What May Be Broadcast on AM Radio

What May Be Broadcast on Information Radio Stations

If you operate an ALERT AM, Information Station, ITS6000 Highway Advisory Radio Station, RadioSTAT or RoadRunnR Portable Advisory Radio Station, it is important to know what may (and may not) be broadcast, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Each of these stations is licensed under FCC Rules, Part 90 (90.242), "Travelers Information Stations," which state permitted content.

Permitted Content

	Traffic and road conditions.
	Traffic hazards.
	Travel advisories.
	Directions.
	Availability of lodging.
	Rest stops.
	Service stations.
	Descriptions of local points of interest.
	Trade name identification of carriers to facilitate announcements concerning departures/arrivals, parking areas at air, train and bus terminals.

You must broadcast your call-sign a minimum of once every half-hour.

It's NOT okay to broadcast these 3 things, which the FCC says are off limits:

Identifying commercial names or business establishments.
Commercial messages in general.
Music.

A Call Sign is Required

The FCC-issued call sign must be broadcast at least every 30 minutes.

Related Links

Special Situations

FCC rules for all stations licensed under Part 90 additionally allow the following kinds of broadcast content during emergency situations:

Permissable Communications
[FCC Rules Part 90, Section 90.405 (a)(1)]

"Stations licensed under this part may transmit...any communication related directly to the imminent safety of life or property..."

Emergency Communications
[FCC Rules Part 90, Section 90.407]

"The licensee of any station authorized under this part may, during a period of emergency in which the normal communication facilities are disrupted as a result of hurricane, flood, earthquake or similar disaster, utilize such station for emergency communications in a manner other than that specified in the station authorization or in the rules and regulations governing the operation of such stations."

DISCLAIMER

Information Station Specialists, Inc., assumes no direct or implied responsibility for the content of radio station broadcasts. The licensee operator, with guidance from the FCC rules (including, but not limited to those reprinted above), assumes full responsibility for the content of station broadcasts.

NOAA Weather Radio rebroadcasting on Travelers Information Stations is not addressed in the FCC rules for this service but has been objected to by the FCC in some instances. Please join with the American Association of Information Radio Operators (AAIRO) to encourage the FCC to clarify their rules on this issue. See the petition AAIRO has before the FCC.