Technical Standards and Operating Requirements for Medium Frequency Broadcasting Stations in the Philippines (1991 Revised Edition)

General Index
I. Technical Standards and Operating Requirements for Medium Frequency Broadcast Stations in the Philippines
II. Technical Standards and Operating Requirements for FM Broadcast Stations in the Philippines
III. Technical Standards and Operating Requirements for Television in the Philippines

Medium Frequency Broadcast Standards

I. Introduction
Ever since the advent of radio, there have been progressive efforts in regulating this medium of communication. At the turn
of the 20th century, international conferences were convened to discuss problems in radio communications primarily, to
minimize mutual interferences among the growing number of stations. The use of radio in mass communications, or broadcasting,
eventually compelled governments of nations to take over the regulation of radio in their respective nations in response to
the peoples needs. Thus, controlling agencies, organized by governments, took the avowed task of formulating rules,
regulations and technical standards which are mostly so designed for the benefit of the listening public.
In the formulation of Technical Standards for domestic broadcasting, the more important considerations must include:

1. The prevention of harmful signal interferences;

2. The provision for better signal quality, so that the listerner may enjoy a clear and more realistic sound reproduction,
and
3. The proper utilization of the broadcast spectrum.

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas and the National Telecomunications Commision, cognizant of these criteria, have
designated professionals directly involved with the broadcast industry and representatives of the government to revise
existing local standards, or formulate new standards, which shall be applicable to the countrys broadcast industry.

2. Definition of Terms
2.1 Medium Frequency Broadcast Station
An AM Broadcast Station licensed for aural or sound transmissions intended for direct reception by the general public and
operated on a channel in the Medium Frequency band.

2.2 Medium Frequency Broadcast Band

The band of frequencies from 526.5 to 1705 kilohertz.

2.3 Medium Frequency Broadcast Channel

The band of frequencies occupied by the carrier and two (2) sidebands of an AM Broadcast signal with the carrier frequency at
the center. Channels shall be designated by the assigned carrier frequencies starting from 531 kHz in increments of 9 kHz.

2.4 Carrier Wave

A sinusoidal voltage or current generated in a transmitter and subsequently modulated by a modulating wave.
 2.5 Carrier Frequency
The frequency of the carrier wave. 2.6 Operating Frequency
The carrier frequency at any particular time.

2.7 Authorized Frequency

The carrier frequency authorized by the Authority.

2.8 Hertz
The term "Hertz" abbreviated "Hz", is used as a unit of frequency, supplanting the term "cycle per second" (cps).

2.9 Percentage Modulation (Amplitude)

In a positive direction:
(MAX-C)100
M=
C
In a negative direction:
(MIN-C)100
M=
C
Where:
M modulation level in percent
MAX instantaneous maximum level of the modulated radio frequency envelope
MIN instantaneous minimum level of the modulated radio frequency envelope

2.10 Maximum Percentage of Modulation

"Maximum percentage of modulation" means the greatest percentage of modulation that may be obtained by a transmitter without
producing, in its output, harmonics of the modulating frequency in excess of those permitted by these regulations.

2.11 High-Level Modulation

"High-level modulation" is modulation produced in the last radio stage of the system.

2.12 Low-Level Modulation

"Low-level modulation" is modulation produced in an earlier stage than the final.

2.13 Operating Power

"Operating power" is the transmitter output power.

2.14 Maximum Rated Carrier Power

"Maximum rated carrier power" is the maximum power at which the transmitter can be operated satisfactorily and is deter-mined
by the design of the transmitter.

2.15 Authorized Operating Power

"Authorized operating power" is the power authorized by the Authority.
2.16 Input Power
"Input power" is the product of the voltage and current at the output of the last radio stage, measured without modulation.

Channe Frequency Frequency

Channel
l (kHz) (kHz)
1 531 66 1116
2 540 67 1125
3 549 68 1134
4 558 69 1143
5 567 70 1152
6 576 71 1161
7 585 72 1170
8 594 73 1179
9 603 74 1188
10 612 75 1197
11 621 76 1206
12 630 77 1215
13 639 78 1224
14 648 79 1233
15 657 80 1242
16 666 81 1251
17 675 82 1260
18 684 83 1269
19 693 84 1278
20 702 85 1287
21 711 86 1296
22 720 87 1305
23 729 88 1314
24 738 89 1323
25 747 90 1332
26 756 91 1341
27 765 92 1350
28 774 93 1359
29 783 94 1368
30 792 95 1377
31 801 96 1386
32 810 97 1395
33 819 98 1404
34 828 99 1413
35 837 100 1422
36 846 101 1431
37 855 102 1440
38 864 103 1449
39 873 104 1458
40 882 105 1467
41 891 106 1476
42 900 107 1485
43 909 108 1494
44 918 109 1503
45 927 110 1512
46 936 111 1521
47 945 112 1530
48 954 113 1539
49 963 114 1548
50 972 115 1557
51 981 116 1566
52 990 117 1575
53 999 118 1584
54 1008 119 1593
55 1017 120 1602
56 1026 121 1611
57 1035 122 1620
58 1044 123 1629
59 1053 124 1638
60 1062 125 1647
61 1071 126 1656
62 1080 127 1665
 63 1089 128 1674
64 1098 129 1683
65 1107 130 1692
131 1701

2.17 Antenna Input Power

"Antenna input power" is the product of the square of the antenna current and the antenna resistance at the point where the
current is measured.

