Attachment_J._1.pdf

International Broadcasting Bureau

Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Station

Facilities Handbook

Saipan Transmitter

Site

Tinian Transmitter

Site

JUNE 2009

INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING BUREAU

ROBERT E. KAMOSA TRANSMITTING STATION

FACILITIES HANDBOOK

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 OVERVIEW

1.1 Mission

1.2 Station Location

1.3 History

1.4 Operating Authority

1.5 Buildings and Structures

1.6 Staffing

1.7 Station Contacts

2.0 TECHNICAL DIMENSIONS

2.1 Transmitters

2.2 Antennas

2.3 Communications

2.4 Power

2.5 Automation

2.6 Satellite Systems

3.0 DRAWINGS

Saipan Transmitter Site Saipan Transmitter Building Saipan Administrative Building Tinian Site Plan Tinian Transmitter Site Tinian Transmitter Building

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1.0 OVERVIEW

1.1 MISSION

To provide high power shortwave transmissions to the following primary target areas:

Radio Free Asia: China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Tibet

Voice of America: China, East Asia, Korea, and South Asia

Australian and British Broadcasting Corporations (ABC/BBC): Indonesia

From this station, these organizations broadcast in the following languages:

Radio Free Asia: Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Tibetan, Uyghur, and Vietnamese

Voice of America: Cantonese, Chinese, English, Korean, Dutch, and Russian

ABC/BBC: Indonesian

1.2 STATION LOCATION

The Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Station is located in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This grouping of islands is situated in the Pacific Ocean approximately 3,800 miles southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, 1,560 miles southeast of Tokyo, Japan, and 140 miles north of the island of Guam. The three major islands within this island chain are Rota, Saipan, and Tinian.

The climate is tropical with the average temperature in the 80º to 85º range. The dry season is from December through June, and the rainy season runs from July through October.

The transmitting station consists of two transmitter sites, Saipan and Tinian, which are separated by approximately five air miles.

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The Saipan Transmitter Site is situated on the southwest corner of the island of Saipan at Agingan Point. It occupies 7.4 acres of land, which are leased from the CNMI. The geographical coordinates of the site are Latitude - 15º 07’14.32” North and Longitude - 145º 41’35.69” East.

The Tinian Transmitter Site is situated on the northwest corner of the island of Tinian. It occupies 838 acres of land, which are leased from the CNMI. The property was formally under the control of the U.S. Navy. The geographical coordinates of the site are Latitude - 15º 02’ 52.79” North and Longitude - 145º 36’ 39.68” East.

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Travel Directions from Washington D.C. to Saipan

Option 1: From Washington, D.C., you can fly to Honolulu, Hawaii where you can overnight.

From Honolulu, you will fly to Guam where you will take a connecting flight to Saipan. No overnight is required in Guam.

Option 2: From Washington, D.C., you can fly to Tokyo, Japan where you must overnight. From Tokyo, you will take a direct flight to Saipan.

Travel Directions - Saipan Airport to the Saipan Transmitter Site

(NOTE: There are no street numbers on Saipan.)

From the Saipan International Airport terminal, make a left-hand turn onto Commuter Terminal Place and follow the outbound airport road .15 miles to the stop sign.

At the stop sign, make a left-hand turn onto Tun Herman Pan Road and continue driving a short distance (.2 miles) and make a smooth right-hand turn onto Tun Kioshi Road.

Continue driving for approximately 1.1 miles and make a left-hand turn at the first traffic light onto MSGR Martinez Road.

Continue driving for another 1.3 miles and make a right-hand turn at the stop sign onto Tun Tomas P. Sablan Road. (Note: Weather permitting, towers should be visible in the background.)

Continue on for a short distance (.1 mile) then make a left-hand turn onto Agingan Lane and continue driving .2 miles and the site will be on your right.

Travel Directions - From Saipan Airport to the Tinian Transmitter Site

(NOTE: There are no street names or street numbers on Tinian.)

From the Saipan Airport, you will take a short commuter airline flight to the airport in Tinian.

From Tinian's main terminal, follow the outbound airport road .5 miles to the stop sign at the end of the road.

Make a left-hand turn onto Broadway. (Roadway is unmarked).

Continue driving north for 1.4 miles and then make a left-hand turn. (Roadway is unmarked.)

Continue driving westbound 1.7 miles and make a right turn at the next stop sign.

Drive for additional 2.1 miles and make a left turn at the main entrance to the site.

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1.3 HISTORY

Beginning in the late 1500's/early 1600's, the Northern Mariana Islands came under the control of a number of countries - Spain (until 1899), Germany (until 1914), Japan (until 1944), and the United States (United Nations Trusteeship until 1990). It has been said that the Spanish brought Christianity; the Germans brought the copra commerce; the Japanese brought agricultural and industrial development; and the Americans brought the concept of self-government to the islands.

After World War II, the Northern Mariana Islands became a United Nations' Trust Territory under the administration of the United States. This relationship remained in affect until December 22, 1990 when the Security Council of the United Nations voted to dissolve the trusteeship.

However, long before the official end of the trusteeship, the relationship between the United States and the Northern Mariana Islands had already changed. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands became a self-governing Commonwealth in union with the United States. They were the only island group within Micronesia to take this course of action. The first elected Governor also took office in 1978, and on November 4, 1986, the citizens of this Commonwealth became citizens of the United States.

