A BROADCAST ENGINEERS GUIDE AM DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION USING MOMENT METHOD MODELING JUNE 2010

INTRODUCTION AM broadcast stations employing directional antenna systems are frequently faced with monitor point readings which exceed the limits specified on the station license. Correcting the problem is often time consuming and expensive due to conditions beyond the stations control. Construction, or demolition, of buildings, highways, buried and elevated electrical systems, metallic pipe lines, vertical structures and utility lines are examples of activities which impact the environment and the measured field strength at station monitor point locations. When external changes cause field strength at the monitor points to continually exceed licensed values, field strength proofs have been required in the past to establish new FCC parameters at great expense to the licensee. In September, 20081, the FCC released a Public Notice which provides significant relief for AM stations by simplifying the process of verifying the proper operation of AM directional antenna systems. The process is based on the use of moment method computer modeling in conjunction with careful evaluation and certification of the internal monitoring system installed at the transmitter site. This approach frees stations from the requirement to maintain monitor point values. The purpose of this document is to explain the FCCs eligibility requirements for use of the new procedure as well as the tests and measurements which must be conducted to successfully submit an application for station license to the FCC using moment method modeling. Technically qualified chief engineers and technical personnel have the ability to participate in this process, allowing the licensee to save the expense of bringing in an outside engineer.

MM Docket No. 93-177, An Inquiry Into the Commissions Policies and Rules Regarding AM Radio Service Directional Antenna Performance Verification, Released September 26, 2008.
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. BROADCAST ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

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DOES YOUR STATION MEET THE FCC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA? Lets begin by looking at station antenna system characteristics that preclude the use of moment method modeling. They include: Towers which are grounded and excited through a skirt or slant wire. Towers which are sectionalized. Use of non-standard ground systems such as elevated radials. Use of toroid base sampling devices for towers between 120 and 190 degrees in electrical height. Use of sampling loops on towers that are not cross sectionally identical. Sampling loops that are not mounted approximately 1/3 of the tower height above ground. Sampling lines that are not equal in electrical length and impedance.

If you believe that your antenna system is free from association with any of the prohibitions listed above, or you are able to make simple changes such as relocation of sampling devices and modification or replacement of sample lines, lets go on to the check list below. If you can answer yes to each check list item your antenna system should qualify for moment method licensing. ( ( ( ) ) ) Towers are base insulated. The ground system is a standard buried radial ground system Towers are under 120 degrees, or over 190 degrees, in electrical height with base toroid sampling, or: Towers are identical in cross section area, including leg and cross member characteristics, sample loops are roughly 1/3 of the tower height above ground and each sample loop is rigid and mounted identically to the others and bonded to the tower at the connector end only see 73.151(c)(2)(i). Sample lines are equal in electrical length, solid outer jacket and believed to be in good mechanical and electrical condition.

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Phase monitor is in good electrical and mechanical condition and working normally to the best of your knowledge. Static drain, or tower lighting devices and associated wiring, are all in good condition or will be replaced as part of the relicensing process. Any and all coax lines or conduits on the tower are in good condition and properly bonded. You, and station management, acknowledge that the relicensing process does require recertification of the sampling system accuracy and field checks of signal level to be placed in the public file once every two years.

REQUIRED MEASUREMENTS & ADJUSTMENTS The FCC requires that the following measurements be taken, and the results included, in the 302-AM license application and/or are recommended as verification for calculated data:

1.

The base self impedance of each tower, with all other towers shorted and/or open circuited, at the J plug at the tuning unit output as required by 73.151(c)(1). .

2.

The base reactance of each tower must be measured at the J plug at the ATU output, to the grounding strap, with the base insulator shorted out with 2 straps as required by 73.151(c)(1((vii).

3.

Disconnect any tower lighting chokes, static drain chokes or isolation coils and measure the reactance of each unit.

4.

Phase monitor accuracy must be confirmed by feeding two tower inputs at a time through a splitter and equal length jumpers to confirm that equal magnitude and phase are read on each tower.

5.

