Tower Issues

Protecting Broadcasters and the Public; Tower Safety and Other Broadcast Security Reminders February 20, 2023

As broadcasters are well aware, the FCC and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) specify various actions broadcasters must take to ensure that the public is adequately protected from the radio frequency...

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Updated Tower Construction Guidance Following Northern Long-Eared Bat Classification as “Endangered” February 10, 2023

Are you planning a new tower project or do you currently have one in pre-construction?  If so, according to a recent FCC Public Notice you may have one more thing...

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Broadcaster Agrees to Pay Seven-Figure Penalty to Settle Allegations of Violations of FCC’s Antenna Safety Rules January 28, 2020

A broadcaster agreed to pay more than a million dollars as part of a Consent Decree (the “Consent Decree”) entered into earlier this month to resolve multiple alleged violations of...

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FCC Adopts Rules Governing Reimbursement Program for LPTV/TV Translator Stations and FM Stations Displaced by Repack March 18, 2019

The FCC voted at its open meeting last week to approve a Report and Order (“Order”) (a draft of which is available here) that adopts rules for how (i) LPTV and...

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FCC Fines Broadcaster $5,000 for Premature Construction November 15, 2018

An FCC fine levied this week against a broadcaster for “premature construction” serves as a good reminder—and cautionary tale—for stations that may be making (or are planning to make) changes...

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FCC Proposes Rules for Reimbursement Program for LPTV/TX Stations and FM Stations Displaced by Repack August 9, 2018

As expected, last week the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order (“Notice”), that proposes rules for how (i) LPTV and TV translator stations (collectively, “LPTV Stations”) and (ii) FM...

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FCC Proposes Reimbursement Program for LPTV/TX Stations and FM Stations Displaced by the Full Power/Class A TV Repack July 27, 2018

The FCC recently released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order (“Notice”), which represents the first step in implementing the congressional mandate that certain (i) LPTV and TV translator stations...

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OSHA and the FCC Team Up to Provide “Best Practices” Guidance for Tower Safety June 2, 2017

In the spirit of good government, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) and the FCC have been working together in recent years to raise awareness about the hazards...

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“Defects” in ASR Applications and Records Instigates Public Notice Reminding Tower Owners of Certain Legal Obligations August 3, 2015

Round up your engineers and hold on to your paint brushes: you have been warned. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (the arm of the FCC that oversees tower registrations and related tower issues)...

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FCC and FAA Announce Streamlined Process for Tower Owners to Notify FAA of Lighting Problems December 19, 2014

The notification process for tower owners whose towers are in need of lighting repairs is going to get a bit easier early next year. That’s because owners of towers with...

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