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Prior to 1998, this site was owned and operated by the Herald Broadcasting Service (HBS), and broadcasted using two 100 kW shortwave transmitters. In September 1996, HBS began leasing transmitter airtime to Radio Free Asia (RFA) for its broadcasts. This lease had yearly options for renewal through September 30, 1999. On July 30, 1998, RFA purchased the facilities from HBS, and in 1999, they added a third 100 kW shortwave transmitters and an 11/9 megahertz diplexer.

As part of the agreement with HBS, RFA agreed to provide transmitter time to HBS for its broadcasts. This agreement remained in affect until August 1999 when the broadcasting of HBS programs ended.

In July 1995, the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia merged to form the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). As part of this merging of U.S.

Government broadcasting entities, the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), a part of the BBG, assumed full operational control of the site in August 1999. On April 13, 2000, RFA transferred the land lease for the Saipan Transmitter Site to the IBB.

Tinian Transmitter Site

In early 1991, the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) initiated plans to build a new transmitting site in the Pacific Ocean. In June 1993, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the U.S. Department of Defense (who controlled the land) and the U. S. Information Agency (at that time, the parent organization of the IBB) for use of 834 acres of land on the Island of Tinian on which to build the Tinian Transmitter Site.

The construction of the site was completed in four phases:

Phase 1: Three Thomcast ABB SK 55C3-2P, 500 kW shortwave transmitters, transferred from the closed transmitter site in Maxoqueira, Portugal, were installed along with four pairs of high/low antennas. The site began broadcasting on January 15, 1999 using two transmitters. On March 28, 1999, the third transmitter began broadcasting.

Phase 2: This phase was completed on February 11, 2000, with the installation of three additional Thomcast ABB SK 55C3-2P, 500 kW shortwave transmitters and three high frequency curtain antennas.

Phase 3: This phase was completed on September 21, 2001 with the installation of two Continental 419-F2, 250 kW shortwave transmitters transferred from the closed Gloria Transmitting Station in Portugal, and the construction of a 3,444 square foot Maintenance and Storage Warehouse.

Phase 4: The contract to install two additional low frequency antennas (270L and

305L) was issued on March 14, 2003. Installation of these two antennas was completed in April 2005. These new antennas will improve low frequency coverage into the Asian Continent during periods of low sunspot activity. The purpose is to enhance coverage of the Asian Continent.

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1.4 OPERATING AUTHORITY

July 1995 - The Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia merged to form the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

September 1996 - Radio Free Asia began leasing transmitter time from the Herald Broadcasting Service for RFA broadcasting.

July 1998 - Radio Free Asia purchases the Saipan facility from the Herald Broadcasting Service.

August 1999 - The International Broadcasting Bureau (a part of the Broadcasting Board of Governors) assumes full responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the Saipan facility.

April 2000 - Radio Free Asia transferred the land lease for the Saipan Transmitter Site to the International Broadcasting Bureau.

Tinian Transmitter Site

June 1993 – A memorandum of agreement was signed between the U.S. Department of Defense and the United States Information Agency for use of an 800+ acre site on the Island of Tinian in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Protocol of Agreement Between The United States of America and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Regarding the Construction and Operation of The Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Stations On Saipan and Tinian

Transmitter Building at Tinian

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1.5 BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES

SAIPAN TRANSMITTER SITE

Buildings and Structures Square Footage

Transmitter Building 3,772

Administrative Office Building 1,000

Warehouse 1,344

Caterpillar 3508 Housing 800

Total 6,916

Maintenance & Storage

Warehouse at Saipan

Administrative Office

Building at Saipan

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TINIAN TRANSMITTER SITE

Buildings and Structures Square Footage

Transmitting and Administration 22,572

Power Plant Building 2,600

Water Pump House 400

Fuel Pump House 400

Maintenance and Storage Warehouse 3,444

Guard House 100

Total 29,516

Power Plant at Tinian Maintenance & Storage

Warehouse at Tinian

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1.6 STAFFING

STAFFING

Unit Foreign Service

Officer

Federal Government General Schedule

Employees Contract Employees

Management and Administrative Staff

1 2 Staffed to support 24/7 Operations

Saipan Transmitter Site

0 0 Staffed to support 24/7 Operations

Tinian Transmitter Site

0 0 Staffed to support 24/7 Operations

Total 1 2 Staffed to support 24/7 Operations

Station Management and Administrative Staff

The Station Manager is a Foreign Service Officer who provides the guidance and direction required to fulfill the station's broadcast mission. Currently the Station Manager overseeing the Saipan/Tinian operations is located at the IBB Philippines Transmitting Station. The Resident Engineer, physically located at the Saipan site, is a Foreign Service Officer who assists the Station Manager in managing the daily operations at both transmitter sites. The Resident Engineer also oversees ongoing maintenance & repair (M&R) projects, and while acting in this capacity, receives general guidance from the Asian Regional Construction Manager who is based out of the Philippines. The Administrative Officer and the Administrative Assistant, who are non-supervisory Federal Government employees, support the Station Manager in carrying out the administrative functions common to all the transmitting stations in the Network.

The administrative staff works Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. and their offices are located at the Saipan Transmitter Site.

Contract Employees

The Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Station is unique within the International Broadcasting Bureau's Transmitting Station Network as it is the only station operating almost entirely with contract employees.

Saipan Transmitter Site Staff

The Contractor provides a site manager, and a sufficient amount of employees to operate and maintain the site 24 hours per day/7 days a week. The site operates three shifts:

Midnight Shift: 2330 - 0800 hours Day Shift: 0730 - 1600 hours Evening Shift: 1530 - 2400 hours

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Tinian Transmitter Site Staff

The Contractor provides a site manager, and a sufficient amount of employees to operate and maintain the site. These responsibilities include maintaining the 13 curtain antennas, their associated towers, and buildings and grounds maintenance. The site operates 24 hours per day/7 days a week using three shifts:

Midnight Shift: 2330 - 0800 hours Day Shift: 0730 - 1600 hours Evening Shift: 1530 - 2400 hours

At both sites, the contractor provides security services 24 hours per day/7 days a week using the same shift schedule noted above.

