[BC] One other IBUZ zzz

[Phil Alexander]

On 17 Jan 2006 at 8:44, JYRussell at academicplanet.com wrote:

 
> What if we find our 
> in the next 6months or a year that the NRSC 5 or 
> the part 74 or what ever changes, again, requiring 
> another expenditure... 

Those of us who want to measure IBOC stations probably 
confront an equipment upgrade in the near future when
NRSC-5 is translated into new rules.

However, it is doubtful that AM stations will face new
rules forcing cap ex to comply. 73.44 was originally
adopted with room for older Tx's. It is possible that
the rules might change and older transmitters be 
grandfathered, as has happened before, but there is
no significant reason to suspect a forced conversion
for several, perhaps many, years.

What I believe is more likely, is that IBOC may reach
a "tipping point" like most new technologies where 
market forces become the reason for upgrading 
transmission equipment. Because the FCC has taken the
"Ibiquity only" approach informally rather than doing
a specification open to all, they might have a very
hard time forcing IBOC further than is already the 
case. No, IMHO, IBOC will probably grow much like FM
stereo did, and at some point in the (perhaps distant)
future, mom and pop stations will face the prospect of
upgrading or selling out.

Once the FCC gets off their collective duff and issues
the Second Report and Order under Docket 99-325, we
may have a better idea of where all this is going, but
I think it is equally wrong to think the FCC will force
IBOC at this point, or that IBOC will quietly go away.


Phil Alexander, CSRE, AMD
Broadcast Engineering Services and Technology 
(a Div. of Advanced Parts Corporation) 
Ph. (317) 335-2065   FAX (317) 335-9037





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