2.18 Antenna Current

"Antenna current" is the radio-frequency current in the antenna with no modulation.

2.19 Antenna Resistance

"Antenna resistance" means the total resistance of the transmitting antenna system at the operating frequency and at the
point at which the antenna current is measured.

2.20 Modulator Stage

"Modulator stage" means the last audio amplifier stage of the modulating wave which modulates a radio-frequency stage.

2.21 Modulated Stage

"Modulated stage" means the radio-frequency stage to which the modulator is coupled and in which the continuous wave (carrier
wave) is modulated in accordance with the system of modulation and the characteristics of the modulating wave.

2.22 Daytime
The term "daytime" refers to that period of time between 2200 Universal Time Coordinates (UTC) to 1000 Universal Time
Coordinates (UTC) (6:00 AM-6:00 PM lo-cal standard time).

2.23 Nighttime
The term "nighttime" refers to that period of time between 1000 Universal Time Coordinates (UTC) to 2200 Universal Time
Coordinates (UTC) (6:00 PM-6:00 AM local standard time).

2.24 Experimental Period

The term "experimental period" means that time between 12 midnight to 5:00 AM local standard time (1600-2100 Universal Time
Coordinates). (UTC). This period may be used for experimental purposes in testing and maintaining apparatus by the licensee of any
medium frequency broadcast station on its assigned frequency and with its authorized power, provided no interference is caused to other
stations maintaining a regular operating schedule within such period.

2.25 Field Strength

The root-mean-square (RMS) value of the voltage stress produced in space by the electric field or a radio wave, and is ex-
pressed in volts per meter or in decibels (dB) relative to it.

2.26 Effective Field

 The term "effective field" or "effective field intensity" is the root-mean-square (RMS) value of the inverse distance field
at 1.6 km. from the antenna in all directions in the horizontal plane.

2.27 Service Areas

2.27.1 The term "primary service area" of a broadcast station means the area in which the groundwave field of 1 mV/m (60 dBu)
is not subject to objectionable interference or objectionable fading.
2.27.2 The term "secondary service area" of a broadcast station means the area served by the save and not subject to
objectionable interference. The signal is subject to intermittent variations in intensity.
2.27.3 The term "intermittent service area" of a broadcast station means the area receiving service from the groundwave but
beyond the primary service area and subject to some interference and fading.

2.28 Audio- Frequency (af) Signal -to - Interference Ratio

Is the ratio (expressed in dB) between the values of the voltage of the wanted signal and the voltage of the interference,
measured under specified conditions, at the audio-frequency output of the receiver.

2.29 Audio-Frequency (AF) Protection Ratio

Is the agreed minimum value of the audio-frequency signal-to-interference ratio considered necessary to achieve a subjec-
tively defined reception quality.

2.30 Radio- Frequency (RF) Wanted -to- Interference Signal Ratio

Is the ratio (expressed in dB), between the values of the radio-frequency voltage of the wanted signal and the interfering
signal, measured at the input of the receiver under specified conditions.

2.31 Radio-Frequency (RF) Protection Ratio

Is the value of the radio-frequency wan to-interference signal ratio that enables, under specified conditions, the audio-fre-
quency protection ratio to be obtained at the output of a receiver.

2.32 Attended Transmitter

Attended transmitter means a transmitter where a qualified technician is in attendance during all periods of its operation.

2.33 Carrier Shift

The variation of the mean carrier amplitude resulting from the process of amplitude modulation; carrier shift is expressed in
terms of variations produced at a given percentage modulation by a sinusoidal test signal, the variation being expressed as a percentage
of the unmodulated carrier amplitude.

2.34 Total Harmonic Distortion

The effective value of the harmonic voltages present in the audio frequency output of the equipment under test. It is
expressed as a percentage of the effective value of the fundamental audio frequency voltage and the harmonic voltages present in the
output.

2.35 Noise Level

 2.35.1 "Noise level" means the rootmean-square (RMS) value of the voltage of spurious origin present in the audio frequency
output of the equipment under test, ex-pressed in decibels relative to a specified root-mean-square (RMS) value of sinusoidal
audio frequency voltage.
2.35.2 "Unweighted noise level" in a specified band means the noise level in that band measured by an instrument, the
frequency response of which is uniform over that band.

2.36 Frequency Response

The variation, over a specified audio frequency range of the transmission efficiency of the equipment under test; the
variation is expressed in decibels relative to the transmission efficiency at a specific frequency, such as 1,000 Hertz.

2.37 Gain of an Audio Frequency Amplifier

The gain of an audio-frequency amplifier or a chain of audio-frequency equipment incorporating one or more such amplifiers,
means the ratio, expressed in decibels of the power delivered to the load at a specific frequency (usually 1,000 Hertz) to The power
which would be delivered to the same load if the amplifier or chain of equipment were replaced by an ideal transformer matching the
nominal load and source impedances.

2.38 Spurious Emission

The emission on any frequency outside of the assigned channel or authorized band of frequencies and tolerances allowed by
these regulations. Emissions outside of the assigned channel, as a result of the modulation process, is not considered spurious, unless
it is due to overmodulation.

2.39 Authority
The National Telecommunications Commission.

2.40 Licensee
The holder of a license for a broadcasting station issued by the Authority.

2.41 Qualified Technician

A person who is a holder of a radio operator's license or its equivalent, as required by these regulations, issued by the
Authority.

