The FCC itself does not keep a public database of its rule sections. That task is performed by the Government Printing Office for most agencies. These rules and regulations are compiled in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). After October 1 of each year, the GPO compiles all the changes to, additions to, and deletions to the rules and republishes the Code of Federal Regulations with the updates. This page links to the 2007 edition of the CFR. When the 2008 edition is available electronically in spring 2009, this page will be updated.

Telecommunications falls under Title 47 of the CFR. AM, FM, and TV broadcast stations fall under Part 73 of Title 47. Additional rule sections pertaining to radio broadcasting are contained in Parts 0 and 1 of Title 47. We have listed the individual rule sections in Part 73 that pertain to radio and television broadcasting. Click on the TEXT or PDF icon preceding the rule section to retrieve it. Related items on the FCC Web site may be listed in brackets [ ] to the right of the rule title.

Part 74 FM translator and FM booster rules are not included here but are contained on a separate FM translator and booster rule page.

AM, FM, and TV Rules including LPFM, Class A TV

Subpart A -- AM Broadcast Stations
		73.1	Scope.
		73.14	AM broadcast definitions.
		73.21	Classes of AM broadcast channels and stations.	[ AM Classes ]
		73.23	AM broadcast station applications affected by international agreements.
		73.24	Broadcast facilities; showing required.
		73.25	Clear channels; Class A, Class B and Class D stations.	[ AM Classes ]
		73.26	Regional channels; Class B and Class D stations.	[ AM Classes ]
		73.27	Local channels; Class C stations.	[ AM Classes ]
		73.28	Assignment of stations to channels.
		73.29	Class C stations on regional channels.	[ AM Classes ]
		73.30	Petition for authorization of an allotment in the 1605-1705 kHz band.
		73.31	Rounding of nominal power specified on applications.
		73.33	Antenna systems; showing required.
		73.35	Calculation of improvement factors.
		73.37	Applications for broadcast facilities, showing required.
		73.44	AM transmission system emission limitations.
		73.45	AM antenna systems.
		73.49	AM transmission system fencing requirements.
		73.51	Determining operating power.
		73.53	Requirements for authorization of antenna monitors.
		73.54	Antenna resistance and reactance measurements.
		73.57	Remote reading antenna and common point ammeters.
		73.58	Indicating instruments.
		73.61	AM directional antenna field strength measurements.
		73.62	Directional antenna system tolerances.
		73.68	Sampling systems for antenna monitors.	[ Sampling Systems ] [ Public Notice, 12/09/1985 ]
		73.69	Antenna monitors.
		73.72	Operating during the experimental period.
		73.88	Blanketing interference.
		73.99	Presunrise service authorization (PSRA) and postsunset service authorization (PSSA).
		73.127	Use of multiplex transmission.
		73.128	AM stereophonic broadcasting.
		73.132	Territorial exclusivity.
		73.150	Directional antenna systems.
		73.151	Field strength measurements to establish performance of directional antennas.
		73.152	Modification of directional antenna data.
		73.153	Field strength measurements in support of applications or evidence at hearings.
		73.154	AM directional antenna partial proof of performance measurements.
		73.157	Antenna testing during daytime.
		73.158	Directional antenna monitoring points.
		73.160	Vertical plane radiation characteristics, f(θ).
		73.182	Engineering standards of allocation.
		73.183	Groundwave signals.
		73.184	Groundwave field strength graphs.	[ Groundwave Field Strength Graphs ]
		73.185	Computation of interfering signal.
		73.186	Establishment of effective field at one kilometer.
		73.187	Limitation on daytime radiation.
		73.189	Minimum antenna heights or field strength requirements.
		73.190	Engineering charts and related formulas.
Subpart B -- FM Broadcast Stations
		73.201	Numerical designation of FM broadcast channels.	[ Frequency/Channel Conversions ]
		73.202	Table of Allotments.
		73.203	Availability of channels.
		73.204	International agreements and other restrictions on use of channels.
		73.205	Zones.
		73.207	Minimum distance separation between stations.	[  Spacing tables ]
		73.208	Reference points and distance computations.
		73.209	Protection from interference.
