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Graham Brock, Inc. |
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Broadcast Technical Consultants |
| Vol. XVI, No. 11 |
R. Stuart Graham, Jr. |
| November 2009 |
Jefferson G. Brock |
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An agreement has been reached between
iBiquity and National Public Radio (NPR) to allow an
increase in radio HD power levels. The agreement has
been submitted to the FCC for its consideration. The
proposal would allow all FM stations to increase the
power level of their HD systems by 6 dB. Thus the
present level of -20 dB below the analog carrier would
increase to -14 dB. An increase to -10, or 10%, of the
analog carrier would be possible provided that the
stations operating on the first adjacent channels of the
proposed HD station are sufficiently removed not to be
impacted. iBiquity and NPR have agreed on a formula to
determine an intermediate level of power for those
eligible for more than -14 dB level, but not the total
-10 dB level. |
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Last month, the FCC issued a Public Notice allowing
non-commercial FM stations to ignore what were the
former analog Channel 6 full power stations that, in
some cases, were limiting improvements for
non-commercial FM stations. On October 20th, NPR
filed a request with the Commission seeking to
eliminate §73.525 completely. The petition has been
assigned RM #11579. Since the original
implementation of the Channel 6 rules, NPR notes
that the technology of receivers and the switch to
digital has improved to the point that they are no
longer necessary, or at the very least, the rule
applicable to Channel 6 stations needs to be updated
to reflect the transition to digital for full
service stations. Perhaps the timing is right to
consider repealing the rule all together. |
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Non-Commercial FM’s on Commercial Channels |
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The Commission has announced it will begin
accepting non-commercial applications on 67
vacant commercial channels that have been
reserved for non-commercial use. The list of
channels and locations is on the FCC website. A
window for filing on these channels will open
February 19, 2010 and close on February 26,
2010. A freeze on all petitions that could
affect these channels, such as channel changes
and reference coordinate changes, went into
effect when the Public Notice was issued. The
FCC will also freeze the submission of all minor
change applications beginning February 5, 2010
through the close of the window on February 26,
2010. |
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Clarification on AM Moment
Method Modeling |
| As we previously
reported, the Commission will now allow certain AM
directional stations to confirm directional
operation based on computer modeling versus
conducting numerous field measurements. They have
just released a Public Notice to clarify some of the
requirements for using this alternate method. The
Commission notes that not all AM directional systems
can be certified using the new method. Folded
unipoles or sectionalized towers are not eligible,
nor are stations with non-standard ground systems.
The FCC will require the measurement of the sampling
line systems with the sampling devices connected,
rather than measurements of individual components.
The antenna monitor of the AM system must be
calibrated, with a current certification of
calibration. The FCC also notes that AM stations
licensed under a Moment Method Modeling proof will
have a license file designated as “BMML”, rather
than “BL”. |
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Upcoming Holiday Schedule |
| Thanksgiving is less
than two week away. Please note that Graham Brock’s
offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November
26th, and the day after Thanksgiving, November 27th.
We hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! |
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If
you have a suggestion for a topic for an
upcoming newsletter, just send us a note
or email. To receive the newsletter via
email please send an email to
cathy@grahambrock.com. |
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