Radio Broadcasting Standards in the

PhilippinesEngr. Efren T. Pineda, PECE

Basic knowledge on radio broadcasting Know the present standards in radio

broadcasting as implemented in the Philippines

Expected Outcomes

Broadcasting in General Broadcast Operations AM Radio Broadcasting and Standards FM Radio Broadcasting and Standards Engineering considerations in building a

radio broadcast stations

Topics

Broadcasting in general

The Basic Considerations

It is an art and science of conveying (intelligent) information through electrical means intended for the reception of the general public.

As per RA 9292, under Section 3c, an undertaking the object of which is to transmit audio, video, text, images or other signals or messages for reception of a broad audience in a geographical area via wired or wireless means.

What is Broadcasting?

Studio

• Live• Recorded

Link

• Wired• Wireless

Transmitter

• For Broadcast

The Broadcast Chain

Combo Type – Studio and Transmitter are co-located; link is commonly wired, that is, balanced audio cables, unbalanced coaxial lines for RF video, or fiber optic system.

Split Type – Studio and Transmitter are not co-located; link is commonly wireless via RF or radio waves. For a wired link, a telephone codec is needed; connection is made via PSTN (Public Switch Telephone Network).

Studio-Transmitter Configurations

STL (Studio-to-Transmitter Link) – used to link studio to transmitter if they are configured split type.◦ Usually in UHF range (for radio)

Band A: 300 – 315 MHz Band B: 734 – 752 MHz Band C: 942 – 952 MHz

◦ Maximum power allowable is 15W◦ Modulation is FM Wideband◦ Requires high gain antenna such as Yagi-Uda, Corner

Reflector and Parabolic types◦ Point-to-point communication, that is, from studio to

transmitter only

Auxiliary Broadcast Services

RPU (Remote Pick-up Unit) – used to link remote sites or studio to main studio for outside broadcast (OB) purposes.◦ Usually in UHF range (for radio)

Band A: 315 – 325 MHz Band B: 450 – 451 MHz Band C: 455 – 456 MHz

◦ Maximum power allowable is 35 Watts◦ Modulation is FM Wideband◦ Requires high gain antenna such as Yagi-Uda types◦ Point-to-point communication, that is, from remote

sites or studio to main studio only

Auxiliary Broadcast Services

Coordination, Communication and Control – used as per mentioned purpose.◦ Usually allocated as follows:

Band A: 4 – 12 MHz (non-exclusive for broadcast) Band B: 25.67 – 26.1 MHz Band C: 162.235 – 162.615 MHz, 166.25 and 170.15 MHz Band D: 432.5 – 433 MHz, 437.5 – 438 MHz

◦ Maximum allowable power are as follows: Band A: 100 Watts (AM-SSB) Band B: 160 Watts (FMNB, ERP) Band C: 160 Watts (FMNB, ERP) Band D: 200 Watts (FMNB, for repeater)

Auxiliary Broadcast Services

Studio System(Typical Set-up)

PSTN

ON-AIRSUB-CONSOLE

STUDIOMAIN

BROADCASTCONSOLE

AUDIOPROCESSOR

MICROPHONES

PLAY-BACKPC #1

PLAY-BACKPC #2

FEED TOTRANSMITTER

CD PLAYER 1/2

CD PLAYER 3/4

ON-AIR FEED

OFF-AIR RADIO MONITOR

LOCAL AREA NETWORK

AUDIO CODEC

RPU RCVR

TELEPHONE(FOR CALLERS)

CUE OUT

EXTERNAL INPUT

MIX MINUSOUTPUTS

CALLER’SAUDIO

STUDIOMONITOR

CUE OUT

HARD DISCPLAYER

HARD DISCPLAYER

AUDIODISTRIBUTION

AMPLIFIER

PROGRAM OUT

AUDITION OUT TAPE ON-AIRSPARE OUTSPARE OUTSPARE OUT

Microphones – for the program’s hosts and guests (for live programs)

