[opendtv] Re: House Commerce Committee Probes DTV Transition
- From: "Dale Kelly" <dalekelly@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:32:19 -0800
Bert wrote:
> To me, the plan for the DTV transmitter to go back to
> VHF, at power levels that are 13 to 18 dB below that of the analog
> transmitter, is a *far* more likely way to lose coverage area,
> compared with staying UHF and going up to 1 MW ERP.
I do agree in principle.
However, the cost of building a full power UHF DTV facility is prohibitive
for many medium and small market analog VHF stations. The cost of the
replacement UHF 1000Kw* capable transmitter together with the UHF antenna
and transmission line package and a tower upgrade or replacement, are in the
million(s) dollar range. Add to that the likely need for a new or upgrade
transmitter building plus significantly upgraded electrical utilities and a
new backup generator system together with the huge increase in operating
costs (utilities and systems maintenance) and a loss of coverage is often
the only viable business option.
* = Equivalent to a 5000Kw capable analog transmitter
> -----Original Message-----
> From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Manfredi, Albert E
> Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 1:02 PM
> To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [opendtv] House Commerce Committee Probes DTV Transition
>
>
> Would be nice for those DTV stations moving back to their VHF channels,
> but at much lower power than their analog VHF is currently using, to do
> a short term test. To me, the plan for the DTV transmitter to go back to
> VHF, at power levels that are 13 to 18 dB below that of the analog
> transmitter, is a *far* more likely way to lose coverage area, compared
> with staying UHF and going up to 1 MW ERP.
>
> I also think that relying on the SFN idea is a losing proposition if
> your goal is to increase coverage *area*. If you want to allow reception
> in the entire market area, with ATSC or DVB-T, it's not practical to
> space the transmitters of the SFN very far apart. That would create
> zones where reception becomes difficult, probably only possible with
> very directional receive antennas. Seems to me that whether you're
> talking true SFN or low power gap fillers, the further you go to the
> edges of coverage the less effective these multiple on-channel
> transmitters become. *If* you are after coverage without gaps.
>
>
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