Background and Regulatory Proceedings
On October 24, 1986, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order (FCC 86-485) in PR Docket No. 86-126 amending Part 94 of its rules governing the Private Operational-Fixed Microwave Service (OFS). The proceeding originated from a petition for rule making (RM-5202) submitted by the Harris Corporation - Farinon Division.
Under previous revisions to FCC Form 402 enacted in August 1985 and released in January 1986, the Commission had removed transmitter FCC ID numbers and antenna make and model numbers from the primary application form to reduce paperwork and streamline application processing. However, microwave industry participants requested that this technical data remain an explicit component of the mandatory frequency engineering analysis.
- Docket Number: PR Docket No. 86-126 (RM-5202)
- Order Adopted: October 24, 1986
- Order Released: November 6, 1986
- Effective Date: December 15, 1986
Commission Decision and Rule Amendments
The Commission adopted amendments to 47 C.F.R. § 94.15(b) requiring that frequency engineering analyses include consideration of the technical characteristics of the transmitting equipment proposed by an applicant, specifically evidenced by the transmitter FCC ID number and the make and model numbers for all antennas. Applicants are formally required to provide this equipment data directly to the entities responsible for performing their frequency engineering analyses.
While several commenters requested that the FCC reinstate the collection of equipment data directly onto Form 402 or include it on station licenses, the Commission declined. The FCC determined that Form 402 already captures key technical parameters—such as transmitter frequency tolerance, antenna gain, effective radiated power, beamwidth, polarization, and azimuth—which are sufficient for regulatory processing without encumbering agency resources.
- Engineering analyses for new or modified OFS stations must account for transmitter FCC ID numbers and antenna makes/models.
- Applicants must furnish this technical information directly to frequency coordination entities.
- Form 402 will remain streamlined at two pages to preserve processing speed improvements.
Coordination and Interference Safeguards
The Commission emphasized that existing provisions under Section 94.15(b) mandate that applicants and licensees cooperate fully and promptly in exchanging technical information necessary to conduct interference analyses. Furthermore, modification rules under Section 94.45 and public notice rules under Section 1.962 continue to ensure that any substantial change affecting a system's overall interference potential is disclosed to the public and interested coordinators.
- Section 94.45 defines eleven operational situations requiring formal license modification applications.
- Section 1.962 ensures public notice is issued for substantial technical facility alterations.
- Frequency engineering analyses remain accessible in public application files maintained in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and through copy contractors.