QualComm is starting up their MediaFLO service in Phoenix, which broadcasts on TV channel 55, so AZTV translator K55EH was forced off the air effective 10/1. Being a secondary service, K55EH doesn't have any recourse, and QualComm doesn't have to work with them, like they've done with full-service channel 55 stations KLDT in Dallas, WLNY in Riverhead (NYC) NY, and WYPX in Amsterdam (Albany) NY.
AZTV has requested and has been granted a 6-month silent STA from the FCC while they search for a displacement channel, but with most channels currently in use from full- and low-power analog and companion digital channels and applications, it's gonna be slim pickings. The only channels available are 2, 4, 7, 18, 19, 30, 32, 59, 60, and 62 through 69. 2 and 4 are fine for analog, but won't be good choices when they have to flash cut to digital. They would have to abandon 60 and 62 through 69 in February 2009 and find another channel, making those channels less attractive. 30 sits between 2 DTV channels and 32 between a DTV and an analog, and 18 received tremendous interference from KTVW 33 when AZTV tried it on a now-defunct station that broadcast from the White Tank Mtns. until 2002 or 2003. 7 is iffy due to interference concerns from KAZT-TV on Mingus Mtn., but might be doable, as the stations broadcast the same programming. That leaves 19 and 59, with 59 being a less desirable option, being out-of-core. Channel 23 might be another option. AZTV operates a channel 23 translator from the Scottsdale Airpark, but that station is barely functional, and just as with channel 7, interference might not be a problem.
In any case, KAZT has until April 1 to find a displacement channel, although the FCC is pretty generous about extending STAs. Good luck to AZTV!
AZTV has requested and has been granted a 6-month silent STA from the FCC while they search for a displacement channel, but with most channels currently in use from full- and low-power analog and companion digital channels and applications, it's gonna be slim pickings. The only channels available are 2, 4, 7, 18, 19, 30, 32, 59, 60, and 62 through 69. 2 and 4 are fine for analog, but won't be good choices when they have to flash cut to digital. They would have to abandon 60 and 62 through 69 in February 2009 and find another channel, making those channels less attractive. 30 sits between 2 DTV channels and 32 between a DTV and an analog, and 18 received tremendous interference from KTVW 33 when AZTV tried it on a now-defunct station that broadcast from the White Tank Mtns. until 2002 or 2003. 7 is iffy due to interference concerns from KAZT-TV on Mingus Mtn., but might be doable, as the stations broadcast the same programming. That leaves 19 and 59, with 59 being a less desirable option, being out-of-core. Channel 23 might be another option. AZTV operates a channel 23 translator from the Scottsdale Airpark, but that station is barely functional, and just as with channel 7, interference might not be a problem.
In any case, KAZT has until April 1 to find a displacement channel, although the FCC is pretty generous about extending STAs. Good luck to AZTV!