Play back Sources – for music, and other recorded materials◦ CD players for musical materials◦ Hard disc based and/or PC based play back devices

for station IDs, Program Intro / Extro music, Music Beds, Commercials, Plugs, Voice Tracks, Jingles

Broadcast Console – for control (level and switching), mixing, amplification (at appropriate modulation level), and routing of input signals

Common Equipment

Headphones for solo monitoring Loudspeakers for studio (on-air) and control room

monitoring Power Amplifiers for driving loudspeakers Audio Codec for telephone interface, used to

patch station callers on-air Remote Pick-up Unit for live remote programming Audio Processor for making the sound of the

station good in quality. We can set here the dynamic range, and equalization of sound. For FM Stereo, stereo encoding is included.

Common Equipment

Distribution Amplifiers used for signal distribution without attenuation and possible mismatch in loading.

Tape Recorders such as PC or hard disc based devices. It can be of DAT (Digital Audio Tape) format or PCMCIA hard disc.

Off-air Tuner for OTA (off-the-air) signal monitoring, this will allow you to monitor if you’re still on the air (via broadcast transmitter)

Common Equipment

AM Transmitter(High-level Modulation)

STABILIZEDRF

OSCILLATOR

RF BUFFER AMPLIFIER(CLASS A)

RF POWER AMPLIFIER(CLASS C)

RF OUTPUT AMPLIFIER(CLASS C)

OUTPUT MATCHING NETWORK

AFPRE-

AMPLIFIER

AF POWERAMPLIFIER(CLASS B)

AF OUTPUT AMPLIFIER

MODULATOR(CLASS B)

AUDIOINPUT

ANTENNA

Note:For low level modulation, replaced RF OUTPUT AMPLIFIER with Class B or Class AB.

FM Transmitter(Armstrong System)

XTAL OSCILLATOR

BUFFER AMPLIFIER

90° PHASE SHIFT

NETWORKBALANCED

MODULATOR

AUDIO AMPLIFIER

AUDIO EQUALIZER

RFAMPLIFIER

FREQUENCYMULTIPLIER

FREQUENCYMULTIPLIER

MIXER

XTAL OSCILLATOR

RFAMPLIFIER

RF POWERAMPLIFIER

AUDIOINPUT

ANTENNA

Note:FREQUENCY MULTIPLIER CIRCUITS are cascaded DOUBLERS and TRIPLERS.

Broadcast Operations

Daytime – refers to that period of time between 2200 Universal Time Coordinates (UTC) to 1000 UTC. Equivalent to 6 AM to 6 PM local standard time.

Nighttime – refers to that period of time between 1000 UTC to 2200 UTC. Equivalent to 6 PM to 6 AM local standard time.

Experimental Period – the period of time between 12 MN to 5 AM local standard time for the purpose of testing and maintenance of the licensee.

Parts of Broadcasting in a Day

Parts of Program Implementation Pre-production – this is the planning stage;

ocular site inspection is part of this if the program is to be held at remote locations.

Production – the implementation stage; live program is broadcasted (from studio or remote location up to broadcast transmitter for broadcast transmission), while recording or taping for TV drama / documentary programs.

Post-production – this is where editing is done, particularly for station produced programs such as TV dramas, or documentary programs.

Chief Engineer / Company ECE◦ Head of the Broadcast Engineering & Operations◦ Usually a Registered PECE

Studio Supervisor◦ In-charge of studio operations and maintenance◦ Usually a Registered ECE

Studio Technicians◦ Operates the broadcast console for live programs◦ Log broadcast daily operations◦ Facilitate recording of taped programs◦ Conduct studio maintenance◦ Usually holder of Radio Operator’s License or its

equivalent

Technical Positions, their functions and qualifications

Transmitter Supervisor◦ In-charge of transmitter operations and

maintenance◦ Usually a Registered ECE

Transmitter Technicians◦ Operates and maintains the transmitter of the

station◦ Log transmitter voltages and current hourly◦ Usually a holder of Radio Operator’s License or its

equivalent

Technical Positions, their functions and qualifications

Program Log◦ Time entry each program (live/taped) including

station ID, station promos, commercial spots◦ Brief description of the program such as “music”,

