Form 387 (DTV Shutoff Plans) Thread

[tripinva]

Hello all:

Yesterday, the first batch of stations filed Form 387 with the FCC. This form details what plans a station has for the analog shutoff that is just over a year away.

So far, all of the stations that have filed are already operating full digital facilities, and will not turn their analog signals off before the transition date:

KDKA, KYW, WCCO, KMAX, KBCW, KTXA, WBFS, WBZ, WFOR, WGNT, WPSG, and WUPA, plus WSBS and KVPT.

Most of those are CBS-owned stations.

For stations like these, this is an easy document to file, just state that you're done building and will leave the analog on til the end. For stations that are moving, filing of this form also requires noting a detailed transition plan, and requires a new construction permit be filed for before March 17 or so.

I'll try to keep this thread updated as best I can.

- Trip

 

[anotherguyTN]

Is there a link to check this? Thanks! ;D

 

[dhett]

Go to the FCC CDBS Application Search at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_sear.htm, then enter BDTR% in the first box next to File Number. That will give you the listing of all stations that have filed their Digital Transition Reports. Include the % sign at the end of the query to get all stations, or enter BTDRCT for commercial stations, or BDTRET for educational stations. You can also constrain your query by date using the Status Date.

 

[anotherguyTN]

Thanks! ;D

 

[tripinva]

Good Monday morning!

A new batch of stations has filed Form 387, here's the latest:

Fully licensed digital, analog remaining operational til transition date: WBPH, WNAB, KFOX, WJAC, WSOC, WAXN, WHIO, KUEW, KUES, KUEN, KUED, WRTV, WSB, KTXT, WGCL, KPHO, KSMO, WFSB, KVVU, KTGM*, WLVT**

Presently operating digital only: WMAK

Will reduce analog power prior to transition: WSBE***

* KTGM has apparently had its DTV construction permit expire, and is waiting for the FCC to (maybe) reinstate it. See: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101231446&formid=387&fac_num=29232

** WLVT is going digital on its current analog channel (39) but will terminate its digital service on channel 62 prior to the deadline, instead of analog channel 39, and replacing the channel 62 equipment. It intends to have all the work done to be completed after January 18, 2009 apparently, which would put it in the 30-day window the FCC has left open for the shutoff. The station would begin operating its digital as soon as it's completed. See: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101231117&formid=387&fac_num=36989

*** WSBE has been operating at 50% of full analog power since 2004 due to equipment problems. It is using a very old transmitter that, from the STA filings, is falling apart, and that RIPTA is trying to keep running until the transition time.

I'll have another set tomorrow!

- Trip

 

[tripinva]

Good morning!

More filings yesterday, and one other note.

http://www.rabbitears.info/dtr.php?

That will be kept up to date with all the filings, with links to interesting things being a priority. I'm aware of lots of inaccuracies and unfinished stuff, but I'm a college kid who took a number of hours out today to throw something together.

So, more stations that are ready to go:
KEET, WPBT, WEAO, WAND, KTVC, KEYU, KYVE, KLAS, WNEM, WSMV, WFLI, KCTV

Two stations are of interest.

KDEV wants to silence their analog signal in Cheyenne as soon as possible.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...1923&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=18287

KLRN in San Antonio will silence their analog a few days early, but will do the final switchover as late as possible it seems (literally, 12:00:01 on Feb 18).
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...231672&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=749

And that's all for today, we'll see what interesting things show up tomorrow!

- Trip

 

[tripinva]

Good morning, once again!

My day yesterday was terrible, thus my lateness in getting this info organized.

First of all, my page has again been updated with the latest data. If I get the time, I want to work on it more this weekend, and once again I apologize for how it looks and the lack of updates to the rest of the site. (More info on this on the front page)

http://www.rabbitears.info/dtr.php

Anyway, on to the updates themselves.

