Sec. 25.132  Verification of earth station antenna performance 
          standards.

    (a) All applications for transmitting earth stations in the C and 
Ku-bands must be accompanied by a certificate pursuant to Sec. 2.902 of 
the chapter from the manufacturer of each antenna that the results of a 
series of radiation pattern tests performed on representative equipment 
in representative configurations by the manufacturer which demonstrates 
that the equipment complies with the performance standards set forth in 
Sec. 25.209. The licensee must be prepared to demonstrate the 
measurements to the Commission on request in the course of an 
investigation of a harmful interference incident.
    (b)(1) In order to demonstrate compliance with Sec. 25.209 (a) and 
(b), the following measurements on a production antenna performed on 
calibrated antenna range, as a minimum, shall be made at the bottom, 
middle and top of each allocated frequency band and submitted to the 
Commission:
    (i) Co-polarized patterns for each of two orthogonal senses of 
polarizations in two orthogonal cuts of the antenna.
    (A) In the azimuth plane, plus and minus 7 degrees and plus and 
minus 180 degrees.
    (B) In the elevation plane, zero to forty-five degrees.
    (ii) Cross-polarization patterns in the E- and H-planes, plus and 
minus 9 degrees.
    (iii) Main beam gain.
    (2) The FCC envelope specified in Sec. 25.209 shall be superimposed 
on each pattern. The minimum tests specified above are recognized as 
representative of the performance of the antenna in most planes although 
some increase in sidelobe levels should be expected in the spar planes 
and orthogonal spar planes.
    (c) The tests specified in paragraph (b) of this section are 
normally performed at the manufacturer's facility; but for those 
antennas that are very large and only assembled on-site, on-site 
measurements may be used for product qualification data. If on-site data 
is to be used for qualification, the test frequencies and number of 
patterns should follow, where possible, the recommendations in paragraph 
(b) of this section, and the test data is to be submitted in the same 
manner as described in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (d) For each new or modified transmitting antenna over 3 meters in 
diameter, the following on-site verification measurements must be 
completed at one frequency on an available transponder in each frequency 
band of interest and submitted to the Commission.
    (1) Co-polarized patterns in the elevation plane, plus and minus 7 
degrees, in the transmit band.
    (2) Co-polarized patterns in the azimuth and elevation planes, plus 
and minus 7 degrees, in the receive band.
    (3) System cross-polarization discrimination on-axis. The FCC 
envelope specified in Sec. 25.209 shall be superimposed on each pattern. 
The transmit patterns are to be measured with the aid of a co-operating 
earth station in coordination with the satellite system control center 
under the provisions of Sec. 25.272.
    (e) Certification that the tests required by paragraph (c) of this 
section have been satisfactorily performed shall be provided to the 
Commission in notification that construction of the facilities has been 
completed as required by Sec. 25.133.
    (f) Antennas less than 3 meters in diameter and antennas on simple 
(manual) drive mounts that are operated at a fixed site are exempt from 
the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section provided that 
a detailed technical showing is made that confirms proper installation, 
pointing procedures, and polarization alignment and manufacturing 
quality control. These showing must also include a plan for periodic 
testing and field installation procedures and precautions.
    (g) Records of the results of the tests required by this section 
must be maintained at the antenna site or the earth station operator's 
control center and be available for inspection.
[ 58 FR 13419 , Mar. 11, 1993]

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