Migrating the existing AM stations to former TV channels 5 and 6

8 thoughts on “Migrating the existing AM stations to former TV channels 5 and 6”

1. When the F.C.C. wanted to implement digital T.V. it forced everyone to move. I counted about 143 T.V. stations in your list of existing channel 5 & 6 stations. So what you are telling me is that 4,754 A.M. stations must die so 143 T.V. stations survive?. How many jobs will go down with that?. How about splitting all of those extra T.V. channels that were granted to digital T.V. stations, which some of the T.V. stations don’t even use, to fit the 143 on channel 5 & 6 to save 4,754 A.M. stations, that makes more sense.The Ibiquity digital radio is not going anywhere on A.M. or even on F.M., in my market F.M. stations are renting translators to broadcast their secondary channels. Why buy a digital radio if you can pick it up on the radio you now have?. That is also killing the F.C.C. A.M. broadcasting on F.M. translator ruling because A.M. broadcasters have to compete with broadcasting conglomerates for a translator, good luck!.

2. George, I agree with you regarding the HD Radio. Regarding TV channels 5 and 6; many of these stations moved back to those channels after the digital conversion took place. From a transmission perspective, it is very expensive to move to a different TV Channel. Often, a new transmitter, new antenna, new transmission line or wave guide needs to be installed. This can easily run in the $1M range. Are the TV stations on channel 5 and 6 to foot that bill again after only a few years?

   Also, because of the “white space” rules now in effect with the FCC, unused UHF TV channels can be used for wireless broadband service, which is a much greater priority than AM radio in the eyes of the current administration/FCC.

3. It is looking like the 2015 Spectrum Grab is going to happen and all remaining TV will be compacted into channels 2-30, so channels 5-6 will not be an option. DRM in the 26 MHz region might be an option. Some years ago I seem to remember some discussion about proposed legislation where AM stations who voluntarily returned their licenses for cancellation would receive a tax certificate exempting them from paying federal tax on the subsequent sale of their real and personal property. Maybe it’s time to bring this idea back to life.

4. OK, I’m confused. Would the new stations in the CH5-6 band be AM or FM?

5. @Spine, the plan was for the station to convert to FM and surrender their licenses for the AM (AKA Standard Broadcast) band.

6. Ah.

   That is a fair-sized investment.

7. The problem lies with two issues.

   1)Some of the VHF assignments (not many) are just about the only allotment a station can use without going to some directional pattern. (Ask WPVI-DT in Philly)

   2)The FCC would actually like to see TV broadcasting go away. Look at how quickly they want to buy our spectrum. Spectrum financial growth has grown faster than the price of gold.

   It is very clear to me that the FCC’s mission these days has very little to do with broadcasting…

8. My worry is white space use will overload a TV antenna amp.
   Many people use amps to get TV and a close transmitter could
   overload these amps. With DTV the TV will just blank out saying no signal.
   They will have no idea that a close transmitter is the cause.