§  74.733   UHF translator signal boosters.

   (a) The licensee of a UHF television broadcast translator station may
   be authorized to operate one or more signal boosters for the purpose of
   providing reception to small shadowed areas within the area intended to
   be served by the translator.

   (b) The transmitting apparatus shall consist of a simple linear radio
   frequency amplifier, with one or more amplifying stages, which is
   capable of receiving, amplifying, and retransmitting the signals of the
   parent translator without significantly altering any electrical
   characteristic of the received signal other than its amplitude. The
   maximum power input to the plate of the final radio frequency amplifier
   shall not exceed 5 watts.

   (c) The amplifier shall be equipped with suitable circuits which will
   automatically cause it to cease radiating if no signal is being
   received from the parent translator station. Care shall be taken in the
   design of the apparatus to insure that out-of-band radiation is not
   excessive and that adequate isolation is maintained between the input
   and output circuits to prevent unstable operation.

   (d) The installation of the apparatus and its associated receiving and
   transmitting antennas shall be in accordance with accepted principles
   of good engineering practice. Either horizontal, vertical, or circular
   polarization of the electric field of the radiated signal may be
   employed. If the isolation between the input and output circuits
   depends in part upon the polarization or directive properties of the
   transmitting and receiving antennas, the installation shall be
   sufficiently rugged to withstand the normal hazards of the environment.

   (e) The operation of a UHF translator signal booster is subject to the
   condition that no harmful interference is caused to the reception of
   any station, broadcast or non-broadcast, other than the parent
   translator. The licensee of the UHF translator signal booster is
   expected to use reasonable diligence to minimize interference to the
   direct reception of the parent translator station.

   (f) UHF translator signal boosters may be operated unattended. Repairs
   and adjustments shall be made by a qualified person. The required
   qualifications are set forth in § 74.750 (g) and (h).

   (g) An individual call sign will not be assigned to a UHF translator
   booster station. The retransmission of the call sign of the parent
   translator will serve as station identification.

   (h) Applications for authority to construct and operate a UHF
   translator signal booster shall be submitted on FCC Form 346A. No
   construction of facilities or installation of apparatus at the proposed
   transmitter site shall be made until a construction permit therefor has
   been issued by the Commission.

   (i) The provisions of § 74.765 concerning posting of station license
   shall apply to a UHF translator signal booster except that the parent
   UHF translator call sign, followed by the word “Booster”, shall be
   displayed at the signal booster site.

   (j) The provisions of § § 74.767 and 74.781 concerning marking and
   lighting of antenna structures and station records, respectively, apply
   to UHF translator signal boosters.

   Note: Effective July 11, 1975, no new UHF signal boosters will be
   authorized. Licensees of such existing boosters may make application
   for renewal of license or change in facilities on the applicable FCC
   forms for Television Broadcast Translator Stations (Form 346, for
   construction permits; 347, for license to cover construction permit;
   and 303-S, for renewal of license). Report and Order, Docket No. 20372.
   May 28, 1975.

   [ 28 FR 13722 , Dec. 14, 1963, as amended at  40 FR 25022 , June 12, 1975;
    59 FR 63052 , Dec. 7, 1994]