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###### Federal Communications Commission

# SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law No. 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Subject to the PRA, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

# DATES:

Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before December 15, 2008. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Interested parties may submit all PRA comments by e-mail or U.S. post mail. To submit your comments by e-mail, send them to                         *PRA@fcc.gov*                         and/or to                         *Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.*                         To submit your comments by U.S. mail, mark them to the attention of Cathy Williams, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C823, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        For additional information about the information collection(s), contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918 or send an e-mail to                         *PRA@fcc.gov*                         and/or                         *Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

*OMB Control Number:*                     3060-0991.                

*Title:*                     AM Measurement Data.                

*Form Number:*                     Not applicable.                

*Type of Review:*                     Revision of a currently approved collection.                

*Respondents:*                     Business or other for profit entities.                

*Number of Respondents and Responses:*                     1,900 respondents; 4,568 responses.                

*Obligation to Respond:*                     Required to obtain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in Sections 1, 4(i) 303, 308, 309, 310, and 319 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.                

*Estimated Time per Response:*                     0.5—25 hours.                

*Frequency of Response:*                     Recordkeeping requirement; Third party disclosure requirement; On occasion reporting requirement.                

*Total Annual Burden:*                     30,795 hours.                

*Total Annual Costs:*                     $829,000.                

*Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:*                     There is no need for confidentiality with this information collection.                

*Privacy Act Impact Assessment:*                     No impact(s).                

*Needs and Uses:*                     On September 24, 2008, the Commission adopted the Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, In the Matter of An Inquiry Into the Commission's Policies and Rules Regarding AM Radio Service Directional Antenna Performance Verification, MM Docket No. 93-177, FCC 08-228. The Second Report and Order permits AM stations using directional antennas to use computer modeling techniques to verify AM directional antenna performance, thereby reducing the regulatory burden on these stations.                

Directional AM stations use antennas which suppress radiated field in some directions and enhance it in others. Under our current rules, an AM licensee operating with a directional antenna must perform a proof of performance to demonstrate that the antenna pattern conforms to the station's authorization. An AM station must perform a full proof to verify the pattern shape when a new directional antenna system is authorized. Partial proofs, which require fewer measurements, are occasionally necessary to show that an array continues to operate properly. Typically, a full proof requires measurement of the AM station's field strength on six to 12 critical bearings, ranging to distances of 15 kilometers or more from the antenna. Subsequent graphical analysis of proof measurements also requires substantial time and expense. In contrast, the computer modeling techniques authorized in the Second Report and Order are based on internal measurements, making the proof process less time-consuming and expensive for AM licensees.

In order to control interference between stations and assure adequate community coverage, AM stations must conduct various engineering measurements to demonstrate that the antenna system operates as authorized. The following rule sections are included in this collection.

The revised information collection requirements are as follows:

*47 CFR 73.61(a)*                     states each AM station using a directional antenna with monitoring point locations specified in the instrument of authorization must make field strength measurements at the monitoring point locations specified in the instrument of authorization, as often as necessary to ensure that the field at those points does not exceed the values specified in the station authorization. Additionally, stations not having an approved sampling system must make the measurements once each calendar quarter at intervals not exceeding 120 days. The provision of this paragraph supersedes any schedule specified on a station license issued prior to January 1, 1986. The results of the measurements are to be entered into the station log pursuant to the provisions of §§ 73.1820.                

*47 CFR 73.61(b)*                     states if the AM license was granted on the basis of field strength measurements performed pursuant to Sec. 73.151(a), partial proof of performance measurements using the procedures described in Sec. 73.154 must be made whenever the licensee has reason to believe that the radiated field may be exceeding the limits for which the station was most recently authorized to operate.                

*47 CFR 73.68(c)*                     states a station having an antenna sampling system constructed according to the specifications given in paragraph (a) of this section may obtain approval of that system by submitting an informal letter request to the FCC in Washington, DC, Attention: Audio Division, Media Bureau. The request for approval, signed by the licensee or authorized representative, must contain sufficient information to show that the sampling system is in compliance with all requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.                

*47 CFR 73.68(d)*                     states in the event that the antenna monitor sampling                           ( print page 60689)                        system is temporarily out of service for repair or replacement, the station may be operated, pending completion of repairs or replacement, for a period not exceeding 120 days without further authority from the FCC if all other operating parameters and the field monitoring point values are within the limits specified on the station authorization.                

*47 CFR 73.68(e)(1)*                     Special Temporary Authority (see Sec. 73.1635) shall be requested and obtained from the Commission's Audio Division, Media Bureau in Washington to operate with parameters at variance with licensed values pending issuance of a modified license specifying parameters subsequent to modification or replacement of components.                