“drama”, “live”, etc.◦ Sponsored programs◦ Origin of the program◦ Actual time to be filled-up by Announcer or

Technicians on-board noting the beginning and end times of a particular aired material

◦ Additional remarks for a particular material or program

Broadcast Logs

Transmitter Log◦ Time entry the transmitter is turned ON as well as

the time it is turned OFF◦ At least at 30 minutes interval, log of operating

voltages, currents and power of the transmitter as well as the antenna current (usually for AM transmitters), signed by Tech on-duty

◦ Entry of each interruption of the broadcasting, its cause and duration

◦ Log shall be kept in orderly manner, and in suitable form, avoiding erasures in any entry

◦ Logs shall be maintained by the licensee for a period of 2 years

Broadcast Logs

AM Radio Broadcasting

Philippine Standard based on KBP(1991 Revised Edition)

Frequency Allocations:◦ 526.5 – 1705 kHz

Channel Bandwidth:◦ 9 kHz

Number of AM Channels Available:◦ 131 channels

Permitted Bandwidth:◦ 30 kHz

Minimum Carrier Separation for Adjacent Stations serving the same service area:◦ 36 kHz

Broadcast Standards

Baseband Frequency Range:◦ 50 – 15000 Hz

Mode of Emission:◦ A3E

Type of Receiver:◦ Super-heterodyne Receiver

Intermediate Frequency:◦ 455 kHz

Broadcast Standards

Location and lay-out considerations◦ Adequate space, ventilation and air-conditioning, and

lighting Transmitter design

◦ Carrier Power Limits: 10% full power◦ Maximum Modulation for Satisfactory Operation: 90%◦ Operating Frequency Limits: ± 10 Hz of assigned

carrier frequency◦ Carrier shift: 5% at any modulation level◦ Carrier Hum and Extraneous Noise Level: 45 dB below

400 Hz tone◦ Total Audio frequency Distortion: <5% harmonics @

0%-84% modulation, <7.5% harmonics @ 85%-95% modulation

Transmitter Standards

Alternate Main Transmitter Considerations◦ Must be co-located with the main transmitter◦ Must be of same parameters as the main

transmitter Auxiliary Transmitter Considerations

◦ Can be co-located or installed at another location◦ Output power maybe less but not greater than the

authorized power of the main transmitter

Transmitter Standards

Site considerations◦ Location in relation to the population to be served

and other communication installations and airports,◦ Conductivity of the soil at and immediately

adjacent to site,◦ Conductivity of the path between the site and the

target area. Design considerations

◦ Vertically polarized◦ Shall radiate an effective field of not less than that

of 60° vertical tower◦ All parts shall be installed so as not to present a

hazard.

Antenna Requirements

NOTE: Transmitters of Metro Manila maybe located outside Metro Manila provided the said area remains within 80 dBu contour of the transmitter.

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

Maximum Power Allocations

Area Maximum Power (kW)

Metro Manila (see Note) 50

All other areas 10

FM Radio Broadcasting

Philippine Standard based on KBP(1991 Revised Edition)

Frequency Allocations:◦ 88 – 108 MHz (20 MHz total BW)

Channel Bandwidth:◦ 200 kHz (for mono)

Number of AM Channels Available:◦ 100 channels

Permitted Bandwidth:◦ 180 kHz (for mono), 300 kHz (for stereo)

Minimum Carrier Separation for Adjacent Stations serving the same service area:◦ 800 kHz