3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
3.1 General Technical Requirements
Equipment shall be constructed according to good engineering practice, such as mechanical soundness, neatness of wiring and
accessibility for maintenance. Ad-equate testing and monitoring points shall be provided to permit the isolation and testing of
individual items of the equipment.

3.1.1 Adequacy of components

The quality of all component parts shall be in accordance with good engineering practice. Where appropriate, the
specifications of these components shall comply with standards set by the Authority, or, in the absence of such standards, the
components shall comply with CCIR standards.

3.1.2 Compliance with Electrical Wiring Rules

All equipment using electrical power shall comply with the rules of the Philippine Electronics Code and the Philippine
Electrical Code.
 3.1.3 Regulation of Supply Voltage
Adequate voltage regulation shall be provided, where necessary, to ensure that equipment performance is not affected by
variations in supply voltage.

3.1.4 Protection
3.1.4.1 Protection of Persons
Having regard for the high voltage employed in transmitting apparatus, adequate provision shall be made in the
construction of all equipment and in the protective enclosure. Warning signs and safety switches shall be provided, in
accordance with good engineering practice, to ensure, as far as practicable, the safety of all persons.

3.1.4.2 It shall be the responsibility of the management or the licensee operating a broadcasting station, to ensure
that protective devices are installed and appropriate safety rules are observed.

3.1.4.3 Protection of equipment

Equipment shall be protected, in accordance with good engineering practice, against unsafe conditions and damage that
may otherwise result under faulty conditions.

3.2 Detailed Technical Requirements

3.2.1 Consideration of the Antenna System
The chief purpose of the medium-wave radio broadcasting antenna is to radiate efficiently the energy supplied by the
transmitter, more so, towards the horizon or along the ground and least to-wards the sky. It is usually the vertical tower
radiator that meets these requirements successfully over most other models because of its superior groundwave propagation
characteristics and simplicity of antenna design. The antenna, being the take-off point of radio waves, is the last element of the
system under the control of the radio broadcasting station. Radio waves radiated from the transmitting antenna are propagated
through space to the receiving antenna. The only control over these propagated waves is in the selection of the antenna site, the
polarization, and the strength of the signal leaving the transmitting antenna. Further consideration must be given to directional
antenna systems which concentrate the amount of radiation in the direction(s) where it is wanted and restricts the radiation in
the direction(s) where it is not wanted. Since both the intensity and direction of all electromagnetic transmissions are regulated
by the Authority for all classes of stations, due consideration must also be given to:
3.2.1.1 Location of Antenna Site
3.2.1.1.1 The main considerations in the selection of an antenna site are:
a) Location in relation to the population to be served and to other communication installations and airports;
b) Conductivity of the soil at and immediately adjacent to the site;
c) Conductivity of the path between the site and the target area.

3.2.1.1.2 Before the approval is given for any site, the Authority shall refer to existing local and national
regulations governing antenna construction. Restrictions may be imposed on the height and location of masts in certain areas
and obstruction painting and/or lighting may be necessary. Except in the area now officially designated as an antenna farm,
masts or towers less than 150 feet from the ground in height may be erected and are exempted from this provision. Masts or
towers with heights above 150 feet from the ground are normally required to put up the standard obstruction lighting and
painting.

3.2.1.2 Antenna Design

3.2.1.2.1 The transmitting antenna system shall be vertically polarized and shall radiate an effective field of not less
than that of a 60-degree vertical radiator.
 3.2.1.2.2 For economic reasons, a single vertical tower radiator as mentioned above may be employed to serve as a common
antenna (multiple frequency antennas) for two or more stations.

3.2.1.2.3 In the case of a directional antenna system, its composition shall be of the same vertical tower radiators as
mentioned above, arranged to conform to a design configuration that would emit the desired radiation pattern.

3.2.1.2.4 The antenna, antenna lead-in, and counter-poise (if used), shall be installed so as not to present a hazard.
The antenna may be located close by or at a distance from the transmitter building. A prop erly designed and terminated
transmission line should be used between the transmitter and the antenna.

3.2.1.2.5 The antenna radio frequency current meters (both regular and re-mote or any other radio frequency instrument
which is necessary for the operator to read) shall be so installed permanently as to be easily and accurately read without
the opera-tor having to risk contact with circuits carrying high potential radio frequency energy.

3.2.1.2.6 It is not necessary to protect the equipment in the antenna tuning house and the base of the antenna with
screens and interlocks, provided, the door to the tuning house and antenna base are fenced and locked at all times, to ensure
that no unauthorized person can gain access; thus, providing maximum safety to lives. Ungrounded fencing or wires must be
effectively grounded, either directly or through proper static leaks. Lightning protection for the antenna system must be
installed.

3.2.2 Transmitting Equipment

The transmitting equipment and facilities shall be laid outin accordance with good engineering practice, thereby providing
ease of maintenance and operation, and safety to personnel.

a) Location and Layout

The building shall be of a design and type of construction suitable to the area in which it is located and it shall comply
with relevant building regulations.

1) Adequate space shall be provided in the building to facilitate access to all equipment for operation and maintenance purposes.
Adequate s pace for staff facilities shall also be provided.

2) Adequate ventilation and, where necessary, air conditioning shall be provided to ensure satisfactory working conditions for
staff and equipment.
3) Adequate lighting shall be provided in all equipment rooms to facilitate operation and maintenance of the equipment.