1.7 STATION CONTACTS

Time Difference: For reference, the station is 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, and 14 hours ahead of Daylight Savings Time. Universal Time (UTC) is + 10 hours.

Visitors: All travel to the transmitting station must be coordinated with the Operations Directorate (E/O) in Washington, D.C., and the Station Manager. Upon request, the station will assist visitors with reservations for lodging and vehicle rentals.

Telephone Numbers, E-Mail Address, And Mailing Addresses

Station's Administrative Office Telephone number: (670)-233-1624 Facsimile number: (670)-233-1614 Resident Engineer’s Cell: (670)-287-1624

Station's E-Mail Address E-Mail: manager_mariana@mar.ibb.gov

Saipan Transmitter Site Telephone number: (670)-234-6515 Facsimile number: (670)-234-5452

Tinian Transmitter Site Telephone number: (670)-234-5080 Facsimile number: (670)-234-5079

Administrative Mail

Name, Title, or Station Manager International Broadcasting Bureau P. O. Box 504969 Saipan, MP 96950

Express Courier Mail (DHL, FEDEX, etc.)

International Broadcasting Bureau IBB Resident Engineer Agingan Ln, (San Antonio) Saipan, MP 96950

Telephone number: (670) 233-1624

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2.0 TECHNICAL DIMENSIONS

2.1 TRANSMITTERS

TRANSMITTER COMPLIMENT

Site Designation Manufacturer and Model Quantity

Rated Power (kW)

Band Frequency

(MHz)

Saipan SAI-1 & 2 Continental

418E 2 100 Shortwave 3.2-22

Saipan SAI-3 Continental

418F-2 1 100 Shortwave 3.2-22

Tinian TIN-1 thru 6 Thomcast

ABB

SK55C3-2P

6 500 Shortwave 3.9-26.5

Tinian TIN-7 & 8 Continental

419F-2 2 250 Shortwave 3.9-22

Transmitter Room at Saipan

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Continental 418E (These are modified 418D-2 series transmitters.)

Transmitters SAI-1 and SAI-2 were the two transmitters used by the Herald Broadcasting Service when they operated the site. SAI-1 was installed in 1982 and SAI-2 was installed in 1988.

Prior to 1992, these 418D-2 series transmitters were plate modulated transmitters utilizing two 4CV100,000C vapor cooled power tetrode ceramic tubes. They operated using class AB1 and were transformer coupled to the modulated RF power amplifier. Power consumption was 275 kW with 50% overall efficiency at any given carrier level.

In January 1992, both transmitters were modified to be 418E series transmitters and they are now equipped with solid-state modulators (SSM) and SSM control circuit boards.

Installing the SSM’s 48 series connected modules, and using 150 kW switching power supplies and controller boards reduced power consumption to 130.2 kW with an overall efficiency of 73.16% at carrier level. This modification drastically reduced power consumption by 47%.

Continental 418F-2

SAI-3 was installed by Radio Free Asia in 1999 after they purchased the site from the Herald Broadcasting Service. It is the most overall efficient transmitter in use at the Saipan Transmitter Site. This transmitter is equipped with a SSM and SSM circuit control boards along with a Single Sideband (SSB) generator and SSB equalizer.

SAI-3 is the only transmitter at Saipan that can be used for digital transmissions because it has a digital encoder card in place of the SSB card that is typically utilized in the modulator control panel.

To transmit the digital signal from a high power AM transmitter while retaining the benefits of operating an efficient class C RF amplifier, a similar technique to the one used to produce SSB is employed. The complex digital amplitude modulated signal consists of both amplitude and phase modulated components. These two components are produced in the digital modulator. The phase component phase modulates the digital synthesizer and the amplitude component modulates the HT to the final RF stage. Both components are then recombined in the non-linear RF stage to reproduce the original amplitude-modulated signal.

Preparing the transmitter for digital operation required connecting the external digital synthesizer RF output to input point J1 on the RF gain amplifier card. It was also necessary to remove the SSB generator A1 and SSB Equalization A2 boards and to insert the interface board into position slot A2 of the SSM modulator controller.

For digital operation, the transmitter is tuned as normal on AM set to 100kW. After bringing up 100% of the transmitter’s power output, the modulator is switched to digital operation and the power output is set to 34 kW. The output waveform must be checked on an oscilloscope to ensure that the peak envelope power (PEP) is not

-15-exceeded. The settings on the digital modulator can be optimized to get the best digital spectrum commensurate with a good signal to noise ration (SNR).

External digital synthesizer Digital encoder/modulator

RF stage

Solid-State

Modulator (SSM)

Interface switchboard

Phase modulated RF @ 7dB I/p; J1 variable gain amp

Amplitude modulated control voltage

Modulated

HT

Solid-State Modulator Control at

Saipan

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Master Control Room - Saipan

The Master Control Room is located outside of the transmitter room. It contains nine equipment racks and one audio console.

