Monday, February 28, 2011

AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS, AND TARIFFS

Acquisition of equipment and services is almost always pursuant to or governed by some form of agreement, usually a contract or tariff. Two types of contracts are common: active and passive. An active contract is a form of contract that is not binding on the parties until after it is executed or signed. A passive contract is one whereby the parties are bound upon action of the second party as spelled out in the contract by the first party. An example of a passive contract or agreement is the typical shrink-wrapped software license. These agreements are usually printed on the package containing physical storage such as a floppy disk or compact disc, and state, among other things, that the license is binding on the user when the package is opened.

Tariff is one of the most misunderstood terms in the communications industry. The word tariff dates to Roman times when it applied to tax collection and payment of fees for use of bridges or roads. In more recent times, tariffs were a part of the transportation industry, as well as communications industry. Common carriers included airlines, railroads, trucking, and bus companies. Before deregulation, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) regulated these businesses.

Regulation of the communications industry was and, to a lesser degree, still is the purview of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) bodies. Interstate tariff matters are the purview of the FCC and intra-state tariffs are dealt with by the PUC in each state. The PUC also deals with a myriad of other tariffs such as electric and in some cases water, gas, oil, and other material and resources.

More specifically, the term tariff filing is the proper term. Entities designated by the FCC and PUC as a common carrier file public documents with the appropriate regulatory body detailing services, equipment, and pricing. The penalty for violation is service disconnection and/or removal of equipment. Tariff filings do not have the force of law. If you or the carrier violates them, then the penalty is service disconnection and/or removal of equipment. Regulatory bodies accept tariff filings, but do not approve, disapprove, validate, or invalidate stated or implied performance, or enforce or police use of the filing.

Attaining capability to order equipment or services delivered by whatever formal agreement, even if it is chosen to order according to a tariff filing, is but a single step in an overall process. Almost any size organization, even if it is a single owner proprietorship, never buys on impulse. This implies some form of practical, prudent due diligence. Conducting due diligence is a key, early step in an overall project. Usually any sizable project will require more than one supplier for equipment, and may well require at least two, and likely three suppliers of facilities and services. Figure 1 portrays that process from a point labeled ‘‘Bright Idea’’ through completion of an agreement.
 

Figure 1: Project Risk–Reward–Approval Process

Any real project has a large amount of tasks. And some or many of those tasks can be done in parallel, given the resources. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that some tasks can’t even be attempted until others are complete. Some can be skipped, or delayed, but the consequences can invite career destruction or worse in the long run. Committing to purchase a piece of equipment without knowing it will function or perform as required, but meets the budget is unwise. Sooner or later, someone in an entity will have to commit to pay before a supplier will agree to ship a piece of equipment, or connect a facility.

The number one overall concern in any project of any size or scale is risk. As a project progresses through the various steps from inception through realization, the number and magnitude of risks associated with or encountered by the business grow and multiply according to scale of the project.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Acceptance Test and Proof of Performance

A contract for transmitter equipment as defined in this document will also include provisions covering general product proof of conformance to the manufacturers detailed production specifications. Generally, these specifications are the same as included in product brochures or other information. These specifications will be compared to factory product test process and specification limits which may be more, but not less, restrictive.

Initial product shipments covered by this specification will require demonstrated performance in the presence of a representative of the buyer. As experience is gained and the process is shown to produce consistently acceptable results, this requirement may be waived by written notice on a case-by-case basis.

Required factory tests include, but are not limited to, low level tests on the Exciter(s), IPAs, Control Circuitry, and Interlocks. Final test data, including meter readings, dial settings, pads used, and appropriate waveform photos, shall be documented and provided in electronic and paper form for each transmitter tested. The documentation will include all appropriate serial numbers of sub-system components and the transmitter serial number. Name, phone number, and email address of key test personnel, one production supervisor, and one design engineer, knowledgeable of the test process, and results will be included in the test documentation. This documentation will be provided within five days of shipment of each transmitter.

The supplier must provide notification of test date at least 10 days prior to the date the final test process is conducted and test data recorded.