Design, Construction, and Safety to Life:

1) The transmitter must be capable of delivering its rated carrier power, with the provision for varying the same to
compensate for variations in line voltage and other factors which may affect the power output.

2) The transmitter must be capable of delivering and maintaining its carrier power within the required limits of + 10
percent, whether to be at full power daytime mode or at reduced power nighttime mode. The power shall be determined by the direct
methods, i.e., the square of the transmission line current measured at the input of the antenna matching network multiplied by the
resistance at this same point. [The indirect method (Ep x Ip x Efficiency of the last radio frequency stage) may also be used.]

3) The transmitter must be capable of satisfactory operation at the authorized operating power with modulation of at least 90
percent with no more distortion than given in Sub-section 3.2.2.b (7).

4) The transmitter must be capable of maintaining the operating frequency within the limits of 10 Hertz of the assigned frequency.

5) The carrier shift (current) at any percentage of modulation shall not exceed 5 percent.

6) The carrier hum and extraneous noise level, (unweighted r.s.s.) exclusive of microphone and studio noises over the frequency band 30
to 20,000 Hz is, at least, 45 dB below the level of a sinusoidal tone of a 400 Hz, producing 90 percent modulation of the carrier.

7) The total. audio frequency distortion from microphone terminals, including micro-phone amplifier, to antenna output, must not
exceed 5 percent harmonics (voltage measurements of arithmetical sum or r.s.s.) when modulated from 0 to 84 percent, and not over 7.5
percent harmonics when modulating from 85 percent to 95 percent. Distortion shall be measured with modulating frequencies of 50, 100,
400, 1000, 5000, and 7,500 Hertz up to the tenth harmonic or 16,000 Hz or any intermediate frequency that readings on these frequencies
indicate is desirable.

8) The audio frequency transmitting characteristics of the equipment from the microphone terminals (including microphone
amplifier, unless microphone frequency correction is included, in which event proper allowance shall be made accordingly) to the antenna
output, does not depart more than 2 decibels (dB) from that at 1, 000 Hertz between 80 and 7,500 Hz.

9) The transmitter must be equipped with indicating instruments to continuously measure the DC plate cur-rent and voltage and
any other indicating instruments necessary for proper operation.

10) The transmitter shall be equipped with an adequate control system for the application and removal of power.

11) Adequate allowances shall be provided for all component parts to avoid over-heating at the maximum rated power output.

12) Any emission appearing on a frequency removed from the carrier by between 15 kHz and 30 kHz inclusive, shall be
attenuated at least 35 decibels below the level of the unmodulated carrier.

13) Any emission appearing on a frequency removed from the carrier by more than 30 kHz and up to and including 75 kHz,
inclusive, shall be attenuated at least 35 decibels below the level of the unmodulated carrier.

14) Any emission appearing on a frequency removed from the carrier by more than 75 kHz shall be attenuated at least 43 10
log10 (Power in watts) decibels below the level of the unmodulated carrier or 80 decibels which-ever is the lesser attenuation.

15) The transmitter shall be operated, tuned, and adjusted so that emissions outside of the authorized channel do not cause
harmful interference to the reception of other stations. In any case, should harmful interference to the reception of other radio
stations occur, the licensee may be required to take further steps as may be necessary in accordance with Sec. 3.2.2.b) (14).

16) In general, the transmitter shall be constructed either on racks and panels or in totally enclosed frames protected as
required by the Philippine Electronics Code.

17) Means shall be provided for making all tuning adjustments of any circuit involving the application of voltages in
excess of 110 volts AC or DC from the front panel with all access doors closed.

18) Bleeder resistors or such other automatic means shall be installed across all the condenser banks to re-move any charge
 which may remain after the high volt-age circuit is opened.

19) Plate supply and other high voltage devices, including transformers, filters, rectifiers, and motor generators, shall
be provided with protective circuits so as to prevent injury to operating personnel.

20) In case the voltmeter is located on the low potential side of the multiplier resistor with one terminal of the
instrument at or less than 1,000 volts above ground, no protective case is required. However, it is a good practice to protect
voltmeters that are subject to more than 5,000 volts with suitable protective de-vice across the instrument terminals in case the
winding opens.

21) Wiring between units of the transmitter shall be in-stalled in conduits or approved fiber or metal raceways to protect
it from mechanical injury.

22) Circuits carrying low level radio frequency energy between units of the transmitter shall be properly wired and
shielded to prevent the pick-up of modulated radio frequency energy from the output circuits.

23) Each stage (including the oscillator) preceding the modulated stage shall be properly shielded and filtered to prevent
feedback from any circuit following the modulated stage.

24) An oscilloscope or a type approved meter indicator type modulation monitor is required for monitoring transmitter
modulation.

25) A frequency monitor or a type approved frequency meter indicator is required for monitoring transmitter carrier
frequency.