Rack 1 contains the following Satellite Interconnect System (SIS) equipment:

Two CPI 200 watt C-band TWT Amplifiers

One Varian Model VZC-6962E2 RF Switching Module

Two LNR Upconverters

Two Radyne DMD-4500 Modems

One Scientific Atlanta Receiver

Rack 2 contains the following Local Area Network (LAN) equipment:

Harris Quadralink Transceiver A/B Model SD98730

Timeplex STS Link/2+18 Slot Mainframe

Two Power Supplies (for the Timeplex)

One Power Supply for Harris Quadralink Transceiver

Rack 3 contains the following Satellite Interconnect System (SIS) equipment:

Two LNR Downconverters

Two DMD-4500 Modems

One Timeplex STS Link/2+18 Slot Mainframe

One Power Supply

One Patch Panel 12 Input/12 Output

Two Black Box A/B Switchers

Master Control Room at Saipan

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Rack 4 contains the following audio equipment:

One Cisco Router 2600 Series (LAN)

Videotek Audio Monitor

Nine Scientific Atlanta Receivers

One Patch Panel 12 Input/12 Output

Two Denon CD Cart Players

One Adtran Transceiver

Rack 5 contains the following equipment:

One ES-185 GPS Master Clock

One Antenna Switch Matrix Controller

One Audio Switcher, Sierra Automated System

16 Inputs/16 Outputs Expandable to 32 Inputs/32 Outputs

Two Denon DN-1100R Mini Disc Players/Recorders

Rack 6 contains the following equipment:

One WY-35/ES Display Terminal (for the Timeplex)

One RNW Audio Stream

Two Patch Panels 12 Inputs/12 Outputs

One Leitch CSD-5300 Clock System Driver

One 20-ten Audio Matrix

One Urban Audio Parametric Equalizer (Notch Filter)

One Denon Mini Disc Player

Two Crown D-75 Audio Amplifiers

Three Telos Hybrid Telephone Couplers

Rack 7 contains the following equipment:

One Sentry 100A Studio Monitor Speaker

One McCurdy Audio Level Meter

One Super Stack II Dual Speed Hub 500

Three Orban 9200 AM Digital Audio Processors

One CRL System AGC-400 Audio Gain Amplifier

One Speed Gain Cat5 Patch Panel

Sun Microsystem Email Server

One Klark Teknik Digital Delay

Rack 8 contains the following equipment:

One Sentry 100A Studio Monitor Speaker

One McCurdy Audio Level Meter

One Monitor for RNW Audio Streaming

One DOL Web Server

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Rack 9 contains one Panasonic WV-CM 1430 Video Camera Monitor

The audio console contains the following equipment:

Two SAS Station Automation OpCon Transmitter Automation Systems

One SAS Audio Control Automation System

Two Belar Model AMM-2A/B AM Modulation Analyzers

One Belar Model AMM-1 Wizard AM Digital Modulation Analyzer

One Leader Model LS8105A, 100MHz, 3-Channel Oscilloscope

One Tenma Model 72-6815, 50 MHz, 2-Channel Oscilloscope

One Agilent Model 53181A, 0.1 Hz – 225MHz/200MHz-12.4GHz Frequency Counter (for all three transmitters)

One Dell Optpex GX620 Computer (for DOL)

One Custom Built Pentium IV, Computer for the Engineering Irregularity Tracking System

(EITS)

Test Instruments:

One Fireberd Model 6000A One Fireberd Model 1500A One Hewlett Packard Spectrum Analyzer HP-8563 One Avcom Spectrum Analyzer PSA-37D (RF monitor) One Potomac AG-51 Audio Generator One Potomac AA-51 Audio Analyzer

Thomcast - ABB SK 55C3-2P Transmitter

There are six of these shortwave transmitters (TIN-1 through TIN-6) in use at the site. These transmitters were transferred to Tinian from Portugal when the transmitting site at Maxoqueira was closed.

Transmitter Hall at Tinian

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Transmitters TIN-1 through TIN-6 have been modified by the addition of a Fuji ultrasonic water flow meter and transducer assembly. This feature provides an additional safeguard to prevent overheating of the CQK-650 Power Amplifier Tube due to insufficient water flow. These ultrasonic transducers are attached to the water main going to the power amplifier and send acoustic pulses into the water flow pipe to determine the water flow rate. If the water flow rate goes below a preset level, the contacts wired into the transmitter's interlock system shutdown all power to the transmitter.

All six of these transmitters are equipped with pulse step modulators (PSM), which operate virtually the same as the Continental solid-state modulators (SSMs) and yield the same results. They provide better modulation characteristics, use less power, improve reliability, and eliminate an entire stage of transmitter tubes.

RF Feeder System: The ABB transmitters utilize nine-inch diameter, 50 ohm unbalanced coax (four-inch inner conductor) between the transmitters and the switch matrix, and between the switch matrix and the antennas. The coax is pressurized on the field side of the switch matrix with dried air at 3.5 PSI.

Continental 419F-2

There are two of these shortwave transmitters (TIN-7 and TIN-8) installed at the site. They were transferred from the Gloria Transmitting Station in Portugal when that station was closed. These transmitters are equipped with solid-state modulators (SSM). These SSM’s replaced two 4CV250, 000CS power tetrodes tubes from the transmitter improving reliability and greatly reducing power consumption.

