Radio Broadcasting

Standards in the
Philippines
Engr. Efren T. Pineda, PECE

Expected Outcomes
Basic knowledge on radio broadcasting
Know the present standards in radio
broadcasting as implemented in the
Philippines

Topics
Broadcasting in General
Broadcast Operations
AM Radio Broadcasting and Standards
FM Radio Broadcasting and Standards
Engineering considerations in building a
radio broadcast stations

Broadcasting in
general
The Basic Considerations

What is Broadcasting?
It is an art and science of conveying
(intelligent) information through electrical
means intended for the reception of the
general public.
As per RA 9292, under Section 3c, an
undertaking the object of which is to
transmit audio, video, text, images or other
signals or messages for reception of a broad
audience in a geographical area via wired or
wireless means.

The Broadcast Chain

Studio
Live
Recorded

Link
Wired
Wireless

Transmitte
r
For
Broadcas
t

Studio-Transmitter
Configurations
Combo Type Studio and Transmitter are
co-located; link is commonly wired, that is,
balanced audio cables, unbalanced coaxial
lines for RF video, or fiber optic system.
Split Type Studio and Transmitter are not
co-located; link is commonly wireless via RF
or radio waves. For a wired link, a telephone
codec is needed; connection is made via
PSTN (Public Switch Telephone Network).

Auxiliary Broadcast
Services

STL (Studio-to-Transmitter Link) used to link

studio to transmitter if they are configured split
type.
Usually in UHF range (for radio)
Band A: 300 315 MHz
Band B: 734 752 MHz
Band C: 942 952 MHz

Maximum power allowable is 15W

Modulation is FM Wideband
Requires high gain antenna such as Yagi-Uda, Corner
Reflector and Parabolic types
Point-to-point communication, that is, from studio to
transmitter only

Auxiliary Broadcast
Services

RPU (Remote Pick-up Unit) used to link

remote sites or studio to main studio for
outside broadcast (OB) purposes.
Usually in UHF range (for radio)
Band A: 315 325 MHz
Band B: 450 451 MHz
Band C: 455 456 MHz

Maximum power allowable is 35 Watts

Modulation is FM Wideband
Requires high gain antenna such as Yagi-Uda types
Point-to-point communication, that is, from remote
sites or studio to main studio only

Auxiliary Broadcast
Services

Coordination, Communication and Control

used as per mentioned purpose.
Usually allocated as follows:

Band
Band
Band
Band

A: 4 12 MHz (non-exclusive for broadcast)

B: 25.67 26.1 MHz
C: 162.235 162.615 MHz, 166.25 and 170.15 MHz
D: 432.5 433 MHz, 437.5 438 MHz

Maximum allowable power are as follows:

Band
Band
Band
Band

A: 100 Watts (AM-SSB)

B: 160 Watts (FMNB, ERP)
C: 160 Watts (FMNB, ERP)
D: 200 Watts (FMNB, for repeater)

Studio System
(Typical Set-up)

Common Equipment

Microphones for the programs hosts and

guests (for live programs)
Play back Sources for music, and other
recorded materials
CD players for musical materials
Hard disc based and/or PC based play back devices
for station IDs, Program Intro / Extro music, Music
Beds, Commercials, Plugs, Voice Tracks, Jingles

Broadcast Console for control (level and

switching), mixing, amplification (at
appropriate modulation level), and routing of
input signals

Common Equipment
Headphones for solo monitoring
Loudspeakers for studio (on-air) and control room
monitoring
Power Amplifiers for driving loudspeakers
Audio Codec for telephone interface, used to
patch station callers on-air
Remote Pick-up Unit for live remote programming
Audio Processor for making the sound of the
station good in quality. We can set here the
dynamic range, and equalization of sound. For
FM Stereo, stereo encoding is included.

Common Equipment
Distribution Amplifiers used for signal
distribution without attenuation and
possible mismatch in loading.
Tape Recorders such as PC or hard disc
based devices. It can be of DAT (Digital
Audio Tape) format or PCMCIA hard disc.
Off-air Tuner for OTA (off-the-air) signal
monitoring, this will allow you to monitor if
youre still on the air (via broadcast
transmitter)

AM Transmitter
(High-level Modulation)
ANTENNA

STABILIZED
RF
OSCILLATOR

AUDIO
INPUT

RF BUFFER
AMPLIFIER
(CLASS A)

RF POWER
AMPLIFIER
(CLASS C)

RF OUTPUT
AMPLIFIER
(CLASS C)

AF
PREAMPLIFIER

AF POWER
AMPLIFIER
(CLASS B)

AF OUTPUT
AMPLIFIER
MODULATOR
(CLASS B)

OUTPUT
MATCHING
NETWORK

Note:
For low level modulation, replaced RF OUTPUT AMPLIFIER with Class B or Class AB.

