Sec.  73.1870   Chief operators.

   (a) The licensee of each AM, FM, TV or Class A TV broadcast station must
   designate a person to serve as the station's chief operator. At times when
   the chief operator is unavailable or unable to act (e.g., vacations,
   sickness), the licensee shall designate another person as the acting chief
   operator on a temporary basis.

   (b) Chief operators shall be employed or serve on the following basis:

   (1) The chief operator for an AM station using a directional antenna or
   operating with greater than 10 kW authorized power, or of a TV station is to
   be an employee of the station on duty for whatever number of hours each week
   the station licensee determines is necessary to keep the station's technical
   operation in compliance with FCC rules and the terms of the station
   authorization.

   (2) Chief operators for non-directional AM stations operating with
   authorized powers not exceeding 10 kW and FM stations may be either an
   employee of the station or engaged to serve on a contract basis for whatever
   number of hours each week the licensee determines is necessary to keep the
   station's technical operation in compliance with the FCC rules and terms of
   the station authorization.

   (3) The designation of the chief operator must be in writing with a copy of
   the designation posted with the station license. Agreements with chief
   operators serving on a contract basis must be in writing with a copy kept in
   the station files.

   (c) The chief operator is responsible for completion of the following duties
   specified in this paragraph below. When these duties are delegated to other
   persons, the chief operator shall maintain supervisory oversight sufficient
   to know that each requirement has been fulfilled in a timely and correct
   manner.

   (1) Inspections and calibrations of the transmission system, required
   monitors, metering and control systems; and any necessary repairs or
   adjustments where indicated. (See  Sec. 73.1580.)

   (2) Periodic AM field monitoring point measurements, equipment performance
   measurements, or other tests as specified in the rules or terms of the
   station license.

   (3) Review of the station records at least once each week to determine if
   required entries are being made correctly. Additionally, verification must
   be made that the station has been operated as required by the rules or the
   station authorization. Upon completion of the review, the chief operator or
   his designee must date and sign the log, initiate any corrective action
   which may be necessary, and advise the station licensee of any condition
   which is repetitive.

   (4) Any entries which may be required in the station records. (See
    Sec. 73.1820.)

   [ 46 FR 35463 , July 8, 1981, as amended at  47 FR 31580 , July 21, 1982;  48 FR 38482 , Aug. 24, 1983;  48 FR 44806 , Sept. 30, 1983;  49 FR 20670 , May 16,
   1984;  49 FR 50048 , Dec. 26, 1984;  50 FR 32416 , Aug. 12, 1985;  60 FR 55482 ,
   Nov. 1, 1995;  65 FR 30006 , May 10, 2000]