After all transmitter components and subsystems are assembled on site, final acceptance testing shall demonstrate fitness for use and provide data satisfactory for acceptance of the product and formal proof of performance documents bound in a form suitable for FCC License Application. Electronic versions of all documents, forms, and photographs will be required.

The supplier will provide one or more representatives qualified and authorized to represent its interest and participate in the on-site tests and data collection. This test process may be performed by a third party and is viewed as a collaborative effort. Only equipment surviving the on-site test process will be accepted and paid for. Equipment defined as a transmitterwill be detailed in each RFQ for each site and station. On-site tests will be conducted.

FCC Proof of Performance Measurements required by the FCC for an application for license. Measurements shall be made at the output of the DTV Mask or, if present, the output of the RF combiner. All tests and measurements of transmitter performance shall be conducted with transmitters operating at the power output levels required to meet the effective radiated power specified by the FCC construction permit or license. Power measurements shall be made with the transmitter(s) operating into the dummy load, with results documented as follows:
  • ATSC Upper sideband response
  • ATSC Lower sideband response
  • Envelope delay versus frequency demonstration compliance with Section 73.687(a)(3) and (4) of the FCC Rules and Regulations (47 CFR)
  • DTV transmitter frequencies using a frequency counter of adequate accuracy. Measurements shall be made at least three times with a minimum of eight hours between measurements. The frequency reading shall be compared with the reading obtained on the frequency and modulation monitor.
  • Spurious components from 0 Hz to 1.8 GHz (if any) apparent in the radiated output of the DTV transmitter. A spectrum analyzer shall be used to make these measurements. Any out-of-band radiation shall not exceed FCC maximum allowable values.
Photographs or other printed facsimile of the waveform shall be taken and shall be included in the proof of performance report.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Desired Physical Characteristics

Modular Configuration—Each transmitter shall consist of discrete modules. Each module will be installed in one or more appropriate cabinets, wired, and tested in the manufacturer’s plant to minimize assembly at the transmitter site. All transmitter wiring shall be clearly labeled at each termination. The transmitter is expected to include the following or similar modules:
  • System Monitoring and Control
  • Local and Remote Control via IEEE 802.3 Local Area Network interface
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply providing continuous power to the transmitter Local and remote control sub-system. The transmitter control sub-system will provide complete control and diagnostic information to the LAN interface during absence of power input.
  • Exciter and 8VSB modulation
  • Intermediate Power Amplifier (if required)
  • High power amplifier as required to produce licensed transmitter power output
  • RF Switching, filtering, impedance matching, reject, and test loads
  • High voltage beam supply
  • Calibrated RF power measurement system
  • Heat exchanger with redundant coolant pumps and multiple fans for each HPA
  • A chain hoist with adequate capacity to change power amplifier tubes
  • Interlock system meeting the requirements of IEC-215
Transmitters using liquid cooling will include the following major components:
  • Outside heat exchanger, with multiple direct-drive fans
  • Redundant coolant pumps with local and remote switching of pumps
  • Coolant storage tank with level gauge
  • Particle filter
  • Pressure gauges
  • Temperature and flow sensors
  • Test and reject load cooling
  • Interlocks for test and reject load, amplifier flow, and reservoir levels

High Power Amplifier Sub-System

The IOT and associated magnet and RF circuit assemblies shall be removable from the front of the transmitter incorporating wheels and quick disconnect RF, electrical, and plumbing fittings. The assembly shall incorporate a positive wheel locking mechanism to prevent accidental movement while in operation.

Electrical, Electronic Characteristics, and Performance

Power Rating—Each transmitter shall be designed for and be capable of operation at the average DTV power specified in the test and acceptance specification.
Metering to permit proper maintenance and roubleshooting, including:
  • Collector or Cathode Current
  • Collector or Collector-to-Cathode Voltage
  • Body Current
  • Coolant Temperature
  • Output Power
  • Reflected Power
  • Filament Voltage
  • Filament Current
  • Focus Magnet Current

