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HD Interference and the FCC

K

K6JHU

If I interpret this correctly, the complaint by a station in Hemet that they were interfered with by the digital signal of KRTH has been dismissed by the FCC.

FM DIGITAL APPLICATION FOR
DIGITAL NOTIFICATION PETITION TO RESCIND

BDNH-20070611AKV KRTH 28631 CBS RADIO EAST INC.
P 101.1 MHZ LOS ANGELES, CA

Petition to Rescind Filed 05/20/2010 by All Pro Broadcasting,
Inc.
Petition to Rescind dismissed 10/3/2011.
__________________

FM DIGITAL APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY
PETITION TO RESCIND

BDSTA-20061103ABF KRTH 28631 CBS RADIO EAST INC.
E 101.1 MHZ LOS ANGELES, CA

Petition to Rescind Filed 05/20/2010 by All Pro Broadcasting,
Inc.
Opposition Filed 07/02/2010 by CBS RADIO EAST INC
Petition to Rescind dismissed 10/3/2011.
 
I haven't read the petition, but I did read the Public Notices you posted, and I believe your interpretation is probably right.

73.209 predestined this petition to failure though. Paragraph (b) reads;

The nature and extent of the protection from interference afforded FM broadcast stations operating on Channels 221-300 is limited to that which results when assignments are made in accordance with the rules in this subpart.
Click to expand...

("this subpart" being 47CFR73 Subpart B, the rules for commercial FM stations; Channels 221-300 are 92.1-107.9MHz.)

Basically, the Commission defines that if an FM station is operating in compliance with its license, it cannot cause interference. The only way All Pro's petition would have succeeded would be if they could show KRTH's IBOC was emitting more RF in All Pro's channel than called for by the IBOC standard, as approved by the Commission. (even then, I believe the Enforcement Bureau would have been the appropriate channel)
 
This stinks. When the two stations were allocated there was no such thing as the magic HD elixir; since it came along later, shouldn't it be the low man on the totem pole?

HD works fine where I live because our stations are well spaced (except the crowded noncomm band) but in places like the NE and California precedence should be given to the dominant transmission scheme, i.e., analog.
 
jhardis said:
K6JHU said:
If I interpret this correctly...
Click to expand...

See: http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=28520

- Jonathan
Click to expand...

Ah, thanks!

What I read there...

- The FCC *will* process complaints of IBOC interference from stations that are compliant with the regulations, HOWEVER...
- Only if the interfering station is using digital power greater than 1% of analog, and:
- Only if the petition is accompanied by complaints from six or more bona fide listeners.

KRTH is using 1% digital power, and All Pro didn't submit any listener complaints.

- The Special Temporary Authority All Pro asked to be modified no longer exists.
- The FCC adopted permanent regulations for IBOC; a STA is no longer required.
 
WPRB recently went HD and wiped out KTU in a large area. I'm sure I can find 5 other people who will complain.

How do we send complaints to the FCC?
 
Keep in mind that that a grandfathered FM station such as K-earth can only emit the greater of 1% of their analog power or 10% of what their signal would be if they were licensed today.
 
....which will be ignored. ::)

Unless I missed it, there has never been a single case of the FCC directing an IBOC-originating station to reduce digital power, modify operation to asymmetry (one sideband eliminated or reduced significantly compared with the other) or cease IBOC. And IMO there never will be.
 
ai4i, you are correct with one addition -- the approximately 25 grandfathered, super-powered stations that operate with 1% digital power that exceeds the 10% level if they were licensed today are grandfathered at the higher digital power. One of these stations is in NY, two in MI, and the rest in CA. They are interference generators of the highest order. It's really a shame that the Commission no longer cares what it does to the FM/AM bands, and the Commission's "after-the-fact" complaint process is a joke. Only two items get their attention: broadband and fees.
 
I think Q94 in Richmond is at a higher HD power. It's grandfathered at 200,000 watts. During a strong tropo opening to Richmond I was able to get it in HD, and it was the only Richmond station to come in HD.
 
Nick, Q94 in Richmond is indeed at 200 kW, but only 351' HAAT. So, it's certainly a few dB over class limits, but nothing like the stations I mentioned earlier which are operating 10+ dB over class limits.

Dave & Savage, you're so right. If they're this "interested" in one, I can't imagine how they'd react to two! ;D
 
w9wi said:
- The FCC *will* process complaints of IBOC interference from stations that are compliant with the regulations, HOWEVER...
- Only if the interfering station is using digital power greater than 1% of analog, and:
- Only if the petition is accompanied by complaints from six or more bona fide listeners.
Click to expand...

Don't forget the maps "showing the location of the reported interference and a detailed description of the nature and extent of the interference being experienced" at each complaint location, as well as "a complete description of the tests and equipment used to identify the alleged interference and the scope of the unsuccessful efforts to resolve the interference."
 
Just one more requirement for acceotance by the "Complaints Division"...

Don't forget the requirement of reporting the number of fairies dancing on the lawn as recorded during the moment of
interference, divided by the ratio of Clear Channel corporate stations to actual AM "clears" at your location.

No complaint will be accepted without correct reporting of this "G" relationship....
 
(Screechy John Cleese voice) "And thennnnn.....beforrre your rrreport of interferrrence is considered....you must first cut down the greatest tree in the forrrest....with a HERRING!!!!"

- FCC "Enforcement Division," Bureau of "HD Interference Investigation" (staffed by a teenage nephew of an iBiquity exec plus one sleepy Bassett hound) :p
 
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