Code of Federal Regulations Title 47. Telecommunication § 47.73.1635 Special temporary authorizations (STA)

(1) A request for a STA should be filed with FCC in Washington, DC at least 10 days prior to the date of the proposed operation.

(2) The request is to be made by letter and shall fully describe the proposed operation and the necessity for the requested STA. Such letter requests shall be signed by the licensee or the licensee's representative.

(3) A request for a STA necessitated by unforeseen equipment damage or failure may be made without regard to the procedural requirements of this section (e.g. via telegram or telephone). Any request made pursuant to this paragraph shall be followed by a written confirmation request conforming to the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Confirmation requests shall be submitted within 24 hours. (See also § 73.1680 Emergency Antennas).

(4) An STA may be granted for an initial period not to exceed 180 days. A limited number of extensions of such authorizations may be granted for additional periods not exceeding 180 days per extension. An STA necessitated by technical or equipment problems, however, may, in practice, be granted for an initial period not to exceed 90 days with a limited number of extensions not to exceed 90 days per extension. The permittee or licensee must demonstrate that any further extensions requested are necessary and that all steps to resume normal operation are being undertaken in an expeditious and timely fashion. The license of a broadcasting station that fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12–month period expires as a matter of law at the end of that period, notwithstanding any STA or provision, term, or condition of the license to the contrary.

(5) Certain rules specify special considerations and procedures in situations requiring an STA or permit temporary operation at variance without prior authorization from the FCC when notification is filed as prescribed in the particular rules. See § 73.62, Directional antenna system tolerances;  § 73.157, Antenna testing during daytime;  § 73.158, Directional antenna monitoring points;  § 73.691, Visual modulation monitoring;  § 73.1250, Broadcasting emergency information;  § 73.1350, Transmission system operation;  § 73.1560, Operating power and mode tolerances;  § 73.1570, Modulation levels:  AM, FM, TV and Class A TV aural;  § 73.1615, Operation during modification of facilities;  § 73.1680, Emergency antennas;  and § 73.1740, Minimum operating schedule.