Sec. 73.1515  Special field test authorizations.

    (a) A special field test authorization may be issued to conduct 
field strength surveys to aid in the selection of suitable sites for 
broadcast transmission facilities, determine coverage areas, or to study 
other factors influencing broadcast signal propagation. The applicant 
for the authorization must be qualified to hold a license under section 
303(1)(l) of the Communications Act.
    (b) Requests for authorizations to operate a transmitter under a 
Special field test authorization must be in writing using an informal 
application in letter form, signed by the applicant and including the 
following information:
    (1) Purpose, duration and need for the survey.
    (2) Frequency, transmitter output powers and time of operation.
    (3) A brief description of the test antenna system, its estimated 
effective radiated field and height above ground or average terrain, and 
the geographic coordinates of its proposed location(s).
    (c) Operation under a special field test authorization is subject to 
the following conditions:

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    (1) No objectionable interference will result to the operation of 
other authorized radio services; in this connection, the power requested 
shall not exceed that necessary for the purposes of the test.
    (2) The carriers will be unmodulated except for the transmission of 
a test-pattern on a visual TV transmitter, and for hourly voice station 
identification on aural AM, FM and TV transmitters.
    (3) The transmitter output power or antenna input power may not 
exceed those specified in the test authorization and the operating power 
must be maintained at a constant value for each phase of the tests.
    (4) The input power to the final amplifier stage, and the AM antenna 
current or the FM or TV transmitter output power must be observed and 
recorded at half hour intervals and at any time that the power is 
adjusted or changed. Copies of these records must be submitted to the 
FCC with the required report.
    (5) The test equipment may not be permanently installed, unless such 
installation has been separately authorized. Mobile units are not deemed 
permanent installations.
    (6) Test transmitters must be operated by or under the immediate 
direction of an operator holding a commercial radio operator license 
(any class, unless otherwise endorsed).
    (7) A report, containing the measurements, their analysis and other 
results of the survey shall be filed with the FCC in Washington, DC 
within sixty (60) days following the termination of the test 
authorization.
    (8) The test transmission equipment, installation and operation 
thereof need not comply with the requirements of FCC rules and standards 
except as specified in this section if the equipment, installation and 
operation are consistent with good engineering principles and practices.
    (d) A special field test authorization may be modified or terminated 
by notification from the FCC if in its judgment such action will promote 
the public interest, convenience and necessity.

[ 44 FR 58734 , Oct. 11, 1979, as amended at  46 FR 35463 , July 8, 1981;  49 FR 4211 , Feb. 3, 1984;  49 FR 20670 , May 16, 1984]