All ready to go, operating til the last minute:
WTCI, WTVP, KAWB, WNYE, KAIL, KAMU, WFYI, WCSC, KTRV*, KWBF**, WLNY***

Cutting analog power before transition:
KAWE
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...0855&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=49578

Will flash-cut at some point:
KPBI, KKYK

Will build out new facilities and switch over at some point:
KTUW, KCBU

*KTRV applied to return to channel 12, but has now, instead requested to stay on 13. If granted, they will simply turn off 12 at the end of the transition.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...1992&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=28230

**KWBF is operating its digital on an STA while waiting for a new tower approval or something. It plans to be built out in time for the transition.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...1957&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=37005

***WLNY is currently digital-only. It will revert to its low-power STA in Sept-Oct, and build out digital 47 at the top of the tower where full-power 57 is now. It plans to operate on channel 57 until the transition or until WNJU signs off, whichever comes first.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...1368&Service=DT&Form_id=387&Facility_id=73206

Until tomorrow!

- Trip

 

[tripinva]

Good morning!

I'm trying to do stuff to my page and balance it out with college work, so a lot of things are half-done and it's a big mess. I should hope to clear it up soon.

Okay, right now I'm coming up with a new way to do station statuses, because the STAT column was just useless. The "default" state, as it were, will be stations with analogs and digitals that plan to leave their analogs on until the transition date, and merely sign off the analog on that day. Anything else will have its status written briefly off to the side.

I'm regretting my directional pattern thing (it's a pain to keep up with). I might rework that; remove it from stations on final facilities already.

Anyway, on to the stations themselves.

Analogs on til the end:
WBNA, WNED, WWJ*, KOVR**, KSPS, KSHV, WVLA, KFXK, KVIE***, WABG, KFXA, WHNS****

Flash-cutting:
KQUP, KEGS*****, KBTZ, KLMN, KMMF, KUTH, WMQF

These stations are owned by Equity, and plan to flash-cut on or before February 17, 2009.

Terminating analog early:
WMFD needs to top-mount a new channel 12 antenna, and in the same place as the current analog 68 antenna. In the next month or so, the station plans to silence analog 68 and build out channel 12 at the highest point on the tower.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...1484&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=41893

*WWJ will be bumping their power from 200 kW to 345 kW.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...2490&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=72123

**KOVR has different (higher-powered) facilities specified in the table, but will not build out the facilities.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...2502&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=56550

***KVIE will be moving to channel 9. I'm not even trying to parse the documentation.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...0996&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=35855

**** WHNS... they plan to flash-cut 21 on Feb 18, 2009 but I really don't understand what they're saying.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...2581&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=72300

***** KEGS will flash cut from channel 7 analog to channel 50 digital.

Tomorrow is the last update of the week, and hopefully I'll find some time to do what I want to with this list.

- Trip

 

[w9wi]

**** WHNS... they plan to flash-cut 21 on Feb 18, 2009 but I really don't understand what they're saying.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...2581&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=72300

What I think they mean... is that:

- The existing transmitter is almost compatible with DTV operation.
- They will need to upgrade two intermediate power amplifiers to support DTV - the upgraded amplifiers will also work for analog, so they can be swapped out in August without taking the analog signal off the air. (except for a few hours overnight)
- On Transition Night they turn the transmitter off, replace the analog exciter with the digital unit, and turn it back on.
- The antenna pattern in the FCC's allotment table doesn't agree with the actual antenna so they're still waiting on the paperwork to go through.

(We have a similar situation at WSMV: the allotment table expected our DTV antenna to be at the same elevation as the analog and thus assigned us 39.7kw/434m. We actually mounted DTV antenna 19m lower (and our DTV construction permit reflects that) and were authorized higher power to compensate. (42.4kw) The allotment table still shows the 39.7/434 figures.)

_________________________________________________

***KVIE will be moving to channel 9. I'm not even trying to parse the documentation.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...0996&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=35855

With regard to this one, it looks like they're building a third facility. Apparently the KTXL-40 tower, where KVIE's analog and existing DTV antennas are, is strong enough to also hold a channel 9 antenna for KVIE's permanent DTV facility. They're going to build the permanent channel 9 DTV facility in advance of the transition - they expect to have it complete and ready to test by Jan. 30 of next year. Those tests would likely interfere with the analog operations of KQED, San Francisco and KIXE, Redding and will have to be coordinated with those stations. (luckily all three are PBS affiliates and relatively likely to cooperate...)