Broadcast Standards

Baseband Frequency Range:◦ 50 – 15000 Hz

Mode of Emission:◦ F3E

Frequency Deviation:◦ ± 75 kHz @ 100 % modulation

Pre-emphasis:◦ 75 μsec time constant

Pilot tone:◦ 19 kHz

Broadcast Standards

Type of Receiver:◦ Super-heterodyne Receiver

Intermediate Frequency:◦ 10.7 MHz

Broadcast Standards

Location and lay-out considerations◦ Should be chosen that line-of-sight can be

obtained from the antenna over the principal city or cities to be served

◦ Adequate space, ventilation and air-conditioning, and lighting

Transmitter design◦ Frequency Swing: ± 75 kHz @ 100 % modulation◦ Pre-emphasis: 75 μsec time constant within 50 –

15000 Hz of audio frequency◦ Audio frequency harmonics: < 3.5 % (within 50 –

100 Hz), < 2.5 % (within 100 – 7500 Hz), < 3 % (within 7.5 – 15 kHz)

Transmitter Standards

Other considerations◦ Construction considering its enclosure, grounding

of controls, and interlocks on doors◦ Wiring and shielding◦ Metering equipment◦ Indicating instruments◦ Installation◦ Other data

Transmitter Standards

Must be Horizontally Polarized, however, circular or elliptical polarization may also be employed,

Must be installed or constructed such that it is clear from obstructions that would cause shadow problems,

For a common tower shared by 2 or more licensees, the owner of the tower shall assume full responsibility for the maintenance of the tower structure.

Antenna System

Main Channel: L+R (50 – 15000 Hz) Pilot tone: 19kHz ± 2Hz @ 8%-10% of the

main FM carrier Stereophonic Channel: L-R (23 – 53 kHz)

modulated using DSBSC-AM Stereophonic Sub-carrier: 38kHz (2nd

harmonic of the pilot tone) Subsidiary Communication Authorization

(SCA) channel: 59.5 – 74.5 kHz Multiplexing: FDM

FM Stereo Broadcasting Standards

Class A◦ Authorized power <= 25 kW◦ ERP <= 125 kW◦ Antenna height <= 2000 ft above average terrain◦ Minimum transmitter power of 10 kW◦ Allowed in Metro Manila & Metro Cebu

Class B◦ Authorized power <= 10 kW◦ ERP <= 30 kW◦ Antenna height <= 500 ft above average terrain◦ Minimum transmitter power of 1 kW◦ Implemented in other areas not covered by Class A

Classification of Powers

Class C◦ Authorized ERP <= 1 kW◦ For non-commercial, community station

Class D◦ Authorized transmitter power <= 10 W◦ For educational stations

NOTE: All classes of FM stations shall be protected to the 1 mV/m or 60 dBu contour.

Classification of Powers

Engineering Considerations

Be sure you have the franchise approved by the Senate and Congress of the Philippines. To have these, you must prepare a feasibility study to be submitted in Congress and then Senate.

Obtain Provision of Authority (PA) to the authority, in this case National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). To have this, a public hearing is conducted for new stations. All affected parties will be informed and given a chance to oppose on your application. In public hearing, you need to present the legal, technical and financial capacities of your company.

Pre-requisites

The technical part is prepared by ECEs; as per RA 9292, only PECEs are allowed to sign and seal an engineering plan. So in case of technical witness, only PECE is allowed to testify on technical matters.

After the hearing, the NTC will further check the submitted evidences. A PA will be grant as temporary permit for the applicant’s construction and operation of a radio station.

Apply additional permits such as Permit to Purchase, Radio Construction Permit, and Permit to Possess.

Pre-requisites

Acoustics and Noise Control for Studio Evaluation of appropriate equipment for

Studio and Transmitter, depends on programs’ requirements (based on your system’s design)

Evaluation of equipment suppliers; consider after-sales support

Training Installation and Commissioning Operation and Maintenance

Other consideration

Thank you for listening…

Any questions? You can also e-mail me at…etpineda@yahoo.com