		73.210	Station classes.	[ FM Classes ]
		73.211	Power and antenna height requirements.	[ FMpower ]
		73.212	Administrative changes in authorizations.
		73.213	Grandfathered short-spaced stations.
		73.215	Contour protection for short-spaced assignments.
		73.220	Restrictions on use of channels.
		73.232	Territorial exclusivity.
		73.239	Use of common antenna site.
		73.258	Indicating instruments.
		73.267	Determining operating power.
		73.277	Permissible transmissions.
		73.293	Use of FM multiplex subcarriers.
		73.295	FM subsidiary communications services.	[ Subcarriers / SCA ]
		73.297	FM stereophonic sound broadcasting.
		73.310	FM technical definitions.
		73.311	Field strength contours.
		73.312	Topographic data.
		73.313	Prediction of coverage.
		73.314	Field strength measurements.
		73.315	FM transmitter location.
		73.316	FM antenna systems.
		73.317	FM transmission system requirements.
		73.318	FM blanketing interference.
		73.319	FM multiplex subcarrier technical standards.
		73.322	FM stereophonic sound transmission standards.
		73.333	Engineering charts.	[ Propagation Curves ]
Subpart C -- Noncommercial Educational FM Broadcast Stations
		73.501	Channels available for assignment.
		73.503	Licensing requirements and service.
		73.504	Channel assignments in the Mexican border area.
		73.505	Zones.	[ FM Classes ]
		73.506	Classes of noncommercial educational FM stations and channels.
		73.507	Minimum distance separations between stations.
		73.508	Standards of good engineering practice.
		73.509	Prohibited overlap.
		73.510	Antenna systems.
		73.511	Power and antenna height requirements.
		73.512	Special procedures applicable to Class D noncommercial educational stations.
		73.513	Noncommercial educational FM stations operating on unreserved channels.
		73.514	Protection from interference.
		73.515	NCE FM transmitter location.
		73.525	TV Channel 6 protection.
		73.558	Indicating instruments.
		73.561	Operating schedule; time sharing.
		73.567	Determining operating power.
		73.593	Subsidiary communications services.
		73.597	FM stereophonic sound broadcasting.
		73.599	NCE-FM engineering charts.	[ Section 73.599 graphs ]
Subpart E -- Television Broadcast Stations
		73.601	Scope of subpart.
		73.602	Cross reference to rules in other parts.
		73.603	Numerical designation of television channels.
		73.606	Table of allotments.
		73.607	Availability of channels.
		73.609	Zones.
		73.610	Minimum distance separations between stations.
		73.611	Reference points and distance computations.
		73.612	Protection from interference.
		73.613	Protection of Class A TV stations.
		73.614	Power and antenna height requirements.
		73.615	Administrative changes in authorizations.
		73.621	Noncommercial educational TV stations.
		73.622	Digital television table of allotments.
		73.623	DTV applications and changes to DTV allotments.
		73.624	Digital television broadcast stations.
		73.625	DTV coverage of principal community and antenna system.
		73.635	Use of common antenna site.
		73.641	Subscription TV definitions.
		73.642	Subscription TV service.
		73.643	Subscription TV operating requirements.
		73.644	Subscription TV transmission systems.
		73.646	Telecommunications Service on the Vertical Blanking Interval and in the Visual Signal.
		73.653	Operation of TV aural and visual transmitters.
		73.658	Affiliation agreements and network program practices; territorial exclusivity in non-network program arrangements.
		73.664	Determining operating power.
		73.665	Use of TV aural baseband subcarriers.
		73.667	TV subsidiary communications services.
		73.669	TV stereophonic aural and multiplex subcarrier operation.
		73.670	Commercial limits in children's programs.
		73.671	Educational and informational programming for children.
		73.673	Public information initiatives regarding educational and informational programming for children.
		73.681	Definitions.
		73.682	TV transmission standards.
		73.683	Field strength contours and presumptive determination of field strength at individual locations.
		73.684	Prediction of coverage.
		73.685	Transmitter location and antenna system.
		73.686	Field strength measurements.
		73.687	Transmission system requirements.
		73.688	Indicating instruments.
		73.691	Visual modulation monitoring.
		73.698	Tables.
		73.699	TV engineering charts.	[ Propagation Curves ]
Subpart G -- Low Power FM Broadcast Stations (LPFM)