Toroidal sample devices must be tested for accuracy by removing the units from the tuning units and placing the devices in series on the same conductor in the transmitter building. The sample devices must then be measured when connected to the phase monitor with coax jumpers having exact equal electrical length and the ratio and phase error recorded.

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6.

Impedance and electrical length for each sample line must be measured, ideally with a vector network analyzer (VNA). The VNA is connected to the sample lines at the transmitter building with the sample lines unterminated on the tuning unit end. The sample lines must be equal in length to within one degree.

7.

The impedance of the sample lines is determined by measuring the open circuit impedance 45 degrees above and below the resonant length of the sample lines and the results must demonstrate that the sample line impedance is within 2 ohms as required by 73.151(c)(2)(i).

8.

Sampling system impedance must be measured with each of the sampling lines terminated in its respective toroid sampling device. Impedance of the sampling system is determined with the VNA connected to the sample lines at the transmitter building with the sample lines terminated at the tuning unit end in the toroid sample device.

9.

Exact data on each tower must be recorded and provided to the engineering consultant for construction of the moment method computer model. This includes:

Make and model of each tower. Manufacturer and model number of each base insulator. Leg diameter and face width of tower. Towers which are tapered or self supporting will require manufacturer drawings or tower mapping. Provide distance from feed-through bowl to each tower and diameter, number of turns and tubing size of lightning choke. Provide photos for each tower showing:

Tuning unit cabinet and tower feed connection point with clear view of connecting tubing.

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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. BROADCAST ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

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Picture of inside of tuning unit cabinet showing output J plug and location of static drain or tower lighting chokes.

Picture of ground up to 20 level on tower from angles that will allow scaling spacing of diagonals and horizontals and distance of pier above ground and routing of cables and conduits exiting the tower.

For stations employing sample loops pictures of each loop on tower and full description of how sample lines are isolated.

List any appurtenances on tower such as two way whips, STL antennas and full detail of associated isolation devices. Provide make and model number of each.

For top loaded towers, provide pictures and description of top loading including orientation of guy wires with respect to tower line.

10.

The consulting engineer will provide a set of parameters, derived through moment method modeling of the antenna system, which the array must be adjusted to as required by 73.151(c)(2)(ii).

11.

Common point impedance must be measured along with common point current for the array(s) as adjusted to the new phase monitor parameters.

12.

Reference field strength measurement locations shall be established on radials in directions of pattern minima and maxima (typically the monitored radials specified in the original CP, three (3) points per radial). The tabulated measurement data must be taken with a calibrated field strength meter. A description of each point, GPS coordinates and datum must be provided, see 73.151(c)(3).

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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. BROADCAST ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

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AREAS OF PAST CONFUSION One area of significant initial confusion was the tolerance set forth in Section 73.151(c)(2)(ii) concerning agreement between the tower modeled base impedance and the measured base impedance. The FCC has provided the following example where the measured base impedance is 20-J32 ohms.

The tolerance for the resistance term is (2+ 0.04 x20), or 2.8 ohms. Calculated base resistance must be within +/- 2.8 ohms of 20 ohms.

The tolerance for the reactance term is (2+ 0.04 x 32), or 3.28 ohms. Calculated base reactance must be within +/- 3.28 ohms of J32 ohms.

A second area of confusion has been the determination of correct operating parameters as read on the station phase monitor. The directional array must be set to the antenna monitor parameters that were determined by the moment method as modified to account for any base region effects.

TEST EQUIPMENT As noted on previous pages there is a fair amount of impedance measurement data required, some of which requires the ability to measure resistance and reactance as high as several thousand ohms and as low as a few ohms with high accuracy. Some of the readings such as sample line length and self impedance are found much more quickly with a vector network analyzer than with a synthesizer/detector and Delta Bridge. Due to the wide frequency ranges involved, a GR 1606 or other manual impedance bridges that require calibration when frequency is moved are really impractical.

