[BC] FCC Enforcing DTV Notice to Consumers

[Thomas G. Osenkowsky]

> > I've heard more than a few people have been suckered
> > into the "Need for a 
> > digital antenna" at places like Best Buy.
> In WalMart....I saw Rabbit ears with "digital ready"
> on the side of the box.
> Just like in the 60's the box the conical we got had
> "color Ready on it.  BTW I just earlier this year got
> a stacked conical antenna new....from 1981.

IBOC has more stringent demands for increased
and symmetrical bandwidth due to the carriers the
system employs to convey the digital information.
It is well known, for example, that self supporting
AM towers generally exhibit more favorable BW
characteristics than their thinner-faced guyed
counterparts.

The same applies to receiving antennas. The diameter,
spacing and length of the elements influence the
bandwidth of the antenna. In television and radio
reception we're dealing with a far greater bandwidth,
namely the entire spectrum! If the antenna is "digital
ready" or a "Color TV" antenna, it has been laboratory
proven to exhibit the proper gain and bandwidth
characteristics required for optimum reception. We
must also not neglect the transmission line or coaxial
cable and connectors. The length of line is critical
for producing symmetrical sidebands at the demodulation
or D/A conversion point. The proper selection of line
can be a "Monstrous" task.

Tom Osenkowsky, CPBE