On Transition Night, KVIE will just turn off their channel 6 analog transmitter and their channel 53 DTV transmitter and turn on their already-tested channel 9 DTV transmitter.

(this is assuming all goes according to schedule. Don't count on it.)

 

[tripinva]

I figured it out once I slept on it (was short on sleep), but thanks, and good to know someone's reading. =)

- Trip

 

[DToTheJ]

Anyway, on to the updates themselves.

All ready to go, operating til the last minute:
... WNYE ...

I believe they're already operating on a digital signal; they requested a new transmitter for their analog channel 25 - despite the fact it would only be good for no more than a year!

 

[tripinva]

Good Friday morning.

I am so glad this week is ending. I've been losing sleep all week, and finally will be able to make some of it up. Today was stressful, tomorrow will be long, but thankfully there's no homework due.

As far as the page goes, I've updated it but it's not done. That is, I've put in the stations noted below, but haven't put in their facilities yet. I'll do that some time during the day today.

On to the stations:

Analog til 2/17/9, just switching off the analog at the end:
KOCE, WGVK, WGVU, WFTV, WMBC, WICZ, WOUB, WOUC, WZVN, WLPB, KLPB, KLTL, KLPA.

Flash-cut 2/17/9:
KUOK, WBIF, KWWF, KWBM, WNYI*

Will operate transitional facilities until 2/17/9:
WNGS**

Early termination of analog:
KJLA has already applied to do so and was denied. The station has now asked to surrender its analog license once more.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...2842&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=14000

*WNYI will flash cut from analog 52 to flea-power digital 20.

**WNGS will be moving from TV-67/DT-47 to DT-07, replacing WKBW's analog signal.

Nothing too interesting here.

- Trip

 

[philosofy]

Thanks for putting this together. It makes for some interesting reading at your site.

 

[tripinva]

Good morning, once again.

I'm up in the air about whether or not I'm going to continue with this up past midnight updating stuff. This week is going to kill me with tests and stress and whatnot, so while I hope not to fall behind with this list... well, we'll see.

The page may or may not get updated this evening. I likely will not post an update when it is updated.

Keeping analog til the bitter end:
WCVE, WCVW, WHTJ, WCEU, WFLX, WBBH, KWBU, KLRU, KGWL, WLIO, KGWC (returning to 14 on a different tower)

Analog already gone:
WNVT, WACX, KVMD

No analog on the air, signing on as digital on different channel:
KBCJ (analog 6, digital 16), KBNY (analog 6, digital 27)

Odds and ends:

KHCV filed to keep their analog going until the end, but the analog is presently off the air due to equipment problems. They tentatively plan to repair the analog, but I'm guessing if it costs too much they may just ask the FCC to terminate it.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101232866&formid=387&fac_num=49264

WRDQ will halve analog power to prep for a flash-cut on Feb 17.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101232438&formid=387&fac_num=55454

WNVC will silence both its analog and digital (56/57) in September 2008 and replace both with a single channel 24 antenna. The station may not be able to sign back on until Feb 18 due to WUTB in Baltimore, but will provide its programming on WNVT-DT and via fiber to cable/satellite companies.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101230771&formid=387&fac_num=9999

WTLW is requesting to return to channel 44 now, rather than keeping 47.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101230773&formid=387&fac_num=1222

That's all for today, see you again tomorrow!

- Trip

 

[fybush]

Thanks, Trip! Much appreciated at this end...

 

[tripinva]

Good morning!

Today's stations were mostly routine, so I went ahead and stayed up and handled them.

Analog on the air to the bitter end:
WSFJ, WXXI, KJTV, KOTA, KDUH, KHSD, KSGW, KTOO, KOB, WRAZ*, WMFP, KDLT, KQDS, WSAH, KCNS, KPBS, WMEC, WQEC, WSEC, WHA, WOAC, WRAY, WPNE, WHWC, WTTW, WLTZ, KRIN, KBIN, KHIN, WMEA, WMEB, WMED, KUSM, KBYU, KSL, KTVA, KBFD, KLJB, WFXR, WZDX, WACY

Flash cut 02/17/09:
WSVN**, KGWR, KFNB

Status Unknown:
WGTU, WGTQ
These stations were recently sold, and while the sale is pending, the old licensee has to file the paperwork, but the new licensee will be handling all the construction, so only a placeholder document has been filed.

