 | This articledoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved. Find sources: "Program test authority" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(June 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Inbroadcasting,program test authority (PTA) is an authorization to conducton-air testing ofbroadcast station facilities authorized to be built under aconstruction permit. Once this testing is successfully completed, and all measuredparameters match what was authorized in the permit, the permittee can apply to thebroadcasting authority for abroadcast license to cover the permit. PTA lasts until the license is issued (or, rarely, denied).
"Program" refers to the permission to broadcast regularradio programming orTV programming, instead of just a test transmission such as atest card orbars and tone (TV only),broadcast callsign or other requiredstation identification, ordead air (which may not be permissible). Otherwise, only brief tests are allowed without PTA, in order to verify proper installation and functioning of all transmission equipment, such as thetransmitter components (exciter andamplifier),feedline,antenna, and anydiplexers that may be used.
In theUnited States, theFederal Communications Commission (FCC) gives most stations automatic program test authority if they are using anomnidirectional antenna. For stations with adirectional antenna, PTA is only for half of regularpower, and is not granted until the permittee'sbroadcast engineer certifies that the antenna is installed properly so that the station'sradiation pattern is correct. Stations must apply for a license within 30 days of starting broadcasts under program test authority. Upon issuance of the license, directional stations then commence full-power operation.
