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  1. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Here is an example of the kind of notices being sent out here. The SAP audio channel reads in Spanish.

    KCRA is the #1 rated local station.





    etc.
    It goes on.

    KCRA will vacate Ch3 (60-66MHz) and resume on UHF Ch35 (596-602MHz).
    The virtual ID will remain 3.1 and 3.2


    PS: I can't explain it but there is sort of a grieving process for the mighty original VHF stations being uprooted and moved to UHF. This is an historical moment similar to when the interstate highways made Route 66 redundant.
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  2. Member Epicurus8a's Avatar
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    The morons in Congress have postponed the vote until Wednesday.
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  3. Member Epicurus8a's Avatar
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    House Approves DTV Delay, Sends Bill to Obama
    http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/house_approves_dtv_delay_sends.php
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    Addional funding for the converter box program is no longer part of the bill that was passed today. It was added to the stimulus program instead. The bill still permits those stations who want to make the switch on or before February 17 to go ahead if they wish. http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/36552

    We'll see what happens.
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  5. OK, does any one have a link to the actual bill that passed today? The more I hear about what's in it the more confused I am about what this bill really does...
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    Originally Posted by gadgetguy
    The more I hear about what's in it the more confused I am about what this bill really does...
    Unfortunately, I don't have a link to the bill, but apparently it doesn't do much, other than allow those stations who want to delay the switch to wait.

    Expect the funding for the coupon program to face opposition from some members of Congress, who believe the program already has sufficient funds to continue or needs less than what was proposed. Even if they don't have a problem with funding the coupon program, the stimulus package contains other provisions that are unpopular enough to delay its passage.
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  7. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by Epicurus8a
    House Approves DTV Delay, Sends Bill to Obama
    http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/house_approves_dtv_delay_sends.php
    That is the most absurd reporting that missed nearly all the issues but maybe that is because they only quote clueless members of Congress?

    They did quote the new FCC chairman who seems to be still in training. None of his comments relate to the real world.

    The NAB has stepped aside in public quotes but behind the scenes they lobby for stations to complete their planned transition.

    This is yet another example of Congress doing more harm than good for everything other than their public approval ratings.
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  8. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by gadgetguy
    OK, does any one have a link to the actual bill that passed today? The more I hear about what's in it the more confused I am about what this bill really does...
    They don't even link the sponsor. If they did that I could find it. It wasn't Committee Chaiman Markey.
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  9. Member edDV's Avatar
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    If you want a view from the other side read through this blog from active local AVSForum member Bob Hess, the Chief Engineer for local CBS owned KOVR/KMAX. I can't imagine doing tower work.
    http://pod08.prospero.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=KOVR_HessTV

    The other side for viewers mainly is about fixing the coupon program.

    CH13 antenna comes down, Ch25 antenna moves up.


    Looking down on the 1500ft backup tower from the 2000ft+ CBS/CW/ABC tower at Walnut Grove,CA.
    Other channels are on the towers in the background.


    PS: KOVR makes a good example for what is happening at other stations. Their old CH13 analog antenna was at the top of the main tower and the temporary DT Ch25 antenna was lower down that same tower broadcasting at 760kW ERP. They also have a separate backup analog CH13 tower and antenna. In Dec-Jan they are broadcasting analog from the backup antenna while lowering their main CH13 antenna and then raising an optimized DT Ch25 antenna to the top. On Feb 18 they will broadcast at 1000 kW ERP from the top of the main tower on DT Ch25 only (all this per FCC online documents).

    The fringe viewer will see a substantially improved DT 25 signal.
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  10. Member edDV's Avatar
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    According to the New York Times, The FCC will discuss transition plans this Thursday.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/business/media/05digital.html?ref=business

    From the article
    'The next four months may prove to be a rolling transition for the nation’s estimated 1,700 local TV stations. The legislation that passed on Wednesday permits some stations to turn off their analog signals before June, meaning that some stations in a given market could switch before others. The research firm Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, in a note to clients on Wednesday, said that hundreds of stations were moving forward with their February transition plans, “creating the potential for some over-the-air programming disruption and consumer confusion this month.”'

    http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i040c1ac9536ad53cd764e1b32864c85d

    "Already, 143 TV stations have made the switch, including stations in Wilmington, N.C., and Hawaii. Many more are likely to follow suit.

    According to a Feb. 3 letter from acting Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Copps to Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, and Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., another 60 stations are planning to switch before Feb. 17 and 276 more have notified the FCC that they plan to stick to the Feb. 17 date. In total, about 61 percent of the nation's TV stations -- nearly 1,100 in all -- can make the switch without causing any interference."
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    Here is a summary of the bill that passed (S. 352) http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-352&tab=summary

    I am certain that one local station will go ahead. I haven't seen any announcements about the other 8, but their transition-related ads have been pulled.
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  12. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by usually_quiet
    Here is a summary of the bill that passed (S. 352) http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-352&tab=summary

    I am certain that one local station will go ahead. I haven't seen any announcements about the other 8, but their transition-related ads have been pulled.
    You might want to check your local OTA transition forum at AVS Forums. Most are discussing their local situation.
    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453241
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  13. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by usually_quiet
    Here is a summary of the bill that passed (S. 352) http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-352&tab=summary
    That summary makes it sound like any transition delay or decision to continue analog broadcasts are locally voluntary. Nothing is being required.

    I think the unprepared OTA viewers will rapidly get the point when they see some stations go blank on 17 Feb. Then they will be screaming for coupons. Let's see how fast the Feds can get their act together.
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    RabbitEars is listing stations that have declared their intent to terminate analog broadcasts on February 17th: http://www.rabbitears.info/termlist.php
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  15. Member Epicurus8a's Avatar
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    The delay will collectively cost broadcasters several million dollars.