FM Transmitter
(Armstrong System)
ANTENNA
XTAL
OSCILLATOR

BUFFER
AMPLIFIER

RF
AMPLIFIER

RF POWER
AMPLIFIER

90 PHASE
SHIFT
NETWORK

BALANCED
MODULATOR

FREQUENCY
MULTIPLIER

FREQUENCY
MULTIPLIER

AUDIO
AMPLIFIER

MIXER

RF
AMPLIFIER

AUDIO
EQUALIZER

XTAL
OSCILLATOR

AUDIO
INPUT

Note:
FREQUENCY MULTIPLIER CIRCUITS are cascaded DOUBLERS and
TRIPLERS.

Broadcast Operations

Parts of Broadcasting in a
Day
Daytime refers to that period of time
between 2200 Universal Time Coordinates
(UTC) to 1000 UTC. Equivalent to 6 AM to 6 PM
local standard time.
Nighttime refers to that period of time
between 1000 UTC to 2200 UTC. Equivalent to
6 PM to 6 AM local standard time.
Experimental Period the period of time
between 12 MN to 5 AM local standard time
for the purpose of testing and maintenance of
the licensee.

Parts of Program
Implementation

Pre-production this is the planning stage;

ocular site inspection is part of this if the
program is to be held at remote locations.
Production the implementation stage; live
program is broadcasted (from studio or remote
location up to broadcast transmitter for
broadcast transmission), while recording or
taping for TV drama / documentary programs.
Post-production this is where editing is done,
particularly for station produced programs
such as TV dramas, or documentary programs.

Technical Positions, their

functions and qualifications

Chief Engineer / Company ECE

Head of the Broadcast Engineering & Operations
Usually a Registered PECE

Studio Supervisor
In-charge of studio operations and maintenance
Usually a Registered ECE

Studio Technicians

Operates the broadcast console for live programs

Log broadcast daily operations
Facilitate recording of taped programs
Conduct studio maintenance
Usually holder of Radio Operators License or its
equivalent

Technical Positions, their

functions and qualifications

Transmitter Supervisor
In-charge of transmitter operations and
maintenance
Usually a Registered ECE

Transmitter Technicians
Operates and maintains the transmitter of the
station
Log transmitter voltages and current hourly
Usually a holder of Radio Operators License or its
equivalent

Broadcast Logs

Program Log
Time entry each program (live/taped) including
station ID, station promos, commercial spots
Brief description of the program such as music,
drama, live, etc.
Sponsored programs
Origin of the program
Actual time to be filled-up by Announcer or
Technicians on-board noting the beginning and
end times of a particular aired material
Additional remarks for a particular material or
program

Broadcast Logs

Transmitter Log
Time entry the transmitter is turned ON as well as
the time it is turned OFF
At least at 30 minutes interval, log of operating
voltages, currents and power of the transmitter as
well as the antenna current (usually for AM
transmitters), signed by Tech on-duty
Entry of each interruption of the broadcasting, its
cause and duration
Log shall be kept in orderly manner, and in
suitable form, avoiding erasures in any entry
Logs shall be maintained by the licensee for a
period of 2 years

AM Radio
Broadcasting
Philippine Standard based on KBP
(1991 Revised Edition)

Broadcast Standards

Frequency Allocations:
526.5 1705 kHz

Channel Bandwidth:
9 kHz

Number of AM Channels Available:

131 channels

Permitted Bandwidth:
30 kHz

Minimum Carrier Separation for Adjacent

Stations serving the same service area:
36 kHz

Broadcast Standards

Baseband Frequency Range:

50 15000 Hz

Mode of Emission:
A3E

Type of Receiver:
Super-heterodyne Receiver

Intermediate Frequency:
455 kHz

Transmitter Standards

Location and lay-out considerations

Adequate space, ventilation and air-conditioning, and
lighting

Transmitter design
Carrier Power Limits: 10% full power
Maximum Modulation for Satisfactory Operation: 90%
Operating Frequency Limits: 10 Hz of assigned
carrier frequency
Carrier shift: 5% at any modulation level
Carrier Hum and Extraneous Noise Level: 45 dB
below 400 Hz tone
Total Audio frequency Distortion: <5% harmonics @
0%-84% modulation, <7.5% harmonics @ 85%-95%
modulation

Transmitter Standards

Alternate Main Transmitter Considerations

Must be co-located with the main transmitter
Must be of same parameters as the main
transmitter

Auxiliary Transmitter Considerations

Can be co-located or installed at another location
Output power maybe less but not greater than the
authorized power of the main transmitter

Antenna Requirements

Site considerations
Location in relation to the population to be served
and other communication installations and airports,
Conductivity of the soil at and immediately
adjacent to site,
Conductivity of the path between the site and the
target area.