*47 CFR 73.68(e)(4)*                     states request for modification of license shall be submitted to the FCC in Washington, DC, within 30 days of the date of sampling system modification or replacement. Such request shall specify the transmitter plate voltage and plate current, common point current, base currents and their ratios, antenna monitor phase and current indications, and all other data obtained pursuant to this paragraph.                  

*47 CFR 73.68(f)*                     states if an existing sampling system is found to be patently of marginal construction, or where the performance of a directional antenna is found to be unsatisfactory, and this deficiency reasonably may be attributed, in whole or in part, to inadequacies in the antenna monitoring system, the FCC may require the reconstruction of the sampling system in accordance with requirements specified above.                

*47 CFR 73.151(c)(1)(ix)*                     states the orientation and distances among the individual antenna towers in the array shall be confirmed by a post-construction certification by a land surveyor (or, where permitted by local regulation, by an engineer) licensed or registered in the state or territory where the antenna system is located.                

*47 CFR 73.151(c)(2)(i)*                     describes techniques for moment method modeling, sampling system construction, and measurements that must be taken as part of a moment method proof. A description of the sampling system and the specified measurements must be filed with the license application.                

*47 CFR 73.151(c)(3)*                     states reference field strength measurement locations shall be established in directions of pattern minima and maxima. On each radial corresponding to a pattern minimum or maximum, there shall be at least three measurement locations. The field strength shall be measured at each reference location at the time of the proof of performance. The license application shall include the measured field strength values at each reference point, along with a description of each measurement location, including GPS coordinates and datum reference.                

*47 CFR 73.155*                     states a station licensed with a directional antenna pattern pursuant to a proof of performance using moment method modeling and internal array parameters as described in § 73.151(c) shall recertify the performance of that directional antenna pattern at least once within every 24 month period.                

*47 CFR 73.155(c)*                     states the results of the periodic directional antenna performance recertification measurements shall be retained in the station's public inspection file. The existing information collection requirements for this information collection are as follows:                

*47 CFR Section 73.54(c)*                     requires that AM licensees file a letter notification with the FCC when determining power by the direct method. In addition, Section 73.54(c) requires that background information regarding antenna resistance measurement data for AM stations must be kept on file at the station.                

*47 CFR Section 73.54(d)*                     requires AM stations using direct reading power meters to either submit the information required by (c) or submit a statement indicating that such a meter is being used.                

*47 CFR Section 73.61(c)*                     requires a station may be directed to make a partial proof of performance by the FCC whenever there is an indication that the antenna is not operating as authorized.                

*47 CFR Section 73.62(b)*                     requires an AM station with a directional antenna system to measure and log every monitoring point at least once for each mode of directional operation within 24 hours of detection of variance of operating parameters from allowed tolerances.                

*47 CFR Section 73.69(c)*                     requires AM station licensees with directional antennas to file an informal request to operate without required monitors with the Media Bureau in Washington, D.C., when conditions beyond the control of the licensee prevent the restoration of an antenna monitor to service within a 120 day period. This request is filed in conjunction with Section 73.3549.                

*47 CFR Section 73.69(d)(1)*                     requires that AM licensees with directional antennas request to obtain temporary authority to operate with parameters at variance with licensed values when an authorized antenna monitor is replaced pending issuance of a modified license specifying new parameters.                

*47 CFR Section 73.69(d)(5)*                     requires AM licensees with directional antennas to submit an informal request for modification of license to the FCC within 30 days of the date of antenna monitor replacement.                

*47 CFR Section 73.154*                     requires the result of the most recent partial proof of performance measurements and analysis to be retained in the station records and made available to the FCC upon request. Maps showing new measurement points shall be associated with the partial proof in the station's records and shall be made available to the FCC upon request.                

*47 CFR Section 73.158(b)*                     requires a licensee of an AM station using a directional antenna system to file a request for a corrected station license when the description of monitoring point in relation to nearby landmarks as shown on the station license is no longer correct due to road or building construction or other changes. A copy of the monitoring point description must be posted with the existing station license.                

*47 CFR Section 73.3538(b)*                     requires a broadcast station to file an informal application to modify or discontinue the obstruction marking or lighting of an antenna supporting structure.                

*47 CFR Section 73.3549*                     requires licensees to file with the FCC requests for extensions of authority to operate without required monitors, transmission system indicating instruments, or encoders and decoders for monitoring and generating the Emergency Alert System codes. Such requests must contain information as to when and what steps were taken to repair or replace the defective equipment and a brief description of the alternative procedures being used while the equipment is out of service.                

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.

 [FR Doc. E8-24316 Filed 10-10-08; 8:45 am]

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