[opendtv] Re: FCC on the WECT coverage issue
- From: "John Willkie" <johnwillkie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:22:53 -0700
Funny they didn't mention the terrestrial interference that applies to all
channel 6s, the fact that dtv users of channel 6 have to accept interference
from FM stations (unlike the analog rules) and which has nothing to do with
the cliff effect, and the very few stations already on 6 that opted to stay
on that channel number post-transition. WRTV Indianapolis, and WPVI Philly
were several of the few that opted to remain on 6.
Of course, these conditions don't apply to channel 11; the only real
interference comes from channels 10-12 there. And, there is no channel 10
or 12 in DC, at least no full-service stations on these channels.
And, while they endeavor to provide equivalent coverage now -- or at least
give it lip service - the effect of rules and case-by-case decisions to
lower DTV output power is contrary to their current position.
John Willkie
-----Mensaje original-----
De: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] En
nombre de Manfredi, Albert E
Enviado el: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 2:07 PM
Para: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Asunto: [opendtv] FCC on the WECT coverage issue
Here's some info hot off the press.
A good coverage chart that shows what the WECT problem is:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-285589A4.pdf
And Chairman Martin on this topic (among others):
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-285589A1.pdf
On p. 7:
"Unfortunately, some viewers are experiencing problems that will not be
as easy for us to resolve. For example, there are a number of consumers
in the Wilmington-area that have lost access to the Wilmington NBC
affiliate, WECT. During the first week we received 581 calls from
viewers experiencing problems receiving channels or calls signs. In week
two, 154 such calls were made to the Commission's helpline. (For the two
weeks the total number of calls in this category were 735.) Prior to the
digital switch, the Wilmington NBC affiliate signal was available to
viewers outside the television market as far south as Myrtle Beach, SC
and as far north as Raleigh, NC. See Appendix B. The Wilmington NBC
affiliate's new coverage area, however, no longer includes these out of
market communities. Some of these viewers will be able to watch their
local NBC affiliate in Myrtle Beach and Raleigh. There may be some,
however, that will not have access to any NBC affiliate. See Appendix C.
Reception problems for channel 6 were caused by a significant reduction
in the service contour for WECT channel 6, not the digital cliff effect.
"Our goal is to ensure that all viewers in the Wilmington-area and the
country have access to the same television signals that they did prior
to the transition. The Commission is currently exploring what steps can
be taken to address this problem in Wilmington and minimize the burden
on viewers throughout the country."
So, while their heart is in the right place, I continue to wonder how
WBAL-DT, the worst example, is expected to have anywhere close to the
same coverage when it goes back to VHF Ch 11, when the power drops by 18
dB compared with the current analog signal.
Bert
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