§ 73.827   Interference to the input signals of FM translator or FM booster
stations.

   (a) Interference to the direct reception of the input signal of an FM
   translator station. This subsection applies when an LPFM application
   proposes to operate near an FM translator station, the FM translator
   station is receiving its input signal off-air (either directly from the
   primary station or from a translator station) and the LPFM application
   proposes to operate on a third-adjacent channel to the station
   delivering an input signal to the translator station. In these
   circumstances, the LPFM station will not be authorized unless it is
   located at least 2 km from the FM translator station. In addition, in
   cases where an LPFM station is located within +- 30 degrees of the
   azimuth between the FM translator station and its input signal, the
   LPFM station will not be authorized unless it is located at least 10
   kilometers from the FM translator station. The provisions of this
   subsection will not apply if the LPFM applicant:

   (1) Demonstrates that no actual interference will occur due to an
   undesired (LPFM) to desired (station delivering signal to translator
   station) ratio below 34 dB at such translator station's receive
   antenna.

   (2) Complies with the minimum LPFM/FM translator distance separation
   calculated in accordance with the following formula: du = 133.5 antilog
   [(Peu + Gru - Grd - Ed)/20], where du = the minimum allowed separation
   in km, Peu = LPFM ERP in dBW, Gru = gain (dBd) of the FM translator
   receive antenna in the direction of the LPFM site, Grd = gain (dBd) of
   the FM translator receive antenna in the direction of the primary
   station site, Ed = predicted field strength (dBu) of the primary
   station at the translator site, or

   (3) Reaches an agreement with the licensee of the FM translator
   regarding an alternative technical solution.

   Note to paragraph (a): LPFM applicants may assume that an FM translator
   station's receive and transmit antennas are collocated.

   (b) An authorized LPFM station will not be permitted to continue to
   operate if an FM translator or FM booster station demonstrates that the
   LPFM station is causing actual interference to the FM translator or FM
   booster station's input signal, provided that the same input signal was
   in use or proposed in an application filed with the Commission prior to
   the release of the public notice announcing the dates for an LPFM
   application filing window and has been continuously in use or proposed
   since that time.

   (c) Complaints of actual interference by an LPFM station subject to
   paragraph (b) of this section must be served on the LPFM licensee and
   the Federal Communications Commission, Attention: Audio Division, Media
   Bureau. The LPFM station must suspend operations upon the receipt of
   such complaint unless the interference has been resolved to the
   satisfaction of the complainant on the basis of suitable techniques.
   Short test transmissions may be made during the period of suspended
   operations to check the efficacy of remedial measures. An LPFM station
   may only resume full operation at the direction of the Federal
   Communications Commission. If the Commission determines that the
   complainant has refused to permit the LPFM station to apply remedial
   techniques that demonstrably will eliminate the interference without
   impairment of the original reception, the licensee of the LPFM station
   is absolved of further responsibility for the complaint.

   [ 78 FR 2106 , Jan. 9, 2013, as amended at  78 FR 67317 , Nov. 12, 2013]

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