For stations located a distance from other AM stations, Array Solutions makes the 4170C VNA, with required accessories, for under $750.00 which is PC controlled, works well for AM arrays and has the frequency range to allow measurement of FM antenna impedance as well2 This company also makes a two port VNA with higher signal level handling and the ability to measure networks and filter performance.

http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/AIM4170B.htm#top%20of%20page

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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. BROADCAST ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

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For stations in more congested areas, or near a high power array, Array Solutions makes the Power Aim 120, available exclusively through Kintronics Labs, which allows measurement of tower impedance in the presence of higher intensity fields than a standard HP, Agilent, Anritsu, etc VNA can tolerate3. It is critical that manufacturer recommended procedures be followed to be sure that the measured impedance data is accurate.

This is not intended to be an advertisement but rather acknowledgement of the fact that this company offers a unique line of quality VNA products at modest cost.

METHOD OF MOMENTS SOFTWARE It is expected that most stations will retain the services of an engineering consultant experienced in moment method modeling of antenna systems. However, establishing a basic knowledge of antenna modeling is an interest held by many engineers. The following resources are suggested:

ARRL Antenna Modeling Course contact ARRL at http://www.arrl.org/online-courses.

SBE University AM Antenna Systems Course contact SBE at http://www.sbe.org/AMAntennaSystemsCourse.php

For persons interested in purchasing software specifically designed for method of moments modeling of AM directional arrays, two sources are suggested which offer built in matrix routines to convert FCC parameters to base excitation values:

ACS Model by Aucontraire Software, LTd. - http://users.frii.com/aucont01/ACSModel.htm

Phasor Professional by Westberg Consulting - contact Westberg Consulting at http://www.westbergconsulting.com/products/phasor/

http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/poweraim_120.htm#top%20of%20page

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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. BROADCAST ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

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BUDGET NUMBERS At the time that this document was prepared, the following FCC filing fees apply to the processing of licensing an existing AM directional array by the moment method modeling process:

STA for parameters at variance - $170.00 302-AM application for license - $615.00 AM directional array processing - $705.00

It is recommended that stations use their FCC legal counsel to file these applications. It is additionally recommended that an engineering consultant be retained to work with the station engineer to provide off site guidance, design the computer models and formalize the data for FCC filing as part of the 302-AM. Station engineers may elect to retain a regional field engineer with experience in moment method proofs.

Professional fees vary and sometimes special circumstances arise. However, a typical budget, with the local engineer doing as much work as possible, could run as low as $3,500.00 and average $6,000 to $10,000 depending on the number of patterns. This cost is far less than the previous cost to trouble shoot possible re-radiators, conduct extensive field strength measurements in the NDA and DA modes and readjust the antenna system.

CAVEATS & OPPORTUNITIES Moment method modeling offers the opportunity to adjust and license a DA array without the ambiguity and expense associated with traditional field strength measurement analysis. This process allows

predictable design and operation of the antenna system and the ability to cost effectively optimize bandwidth, efficiency and stability.

However, we still must consider the environment within approximately 2 miles of the DA. Re-radiators can be easily included in the antenna model and their impact, or lack thereof, determined. The computer model may show that a currently detuned tower has so little impact on the pattern that it need not be detuned and array maintenance costs lowered. Conversely, new tower construction can easily be placed in the computer model and any impact on the pattern determined.

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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. BROADCAST ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

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Currently Section 22.3714 and Section 73.154 provide the FCCs direction for protecting AM broadcast stations but the rules currently conflict with one another. Section 22.371 requires that non-directional AM stations within 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) of a new structure be protected while Section 73.154 requires that stations within 0.8 kilometer (0.5 miles) be protected. Section 22.371 requires that directional AM stations within 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) of a new structure be protected. For directional AM stations, the required protection radius under Section 22.371 is 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) while Section 73.154 requires 3.2 kM and 2.0 miles. In MM Docket No. 93-177 the FCC proposes to consolidate and simplify the matter of AM station protection. These rule changes are predicted to occur later in 2010 and will result in one consolidated rule in Section 17.

For further information please contact:

Clarence M. Beverage Communications Technologies, Inc. P.O. Box 1130 Marlton, NJ 08053 Phone 856-985-0077 ext. 12 cbeverage@commtechrf.com website www.commtechrf.com

Part27.63RulesspecifythedistancevaluesfoundinPart22.

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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. BROADCAST ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS