of the FM station(s)?

Yes

No

N/A

b. the 2 mV/m contour of one of the AM station(s)?

Yes

No

N/A

If No to either Question 7.a or 7.b, has the Commission made a finding pursuant to
Section 310(d) of the Communications Act that the newspaper/broadcast
combination is in the public interest?

FCC Form 303-S (Page 4)

Section IV - TO BE COMPLETED BY TV AND CLASS A LICENSEES ONLY

1.

2.

Biennial Ownership Report. Licensee certifies that the station's Biennial
Ownership Report (FCC Form 323 or 323-E) has been filed with the Commission,
as required by 47 C.F.R. Sections 73.3615 and 74.797.

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

EEO Program. Licensee certifies that:
The station's Broadcast EEO Program Report (FCC Form 396), has been filed
a.
with the Commission, as required by 47 C.F.R. Section 73.2080(f)(1).

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

Specify FCC Form 396 File Number

b.

The station has posted its most recent Broadcast EEO Public File Report on
the station's website, as required by 47 C.F.R. Section 73.2080(c)(6).

Yes

No

N/A

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.
3.

4.

Local Public File. Licensee certifies that the documentation required by 47 C.F.R.
Sections 73.3526 or 73.3527, as applicable, has been placed in its station's
inspection file at the appropriate times.
Children's Programming Commercial Limitations. For the period of time
covered by this application, the licensee certifies that it has complied with the limits
on commercial matter as set forth in 47 C.F.R. Section 73.670. (The limits are no
more than 12 minutes of commercial matter per hour during children's
programming on weekdays and no more than 10.5 minutes of commercial matter
per hour during children's programming on weekends. The limits also apply pro rata
to children's programs which are 5 minutes or more and which are not part of a
longer block of children's programming.)

Yes

No

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

If No, submit as an Exhibit a list of each segment of programming 5 minutes or
more in duration designed for children 12 years and under and broadcast during the
license period which contained commercial matter in excess of the limits. For each
programming segment so listed, indicate the length of the segment, the amount of
commercial matter contained therein, and an explanation of why the limits were
exceeded.
5.

For the period of time covered by this application, the licensee certifies that it has
filed with the Commission, and incorporated by reference, the Children's
Television Programming Reports (FCC Forrn 398) as described in 47 C.F.R.
Section 73.3526.

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit No.

If No, submit as an Exhibit a statement of explanation.

FCC Form 303-S (Page 5)

6.

For the period of time covered by this application, the licensee certifies that the
average number of hours of CORE Programming per week broadcast by the
station totaled 3 hours or more (averaged over a six-month period).

Yes

No

Exhibit No.

7.

The licensee certifies that it identifies each CORE Program aired at the
beginning of the airing of each program as required by 47 C.F.R. Section
73.673.
If No, submit as an Exhibit a statement of explanation.

8.

Yes

No

Exhibit No.

The licensee certifies that it provides information identifying each CORE
Program aired on its station, including an indication of the target child audience,
to publishers of program guides as required by 47 C.F.R. Section 73.673.

Yes

No

If No, submit as an Exhibit a statement of explanation.
Exhibit No.

9.

The licensee certifies that it publicizes the existence and location of the station's
Children's Television Programming Reports (FCC Form 398) as required by 47
C.F.R. Section 73.3526(e)(11)(iii).
If No, submit as an Exhibit including the specific steps the applicant intends to
implement to ensure compliance in the future.

10.

The licensee may include as an exhibit any other comments or information it
wants the Commission to consider in evaluating compliance with the Children's
Television Act. This may include information on any other non-core educational
and informational programming that the applicant aired or plans to air, or any
existing or proposed non-broadcast efforts that will enhance the educational and
informational value of such programming to children. See 47 C.F.R. Section
73.671, Note 1.

11.

Continued Class A Eligibility. Licensee certifies that its station does, and will
continue to, broadcast: (a) a minimum of 18 hours per day; and (b) an average
of at least 3 hours per week of programming each quarter produced within the
market area served by the station, or by a group of commonly controlled low
power or Class A stations whose predicted Grade B contours are contiguous.

12.