High-Power Amplifier Characteristics And Performance

Protection circuitry shall be incorporated to protect the IOT by removing high voltage and drive power from the IOT in the event of an internal tube arc or beam current overload. Any overload condition shall cause the control circuits to remove and automatically reapply high voltage to the amplifier. Three overloads within a short period shall shut down the amplifier and activate the appropriate overload fault indicators. Over-current protection devices shall comply with all specifications of all tube manufacturers approved for the transmitter to avoid violating the manufacturer’s warranty. The protective circuitry shall also protect the IOT from other faults that may cause damage to the tube or the tube’s circuitry including but not limited to extreme collector temperature, VSWR, and body or grid currents. Supplier shall describe its method of IOT protection and the means by which its tube protection circuitry complies with each approved tube manufacturer’s warranty requirements.

IPA/Driver Exciter System

Each exciter shall include all necessary switching, control, and status monitoring. The 19.39 Mb/s transport stream input to the exciter will comply with SMPTE 310M or DVB-ASI standard. The exciters shall convert the 19.39 Mb/s transport stream to an 8VSB-modulated carrier. Exciters shall perform frame data randomization, Reed-Solomon encoding, data interleaving, Trellis coding, segment and field sync insertion, pilot insertion and filtering, and be fully compliant with ATSC A/53 Standard and applicable FCC Regulations.
The exciters shall include automatic signal processing for the precorrection of the signal to compensate for linear and non-linear errors in the transmitter amplifier stages and to provide group delay correction for group delay errors introduced in the output RF system, as well as an RF combiner when present.

RF Output System

The RF system shall be of coaxial and/or waveguide construction, and RF inputs and outputs shall be standard EIA coaxial flanges.
A low loss, constant impedance-type band-pass filter shall be supplied with each transmitter to meet the FCC Mask requirements. The filter shall be supplied with reject and ballast loads.
The IPA/Driver meeting the following requirements:
  • Modular design and easily serviceable
  • Designed for optimum linearity and fully compliant with ATSC transmission standards
  • Rated for at least 120 percent drive power output level
  • The IPA and its power supply shall have redundancy incorporated in the design. The IPA shall be provided with an output ferrite circulator for protection against excessive VSWR or an inadvertent disconnection from the IOT amplifier.
The RF system shall be supplied with a motorized antenna/load RF switch, liquid cooled test load, and calorimeter power measuring equipment. The switch shall be provided with integral interlocks as a part of the transmitter control system to permit easy connection of the transmitter to the test load.
Two precision calibrated directional couplers shall be provided on the output of the RF system ahead of the antenna/load switch for station use. One indicates forward power, the other reflected power.

High Voltage Supply

The high voltage supply shall be oil filled and self-contained. It shall be designed for operation outdoors over a temperature range of 20 to รพ45 degrees C (at 100% humidity). Weather resistant panels shall cover all connections. The unit shall be rated for continuous on-air operation at the transmitter’s full rated output power plus 20%.
The high voltage supply shall include the capability to adjust the output voltage to the requirements of various tube types and incorporate a step-start device to protect components from large inrush currents.
The high voltage supply shall be capable of operating from the commercial power service at each site. A step-up transformer shall be provided and installed if necessary.
The AC line control cabinet shall control AC power to the beam supply. To protect the IOT amplifier during an overload condition, the AC input to the beam supplies shall be removed in less than 10 milliseconds by high-speed vacuum contactors. The line control cabinet shall include circuit breakers for protection against over-current and short circuits. Mechanical interlocks for both the line-control cabinet and the beam supply shall be incorporated for personnel safety.

Transmitter Control

Overall transmitter system control, monitoring, and diagnostic functions shall be accomplished using an intuitive, high resolution, industrial grade, color Graphical User Interface located in the system control cabinet. GUI screen selection and commands shall be controlled via a touch screen interface. It is desired that basic control functions also be available using hard-wired control buttons located on the control cabinet front panel. These basic functions should include as a minimum; beam voltage on/off, filament on/off, black heat, power raise/lower, and remote/local control.
The following parameters shall be monitored and available for display on the transmitter control/monitoring system:
  • Transmitter output power
  • Transmitter reflected power
  • IPA drive power
  • Reject load power
  • System interlock status
  • All system overloads
  • Power supply voltages and currents
  • System block diagrams to aid in fault location
  • AC line voltages
  • Phase loss status
  • A summary of active and inactive fault conditions shall be stored and available for view on the transmitter GUI.
  • Circuitry shall be provided to lower the transmitter power output in the case of increased VSWR. Decreasing VSWR shall cause the power level to increase until the original output power is restored.
  • All logic control memory shall be backed up so as to return the transmitter to its mode of operation immediately preceding an AC power failure of any duration.