* WRAZ will, for a few weeks, operate on an auxiliary antenna while other stations on the tower (WRAL, WNCN, etc) are built out.

** WSVN will flash-cut their current analog facilities while a new tower is being approved for itself and WPLG.

See? Nice and simple.

Til tomorrow!

- Trip

 

[tripinva]

Alright, I've updated the page. I know about the lack of facilities, we'll see what I can do with that in the near future. The worst part of my week is behind me now.

All done and staying til 02/17/09:
WNYT, KPXN, WCPX, KPEJ, KVEO, KMSS, KWSE, WGMB, WEVV, KSRE, KBME, KETK, WPPX, KADN, WNTZ, KLWY, KKPX, KJRE, KYTX, WBPX, WDPX, WPXG, KPXD, WWPX, WXPX, KPXM, KSPX, WOPX, KAZQ, KCVU, KBVU, KNME, WIPX, WRPX, WFPX, WNPX, WPXE, KPXE, KUPX, WPXP, KAME, WPXH, WPXV, KOPX, WGPX, WPXQ, WCET, KERA, WPXC, WQPX, KTPX, WLPX, WUPX, WPXK, WPXR, KPXO, KPXR, KXJB, KFQX, WPXU, WPXX, KFYR, WPXL, KXLA, KVLY, WPXA, KREX, KREY, KREG, KYNE.

Returning to analog on or before 2/17/09:
KFNE, KLWY.

Returning to analog on 2/17/09:
WHEC, KOBR.

Already digital only:
KPXJ, WTPX.

Moving to new channel 2/17/09:
KOBG.

Links to the documents are available on my page.

- Trip

 

[tripinva]

Alright, here's what's up with yesterday's filings.

There were 144 of them. And the poor college student can't parse all of them at once, so I'm doing them in bits and pieces. I'm making incremental posts as I get through them today on AVS Forum, and then when I'm done for the day I'll combine them all into one massive post and put it here. This will likely become a pattern.

This is a fun list too, WBBM is on it among others.

- Trip

 

[w9wi]

This is a fun list too, WBBM is on it among others.

Another interesting thing that's been happening the last two days - about 8-10 stations that are moving to different channels after Transition have filed for their new-channel permanent facilities. (I'm kinda surprised it's taking this long)

WRDQ Orlando, FL: from DTV-14 to DTV-27
WEDW Bridgeport, CT: from DTV-52 to DTV-49
WQEX Pittsburgh, PA: from DTV-26 to DTV-38. Taking over the channel currently used by co-owned WQED, but at substantially lower power. (64kw vs. 760kw)
WQED Pittsburgh, PA: from DTV-38 to DTV-13. (opening up 38 for co-owned WQEX)
KPDX Vancouver, WA: from DTV-48 to DTV-30. Taking over the facility currently used by co-owned KPTV. (at the same power currently used by KPTV.)
KPTV Portland, OR: from DTV-30 to DTV-12.
WPVI Philadelphia: from DTV-64 to DTV-6.
WHYY Wilmington, DE: from DTV-50 to DTV-12.
KEVN Rapid City, SD: from DTV-18 to DTV-7.

One should expect quite a few more of these.

 

[tripinva]

I'm planning to catch up with those updated facilities over the weekend; I'm having enough trouble keeping up with the Form 387 stuff.

