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Graham Brock, Inc. |
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Broadcast Technical Consultants |
| Vol. XV, No. 6 |
R. Stuart Graham, Jr. |
| June 2008 |
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. |
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. |
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HDTV |
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 |
| 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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