RF Combiner

When multiple RF amplifiers are used to meet specific transmitter power output or multiple transmitters operating on different carrier frequencies are fed to a single ended passive transmission system, an RF Combining until will be employed. In such cases, the RF combiner and all transmitter units shall perform as a system. The system will be required to meet all FCC requirements as though it were operating as individual components. The RF combiner shall not degrade the spectral performance of any single transmitter.
The combiner will include an RF sample point at each input and output of the combiner.
The combiner must be capable of continuous operation across the temperature and humidity range as the transmitter with all inputs from all transmitters operating at 110% of theirTPO.
RF insertion loss shall not exceed 0.4 dB from input terminals to output terminal with all inputs operating at transmitter TPO levels.
Channel isolation shall be greater than 35 dB between any input and any other inputs Group delay shall be within + 20 nanoseconds across the channel pass band.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

DTV Transmitter Specification

This specification covers commerical off-the-shelf television transmitter and related products. The buyer intends to use this document to support design and planning activities necessary to upgrade analog television transmission systems to digital transmission capability. The specifications will be used to define hardware, software, services, and performance in procurement actions and accepting deliverable items as outlined in contracts, service agreements, and purchase orders.

Nothing in this document is intended to commit the buyer to accept technical parameters or levels of performance. The buyer will not pay or commit to pay for any products or services unless and until a valid written contract or purchase order has been executed. Information provided in response to any request is deemed to be representative of products, services, and pricing available from carriers, manufacturers, service providers, software developers, or their authorized representatives.

Unless otherwise noted, items quoted in response to this RFQ are to be products designed and manufactured by the respondent and generally available to a wide range of end-users. The respondent is requested to review the specifications included in this request and propose products that meet or exceed the requirements outlined. It is expected that a respondent will demonstrate competence by providing a list of current users of products being quoted; user configuration and maintenance manuals; design, manufacturing, and test documentation under controlled release; and finally, proving acceptable through the buyers test and acceptance processes. Assertions of ISO Certification are welcome but not considered substitutes.

Manufacturer–Supplier Qualifications

Transmitter useful life expectancy of more than 10 years, perhaps as long as 20 years is anticipated and based on past experience with older generation equipment. Preference will be given manufacturers or suppliers of Transmitter Equipment (as defined in this document) deemed in possession of the following attributes:
  • An established Field Engineering and Customer Support organization
  • Manufactured and sold the same or similar equipment for at least 10 years
  • Will commit to making replacement parts available from a US or North American Free Trade Area depot for at least 10 years after shipment of any equipment ordered in connection with this specification
  • Currently offers telephone and Internet parts ordering and knowledge base support 24 7
  • Established practice in regularly scheduled training seminars for station personnel

Transmitter General Requirements

Highly parallel architecture is preferred. Examples of such architecture are 1 for 1 backup of major components including exciter-modulator, intermediate power amplifier (IPA), high power amplifier (HPA), and all power supplies. Each of these components must be available to substitute for its counterpart upon failure of the unit in service. Ideally, substitution of the backup on failure would be via a monitoring point detecting a failure such as loss of DC operating voltage, output signal, high VSWR, or other similar mechanism. Such activity would also trigger alarms available for remote sensing through transmitter status and control interface. Designs employing high power combining networks to combine the output of high power amplifiers may be an acceptable alternative in specific cases where it’s deemed to be cost effective. 

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Mandatory Design Requirements and Work Flow Processes


Unless specifically agreed to in writing as an exception, this specification requires certain processes be carried out and adhered to during all phases of the work.

The service provider will employ or subcontract a registered professional engineer licensed to practice in the state or jurisdiction where any and all work is carried out.

