[BC] Channel 5 and Channel 6

[Robert Meuser]

Peter:

At one time channels 2 through 6 were not part of the DTV transition. 
Some low band broadcasters in what retrospectively is a mistake 
complained and had it added. It appears, though, that many of those 
temporary allocations are going away with the final transition. Most 
Major Market Stations Have opted for their UHF DTV channel. Such is the 
case with channels 4 and 5 in NYC, both dropping the low band 
allocation. At this time there are only 4 stations in the country opting 
for channel 4 as a permanent DTV frequency. I also see a number of 
channel 5 and 6 stations using the adjacent channel for DTV and planning 
to revert to the NTSC channel as the final DTV allocation.

There is also the problem the the low band channels will require a 
significant power boost to sucessfully over ride noise and interference 
at those frequencies.

I have not fully studied this, but it appears that smaller market 
stations have put up DTV under an STA, with much lower power than will 
ultimately required. They then opted for their VHF allocation for 
permanent DTV operation. Obviously this is much less expensive in the 
end. High band is a different story where I see a number of stations 
moving digital to their high band DTV allocation.

Keep in mind that the current FCC table is not complete. You can search 
out any number of major market stations not yet included in the final 
channel election.

R



PeterH5322 at aol.com wrote:

>>BTW the 2-4 list is longer than 5&6!! I was totally surprised at that..
>>    
>>
>
>Many have erroneously maintained that DTV wasn't allowed on Chs. 2-6, 
>only on Chs. 7-13, among Vees, but a search of applications and 
>construction permits for DTVs on those channels reveals many of them.
>
>One is in the nation's 3rd largest market ... WBBM-TV/2 has its DTV on 3.
>
>Right now, WBBM-DT is licensed on Ch. 3, so they're way, way past the ap 
>and CP stage.
>
>
>In my area, an H-band VHF with a UHF DTV allocation moved its analog 
>tranmsitter by more than a few miles (40 ?) in order to qualify for a 
>change to a VHF DTV allocation. This DTV station is also in the licensed 
>phase, and has been for several years.
>
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