Discontinued Operations. Licensee certifies that during the preceding license
term, the station has not been silent for any consecutive 12-month period.

FCC Form 303-S (Page 6)

Yes

No

Exhibit No.

Exhibit No.

Yes

Yes

No

No

See Explanation
in Exhibit No.

See Explanation
in Exhibit No.

13.

Silent Station. Licensee certifies that the station is currently on the air
broadcasting programming intended to be received by the public.

14.

Environmental Effects. Licensee certifies that the specified facility complies
with the maximum permissible radio frequency electronic magnetic exposure
limits for controlled and uncontrolled environments.

Yes

No

Yes

No

See Explanation in
Exhibit, No.

By checking ''Yes'' above, the licensee also certifies that it, in coordination with
other users of the site, will reduce power or cease operation as necessary to
protect persons having access to the site, tower or antenna from radio frequency
electromagnetic exposure in excess of FCC guidelines.
15.

Local TV Ownership Waiver. Has the licensee been granted a ''failing'' or
''marginal'' station waiver of 47 C.F.R. Section 73.3555(b)?
If Yes, submit as an Exhibit a specific factual showing of the program-related
benefits that have accrued to the public as a result of that waiver.

Yes

No

Exhibit No.

FCC Form 303-S (Page 7)

Section V - TO BE COMPLETED BY FM AND TV TRANSLATOR AND LOW POWER TV LICENSEES ONLY
1.

Station Information:
Call Sign

Facility Identifier

Area Licensed to Serve
City

2.

State

Operational Status:
a.

Silent station: Licensee certifies that the station is currently on the air.

Rebroadcast Status. Licensee certifies that the station is currently
rebroadcasting the signal of an FM, AM, TV or LPTV station.
b.

Yes

No

Yes

No

See explanation in
Exhibit No.

N/A

See explanation in
Exhibit No.

If Yes, identify the station being broadcast:
Call Sign

Facility Identifier

Area Licensed to Serve
City

State

c. Rebroadcast Consent. Licensee certifies that it has obtained written
authority from the licensee of the primary station identified above for
retransmitting the primary station's programming.

Yes

No

N/A

See explanation in
Exhibit No.
3.

For FM Translator Applicants Only:
a. Licensee certifies that it is in compliance with 47 C.F.R. Section
74.1232(d), which: (1) prohibits the common ownership of a commercial primary
FM station and a FM translator station whose coverage contour extends beyond
the protected contour of the commercial FM primary station being broadcast, and
(2) requires that the FM translator's entire 60 dBu contour is contained within the
lesser of: (a) the 2 mV/m daytime contour of the AM primary station being
rebroadcast, or (b) a 25-mile radius centered at the AM primary station's
transmitter site. (With regard to (1), this restriction also applies to any person or
entity having any interest in, or any connection with, the primary FM station.)
b. Licensee certifies that it is in compliance with 47 C.F.R. Section
74.1232(e), which prohibits an FM translator station whose coverage extends
beyond the protected contour of the commercial primary station being rebroadcast
from receiving any support (except for specified technical assistance), before,
during, or after construction, directly or indirectly, from the primary station, or
any person or entity having any interest in, or any connection with, the primary
station.

FCC Form 303-S (Page 8)

Yes

No

N/A

No

N/A

See explanation in
Exhibit No.

Yes

See explanation in
Exhibit No.

4.

5.

For Low Power TV Applicants Only. Licensee certifies that it has filed with the
Commission, the station's Broadcast EEO Program Report (FCC Form 396) and has
posted the most recent Public File Report on the station's website, if required by 47
C.F.R. Section 73.2080(f)(1).

Environmental Effects. Licensee certifies that the specified facility complies with
the maximum permissible radio frequency electromagnetic exposure limits for
controlled and uncontrolled environments.

Yes

No

N/A

See explanation in
Exhibit No.

Yes

No

See explanation in
Exhibit No.

By checking ''Yes'' above, the licensee also certifies that, in coordination with other
users of the site, will reduce power or cease operation as necessary to protect
persons having access to the site, tower, or antenna from radio frequency
electromagnetic exposure in excess of FCC guidelines.

FCC Form 303-S (Page 9)