The Passive Transmission System is a ‘‘gas tight’’ system. Preserving the condition of the surface inside the transmission line, antenna, and other parts of the system is critical to long-term stability and trouble-free operation. The Tower and Erection Services provider must contribute to preservation of positive gas pressure at all times practical during installation. The following are minimum requirements and the responsibility of the service provider on-site supervisor:
  • The antenna will be under pressure when it arrives on site. The antenna input terminal will include a gas stop. The gas stop must remain in place until the antenna is safely mounted on the tower and the vertical transmission line and tower top elbow complex are ready for connection to the antenna.
  • The transmission line must be assembled from the ground up. The horizontal line will be mounted in a three-point spring hanger suspension arrangement. The vertical line will be mounted with a minimum of two spring hangers attached to mounting brackets on tower members. At the end of each working day or upon work stoppage because of weather, the in-place line will have a cap provided for the purpose of sealing the transmission line. This cap is to be installed anytime work is stopped for more than 2 hours.
  • Upon completion of installation of the transmission line and before connection to the tower top elbow complex, a precision terminating load will be attached to the line. The line will be purged with dry air or nitrogen whereby the termination load is not tightened gas tight so as to permit ‘‘bleeding’’ of dry air equal to three times the capacity of the line. Usually this can be done overnight or within a few hours. The Passive Transmission Systems supplier representative will make measurements on the line.
  • When the tower-top elbow complex has been installed and connected to the vertical line, the precision load will be moved to the antenna side of the complex, the system pressurized again, and measurements made.
  • After the measurements are complete and the antenna is in place, the gas stop will be removed and the final connection of all components made. Depending on the length of time and weather conditions, it may be necessary to purge the system again. Regardless, the system is to be pressurized to one and a half times the recommended operational pressure. The Passive Transmission System supplier representative will make one final set of measurements. If there are no issues, then the service provider will confer with the buyer’s representative as a final step before dismantling rigging and other tools.
The following paragraphs are extracted intact from the Passive Transmission System Specification and provided for reference information and guidance to the Tower and Erection Services Provider:
‘‘Any antenna designed and supplied according to this specification will incorporate a unique mounting interface to the supporting structure. The antenna manufacturer is solely responsible for designing the antenna and mounting interface. The antenna manufacturer will exchange design reference drawings and information with the tower and erection services provider. The antenna manufacturer will coordinate a mutually satisfactory mounting interface meeting all applicable EIA, SAF, and/or other applicable standards commonly used in such work by both parties. Design documents necessary to guarantee physical orientation of the vertical and horizontal radiation patterns referenced in the RFQ for each site will be provided to the buyer prior to release to manufacture of the antenna. Any work commenced, including material release, prior to approval by the buyer is at the risk of the antenna manufacturer. Approval of any drawings or other information in respect to this requirement does not relieve the antenna manufacturer/supplier of the responsibility for final orientation of the antenna on the support structure. The antenna manufacturer is encouraged to design unique mounting interface to ensure final placement is in accordance with each site’s unique radiation requirements. For example, if a particular antenna is either a tower top mount using a pole in a socket or bolted flange mount, it should have only one way in which to interface with the tower top plate or socket.
‘‘Any antenna designed to comply with this specification will incorporate one or more lifting lugs designed to be an inherent part of the structure through a welding or casting process. Drawings, pictures, illustrations, and design details showing clearly how the antenna is to be attached to lifting cable and tag lines will be provided and subjected to design analysis by third-party erection services providers and structural experts who are qualified to render opinions on safety aspects under all conditions including shipping, handling, installation, operation, or removal. Under no conceivable conditions will this requirement be waived.

‘‘Any antenna made up of panels, feed lines, and mounting bracket subassemblies (i.e. not a single mechanical assembly) will follow the same process as outlined in 2 above, except that these conditions will apply at the sub-assembly level, such as a panel and its feed lines and radiators— a power divider/splitter assembly or sub-component as assembled, tested, and shipped from the factory under pressure with gas barriers in place.

