Report No. DC-2678         ACTION IN DOCKET CASE          November 10, 1994


               FCC PROPOSES TO ALLOW UNATTENDED OPERATION OF
                            BROADCAST STATIONS 
                          (MM DOCKET NO. 94-130)

     The Commission is soliciting comment on a proposal to allow
unattended operation of broadcast stations.  The Commission said
that in light of the many improvements which have been made in
the stability, reliability and automatic control of transmission
systems, it may be appropriate to waive the requirement for a
licensed duty operator.  The Commission said waiving this
requirement would conserve both Commission and station resources.

     Currently, FCC rules require each AM, FM, or TV station to
be operated by a transmitter duty operator holding a commercial
radio operator license or permit.  This person is responsible for
the proper operation of the station's transmitter and must be on
duty at either the transmitter site, a remote control point, or
an automatic transmission system monitor and alarm point. 

     Now, however, the availability of modern monitoring and
control equipment may have rendered unnecessary the continuous
attendance of the duty operator for many, if not all, stations. 
In automating their stations, the Commission believes that most
broadcasters will exercise due diligence.  The Commission
emphasized, however, that the proposed rule changes will in no
way diminish the responsibilities of licensees to adequately
monitor technical operations and to adjust and maintain their
stations in compliance with the technical rules.  The Commission
will continue to hold the broadcast station licensee fully
responsible for rule violations or operations that are not in
accord with the station authorization.

     For those stations that choose to retain duty operators, the
Commission proposes to waive the requirement that the duty
operator hold a restricted permit.  The Commission also proposed
changes to various rules that would be affected by waiving the
duty operator requirements.  In addition, it proposed updating
and clarifying various transmitter monitoring and control
requirements in response to questions commonly asked concerning
their interpretation.

                                  (over)



                                    -2-

     In the context of unattended operation, the monitoring and
control of critical parameters must be performed by equipment
that could take the station off the air or contact some person
designated by the licensee in the event of a serious malfunction. 
     
     The Commission stated that while the focus of this
proceeding is on AM, FM, and TV stations licensed under Part 73
of its rules, it also seeks comment on similar flexibility for
low power TV stations.  In addition, the Commission is asking for
comments on whether it is appropriate to consider analogous
changes to the operator requirements governing international and
experimental broadcast stations.  The Commission noted that
various sections of the rules concerning broadcast auxiliary,
ITFS and FM translator services refer to operators and may
require conforming modifications.

     Finally, the Commission asked for comment on whether the
effective date of any changes adopted in this proceeding should
be linked to stations activating the new Emergency Alert System
for which the Commission adopted rules today.

     Action by the Commission November 10, 1994, by Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 94-289).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners
Quello, Barrett, Ness, and Chong.

                                   -FCC-

     News Media contacts: Patricia A. Chew and Susan Lewis Sallet
at (202) 418-0500.
     Mass Media Bureau contacts: James E. McNally and Gordon W.
Godfrey at (202) 632-9660.