3.2.3 Metering Equipment

a) Linear scale instruments indicating the plate current or plate voltage of the last radio stage shall meet the following
specifications:
1) Length of scale shall not be less than 6 cm.
2) Accuracy shall be at least 2 percent of the full reading.
3) The maximum rating of the meter shall be such that it does not read off scale during normal operation.
4) Full scale reading shall not be greater than five times the minimum normal indication.

b) Instruments indicating antenna current, common point current, and base currents shall meet the following specifications:
1) Instruments having logarithmic or square law scales:
(a) Shall meet the requirements of paragraph 3.2.3.1 a(1), a(2), and a(3) of this section for linear scale instruments.
(b) Full scale readingshall not be greater than three times the minimum normal indication.
(c)No scale division above one-fifth scale reading (in amperes) shall be greater than one-fiftieth of the full scale reading.
(Ex: An ammeter meeting requirement (1) is acceptable for indicating currents from 1 to 5 amperes, provided no division
between 1 and 5 amperes is greater than one-fiftieth of 5 amperes, 0.1 ampere).

c) A radio frequency ammeter meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section shall be permanently installed in the antenna
circuit and a suitable arrangement may be made to protect it from damage by lightning. Where this arrangement is used, contacts shall
be protected against corrosion. Since the meter is permanently connected in the antenna circuit, provision may be made to short the
meter when it is not being used. Such switching shall be accomplished without interrupting the transmission of the station.
d) Remote reading antenna ammeter(s) may be employed and the indications logged as the antenna current, or in the case of a
directional antenna, the common point current and base currents, in accordance win the following:

1) Remote reading antenna common point or base am-meters maybe provided by:
(a) A factory-calibrated cur-rent transformer connected to a metering instrument for RF antenna current indication.
(b) Using indications of phase monitor for deter-mining the antenna base currents or their ratio in the case of directional antennas,
provided:
(1) the base current readings are logged in accordance with the pro vision of the station license;
(2) that the indicating instruments in the unit are connected directly in the current sampling circuit with no other shunt circuits
of any nature.
(3) all sampling fines have equal total lengths and identical electrical characteristics. Portions of sampling lines between towers
and transmitter building, prefer-ably, should be buried, if run above ground, the lines should be rigidly supported and
positioned with the outer conductors grounded, where necessary, to ensure that fields from the array will not induce error
currents in the line.
(c) Using indications of re-mote control instruments, provided that such indicating instruments are capable of being connected
directly into the antenna circuit at the same point as the antenna ammeter.

2) Remote ammeters shall be connected into the antenna circuit at the same point as, but below (transmitter side) the antenna
ammeter(s), and shall be calibrated to indicate within 2 percent of the regular meter over the entire range above one-third or one-
fifth full-scale.

3) All remote meters shall meet the same requirement as the regular antenna ammeter with respect to scale accuracy, etc.

4) Calibration shall be checked against the regular meter at least once a week.

5) All remote meters shall be provided with shielding or filters as necessary to pre-vent any feed-back from the antenna to the
transmitter.

6) In the case of shunt-excited antenna, the transmission line current meter at the transmitter may be considered as the remote antenna
ammeter, provided the transmission line is terminated directly into the excitation circuit feed-line, which shall employ series
tuning only (no shunt circuits of any type shall be employed) and, inasmuch as is practicable, the type and scale of the transmission
line meter shall be the same as those of the excitation circuit feed-line meter (meter in slant wire feed line or its equivalent).

7) In the event that there is any question as to the method of providing the re-mote indication, or the ac-curacy of the remote meter,
the burden of proof of satisfactory performance shall be upon the licensee and the manufacturer of the equipment.

e) The function of each instrument shall be clearly and permanently shown on the instrument itself or on the panel immediately
adjacent thereto.

f) Digital meters, printers, or other numerical read-out devices may be used in addition to or in lieu of indicating instruments
meeting the specifications of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. If a single digital device is used at the transmitter for
reading and logging of operating parameters, either (1) indicating instruments meeting the above-mentioned specifications shall be
installed in the transmitter and antenna circuit, or (2) a spare digital device shall be maintained at the transmitter with the
provision for its rapid substitution for the main device, should that device malfunction. The readout of the device shall include
at least three digits and shall indicate the value or a decimal multiple of the value of the parameter being read to an accuracy
of at least 2 percent. The multiplier to be applied to the reading of each parameter shall be indicated at the operating position
 of a switch used to select the parameter for display, or on the face of an automatically printed log at least once for each
calendar day.

g) The antenna ammeters (both regular and remote) and any other radio frequency instrument which are necessary for the operator to read
shall be so installed as to be easily and accurately read without the operator having to risk contact with circuits carrying high
potential radio frequency energy.

h) Frequency Monitor Specifications:

1) The unit shall have an accuracy of at least 5 parts per million under ordinary conditions of temperature and humidity
encountered in standard broadcast stations throughout the Philip-pines.
2) The range of the indicating device shall be, at least, from 20 Hertz below to 20 Hertz above the assigned frequency.
3) The scale of the indicating device shall be so calibrated as to be accurately read within at least 1 Hertz.

3.2.4. Monitoring Equipment

a. Frequency Monitor
1) The licensee of each station shall have in operation, either at the transmitter or at the place where the transmitter is
controlled, a frequency monitor of a type approved by the Authority which shall be independent of the frequency control of the
transmitter.

2) In the event that the frequency monitor becomes defective, the station may be operated without such equipment pending its repair
or replacement for a period not in excess of 60 days without further permission of the Authority: Provided, That:

a) Appropriate entries shall be made in the operation log of the station to show the date and time the monitor was removed
from and restored to service.
b) The Engineer in Charge of the Region in which the station is located shall be notified both immediately after the monitor
is found to be defective and immediately after the repaired or re-placement monitor has been installed and is functioning
properly.
c) The frequency of the station shall be compared with an external frequency source of known accuracy at sufficiently
frequent intervals to insure that the frequency is maintained within the tolerance. An entry shall be made in the station
log as to the method used and the results thereof.