Solid-State Modulators for the Continental 419F-2 Transmitters at

Tinian

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Master Control Room – Tinian

Rack 1 Rack 2 Rack3

Antenna Slew Control Computer

Antenna Matrix ECMP Computer

SCADA Computer Monitor

ECMP Keyboard

19" RCA Television Gate Camera Monitor

SCADA Computer CPU

Ant. Slew Keyboard

SCADA Keyboard

VESDA Computer Monitor

VESDA Keyboard

Main Gate Remote Control SCADA Printer

VESDA Fire System Computer CPU

TINIAN MCR – EQUIPMENT RACKS 1-3

Master Control Room at

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TINIAN MCR – EQUIPMENT RACKS 4-10

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Rack 1 Rack 2 Rack 3 Rack 4 Rack 5

Scientific Atlanta AsiaSat 3 Receiver

Maxtech LRC-1100

LNR Up Converter

LNR Up Converter

CPI Satellite Amplifier Switch Panel Scientific Atlanta

AsiaSat 3 Receiver

VideoTek APM-800 Powered Audio Monitor

24-port ADC Audio Patch Panel

CPI VZ-6962E2 400w

Satellite Amplifier Scientific Atlanta

AsiaSat 3 Receiver Vertex TRC-14

Tracking Receiver 24-port ADC Audio Patch Panel

Vertex 7134

Antenna Control CPI VZ-6962E2 400w

Satellite Amplifier 24-port ADC Audio Patch Panel

Scientific Atlanta AsiaSat 3 Receiver

Optelecom 7104 Mux

Rad Optimux OP-4T1 Scientific Atlanta

Cisco 2620 Router

Wyse Terminal

Radyne RCS-11 Switch

Radyne DMD-4500 Satellite Modem

L3 Down Converter

Radyne DMD-4500 Satellite Modem

L3 Down Converter

Wyse Term Keyboard

Timeplex Link/2T

Timeplex Blower

Timeplex Power Supply

McLean Cabinet Blower

McLean Cabinet Blower

TINIAN MCR – SIS EQUIPMENT RACKS 1-5

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2.2 ANTENNAS

Saipan Transmitter Site

SAIPAN TRANSMITTER SITE

ANTENNA INFORMATION

Manufacturer & Model

Antenna Slew Bore Sight

TCI

Model 611

Curtain Antenna

195° +/-15°/30° 165°, 180°, 210°, 225°

270° +/-15°/30° 240°, 255°, 285°, 300°

340° +/-15°/30° 310°, 325°, 355°, 010°

All three of the HF antennas are dipole curtain with folded half wave dipoles in a 4x4 horizontal row and vertical column arrangement.

All of the antennas are horizontally polarized with a screen reflector curtain and are capable of slewing or changing the azimuth of the main beam.

All three antennas are designed to provide RF radiating energy in the 9 MHz to 18 MHz international broadcast band. This antenna system is a very complex and elaborate array of wires and insulators broken down into two parts, the curtain and the reflector screen. The curtain is made up of sixteen dipoles, which are phased together. The style of antenna is termed a 4 X 4 because it uses four sets of vertical feed lines and four sets of interconnecting dipoles across the top, and they are stacked four high. The average antenna gain is 21 dB. This antenna can be slewed in five different positions.

Antenna 340o uses field switches to interface to a diplexer/combiner system, which is designed for operating two broadcast transmitters at the same time with one providing energy in the 9 MHz broadcast band, and the other providing energy in the 11 MHz band.

The two ports consist of frequency ranges from 9.4 MHz to 10.0 MHz and from 11.55 MHz to 12.15 MHz. The input impedance is 300 ohms balanced with the average power input of 150 kW, 400 kW PEP. Isolation between the two ports is –40 dB or better at combiner inputs. This diplexer/combiner was installed and commissioned on September 4, 1999.

Saipan Antenna 340 Diplexer/Combiner (9 MHz and 11 MHz)

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SAIPAN’S SWITCH MATRIX

Saipan’s Antenna Switch Matrix contains three inputs and utilizes five outputs in a compact, expandable operating switching system. It is easy and simple to operate either remotely or locally. This easy straightforward operation provides the end user with complete control and full status over each switch matrix operational change. It is directly linked, via a host computer operating other controller functions, with other related systems and has complete automatic control of every possible complex antenna configuration.

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TINIAN TRANSMITTER SITE

ANTENNA INFORMATION

Manufacturer & Type

Antenna Slew Bore Sight

Telefunken Curtain Antenna

267°H ±24° 255°-279°

267°L ±24° 255°-279°

280°H ±48° 256°-304°

280°L ±48° 256°-304°

295°H ±48° 271°-319°

295°L ±48° 271°-319°

295°M ±48° 271°-309°

313°H ±48° 289°-337°

313°L ±48° 289°-337°

333°H ±48° 309°-357°

333°L ±48° 309°-357°

The antenna system at the Tinian Transmitter Site consists of five high band/low band antenna combinations and one midband antenna for a total of eleven antennas. The antenna pairs are aligned on bore sights beginning at 267 degrees through 333 degrees true. The antenna system allows for coverage from Indonesia in the south to China, Mongolia and portions of Siberia in the north.

Antennas 333H and 295H:

The 333 degree bore sight and 295 degree bore site high band (11.5 – 21.85 MHz) antennas are configured as HRS 4/6/0.5 curtained antennas. They consist of folded half wave dipoles arranged in four vertical columns and six horizontal rows with the lowest row of dipoles at one half wave length (at designed center frequency) above ground. The design also includes a reflector screen at the rear of the antenna.

The antennas are capable of being electronically slewed in eight-degree steps from bore site to +/- twenty-four degrees, i.e., 309 – 357 degrees for 333H and 271 – 319 degrees for 295H.

The rated power capacity of each is 600 kW with a gain of 19 to 25 dB depending on frequency and slew angle.

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Antennas 333L and 295L:

The 333 degree bore sight and 295 degree bore site low band (5.80 – 12.2 MHz) antennas are configured as HRS 4/6/0.5 curtained antennas. They consist of folded half wave dipoles arranged in four vertical columns and six horizontal rows with the lowest row of dipoles at one half wave length (at designed center frequency) above ground. The design also includes a reflector screen at the rear of the antenna.

bore site to +/- twenty-four degrees, i.e., 309 – 357 degrees for 333L and 271 – 319 degrees for 295L.

The three towers supporting 333L and 295L, at 440 feet tall, are the tallest manmade structures in the Commonwealth.

Antennas 280H and 280L:

The 280 degree bore sight antennas are configured as HRS 4/4/0.5 curtained antennas. They consist of folded half wave dipoles arranged in four vertical columns and four horizontal rows with the lowest row of dipoles at one half wave length (at designed center frequency) above ground. The design also includes a reflector screen at the rear of the antenna.

bore site to +/- twenty-four degrees, i.e., 256 - 304 degrees.

Antennas 267H and 267L:

The 267 degree bore sight antennas are configured as HRS 2/4/0.5 curtained antennas. They consist of folded half wave dipoles arranged in two vertical columns and four horizontal rows with the lowest row of dipoles at one half wave length (at

The antennas are capable of being electronically slewed in twelve-degree steps from bore site to +/- twelve degrees, i.e., 255 - 279 degrees.

The coaxial feed to the 267 degree pair is routed through a RF Field Switch allowing

267H or 267L to be used, but not both at the same time.

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Antennas 313H and 313L:

The 313 degree bore sight antennas are configured as HRS 4/4/0.5 curtained antennas. They consist of folded half wave dipoles arranged in four vertical columns and four horizontal rows with the lowest row of dipoles at one half wave length (at bore site to +/- twenty-four degrees, i.e., 289 - 337 degrees.

Antenna 295M:

The 295 degree bore sight antenna is configured as a HRS 4/4/0.5 curtained antenna. It consists of folded half wave dipoles arranged in four vertical columns and four horizontal rows with the lowest row of dipoles at one half wave length (at

The antenna is capable of being electronically slewed in eight-degree steps from bore site to +/- twenty-four degrees, i.e., 271 - 319 degrees.

The rated power capacity of the antenna is 600 kW with a gain of 19 to 25 dB depending on frequency and slew angle.

Antennas 270L and 305L:

The 270L and 305L are configured as HRS 611 4/6/.5 6-11 MHz antennas. It consist of folded half wave dipoles arranged in six vertical columns and four horizontal rows of dipoles at one half wave length (at designed center frequency) above ground. The design also includes a reflector screen at the rear of the antenna.

The antennas are capable of being electronically slewed in seven position sl steps from bore site +/- twenty-four degrees. Vertical slew switch is also designed to operate with high power balance transmission lines. The switch has a straight-through (++0) position and a turn (+++0).

Manufacturer & Model

Antenna Slew Bore Sight

TCI

Model 611 4/6/.5 Curtain Antenna

270L +/-8°/16°/24° 246°, 254°, 262°, 278°, 286°, 294°

305L +/-8°/16°/24° 281°, 289°, 297°, 313°, 321°, 329°

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Tinian Switch Matrix

The switch matrix is an eight input by fifteen output (8X15) electro-mechanical switch manufactured by TCI.

Transmitters Tin-1 through Tin-8 use the eight inputs. There are no spares available.

The antennas and dummy load use 13 of the 15 outputs, with Antennas 267H and

267L using the same output along with a RF field switch. There are currently two spare outputs.

Automated Operations:

The Local Control and Monitoring Point (LCMP) computer, which is located in the Switch Matrix Room, directly controls the switch matrix.

The Extended Control and Monitoring Point (ECMP) computer, which is located in the Master Control Room (MCR), is directly connected to the LCMP and the Station Automation System (SAS) computer.

In normal operations, the SAS computer provides matrix-positioning instructions to the ECMP computer, which in turn relays the instructions to the LCMP computer for execution. In addition, the LCMP and ECMP computers provide monitoring of forward and reverse interlocks, air pressure in the transmission lines, and status of the dehydrators.

Manual intervention for positioning of the switches can take place at the SAS, ECMP, LCMP, or mechanically at the switch matrix.

Switch Matrix at

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2.3 COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone

The transmitting station has a subscribed total of twenty-two telephone lines provided by Verizon. Saipan uses 14 of these telephone lines and Tinian uses 8. The Tinian telephone lines are sent over from Saipan via microwave link.

The private branch exchange (PBX) is a Northern Telecom (Meridian) Model NT5B01 digital key type system.

The transmitting station has two Iridium portable satellite telephones. One is assigned to the Saipan Transmitter Site, and the second one is assigned to the Tinian Transmitter Site.

Cell phones are used at the Saipan Transmitter Site. Coverage area is island wide, with decent reliability most of the time.

Satellite Interconnect System

This equipment provides for an eight-line telephone and data connection between the Saipan and Tinian Transmitter Sites. The data connection is routed through a T1 microwave data circuit with a 1544 KBPS data rate.

The SIS is used to communicate between the Saipan and Tinian Transmitter Sites, and with the other transmitting stations and Headquarters Washington.

Hand-held Radio

Six Motorola Visar portable hand-held radios are used between both sites. Typically, hand-helds are used to communicate between the Master Control Room and antenna technicians working out in the antenna field.

Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN)

Both Saipan and Tinian operate a local area network (LAN) using a dedicated Windows NT file server located at each site. Both sites are also linked to the IBB's wide area network (WAN). The individual workstations, servers, and printers at both sites are terminated at 3COM dual speed hubs.

The transmitting station's e-mail server is located at Tinian, with Saipan being linked to the Tinian server through a two-way microwave link.