Okay, here's the big list:

Analog to the bitter end, then just turning it off:
WINK, WDAY, WAGV, KLNE, KVRR(1), KTVQ, KVOA, KRIS, KRTV, KATC, WLEX, KPAX, KOAA, WWRS, KIRO, KTVN, KDLV(2), WIAT, KYIN, KTIN, KSIN, KIMT, KTWO(3), WTVI, KRWG, KFNR(4), KCEN, WHRO(5), WLRN(6), KNLC, WPXI, WCVN, KTNW, all the KET stations, WSKG, KXXV, KCNC#, WETA, KPAZ, WHFT, WHDF, WLMB, KTEN, KRXI, KIVI, KMTF, WFTX, WXCW, WGBA(8), WSYM, KMTV(9), KSEE, KMIR, KAKM, KDLH, WBNG, WKBW, WPTA, WCNY, WAAY, WMYD, WISE, KOZK, WJCL(10), KOZJ, KBJR, WTVH, WYIN, KARD, KARK, KFTA, KNWA, KTAB, KLBK, KSFX, KCBS, WBRE, WCIA, WLYH, WMBD, WQRF, WROC, WTAJ, WTVW, KTAL, WTLV, WJXX, WKOI, KSDK, KTHV, WFMY, WGRZ, WXIA, WLTX, WATL, WCSH, WXMI, WGN, KTIV, WKOW, WVVA, WYOW

Flash-cutting 02/17/09:
WDAZ, WLFB, WDIO, WIRT, WTVF, WBBM(7), WMEM, WCBB

Flash-cutting on or before 02/17/09:
KCRG, KMVT*, WKAR**, WJCT***, KWSU****, WCLJ

Digital-only:
KNMD

Waiting on FCC action:
WSKY(a), KTCI(b), KNRR(c)

Two plans:
KBDI
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...xt=25&appn=101233236&formid=387&fac_num=22685

Convoluted thing involving STAs and whatnot:
WJZ
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...xt=25&appn=101234236&formid=387&fac_num=25455

* KMVT will flash-cut no earlier than 12/01/08.

** WKAR will silence analog about two weeks before the transition.

*** WJCT's application says "in February" over and over, leading me to think the flash-cut will be before 02/17/09.

**** KWSU will silence its analog in January 2009 (it says 2008, I think it's a typo) and convert its analog 10 to digital. DT-17 will remain on the air during this time.

# Lookout Mountain/SCARE thing delayed digital construction.

(1) KVRR will move its digital antenna to the top of its tower in Spring 2009, once weather improves.

(2) KDLV is operating on an STA, and will build out its full DT-26 facilities this summer.

(3) KTWO is going to move to a common tower which will host KGWC-14, KTWO-17, and KFNB-20.

(4) KFNR has yet to build out its digital facilities.

(5) WHRO is operating at 1/4 power to protect WBOC, but will power up on 02/17/09.

(6) WLRN is a mess. Seriously, lawsuit, damaged equipment, the works.

(7) WBBM has bought WTTW's analog equipment, and will use that equipment to operate channel 12 on 02/17/09.

(8) WGBA will boost power to 1000 kW in August, but otherwise will just shut off analog at the end of the transition.

(9) KMTV will move digital antenna to the top of the tower as soon after 02/17/09 as weather permits.

(10) WJCL's final channel is 22, but they intend to operate channel 23 on an STA after 02/17/09 and prepare the channel 22 transmission equipment afterwards.

(11) KCBS will operate on KCAL's unbuilt CP for 495 kW.

(a) WSKY is operating DT-04 at present, but needs to move to DT-09.

(b) KTCI is planning to operate TV-17 and DT-16 until the end, but is having issues with the FCC regarding DT-26. Due to the current freeze, KTCI would be forced to operate with only 12 kW on DT-26 after the transition, and is waiting on the commission to act on a petition to boost that number.

(c) KNRR intends to flash-cut at some point on or before 02/17/09, but needs clarification from the FCC before ordering equipment.

KTNV in Las Vegas NV will cut analog power to 2/3 of full, then flash-cut on 02/17/09.

KDSE in Dickinson ND will operate an auxiliary antenna at low power for 90 days before the transition while it prepares to flash-cut to DT-09 on 2/17/09.

KAJB in Calipatra CA is tied up in coordination issues with Mexico. Mexico protested their use of channel 50 (thus why there's no digital up yet), and has not yet agreed to their use of 36. It is unknown when this will be resolved. (You'd think they'd file to use the allocation of an existing station to make things simple but...)

KFME in Fargo ND will reduce analog ERP leading up to the transition, and then will change over completely 02/17/09.

- Trip