Now that WSYX is going digital, what will become of 87.7? Can they use it as an actual radio station?
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87.7FM. What becomes of it?
- Thread starter radiogeek07
- Start date
It's not actually a US FM radio frequency, but the audio portion of analog TV 6. Officially in the US, those start at 88.1.
Ohio radio man said:
Nope.
WSYX's license to operate on channel 6 is canceled at midnight tonight. (as are all other analog licenses except those of stations which are engaging in "nightlight" operation)
The channel 6 TV stations that have been operating as radio stations have Low-Power licenses. ("Low-Power" capitalized because it's a different type of license, from a legal standpoint, from the regular TV licenses stations like WSYX hold) Low-Power stations are not bound by tonight's deadline, and may continue to operate in analog until the FCC gets around to setting a deadline for them.
One full-power station in NY State claims to plan to continue to provide radio service on 87.7, by using cross-polarization. I've seen nothing from the FCC (official or otherwise) about this proposal, and IMHO it won't work. In any case, the station in question will be transmitting its digital signal on channel 6. WSYX's digital signal is on channel 13 - after midnight tonight, that's the only channel on which WSYX will have any rights. (again, unless they're on the "nightlight" list in which case they get up to four weeks more time on channel 6)
From what they said today on WSYX they will be shutting off the analog at midnight.
Once the transmitter is finally off (if they dont do the nightlight DVD) .. WSYX audio at 87.75 will be static... that frequency is not licensed for use in the US as a FM radio station.
Once the transmitter is finally off (if they dont do the nightlight DVD) .. WSYX audio at 87.75 will be static... that frequency is not licensed for use in the US as a FM radio station.
Most of the LPTV would-be "87.7 FM"s on channel 6 send out both a video and audio carrier, anyway. The one that just launched in Chicago ("87.7 The L") runs pictures of smooth jazz artists and city scenes on its video side.
I can't remember how the FCC came down on this - if it required the faux LPTV FMs to put up related video at some point.
As for WSYX, they did have nightlight on analog 6 after June 12th. I heard it myself driving through Central Ohio about a week after the transition. I don't know if they shut down analog 6 on the 26th, like WKYC did here with the nightlight on analog 3, or if they'll be doing it until July 12th.
I can't remember how the FCC came down on this - if it required the faux LPTV FMs to put up related video at some point.
As for WSYX, they did have nightlight on analog 6 after June 12th. I heard it myself driving through Central Ohio about a week after the transition. I don't know if they shut down analog 6 on the 26th, like WKYC did here with the nightlight on analog 3, or if they'll be doing it until July 12th.
New York City, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Chicago have LPTV Licenses at Channel "6".... They are allowed to continue at analog for the next several years... These markets have those holding licenses that use the audio side as radio and the FCC, at this point has no problem with it (I was involved in one transition that the group I would have been working for passed on it)....Video wise? I guess they can run a still 24/7 with the calls and what's on... Have not asked NYC folks what they are doing with their dance-urban thing.. Also, THEY CAN run commerical matter, if the LPTV was licensed as such... Being they are not in the non-commercial band, but to the left of it..... On the idea of asking the FCC for vertical polarization to match the horizontal (that now exists), I have heard no word..... Interersting point is that analog "6" center audio has been traditionally 87.75 mHZ..... The past TV's has some leaway on aural transmission to the left or right of the center point (based on other "6" stations down the road)... That's what I remember from last years research and involvement....
The only problem is the TV audio is mono on FM radios, and also very quiet.
...NYC's LPTV was allowed to put in a FM Stereo Generator... If anyone could comment who is in NYC or Chicago to let us know if they are actually doing FM Stereo, let us pondering minds know! Facinating.....
xiradiodotcom said:
Not necessarily. The aural modulation limits are not among the full-power regulations incorporated by reference in the LPTV rules -- there is no limit on the aural modulation of an analog LPTV station. (beyond what's necessary to confine the emissions to the assigned channel -- maybe not even that!)
There is no requirement to use the BTSC TV stereo system for any TV station, full-power or low-power. If you don't use BTSC you can't use 15.75KHz as your pilot frequency but these stations don't care.
I've definitely learned something new 
It would have been smart for Sinclair to do something similar here. Especially since they already have the 87.7 audience for news and weather.
It would have been smart for Sinclair to do something similar here. Especially since they already have the 87.7 audience for news and weather.- Status