§  73.611   Reference points and distance computations.

   (a) In considering petitions to amend the Table of Allotments
   (§ 73.606(b)), the following reference points shall be used by the
   Commission in determining assignment separations between communities:

   (1) Where transmitter sites for the pertinent channels have been
   authorized in communities involved in a petition to amend the Table of
   Allotments, separations between such communities shall be determined by
   the distance between the coordinates of the authorized transmitter
   sites in the respective communities as set forth in the Commission's
   authorizations therefor.

   (2) Where an authorized transmitter site is available for use as a
   reference point in one community but not in the other for the pertinent
   channels, separations shall be determined by the distance between the
   coordinates of the transmitter site as set forth in the FCC's
   authorization therefor and the coordinates of the other community as
   set forth in the publication of the United States Department of the
   Interior entitled, Index to The National Atlas of the United States of
   America. If this publication does not contain the coordinates for said
   other community, the coordinates of the main post office thereof shall
   be used.

   (3) Where no authorized transmitter sites are available for use as
   reference points in both communities for the pertinent channels, the
   distance between the two communities listed in the above publication
   shall be used. If said publication does not contain such distance, the
   separation between the two communities shall be determined by the
   distance between the coordinates thereof as set forth in the
   publication. Where such coordinates are not contained in the
   publication, the coordinates of the main post offices of said
   communities shall be used.

   (4) Where the distance between the reference point in a community to
   which a channel is proposed to be assigned and the reference point in
   another community or communities does not meet the minimum separation
   requirements of § 73.610, the channel may be assigned to such community
   upon a showing that a transmitter site is available that would meet the
   minimum separation requirements of § 73.610 and the minimum field
   strength requirements of § 73.685. In such cases, where a station is not
   authorized in the community or communities to which measurements from
   the proposed channel assignment must be made pursuant to § 73.610 a
   showing should also be made that the distance between suitable
   transmitter sites in such other community or communities and the
   proposed transmitter site for the new channel meet the Commission's
   minimum spacing and coverage requirements.

   (b) Station separations in licensing proceedings shall be determined by
   the distance between the coordinates of the proposed transmitter site
   in one community and

   (1) The coordinates of an authorized transmitter site for the pertinent
   channel in the other community; or, where such transmitter site is not
   available for use as a reference point,

   (2) The coordinates of the other community as set forth in the Index to
   The National Atlas of the United States of America; or if not contained
   therein,

   (3) The coordinates of the main post office of such other community.

   (4) In addition, where there are pending applications in other
   communities which, if granted, would have to be considered in
   determining station separations, the coordinates of the transmitter
   sites proposed in such applications must be used to determine whether
   the requirements with respect to minimum separations between the
   proposed stations in the respective cities have been met.

   (c) In measuring assignment and station separations involving cities
   listed in the Table in combination, where there is no authorized
   transmitter site in any of the combination cities on the channel
   involved, separation measurements shall be made from the reference
   point which will result in the lowest separation.

   (d) To calculate the distance between two reference points see
   paragraph (c), § 73.208. However, distances shall be rounded to the
   nearest tenth of a kilometer.

   [ 52 FR 11655 , Apr. 10, 1987]