‘‘Upon completion of the assembly of an antenna will be fitted with a gas barrier, including pressure indicator and drain cock, and pressurized at its input connection to a level twice the recommended field pressure value. The pressure shall be maintained continously until disassembled in the field for connection to the tower top elbow complex after mounting on the tower. If pressure drops, the leak shall be investigated and fixed prior to further test or installation work.
‘‘Upon completion of assembly and any other tests deemed appropriate and necessary by the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall carry out pattern tests to demonstrate that the finished antenna meets or exceeds the vertical and horizontal patterns invoked in the RFQ. The manufacturer is encouraged to use scale models to reduce cost and test time. If scale models are used, the buyer must review the design process and extent to which they are used and approve or waive any part of the manufacturer’s standard full-size pattern test.

‘‘If the transmission line component of the system is greater than 300 feet in overall length or if the line will carry more than one RF signal, the line will be laid out in a single assembly and pressurized at twice the normal recommended level under operation in the field with dry air or nitrogen gas commonly used in the industry. The completed, pressurized assembly characteristic impedance will be optimized to a VSWR of 1.02:1 across an occupied bandwidth consisting of the television channel and any FM signals รพ/10 Mhz above and below the bandwidth occupied by all the specified signals. The signal source and detection equipment will be described and noted with serial numbers, the name of the person making the measurements, their qualifications to do such work, and the dates the work was undertaken and completed with all interruptions in the daily routine noted. The line shall be terminated in a precision load of the same characteristic impedance as the line. The source and detection equipment and load used shall be part of the manufacturer’s normal test equipment and its calibration traceable to NBS standards commonly used for such purposes.
‘‘All tower top elbow complex units shall be built, optimized, and tested as a single unit. Upon completion of this process and prior to making ready for shipment, the manufacturer will notify the buyer of this fact and provide evidence that the unit has met or exceeded the agreed-upon specifications. The buyer will examine and approve the unit to be made ready to ship.
‘‘Factory RF Pulse and VSWR measurements must be made and recorded. These will be duplicated in the field. VSWR measurements must be made at intervals of .25 Mhz or less.’’

Friday, February 4, 2011

SCOPE OF WORK | Specifying Equipment and Services


The scope of work will consist of three phases: planning and design, tower modification, and passive transmission system installation. Specific steps are shown below for each phase.

Phase I: Planning and Design

  • Physically examine and survey existing towers.
  • Document apparent characteristics, including vertical profile (e.g., is the tower plum?), straightness of legs, foundation, and guy anchor surfaces (e.g., are they level and on the same horizontal plane, and are the guy anchors equidistant around and from the foundation?), an orientation of the tower with respect to magnetic north and the nearest USGS survey or other physical benchmark with direct reference to USGS map. Verify Lat & Lon found in FCC and FAA records for the structure.
  • Provide a detailed inventory of all items (e.g., transmission line, antennas, lighting, wiring, and ice shields), and note their location on the tower.
  • Document the condition of the tower with respect to any observable surface characteristics (e.g., cracks, missing or peeling paint, bent members, loose bolts or fasteners, clamps, and separated welds that need repair or replacement).
  • Examine and provide a description of guy cables and foundation, including current guy tensions and ground conductors.
  • Probe the earth around the tower foundation and guy anchors to verify each anchor’s physical size and other obtainable attributes.
  • Provide a description of the size and material used in tower members.
  • Drill or file a small amount of material for lab analysis if appropriate.
  • Using any known documentation, including reports provided herewith, build a list of documented references and include in a computer model used for such purposes by the respondent in the ordinary course of business.
  • Provide a detailed analysis of the tower showing current load and headroom compared to current EIA or other commonly used standards applicable to the wind load rating at the site(s) tower(s) structure(s).
  • Provide a detailed analysis of the tower with gin pole, cables, and other tools while lifting the heaviest load during Phase II and III outlined next. Analysis must show up, down, and any side loading from effects of tag line pull while lifting.
  • Provide an analysis that recognizes the weight of the winch platform and any anchors and assume conditions where the winch would lift itself and its anchors or deadweight off the ground. Would the tower be capable of withstanding such load? At what point and under what conditions would the tower collapse?
  • Provide a detailed analysis of the tower showing wind load after DTV and pooled communications antenna and transmission line components are added.
  • Provide a statement of work including material, labor, and any other considerations required to make modifications to the existing tower(s) prior to installation of the DTV and pooled communications antenna components to ensure the tower remains within the wind load ratings under an incremental load.
  • Provide a statement of work including material, labor, and any other considerations required to install and support test of the passive transmission system components supplied by a third party.

