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Graham Brock, Inc. |
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Broadcast Technical Consultants |
| Vol. XIV, No. 6 |
R. Stuart Graham, Jr. |
| June 2007 |
Jefferson G. Brock |
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Several months after adopting changes to digital radio
procedures, the FCC has issued its Report and Order for
digital radio. Included in the Order was a decision by
the Commission not to impose any timetable for
conversion of radio stations to digital operation;
authorization for AM stations to operate at night with
digital service; provides for expanded hybrid mode for
stations; allows FM stations to operate separate antenna
systems for digital operation; and allows FM translators
and boosters to operate digitally, but does not require
the conversion of these facilities if the main station
has already converted. The FCC has granted the staff the
ability to change the notification process, which would
allow the commencement of operation with digital
operation in the hybrid mode, using a separate antenna,
with a simple notification to the FCC upon commencement.
The Commission also indicated it would allow third party
use of the expanded digital spectrum, but noted that the
primary digital carrier must be a simulcast of the
analog system. |
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Retailers Issued Citations |
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Many national television and VCR retailers were
issued citations this month for failing to post the
required Consumer Alert label for TV’s and VCR’s
that do not have integrated digital TV tuners, but
have only analog TV tuners. The FCC noted that these
companies may be assessed fines not to exceed
$11,000 for such violations. |
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AM Compliance: Based on Computer Modeling |
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If a request from a coalition of broadcasters,
equipment manufacturers, and consulting
engineers is accepted by the Commission, AM
directional field proofs of performance may be
replaced with detailed computer modeling. In
May, this coalition recommended the FCC use a
modeling method to determine the effects of
tower construction in the vicinity of AM
antennas. The use of these methods would speed
the analysis of AM stations. Comments on the
proposal are due by before July 23, 2007. |
In a series of releases in late May, the FCC
moved toward the February 17, 2009 transition to
HDTV and the cessation of analog/NTSC service.
In two Orders, the Commission granted extensions
of waivers to the “use it or lose it” deadline
and granted additional time for the building out
of full DTV facilities. More than 300 licenses
requested a waiver for additional time to
implement permits for digital operation. Of
these, many were granted an additional six
months. Some, due to unique circumstances, were
granted waivers until after the transition date
(due to the use of alternate digital channels,
which are presently in use by analog stations).
The Commission is also seeking comments on its
Third Periodic Review regarding post transition
changes to the final DTV Table and how it will
address petitions for new DTV stations.
Specifically, the FCC will allow for expansion
of a DTV station’s facility using the
Longley-Rice OET 69 bulletin, provided that the
station does not increase interference to any
other station above a 0.5% level. The FCC also
indicated that the interference criteria will be
extended to requests to change the Table of
Allotments for existing stations. New stations
would be required to adhere to the minimum
distance separation requirements; although, in
an application for a new station, a review of
the potential interference to other existing DTV
stations would have to be made, and it could not
exceed the 0.5% threshold. Comments on these
proposals are due in late June or early July
(based on Federal Register publication). |
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AM NRSC Annual Measurements |
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During August, Graham Brock, Inc., will be
conducting NRSC measurements and certifications
throughout the southeastern states. If you wish
to be included in our measurement campaign,
please contact us for scheduling. Our fee for
the measurements and compliance report is
$250.00 per station. |
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