2.4 POWER

Commercial Power

The Saipan Transmitter Site operates on commercial power provided by the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC), which provides a 5 MW power source. Commercial power is received at the station and transformed to 480 volts through a 1 MW or 1000 kVA Westinghouse step-down transformer. It is then connected to a GE-1600 amp electrical load center type breaker. All three 600 amp circuit breakers are individually distributed to all three transmitters.

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Low voltage electrical power is also supplied to the Transmitter and Administrative Office Buildings. Each building has its own separate circuit breaker connected to a separate step-down transformer taking the 480 volts down to 208 volts.

Standby Power

The site's backup power plant can generate sufficient power to operate the entire site in the event of a power outage. The 800 kW Caterpillar Model 3508 diesel generator only utilizes approximately 50% of its full capacity to operate the entire site at full power on all three transmitters. The generator is equipped with a 1200 amp Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS).

The ATS is set for five seconds and will automatically start the generator engine and transfer from commercial power over to standby generator power within five seconds.

The site's transmitters use Controlled Carrier Level Modulation (CCM), which reduces the 300 kW load potential of the transmitters and the average power utilization. However, this transmitter power cycling has a strenuous impact on the generators when they are under load.

Diesel fuel is stored in a 4,000-gallon capacity, above ground, steel storage tank. A concrete containment is provided for safety in the event of a fuel spill (overflow) or any other sudden unexpected fuel leak. A collector-retaining pit is also provided. The 4000 gallons of fuel can operate the entire site for 4 days.

Tinian Transmitter Site

Commercial Power

The Tinian Transmitter Site operates on commercial power provided by the CUC, which provides approximately 5 MW of power. At the site, the transmitters access an 11 kV bus. A transformed 4 kV bus is used to power the remainder of the station. The commercial power feed does experience periodic power outages and occasional excessive peak to peak voltage and frequency fluctuations.

Standby Power

The site's power plant is designed to provide backup power only. The site is equipped with two 1,250 kW and one 325 kW generators. The power plant can generate 2.83 MW of power, which can operate three transmitters at full power, or all eight transmitters at reduced power. The gravity fed fuel system was upgraded with the addition of a motorized fuel pump to increase the flow of fuel into the generators. This feature is especially beneficial when the commercial power is out for an extended period. The Tinian Transmitter Site has two 30,000-gallon diesel fuel storage tanks. The site can operate approximately 20 days without refueling if needed.

1,250 kW Generator

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2.5 AUTOMATION

(Note: While the following operations are automated at the sites, manual intervention can take place at any level to correct malfunctions.)

Station Automation System (SAS) - Saipan and Tinian

All programming originates at the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) in Washington, DC and is delivered to the station via satellite. Station personnel are responsible for ensuring that the program feeds are routed to the proper transmitter as specified by the program schedule.

This schedule is developed by the IBB in Washington, and e-mailed to the transmitting station where it is stored on a local database.

At each site, the SAS automatically accesses the local program schedule database and accomplishes the following:

Selects the audio program from the array of audio sources.

Selects the appropriate transmitter and sets the correct operating frequency.

Sends the audio signal to the transmitter for modulation of the RF carrier signal.

Controls the switchbay to send the amplified modulated RF carrier signal to the appropriate antenna, and sets the correct slew angle for the antenna.

Logs station alarms.

As part of this process, the SAS will also start and stop stored sign-on and sign-off messages (EPROMs), and local audio sources such as CD players, cassette tape decks and digital audio tape decks.

While on air, the SAS monitors the transmitter – antenna pair for correct operating parameters and provides alarms and corrective actions when errors occur.

The SAS, as currently designed, will not make automatic substitutions for equipment that fails to respond properly to SAS control commands, and it will not take corrective action in response to any faults. If controlled equipment fails to respond at the appointed time and according to the schedule programmed into the SAS, the SAS will not reissue the command. A Master Control Room operator must reissue the command manually.

After the transmitter has been selected and broadcast of the modulated carrier has started, a Master Control Room operator using a SAS control screen can isolate a particular transmitter, and display all of the equivalent transmitter front panel meter readings to include the IPA Cathode Current, PA Grid Current, PA Screen Current, PA Plate Current, PA Bias Voltage, PA Screen Voltage, Incident Power (100 kW) and Reflected Power (typically 10% or 10 kW).

Also located in the Master Control Room is another SAS screen that displays the current status of the switch matrix.

The following automated systems are associated with and/or controlled by the SAS:

Extended Control and Monitoring Point (ECMP)

Antenna Slew Control (ASC)

Audio Routing System (ARS)

Supervisory, Control, and Data Acquisition (SCADA) - Tinian only

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Extended Control and Monitoring Point (ECMP) – Saipan and Tinian

The ECMP system monitors and directs the switch matrix. To accomplish these actions, it works through the Local Control and Monitoring Point (LCMP) system that is located in the Switch Matrix Room. The ECMP system accepts commands from the SAS system as to which antenna will be connected to which transmitter and reports back to the SAS system when the connections are completed. Additionally, the ECMP and LCMP systems monitor switch positions, forward and reverse interlock, and transmission line pressure. Should any of the parameters be out of limits, the ECMP system reports this situation to the SAS system, and locks out the problem antenna.

Antenna Slew Control (ASC) – Saipan and Tinian

The ASC system controls the slew of the bore site of the antennas under instruction from the SAS system. Additionally, it monitors and reports to the SAS system the correct positioning of the slew switches located at the antennas. Should there be an abnormality in a switch position, the SAS system will lock that antenna out. The ASC system communicates with the antenna switches in the antenna field via a fiber optic ring.