3) If conditions beyond the control of the licensee or permittee prevent the restoration of the monitor to service within the above
allowed period, informal request may be filed with the Engineer in Charge of the Region in which the station is located for such
additional time as may be required to complete re-pairs of the defective instrument or equipment.

b. Modulation Monitor
1) The licensee of each station shall have in operation, either at the transmitter or at the place where the transmitter is control-
led, an oscilloscope or a modulation monitor of a type approved by the Authority.

2) In the event that the modulation monitor becomes defective, the station may be operated without such equipment pending its re-pair
or replacement for a period not in excess of 60 days without further authority of the Commission: Provided that:

a) Appropriate entries shall be made in the operation log of the station to show the date and time the monitor was removed from
and restored to service.
 b) The Engineer in Charge of the Region in which the station is located shall be notified both immediately after the monitor is
found to be defective and immediately after the repaired or re-placement monitor has been installed and is functioning
properly.
c) The degree of modulation of the station shall be monitored with a cathode ray oscilloscope or other means.

3) If conditions beyond the control of the licensee or permittee prevent the restoration of the monitor to service within the
above allowed period, informal request may be filed with the Engineer in Charge of the region in which the station is located for such
additional time as may be required to complete repairs of the defective instrument or equipment.

3.2.5 Studio, Equipment, and Allied Facilities

The studio, being the source of programs, must be provided with such control room, equipment and other accommodation as are nec-
essary to ensure the provision of a satisfactory service by the station.

a) Studio and Layout Location

1) The building that will contain the studio shall satisfy the provisions given in Section 3.2.2.a. of these standards.

2) Each studio shall be associated with a control room from which the operational area of the studio may be viewed with ease. The
Authority may, however, approve an operation whereby the studio and control rooms are integrated into one and that responsible
personnel shall perform simple front panel type functions like level adjustments and switchings during his/her board hours,
provided, a licensed radio technician with a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Crass radiotelephone license is employed to perform all the more
complicated pre-and post-sign-on adjustments of a more technical nature including maintenance jobs which are necessary for the
proper operation of technical studio equipment. Provided further, that for this kind of operation, an automatic program level
control is employed to ensure that a proper program level is fed to the transmitter.

3) Studios and control rooms shall be so constructed that they are adequately insulated from sources of extraneous noise and
vibration, and the acoustic treatment of such studios and control rooms shall be in accordance with good engineering practice.

3.2.6 Emergency Equipment and Facilities

a) Alternate Main Transmitter
1) The regular and the optional main transmitter are co-located in a single place.
2) The external effects from both regular and alternate main transmitters shall substantially be the same as to frequency
stability.

b) Auxiliary Transmitter
1) An auxiliary transmitter may be provided and may be installed in the same location as the regular main transmitter or in an-
other location.
2) Its operating power shall not be less than 10% or never greater than the authorized operating power of the main transmitter.
3) A licensed operator shall be in control whenever an auxiliary transmitter is placed in operation.
4) When installed in a location different from that of the regular main transmitter, a type-approved modulation monitor and a
frequency monitor are required to be installed along with it.

c) Emergency Electric Power Generating Unit

An electric power generating unit with sufficient electrical capability to sustain the station's emergency or regular
operations shall be maintained to ensure an uninterrupted operation. Should this generating unit, however, in the course
of its operation, cause or emit radio frequency energy and/or harmonics that may prove harmful to the purity of the
 station's signal, such interference shall be contained sufficiently as to satisfy the provisions of sections 3.2.2.b) 12)
through 3.2.2.b) 15) of these standards.

d) Emergency Announce Equipment Complement

Where the need exists, an emergency announce equipment complement shall be maintained in the transmitter side for
emergencies, to en-sure uninterrupted programming during the station's authorized hours of operations.

e) Spare Component Parts

I n order to cut down-times during scheduled on-air operations, a reasonable variety and number of spare components appropriate
to the equipment installed at the site, shall be kept on hand at each studio and transmitter sites in the most convenient
location therein.

f) Fire Fighting Facilities

Appropriate and adequate fire-fighting facilities shall be maintained within the establishment, especially in fire-prone
areas therein.

g) All stations, whether operating by remote control or direct control, shall be so equipped as to be able to follow the prescribed
EBS alerting procedures set forth in the EBS Manual for Broadcast Stations.

4. BROADCAST AUXILIARY SERVICES

Broadcast transmission auxiliary services fall under these three categories:
1) Studio-to-Transmitter Link (STL)
2) Remote Pick-Up Broadcast Station
3) Communications, Coordination and Control Link

4.1 The frequency band allocation for STUDIO-TO-TRANSMITTER LINK/REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM shall be:
Band A 300-315 MHz
Band B 734-752 MHz
Band C 942-952 MHz
The maximum power allowable for STL's shall be 15 watts.

4.2 The frequency band allocation for REMOTE PICK-UP STATION shall be:
Band A 315-325 MHz
Band B 450-451 MHz
Band C 455-456 MHz
The maximum power allowable for Remote Pick-up Stations shall be 35 watts.

