The effective date of new notification procedures for FM Broadcast stations operating in hybrid digital IBOC/analog mode with dual antenna systems was Sept. 14. But if your station is already operating under an STA for this mode, you’re good to go.
That’s according to the FCC this week, clarifying notification procedures for stations now operating with dual antenna systems under Special Temporary Authorization.
The technical information requirements for STA requests for dual antenna operation are substantially the same as those required for dual antenna IBOC notifications going forward under the new IBOC rules. In addition, those stations that began dual-antenna IBOC operation using STAs have already been designated as hybrid digital stations in the Media Bureau’s Consolidated Database System.
For these reasons, the FCC said it’s treating FMs currently operating digitally using STAs as if they had provided the notification; meaning those stations won’t need to file a new notification with the commission, unless there’s a change in the technical parameters of the IBOC operation or the technical contact information.