Design considerations
Vertically polarized
Shall radiate an effective field of not less than that
of 60 vertical tower
All parts shall be installed so as not to present a
hazard.

Maximum Power
Allocations
Area

Maximum Power (kW)

Metro Manila (see Note)

50

All other areas

10

NOTE: Transmitters of Metro Manila maybe located

outside Metro Manila provided the said area
remains within 80 dBu contour of the transmitter.

The station shall not operate more than 5%

and not lower than 10% of its authorized
operating power.

FM Radio
Broadcasting
Philippine Standard based on KBP
(1991 Revised Edition)

Broadcast Standards

Frequency Allocations:
88 108 MHz (20 MHz total BW)

Channel Bandwidth:
200 kHz (for mono)

Number of AM Channels Available:

100 channels

Permitted Bandwidth:
180 kHz (for mono), 300 kHz (for stereo)

Minimum Carrier Separation for Adjacent

Stations serving the same service area:
800 kHz

Broadcast Standards

Baseband Frequency Range:

50 15000 Hz

Mode of Emission:
F3E

Frequency Deviation:
75 kHz @ 100 % modulation

Pre-emphasis:
75 sec time constant

Pilot tone:
19 kHz

Broadcast Standards

Type of Receiver:
Super-heterodyne Receiver

Intermediate Frequency:
10.7 MHz

Transmitter Standards

Location and lay-out considerations

Should be chosen that line-of-sight can be
obtained from the antenna over the principal city
or cities to be served
Adequate space, ventilation and air-conditioning,
and lighting

Transmitter design
Frequency Swing: 75 kHz @ 100 % modulation
Pre-emphasis: 75 sec time constant within 50
15000 Hz of audio frequency
Audio frequency harmonics: < 3.5 % (within 50
100 Hz), < 2.5 % (within 100 7500 Hz), < 3 %
(within 7.5 15 kHz)

Transmitter Standards

Other considerations
Construction considering its enclosure, grounding
of controls, and interlocks on doors
Wiring and shielding
Metering equipment
Indicating instruments
Installation
Other data

Antenna System
Must be Horizontally Polarized, however,
circular or elliptical polarization may also be
employed,
Must be installed or constructed such that it
is clear from obstructions that would cause
shadow problems,
For a common tower shared by 2 or more
licensees, the owner of the tower shall
assume full responsibility for the
maintenance of the tower structure.

FM Stereo Broadcasting
Standards
Main Channel: L+R (50 15000 Hz)
Pilot tone: 19kHz 2Hz @ 8%-10% of the
main FM carrier
Stereophonic Channel: L-R (23 53 kHz)
modulated using DSBSC-AM
Stereophonic Sub-carrier: 38kHz (2nd
harmonic of the pilot tone)
Subsidiary Communication Authorization
(SCA) channel: 59.5 74.5 kHz
Multiplexing: FDM

Classification of Powers

Class A

Authorized power <= 25 kW

ERP <= 125 kW
Antenna height <= 2000 ft above average terrain
Minimum transmitter power of 10 kW
Allowed in Metro Manila & Metro Cebu

Class B

Authorized power <= 10 kW

ERP <= 30 kW
Antenna height <= 500 ft above average terrain
Minimum transmitter power of 1 kW
Implemented in other areas not covered by Class A

Classification of Powers

Class C
Authorized ERP <= 1 kW
For non-commercial, community station

Class D
Authorized transmitter power <= 10 W
For educational stations

NOTE: All classes of FM stations shall be

protected to the 1 mV/m or 60 dBu contour.

Engineering
Considerations

Pre-requisites
Be sure you have the franchise approved by the
Senate and Congress of the Philippines. To have
these, you must prepare a feasibility study to be
submitted in Congress and then Senate.
Obtain Provision of Authority (PA) to the
authority, in this case National
Telecommunications Commission (NTC). To have
this, a public hearing is conducted for new
stations. All affected parties will be informed and
given a chance to oppose on your application. In
public hearing, you need to present the legal,
technical and financial capacities of your
company.

Pre-requisites

The technical part is prepared by ECEs; as

per RA 9292, only PECEs are allowed to sign
and seal an engineering plan. So in case of
technical witness, only PECE is allowed to
testify on technical matters.
After the hearing, the NTC will further check
the submitted evidences. A PA will be grant
as temporary permit for the applicants
construction and operation of a radio station.
Apply additional permits such as Permit to
Purchase, Radio Construction Permit, and
Permit to Possess.

Other consideration
Acoustics and Noise Control for Studio
Evaluation of appropriate equipment for
Studio and Transmitter, depends on
programs requirements (based on your
systems design)
Evaluation of equipment suppliers; consider
after-sales support
Training
Installation and Commissioning
Operation and Maintenance

Thank you for

listening
Any questions? You can also e-mail me at
etpineda@yahoo.com