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Graham Brock, Inc. |
|
Broadcast Technical Consultants |
| Vol. XII, No. 11 |
R. Stuart Graham, Jr. |
| November 2005 |
Jefferson G. Brock |
| The FCC has issued a Public Notice seeking comments
on a proposal submitted by The Amherst Alliance of
Michigan. The LPAM Network of Maine, and others, seek
the implementation of a new low power AM service. The
request contains little in the way of technical
parameters or how existing stations would be protected
from interference. The proposed power level for these
LPAM stations ranges from 100 watts to 1.0 kilowatt. The
proponents also desire that this new entrant be a
commercial service. Initial comments must be submitted
by November 21, 2005. A more formal Petition for Rule
Making may result, presumably based on the comments
received. |
| The FCC conducted an auction for several groups
of mutually exclusive LPTV applications which were
filed in the late 1990's. The auction winners were
to have submitted their applications by October 31,
2005. The FCC has extended the deadline for filing
until November 30, 2005, which is also the date on
which down payments for the channels are due. The
extension of time was attributed to Hurricane Wilma. |
| The FCC has announced a more simplified
procedure for AM stations desiring to use a
specialized antenna. Kintronics Labs and Star-H
Corporation have manufactured an AM antenna
system consisting of vertical wires arranged
around a central support structure, which is
generally shorter in height than the typical AM
tower (based on wavelength). Use of this antenna
previously required a substantially more
detailed engineering submission for both the
application for permit and following its
implementation. The manufacturers have
demonstrated to the Commission’s satisfaction
that the system meets the requirements for an
omnidirectional pattern and the Commission’s
minimum efficiency requirements for Class B, C,
and D stations. The system does, however, still
require a standard 120 radial 1/4 wavelength
ground system. |
| March 1, 2007 is the deadline set by the
FCC by which all TV receivers manufactured
must have the ability to receive DTV
transmissions. The date, which was advanced
forward by four months, is intended to speed
consumers’ ability to receive DTV signals.
The change impacts all sets, regardless of
size. Previously, television sets with
displays between 13 and 24 inches were to be
DTV ready by July 2007. |
EAS Extended to
Include Other Technologies |
| The FCC has issued a Report and
Order which requires digital
broadcasters, including satellite radio
and direct broadcast satellite services
(DBS), to incorporate EAS systems into
their services. Satellite Radio must
comply with the new EAS rules by
December 31, 2006. DBS systems have
until December 31, 2007. As part of this
proceeding, the Commission is also
asking for comments on how to integrate
EAS into wireless technologies. |
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