FCC regulations for radio streams are long, complex and very involved. Regulations vary depending on the type of radio signal being sent, the type of equipment being used and the content of the signal. There are regulations for transmitters, antennae, emissions, fencing, channels and territory. Because regulations concerning radio streams are so elaborate, only a few of the more interesting highlights will be mentioned here.
About the FCC
The Federal Communications Commission (FFC) is a government agency that regulates broadcasting and wired communications. It was formed on June 19, 1934, by Congress to consolidate the efforts of several individual agencies that were regulating various communications at the time. The FCC has jurisdiction in all 50 states and all U.S. territories. It has steadily grown as new technologies have developed to encompass satellite, microwave and private radio communications.
About Radio Channels: FM
Local FM radio stations have numbers such as 102.7 or 98.5. Those numbers are not arbitrary. They're assigned by the FCC and represent the frequency at which that radio station can operate. For the FM broadcast band, the frequency spectrum is between 88 and 108 MHz. It's divided into 100 channels of 200 kHz each. Each frequency has its own channel. All FM frequencies end with an odd number: 88.5, 88.7, 88.9 and so on. 88.1 is channel 201, 88.3 is channel 202, 88.5 is channel 203. Some of these channels are designated specifically for non-commercial educational content.
About Radio Channels: AM
AM band channels, which operate from 535 to 1705 kHz, are named after the frequencies they operate on. They are segregated into groups by FFC according to the following:
A Class A station is an unlimited time station (that is, it can broadcast 24 hours per day) that operates on a clear channel. The operating power shall not be less than 10 kilowatts (kW) or more than 50 kW.
A Class B station is an unlimited time station. Class B stations are authorized to operate with a minimum power of 0.250 kW (250 watts) and a maximum power of 50 kW. (If a Class B station operates with less than 0.250 kW, the RMS must be equal to or greater than 141 mV/m at 1 km for the actual power.) If the station is authorized to operate in the expanded band (1610 to 1700 kHz), the maximum power is 10 kW.
A Class C station is an unlimited time station that operates on a local channel. The power shall not be less than 0.25 kW, nor more than 1 kW. Class C stations that are licensed to operate with 0.100 kW may continue to operate as licensed.
A Class D station operates in either daytime, limited time or unlimited time with a nighttime power less than 0.250 kW and an equivalent RMS antenna field less than 141 mV/m at 1 km for the actual power. Class D stations shall operate with daytime powers not less than 0.250 kW nor more than 50 kW. NOTE: If a station is an existing daytime-only station, its class will be Class D.
Source: FCC: Radio and Television Broadcast Rules 47 CFR Part 73: AM Classes
In general, channels are doled out by the FCC on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Objectionable Content
The FCC and the First Amendment often seem at odds. The FCC was founded with the provision that it would not be in the business of censoring communications. Radio station operators, in response to their audiences, were expected to self-censor their broadcasts. However, the FCC states that "It is a violation of federal law to air obscene programming at any time. It is also a violation of federal law to air indecent programming or profane language during certain hours. Congress has given the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the responsibility for administratively enforcing these laws. The FCC may revoke a station license, impose a monetary forfeiture, or issue a warning if a station airs obscene, indecent, or profane material."
Several cases have gone to the Supreme Court to challenge FCC fines and levies. The FCC declined to regulate obscenity on satellite radio because it's subscription based.
Tower Location and Heights
The FCC regulates the height and location of radio towers. The FFA and FCC both have jurisdiction over communication tower regulations, but in general the FCC is the agency that determines whether a violation has occurred and what fines to levy. The regulations guiding size, condition and locations of towers are largely designed to prevent air traffic incidence involving communication towers. Fines for ignoring regulations can be very high, and can be imposed for infractions such as not painting cable wires or not notifying the FFA of light outages.