		73.801	Broadcast regulations applicable to LPFM stations.
		73.805	Availability of channels.
		73.807	Minimum distance separation between stations.	[ LPFM Channel Finder ]
		73.808	Distance computations.
		73.809	Interference protection to full service FM stations.
		73.810	Third adjacent channel complaint and license modification procedure.
		73.811	LPFM power and antenna height requirements.
		73.812	Rounding of power and antenna heights.
		73.813	Determination of antenna height above average terrain (HAAT).
		73.816	Antennas.
		73.825	Protection to reception of TV channel 6.
		73.827	Interference to the input signals of FM translator or FM booster stations.
		73.840	Operating power and mode tolerances.
		73.845	Transmission system operation.
		73.850	Operating schedule.
		73.853	Licensing requirements and service.
		73.854	Unlicensed operations.
		73.855	Ownership limits.
		73.858	Attribution of LPFM station interests.
		73.860	Cross-ownership.
		73.865	Assignment and transfer of LPFM authorizations.
		73.870	Processing of LPFM broadcast station applications.
		73.871	Amendment of LPFM broadcast station applications.
		73.872	Selection procedure for mutually exclusive LPFM applications.
		73.873	LPFM license period.
		73.875	Modification of transmission systems.
		73.877	Station logs for LPFM stations.
		73.878	Station inspections by FCC; availability to FCC of station logs and records.	[ Inspection Fact Sheet ]
		73.879	Signal retransmission.
		73.881	Equal employment opportunities.
Subpart H -- Rules Applicable to All Broadcast Stations
		73.1001	Scope.
		73.1010	Cross reference to rules in other parts.
		73.1015	Truthful written statements and responses to Commission inquiries and correspondence.
		73.1020	Station license period.
		73.1030	Notifications concerning interference to radio astronomy, research and receiving installations.
		73.1120	Station location.
		73.1125	Station main studio location.
		73.1150	Transferring a station.
		73.1201	Station identification.
		73.1202	Retention of letters received from the public.
		73.1206	Broadcast of telephone conversations.
		73.1207	Rebroadcasts.
		73.1208	Broadcast of taped, filmed, or recorded material.
		73.1209	References to time.
		73.1210	TV/FM dual-language broadcasting in Puerto Rico.
		73.1211	Broadcast of lottery information.
		73.1212	Sponsorship identification; list retention; related requirements.
		73.1213	Antenna structure, marking and lighting.
		73.1215	Specifications for indicating instruments.
		73.1216	Licensee-conducted contests.
		73.1217	Broadcast hoaxes.
		73.1225	Station inspections by FCC.	[ Inspection Fact Sheet ]
		73.1226	Availability to FCC of station logs and records.
		73.1230	Posting of station license.
		73.1250	Broadcasting emergency information.
		73.1300	Unattended station operation.	[ Unattended Operation ]
		73.1350	Transmission system operation.
		73.1400	Transmission system monitoring and control.	[ Unattended Operation ]
		73.1510	Experimental authorizations.
		73.1515	Special field test authorizations.
		73.1520	Operation for tests and maintenance.
		73.1530	Portable test stations [Definition].
		73.1540	Carrier frequency measurements.
		73.1545	Carrier frequency departure tolerances.
		73.1560	Operating power and mode tolerances.
		73.1570	Modulation levels: AM, FM, TV and Class A TV aural.
		73.1580	Transmission system inspections.
		73.1590	Equipment performance measurements.
		73.1610	Equipment tests.
		73.1615	Operation during modification of facilities.
		73.1620	Program tests.
		73.1635	Special temporary authorizations (STA).
		73.1650	International agreements.
		73.1660	Acceptability of broadcast transmitters.
		73.1665	Main transmitters.
		73.1670	Auxiliary transmitters.
		73.1675	Auxiliary antennas.
		73.1680	Emergency antennas.
		73.1690	Modification of transmission systems.
		73.1692	Broadcast station construction near or installation on an AM broadcast tower.
		73.1695	Changes in transmission standards.
		73.1700	Broadcast day.
		73.1705	Time of operation.
		73.1710	Unlimited time.
		73.1715	Share time.
		73.1720	Daytime.
		73.1725	Limited time.