Graham Brock, Inc.
Broadcast Technical Consultants
Vol. IX, No. 10
October 2002
During its meeting on October 10, 2002, the FCC adopted the proposed digital broadcasting technical standards proposed by iBiquity Digital Corporation. The digital standard will now let FM and AM stations begin the transition to digital audio broadcasting – during daytime hours only for AM stations. The initial operation approved by the Commission calls for combined analog and digital operation. The initial digital carriers will be located above and below the analog carriers of the AM and FM services. As the FCC has not established digital notification procedures, stations may commence digital operation by first submitting a request for Special Temporary Authorization (STA). Once the notification policy has been established, stations may commence operation and then notify the FCC within ten days of doing so. FM stations must operate the same antenna in use for their analog service. AM stations may only operate in a hybrid digital mode during daytime hours. Testing on nighttime operation of the digital system for AM stations is ongoing and is expected to be authorized in the future. A total conversion to digital and cessation of analog operation was not discussed in the Order, nor was a final standard for all digital operation selected. A final digital broadcasting standard will be an industry-wide selection process. Digital radios are expected to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2003. Technical specifications on the AM and FM IBOC systems can be downloaded from the Commission’s Website at www.fcc.gov.
While there are now more than 500 TV stations operating with digital facilities, numerous commercial TV stations have requested an extension of time for their commencement of DTV operation. Although the deadline for the commencement of digital operation for commercial TV stations was May 2002, the Commission has issued some extension requests and put other stations on a timetable for digital operation by the end of the year. The
deadline for digital non-commercial stations to begin operation is May 2003. On a related note, the Commission announced last week effective November 18, 2002, applications for station licenses for analog and digital TV stations must be filed electronically on Form 302-TV and Form 302-DT.
As we reported last month, the Commission will open a five day window on October 28th to allow certain LPFM applicants to amend their respective filings. This filing opportunity is limited to a select number of applications already on file with the Commission in an attempt to address the change in the Commission’s rules regarding the protection of 3rd adjacent FM stations. During the first two LPFM filing windows, the rules allowed applicants to ignore stations that operate 600 kHz on either side of their proposals (3rd adjacent channel). Following the close of those first two windows, the rules were changed requiring LPFM stations to provide 3rd adjacent protection. This remedial window will allow these stations to submit a major amendment in order to move to another frequency, based on channel/frequency availability, to satisfy the 3rd adjacent rules.
It has been rumored that the FCC will open a translator filing window during the first quarter of 2003. There has been a freeze on all new translators, as well as minor changes to existing translators, for many years. In some cases, existing translators have been displaced from their channels by the upgrade or relocation of full service stations. Unable to relocate to an adjacent channel as a minor change, the translator’s only hope has been to move to a non-adjacent channel, which constitutes a major change. The extent of the window and whether it would be limited to existing stations or allow the filing of new applications as well is unknown. We will keep you posted on this matter.