Audio Routing System (ARS) - Saipan and Tinian

The audio router is a 20 input by 20 output (20 X 20) router. Under instruction from the SAS system, it can route any SIS or local source audio to any transmitter.

There are over 30 different program feeds arriving at the ARS, where the scheduled audio feed signal is selected, and sent to the appropriate audio processor. The Orban 9200 Audio Processor operates as an audio signal processor and improves the signal level and sound quality of the audio signal. The Audio Gain Controller provides amplifier control to the audio signal being processed. For the times when it is necessary to broadcast local music fill, Denon CD Players are available and connected to the audio routing system.

Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System - Tinian only

The SAS is interfaced to the SCADA system. This interface allows the SAS system to configure transmitter operation to available AC Power.

The SCADA system monitors the primary commercial and generator power systems at the Tinian Transmitter Site. Should a loss of commercial power occur, the SCADA system would isolate the commercial source, start the generators, and connect them to the transmitter site’s power grid. This operation typically takes ten seconds. Additionally, the SCADA system reports the reduced primary power situation to the SAS system so that the SAS system will operate the transmitters at reduced power. As the SAS system reports its primary power requirements to the SCADA system, it will start or stop the generators as necessary. When commercial power is returned, the SCADA system will phase back in the commercial power, begin to shed generator load, and disconnect and cool down the generators before stopping them.

The SCADA system provides for the automatic control of power plant operations as follows:

Controls starting and stopping of all the generator sets in response to anticipated and real-time station electrical load changes.

Provides for reporting and logging of data and alarms.

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Continuously monitors the total station load and automatically starts, synchronizes, and connects to the bus another generator set (if available) when the total demand exceeds 80% of the online capacity. If no units are available to bring online, the system will automatically shed the transmitter load by initiating carrier inhibit on as many transmitters as required.

Monitors engine high jacket water temperature, low lube oil pressure, and high lube oil temperature to detect an imminent engine shutdown. Upon the occurrence of any of these fault alarms, the system will automatically start, synchronize and place online an additional generator set (if available) and shutdowns the ailing unit. If no units are available to bring online, the system will automatically shed the transmitter load by initiating carrier inhibit on as many transmitters as required.

Aside from shutting down an ailing generator set and bringing online an additional unit (if available), the SCADA system will not take corrective action in response to any fault alarms.

2.6 SATELLITE SYSTEMS

The Tinian Transmitter Site is linked to both the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Satellite and the Pacific Ocean Region (POR) Satellite via a 6.1-meter uplink Satellite Interconnect System. The Saipan Transmitter Site is linked to the Pacific Ocean Region (POR) Satellite via a 4.5-meter C- Band dish. Both Saipan and Tinian have uplink (128 KBPS data rate) and downlink (1544 KBPS data rate) capability. The program feeds are received from AsiaSat 2 and AsiaSat 3 via IOR.

In the event the SIS is not available, telephone backups are used to receive the programming.

For Radio Free Asia programming, Telos backup modems are available to transfer audio content from the RFA Master Control Room in Washington, D.C. to either Master Control Room.

3.0 Drawings

Saipan Transmitter Building Saipan Administrative Building

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SAIPAN TRANSMITTER SITE

XMTR BLDG

SIS UP/DOWN, POR

SIS RCVD ONLY, POR SIS RCVD ONLY, IOR

DIPLEXER/COMBINER

9MHz AND 11MHz

WAREHOUSE

ADMIN BLDG

34OM ANTENNA

270M ANTENNA

195M ANTENA

N

GENERATOR SHELTER

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SAIPAN TRANSMITTER BUILDING

SAI-O3

TRANSMITTER

SAI-01

TRANSMITTER

SAI-02

XMTR

418F-2 SOLID-STATE

MODULATOR

418E

SOLID-STATE

MODULATOR

418E

SOLID-STATE

MODULATOR

ANTENNA SW

MATRIX

D L U O M A M D

Y

L R O O C O K M E

UPS

ROOM

ENGINEERING

ROOM

SAS CONSOLE

SIS/AUDIO EQUIP RACK

SITE

MANAGER

OFFICE

KITCHEN

R R E O S O

T M

MASTER CONTROL ROOM

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Resident Engineer

Storeroom

Administrative Officer

Administrative Assistant

Multi Use Work Area

Bathroom

SAIPAN ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING

-37-

295M

313L

313H

295H

295L

333H

280H

280L

267L

333L

267H

270L

305L

Antenna

Field

Transmitter and

Administration Building

Warehouse

SIS

Power Plant

Water Pump and Storage

Fuel Tanks

Sewage Treatment Plant

Diesel Pump House

Microwave Shelter

POR

Guard House at Front

Entrance

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Continental 419 F-2 250 kW

TIN-7

Continental 419 F-2 250 kW

TIN-8

General Storage &

Transmitter

Spare Parts

Solid-State

Modulator

Solid-State

Modulator

General

Storage

Electronics Workshop

Electronics Parts and

Storage

Master Control Room

Uninterrupted Power Supply

(UPS)

Mechanical Equipment

Kitchen and

Training Room

Rest

Rooms

Facilities Workshop

Metal & Wood a c il it ie s S u p e rv is o r’ s ff ic

Reverse Osmosis

System and Tank

Rest

Administration

Electrical

Equipment

Room

S w it c h g e a r

R o m

ABB

SK55C3-2P

500 kW

TIN-5

TIN-1

TIN-2

TIN-4

TIN-3

Switch Matrix

TIN-6