How long before they shut down 450/455 RPU Channels?

[kenglish]

Looks like the Medical Device folks got their way on using the 450-band RPU spectrum:

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscent...trum_clash_builds_around_bionic_implants.html

Now, how long will it be, before somebody claims interference issues, and we start losing the use of these channels?
Is this going to be like the often-bogus claims of Aircraft Radio Interference, where stations get immediately turned off, with no recourse?

 

[oldiesstation]

Bionic implants? So how would you tell if RPU's was causing interference? I guess the patient would start break dancing?? But it looks like the RPU's may be dealt the death blow,all over modern science..Better sell those while you can....Both my neighbors across the street have pacemaker implants.When they make love at night my garage doors open..Weird!!

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

How active is the 450-455 RPU band within the industry today? For smaller stations the expense of these units has always been a challenge, and from what I read in forums and magazines, modern cell phones seem to be the "remote pickup unit" of choice today.

 

[kenglish]

We use them for live shot coordination and IFB. We use them about 50/50 for general contact with the field units and photogs.

In a "cell-jammer/spectrum-crunch" emergency, I imagine that is ALL we'll have that works.

 

[RadeoEngineer]

Going back to my days in San Diego, we gave up on 450 for anything because of on frequency interference from Mexican operators. No way to resolve it, and this was maybe 10-12 years ago.

 

[jboyd]

It appears the entire radio industry is under attack....translators, LP radio, proposed changes in contour protection standards, regulatory fees, increased regulation...ad nauseum! I am glad that I have my 53 years on the board....whatever that is worth (little)...cheers JBI

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

Once again radio especially and TV secondarily are the kicking dog of the FCC. It doesn't matter that we stay on during storms and have (until they take it away) to report things without the telephone/internet system. Nope. It doesn't matter. It's all about $$$$$. Biomed is another one that can buy the votes they need, so they win. Radio... We are kicked to the curb again and again.

 

[Bengalsfan]

Just kinda curious here, how hard did the NAB fight for our Marti channels?

 

[RadeoEngineer]

Just kinda curious here, how hard did the NAB fight for our Marti channels?

In my case, there was no recourse. In the Mexican border zone they do pretty much do anything they want and all you can do is go through the State Dept. to try to address issues, which can take years and is mostly fruitless. When a Mexican plumbing company came up on my frequency during a remote we went to ISDN and then to POTS codecs as that tech came along.

 

[WNTIRadio]

Lots of the TV stations and radio in major cities still use the 450 band. Still use it for some sports remotes too, as it can go pretty far with yagis on either end.

Last I remember the traffic copters in NYC still use 161...

 

[chriscollins]

How active is the 450-455 RPU band within the industry today? For smaller stations the expense of these units has always been a challenge, and from what I read in forums and magazines, modern cell phones seem to be the "remote pickup unit" of choice today.

We have TONS of marti's and frequencies... We do remotes, sports, etc... on them. It sounds way better than a crappy smartphone.

 

[TomT]

Cell phone coverage spotty or unavailable in parts of our market. What wi-fi there is usually password protected. So Marti & dial-up the only viable option.

 

[Bengalsfan]

Just kinda curious here, how hard did the NAB fight for our Marti channels?

In my case, there was no recourse. In the Mexican border zone they do pretty much do anything they want and all you can do is go through the State Dept. to try to address issues, which can take years and is mostly fruitless. When a Mexican plumbing company came up on my frequency during a remote we went to ISDN and then to POTS codecs as that tech came along.

Sure there is. Years ago, the TV broadcast rights holder to the Kentucky Derby would set up on one of my station's Marti frequency. Forcing us to use a telephone line to broadcast from the backside. One year, I set up the Marti the day before they rolled into town and turned it on. And left it on. After all, we had the license. When we went to broadcast Monday morning, no problems. And no problems for the rest of the week. You can turn your Marti on feeding a yagi pointing in their general direction, I'm betting they would have found another place to go.

I'm also willing to bet money that, judging by their past actions, the NAB didn't utter a peep against this when the FCC was considering taking some of our Marti channels.

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

The NAB is worse that worthless. They give owners a false sense that someone is doing something to protect their interests. The truth is owners would do better firing off hate-mail to the FCC commissioners and Congressmen directly that let the NAB do something.

 

[grich]

How active is the 450-455 RPU band within the industry today? For smaller stations the expense of these units has always been a challenge, and from what I read in forums and magazines, modern cell phones seem to be the "remote pickup unit" of choice today.

We have TONS of marti's and frequencies... We do remotes, sports, etc... on them. It sounds way better than a crappy smartphone.

YES! Using a Marti is just not EASY. Unless you force it, the jocks will always go with easy, even if it sounds like crap.

Cell phone coverage spotty or unavailable in parts of our market. What wi-fi there is usually password protected. So Marti & dial-up the only viable option.

And that's the other problem...one of my clients is in a rural area, and there's no usable cell signal inside a nearby town's school gym. The Marti (160 MHz in this case)and the permanently-mounted antenna (been there 30 years) is the only way to go, and it sounds decent. Some of the Marti paths are 35 miles to the tower.

 

[Kent T]

Likewise, here in the East TN boonies, I have had to use 30 mile plus Marti paths to get the basketball game on the air. In Chattanooga, TN you have Marti hell without repeaters due to the terrain.