Phase II: Tower Modification

  • Apply for and obtain any necessary building permits prior to start of work.
  • Make repairs and modify the tower in preparation for installation of the passive transmission system components.

Phase III: Install Passive Transmission System Components

  • Coordinate and collaborate with passive transmission system supplier.
  • Move all necessary lifting and installation tools and equipment on site to unload passive transmission system components.
  • Build or otherwise supply wooden support trestles for the antenna.
  • Offload the antenna and other equipment from its delivery vehicle(s). Place the antenna on wooden trestles in accordance with the instructions and under supervision of a representative of the manufacturer. If the antenna is a panel antenna or is made up of multiple sub-assemblies, provide labor to assemble the antenna on the ground.
  • Install gas stop, horizontal transmission line, bottom elbow, vertical transmission line, all hangers and mounting brackets, tower-top elbow complex, and antenna.
  • Support test and evaluation efforts of the passive transmissionsupplier’s representative as outlined below.
  • Remove all tools and equipment from the tower structure.
  • Re-tension guy cables to design specifications.
  • Arrange to have a third party remove all rust and corrosion, and then apply one coat of primer and one or two coats of paint in accordance with FCC and FAA rules and other generally accepted commercial practices.
  • Remove all equipment, packing material, trash, and other material from site, repair or level any ground surface disturbance to the original or a similar condition.

Functional Description

The passive transmission system will receive one or more frequency and power-level specific RF input signals and cause the signal to be radiated—‘‘Broadcast.’’ The major components in the system include a gas stop, transmission line, tower top elbow complex, and antenna. The system should be gas tight. The manufacturer will propose a method whereby the system will be pressurized and monitored at a recommended pounds per square inch. If the pressure falls below recommended level, and electrical alarm will be generated at the monitoring unit’s output terminals.

Reliance On Services Provider

Reliance on the services provider for their expertise and best business practices as provided to other business, government or non-profit organizations performing public service broadcasting under FCC license. The service provider is expected to use highly skilled and knowledgeable people and standard commercial, off-the-shelf products and material for the services specified in this document.

Throughout the course of any and all action surrounding any RFQ, including procurement, supply, and/or installation of any component or part of the passive transmission system invoking this specification, the right to conduct due diligence on design practices and service processes prior, during, and after completion of the work in the RFQ is reserved. Requirements in this specification are not intended to cause the service provider to do anything outside of its normal business practice. If any requirement in this specification is deemed outside service provider’s normal business practice, then the service provider is expected to raise the situation and circumstances immediately upon recognition when and whereupon it can be understood and rationalized through mutual understanding and negotiation.

Coordination and Collaboration

During the course of executing any and all actions surrounding any RFQ invoking this specification, success will depend on the coordinated actions of more than one third party. The buyer is, and at all times will be, solely responsible for coordinating, scheduling, releasing, accepting, and/or approving actions as outlined in any contract resulting from any response to an RFQ where this specification is invoked. The process includes such major items as a notice to proceed with design work, site setup, site clearance, work acceptance, and so on. The buyer encourages communication and open exchange at all times with minimal necessary formality. Any concerns about the disclosure of proprietary or confidential information will be resolved with appropriate Non-Disclosure Agreement(s) between the parties.

Design References and Process

This document is a generic specification, and as such, it is applicable to each RFQ as referenced. Design work begins with the RFQ and carries through and survives into any resulting procurement action or contract. The objective is to do enough design work to allow pricing to be firm and fixed for the period stated in the RFQ. If any item cannot be so priced, then it is to be set aside and identified as subject to change upon completion of final design details, specified date of release, or other specific, detailed explanation of the condition.