4.3 The frequency band allocation for COMMUNICATIONS, COORDINATION AND CONTROL LINK shall be:
Band 412 MHz (non-
A exclusive)
Band 25.67 - 26.1. MHz
B
Band 162.235 162.615 MHz
C 166.250 and 170.150
MHz
Band 432.5 433 MHz
D
 437.5 438 MHz

The maximum power allowable for Communications, Coordination and Control Link shall be:
Band A - 100 watts (SBS)
B - 160 watts (ERP)
C - 160 watts (ERP)
D - 200 watts (for repeater)

The Authority shall authorize the employment of any one or all of these broadcast transmission services to a station depending on the
necessity and availability of frequencies for the purpose. Any AM or FM station authorized to operate is entitled to use any broad cast
transmission service relevant to the efficient operation of the station where the use of physical lines arcades is not feasible.

5. OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Hours of Operation
5.1.1 Minimum Operating Schedule
The licensee of each medium-frequency broadcast station shall maintain a minimum operating schedule of two-thirds of the
total hours that it is authorized to operate except that in emergencies when, due to causes beyond the control of the licensee, it
becomes impossible to continue operating, the station may cease operations for a period not exceeding 10 days.

5.1.2 Broadcast(s) outside of the authorized regular operating schedules (as before regular sign-on schedules and/or beyond
the regular sign-off schedules) may be aired without prior authorization from the Authority provided the program falls under an
emergency category or of very important relevance to the station's existence. The information shall be entered in the program and
operating logs at the time the broadcast was aired.

5.1.3 if a permanent discontinuance of operations is being contemplated, then the licensee shall notify in writing the
Authority or regional office where the station is located at least two (2) days before the actual discontinuance is effected.

5.2 Other Operating Practices

The percentage of modulation shall be maintained as high as possible, consistent with good quality transmission and, in no case,
more than 125 percent on positive peaks nor more than 100 percent on negative peaks of frequent recurrence during any selection
which is transmitted at the highest level of the program under consideration.

5.3 Posting of Station and Operator Licenses

5.3.1 The station license and other instruments) of station authorization shall be posted in a conspicuous place in such a
manner that all terms are visible, at the place the licensee considers to be the principal control point of the transmitter. At
all other control points listed on the station authorization, a photocopy of the station license and other instruments of station
authorization shall be posted.

5.3.2 The original copy of the operator's license shall be posted at the place where he is on duty as an operator.

5.4 Operator Requirements

5.4.1 A radio operator holding a valid radio telephone first class operator's license shall be in actual charge of the
transmitting apparatus and shall be on duty either at the transmitter location or remote control point.
 5.4.2. The licensee of a station shall employ at least one (1) full time licensed first-class radiotelephone operator whose
primary duty shall be to effect and in-sure the proper functioning of the transmitting equipment.

5.5 Station identification Announcements

5.5.1 A licensee of a medium-frequency broadcast station shall make station identification announcements (call letters, fre-
quency, and location) at the beginning and ending of each time of operation and during operation on the hour and either on the
half hour or at the quarter hour preceding the next hour: Provided,

5.5.2 Such identification announcement need not be made on the half hour or quarter hour when, to make such announcement,
would interrupt a single consecutive speech, play, religious service, symphony concert, or operatic production. In such cases, an
identification announcement shall be made at the first interruption of the entertainment continuity and at the conclusion of. the
program: Provided, that an announcement within five minutes of either on the half hour or at the quarter hour preceding the next
hour will satisfy the requirements of identification announcements. In the case of variety show programs, basketball game
broadcasts, or similar programs of longer duration than 30 minutes, the identification announcement shall be made within 5 minutes
of the times specified in Section 4.5.1.

5.5.3 In the case of all other pro-grams, the identification announcement shall be made within 2 minutes of the times
specified in Section 4.5.1.

5.6 Logs
The licensee or permittee of each medium frequency broadcast station shall maintain program and operating logs and shall require
entries to be made as follows:

a) In the Program Log:

I) An entry of the time each station identification announcement (call letters, frequency, and location) is made.

2) An entry briefly describing each program broadcast, such as "music", "drama", "speech", etc. together with the name or title
thereof, and the sponsor's name, with the time of the be-ginning and ending of the complete program. If a mechanical record is used, the
entry shall show the exact nature thereof, such as "record", "transcription", etc., and the time it is announced as a mechanical record.
if a speech is made by a political candidate, the name and political affiliations of such speaker shall be entered.
3) An entry showing that each sponsored program broadcast has been announced as sponsored, paid for, or furnished by the sponsor.

4) An entry showing, for each pro-gram of network origin, the name of the network originating the program.

5) An entry of the time the program begins and ends.

b) In the Operating Log (Transmitter Log)

1) An entry of the time the station begins to supply power to the antenna, and the time it stops.

2) An entry of each interruption to the carrier wave, its cause, and duration.

3) An entry of the following every 30 minutes:

a) Operating constants of the last radio frequency stage plate current and plate volt-age
b) Antenna current

4) Any other entries required by the instrument of authorization.

5) A log of all operations must be kept during the experimental period. if the entries required above are not applicable thereto,
then the entries shall be made so as to fully describe the operation.

6) Logs of medium frequency broadcast stations shall be retained by the licensee or permitee for a period of two (2) years: Provided,
however, that logs involving communications incident to a disaster or which include communications incident to or involved in an
investigation by the Authority and concerning which the licensee or permittee has been notified, shall be retained by the licensee
or permittee until he is specifically authorized in writing by the Authority to destroy them: Provided, further, that log s
incident to or involved in any claim or complaint of which the licensee or permittee has notice shall be retained by the licensee
or permittee until such claim or complaint has been fully satisfied or until the same has been barred by the statute limiting the
time for filing of suits upon such claims.

