FCC freezes new apps on ch 51; begins process to clear the channel

[silverthree]

How might this impact Mexican border stations on ch 51 like XHVTV and XHLAT?

 

[w9wi]

In Utah, there are 15 stations (LD, operating as digital translators) that have to go.
2 carry ION, 2 carry the CW, 1 is FOX, 1 is BYU and PBS, 5 are the state's educational network, 1 is NBC, and 3 are ABC. The ABC translator that is the backbone feeding the eastern part of the state is on 51, so you can count numerous casualties on that one.

Again, the way I read the document, stations like these that are already on channel 51 are not required to move. I'll probably miss one, but I don't see any stations in Utah that will be affected. The closest one I see in a quick scan is KZVE-LD Littlefield, Arizona. It's operating in analog on channel 30, and has applied for a Digital Companion Channel operation on 51. They'll be given an opportunity to amend that application to specify some other channel; if they don't, the DCC application will be dismissed.

But also again, this is only the way things stand *right now*. The Commission of course reserves the right to change its mind...

 

[vibe]

51,50,49....

 

[kenglish]

They haven't ordered anyone to move yet, but they are "encouraged to move". I suspect that part of that "encouragement" is, if you haven't moved from 51 to somewhere in the proposed 2-30 band, you might get shut out in the end.

Lots of games being played right now.

 

[Markxxx]

Seems to me if they're looking for a "guard" band the logical place for them to look is channel 37. I'm not saying I am in favor of this, but it seems logic would dictate that.

 

[dhett]

No station with a license or approved construction permit on channel 51 is being required to move at this time. Those not already approved to operate on channel 51 and with an outstanding application for operations on channel 51 must amend the application to specify a different channel. Currently there is a freeze on full power stations changing channels; however, the FCC will waive the freeze for any full power station seeking to voluntarily vacate channel 51. At this time, there is no incentive announced to get stations to move off of channel 51, unlike pre-transition channel 55, where QualComm offered their own incentive to get channel 55 stations to vacate early so that QualComm could launch their MediaFLO service sooner. (Wonder how that worked out?)

 

[JeeperOne]

How might this impact Mexican border stations on ch 51 like XHVTV and XHLAT?

It won't since those transmitters are located in Mexico & the FCC has no jurisdiction over them (The owners may however be asked to move those transmitters further into Mexico though)

Cheers

 

[w9wi]

Seems to me if they're looking for a "guard" band the logical place for them to look is channel 37. I'm not saying I am in favor of this, but it seems logic would dictate that.

Problem is, channel 37 is in the wrong place to do them any good.

The wireless folks have operations in what used to be channel 52. They don't want high-powered TV stations directly adjacent to their operations. (you could say it's the same reason why you don't have 98.9 FM and 99.1 FM in the same city -- receivers can't split the stations when their frequencies are too close together)

IOW the guard band must be between what used to be channel 52, and the highest TV channel. Really, channel 51 is the only place the guard band could be.

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It does beg the question: what will we do with channel 51 once it's cleared of TV stations? That's some awfully valuable spectrum to let sit unused. *Something* is going to end up in that channel. My cynical side says that something is going to ask for a guard band to protect it from powerful TV stations on channel 50. And so on. As "vibe" posted, "51,50,49,..."

(and once they get down to 38, 37 actually does become useful as a guard band...)

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Actually, I suspect channel 51 will become prime territory for "whitespace devices".

 

[Markxxx]

Of course you're correct, channel 37 is too low, I was thinking when one of the posts asserted, that 51 was the first step then would come 50, 49, 48...

I was thinking if they're gonna take these upper UHFs the logical place to stop would be channel 37.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Greensboro, NC's WFMY is also RF 51, but maps to its former analog channel 2.

NOOOO! It has such a perfect signal. What will happen if they have to move? Where will they go?

Well, channels 2-6 are certainly available, as well as channel 8 that WGHP recently discarded. I doubt there is a single UHF channel that could give even half-way decent coverage. Like most densely populated areas, there are already too many shortspaced/underpowered/directional UHFs, which is the principal problem with digital OTA now.

Channel 8 won't work (for me, anyway). Why do you think they discarded it? Channel 2 would be much, much worse.

On the other hand, WXLV and WMYV share a tower and have the same owner. One could be a subchannel of the other, freeing WFMY to take the other channel. Why couldn't that be done?

 

[spunker88]

If they start doing this with more channels it will upset me. When these channels have TV on them, whether it was analog or digital, it was free to receive by the public. When these channels get sold to wireless companies they are going to be used for internet/data services and the consumer will get charged an arm and a leg to use them. I'd like to see channels saved for TV or else for future technologies that will be free to receive.