- Pre-sunrise and post-sunset authorization
In USA
AM broadcasting , presunrise authorization (PSRA) and postsunset authorization (PSSA) are permission from theFederal Communications Commission to (broadcast in AM onmediumwave using a power level higher than what would normally be permitted prior tosunrise /aftersunset , or in the latter case, provide Class D stations with service into the evening where they would otherwise be required to sign off.Sunrise andsunset times are provided on the licensee's basicinstrument of authorization .The power level for both PSRA and PSSA service cannot exceed 500
watt s. Power calculations are based on co-channel stations.PSRA
At 6:00am local time, stations may power up using the station's daytime antenna (if applicable).
Daylight saving
Provided the locale participates in
daylight saving time , special provisions must be made since the PSRA time is based on "local time". The exact wording of the rule states:::"Between the first Sunday in April and the end of the month of April, Class D stations will be permitted to conduct pre-sunrise operation beginning at 6 a.m. local time with a maximum power of 500 watts (not to exceed the station's regular daytime or
critical hours power)..."For example, if the instrument of authorization states sunrise as being at 5:30am local standard time in April, the station does not require PSRA operation since sunrise time is prior to the 6:00am rule. When the clocks advance, this becomes 6:30am "local time". PSRA will permit the station to power up at 5:00am "standard" time, since that would be 6:00am "advanced time" and "local time" would reflect the advanced time.
As of 2007 (when the new US daylight saving times went into effect), the FCC instructed licensees to use the April advanced times when DST goes into effect in March.
PSSA
At sunset, Class D stations must sign off if they do not possess a nighttime license. PSSA operation allows the station to remain on the air an additional two hours at reduced power level determined by several factors:
* International boundaries
* Class Aclear channel stations
* Whether the station is on aregional channel Daylight saving
There are no specific provisions related to daylight saving time within PSSA operation.
Exceptions
PSSA operation must cease at local sunset time for the closest co-channel Class A located west of the Class D station.
Class D stations west of a co-channel Class A do not qualify.
History
The first presunrise authorizations came from a proposed rulemaking in 1967 ("Operation by Standard Broadcast Stations", 8 FCC 2d 698 (1967)). There were major concerns of
skywave interference to clear channel stations, so only a handful of stations were permitted to apply.On
February 25 ,1981 , the FCC determined that there were no detrimental effects to clear-channel stations in remote areas, therefore, they permitted even more stations to apply for authorization. [http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Databases/documents_collection/81-80.pdf]Current authorization
Applications for PSRA and PSSA operation are no longer required. The licensee must merely notify the FCC.
External links
* [http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cgi?TITLE=47&PART=73&SECTION=99&YEAR=2005&TYPE=TEXT 47 CFR 73.99 (Official)]
* [http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/amfmrule.html FCC Radio and Television Rules 47 CFR Part 73 (Official)]
* [http://hallikainen.com/FccRules FCC Rules and Regulations (unofficial)]
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