7) Each log shall be maintained and signed by the radio operator during his tour of duty. The logs shall be made available upon
request by an authorized representative of the Authority.

8) The log shall be kept in an orderly manner, in suitable form, and in such detail that the data required for the particular class
of station concerned are readily available. Key letters or abbreviations may be used if proper meaning or explanation is contained
elsewhere in the log.
9) No log or portion thereof shall be erased, obliterated, or willfully destroyed within the period of retention provided by the
rules. Any necessary correction may be made only by the person originating the entry who shall strike out the erroneous portion,
initial the correction made, and indicate the date of correction.

10) Rough log may be transcribed into condensed form, but in such cases the original rough log or memoranda and all par-dons
thereof shall be preserved and made a part of the complete log.

5.7 Remote Control Operation

Operation by remote control shall be subject to the following conditions:

5.7.1 The equipment at the operating and transmitting positions shall be so installed and protected that it is not accessible
to or capable of operation by per-sons other than those duly authorized by the licensee.

5.7.2 The control circuits from the operating positions to the transmitter shall provide positive on and off control and shall
be such that open circuits, short circuits, grounds or other line faults will not actuate the transmitter and any fault
causing loss of such control will automatically place the transmitter in an inoperative position.

5.7.3 A malfunction of any part of the remote control equipment and associated line circuits resulting in improper control or
inaccurate meter readings shall be cause for the immediate cessation of operation by remote control
5.7.4 Control and monitoring equipment shall be installed so as to allow the licensed operator at the remote control point to
per-form all the functions in a manner required by the rules. Control point of the antenna current meter for directional
antenna, the common point current meter and remote base current meters shall be read and en tered in the operating log
each half hour.

5.7.5 The indications at the remote control point of the antenna current meter for directional antenna, the common point cur-
rent meter and remote base current meters shall be read and entered in the operating log each half hour.
 5.7.6 The indications at the transmitter, if a directional antenna station, of the common point cur-rent, base currents, phase
monitor sample loop currents and phase indications shall be read and entered in the operating log once each day for each
pattern. These readings must be made within two hours after the commencement of operation for each pattern.

5.7.7 Stations with authorized operating power in excess of 10 kilo-watts employing directional antenna and operated by remote
control, shall make a skeleton proof of performance each year, consisting of three or four measurements on each radial
used in the original application and must submit the results of these measurements, plus the monitoring point readings
with the renewal application.

6. ALLOCATION RULES AND REGULATION

6.1 Maximum Power Allocation
AREA MAXIMUM POWER IN KW
Metro Manila* 50kw
All other areas 10kw

* NOTE: Transmitters of Existing Metro Manila Stations may be located outside of Metro Manila. Provided, Metro Manila remains
within the 80 dBu contour of the transmitter.

a) The station shall not operate more than 5% and not lower than 10% of its authorized operating power.

b) The Authority may grant a permit to operate a non- commercial AM broadcast station exceeding these Maximum Power
Allocations on a case-to-case basis; Provided, such proposed station shall conform with the Frequency Allocation Rules and
Regulations.

c) For new stations and increase of power applications, the maximum power allowed must conform to protection ratios embodied
in the medium-wave band and therefore, shall be acted upon on a case to case basis.

6.2 Radio Frequency Protection Ratio

a) The following radio frequency protection ratios provide for the minimum physical separation of AM stations and their
protection from interference.

R.F. Protection
Frequency R.F. Signal Ratio Ratio (dB)
Co-channel 73 dBu:43 dBu
(same (4.47mV/m:141.25uV/ 30
frequency) m)
1st
73 dBu:64 dBu
Adjacency 9
(4.47mV/m:1.6mV/m)
(9kHz away)
2nd 73 dBu:97 dBu -24
 Adjacency
(4.47mV/m:70.8mV/m)
(18kHz away)

b) Frequency Separation
The minimum frequency separation in any service area is 36 kHz.

c) Number of AM Radio Stations Per Commercial Broadcast Entity in Each Service Area. Each commercial broadcast entity may be
allowed to operate not more than one AM radio station in any broadcast service area.

7. AM STEREOPHONIC STANDARD
The AM stereophonic standard is the C-QUAM AM stereophonic system.

8. PUBLIC INFORMATION FILE

An updated Public information File at each broadcast station shall be made available to the NTC inspector or to any interested
parry. The Public Information File shall contain the following:
a) A copy of the station license.
b) Documents as to mode of ownership whether partnerships, corporation or single proprietorship including trade name as registered
in the Department of Trade.
c) A list of changes in transmitting facilities arranged chronologically). Annex to this list, the corresponding licenses and
permits supporting the changes.
d) Copies of the Program Standards, the Technical Standards, the NTC compilation of laws, regulations, circulars and memoranda.
e) Evidence of membership in the KBP.

6. ANNEXES:
Fig.1. FCC Graphs - Ground Wave Field Intensity Vs. Distance, for different frequencies from 540 KHz to 1640 KHz.
Fig. 2. Effective Field At One Mile for CO2 kilowatt.
Fig.3. Sample forms for frequency/interference studies.