    Screw the coupons and the few who aren't ready for the transition. Those sorry soles can get their news/entertainment from other sources until they finally break down and by a box.
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  16. My take is that the only practical part of the bill (as summarized), is to extend the coupon program, (assuming they get additional funding through some other bill), and allow reapplication for expired but unused coupons. Everything else is meaningless drivel that makes the idiots in Washington feel like they did something important. I'm sure they think by rolling the funding of this into the pork laden "stimulus" bill that it will give them some leverage with the critics. Hopefully it will receive no more funding and the coupon program can just die.
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    If anybody cares to wade through the actual bill that was passed it will be available at the same website at some point, although it isn't ready as of today.

    This delay is voluntary. Broadcasters can decide for themelves if they want to cooperate. According to one story I read, 61% can make the switch without affecting other stations.

    Looking at the RabbitEars list, many aren't going to wait, especially PBS stations. Today my local paper reported that 276 station have notified the FCC that they are going ahead on February 17. (I am too lazy to count the number on the RabbitEars list.) Around 200 additional stations have already shut down analog. It seems likely that more will notify the FCC that they will switch before June 12th.

    Much of the funding being requested is for educating consumers, especially hiring more people to man transition-related helplines.
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    Originally Posted by usually_quiet
    This delay is voluntary. Broadcasters can decide for themelves if they want to cooperate. According to one story I read, 61% can make the switch without affecting other stations.
    So what happens to the stations that want to switch, but can't because they affect, or are affected by another station? Do they just have to suck it up and eat all the additional expenses that it would obviously cost them?
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  19. Originally Posted by Number Six
    Originally Posted by usually_quiet
    This delay is voluntary. Broadcasters can decide for themelves if they want to cooperate. According to one story I read, 61% can make the switch without affecting other stations.
    So what happens to the stations that want to switch, but can't because they affect, or are affected by another station? Do they just have to suck it up and eat all the additional expenses that it would obviously cost them?
    Good question. My local CBS affiliate, (I think the oldest station in the area), is waiting for the local NBC affiliate to vacate their analog frequencies so they can switch. They are currently simulcasting their digital signal on channel 2 frequencies and are subject to lots of interference and drop outs. So that puts the CBS affiliate at the NBC affiliate's mercy.
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  20. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by Number Six
    Originally Posted by usually_quiet
    This delay is voluntary. Broadcasters can decide for themelves if they want to cooperate. According to one story I read, 61% can make the switch without affecting other stations.
    So what happens to the stations that want to switch, but can't because they affect, or are affected by another station? Do they just have to suck it up and eat all the additional expenses that it would obviously cost them?
    Locally out here all the San Francisco - Sacramento stations are meeting to discuss an orderly transition. In many cases, one station must change to accommodate others. In this area analog will be an option only for channels 2 to 6 or above 51 since nearly every other channel is assigned for digital.

    It has been such a complex project, a website was formed just for SF-Sac to sort out all the station conflicts including low power stations and translators.
    http://www.choisser.com/sfonair2.html
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    This webpage outlines the latest rules for stations that want to switch on February 17th http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/173682-FCC_Releases_Rules_For_Stations_Sticki...eb_17_Date.php
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  22. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by usually_quiet
    This webpage outlines the latest rules for stations that want to switch on February 17th http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/173682-FCC_Releases_Rules_For_Stations_Sticki...eb_17_Date.php
    The commission also told stations that if they terminate analog before June 12, they must continue to broadcast on their temporary DTV channel rather than their final channel. If they want instead to move to their final channel allotment, they must file a request for special temporary authority.
    OMG!!! A recipe for disaster. The new transmitters and antennas are for the final Feb17 frequencies.
    A major mistake by a rookie FCC chief? Let the stations follow the plan and keep analog going where possible.

    Now the digital viewers have no clue where to find their channels. I hate Chaos.
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  23. Member Epicurus8a's Avatar
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    I know for a fact that some broadcasters are planning to keep their analog transmitters on-the-air until June 12th even though they'd really prefer to make the transition on Feb. 19th. Why? Because they don't want certain segments of society to view them in a negative light -- kinda like those morons in congress.

    IMO, this delay will cost money and jobs; all because of a few dimwitted people.
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    4 out of my 9 local stations have decided go ahead on February 17th, Two were going to keep their temporary frequencies until after June anyway. They are constructing new transmitters that won't be completed until later in the summer. The new transmitters will use their current analog frequency. I guess the other 2 stations are switching for financial reasons. (Their owners are going to have all their other properties switch as well.) Their permanent and temporary frequencies are the same. No new antennas or transmitters will be built.
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  25. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Let the station engineers work this.

    In spectrum congested areas this is a major problem that needs to be solved. Keep the lawyers outside unless thay are called in.
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    Yesterday, 11 Feb 2009, The FCC posted two list, dated 10 Feb 2009, of the TV stations requesting to cease analog operations on or prior to 17 Feb 2009.

    The list confirms what I found prowling analog TV via antenna last Tuesday night....all channels out of Peoria going down (31, CBS, WMBD seemed to be on reduced analog power).....all channels out of Quincy going down (7, 10 and PBS).......out of Springfield, 20 and 55 going down (20 to run a Night Light), 49 (WCFN) staying up, WSEC (PBS) near Jacksonville staying up.......out of Decatur, 17 going down.

    FCC shows 3 (CBS) out of Champaigne staying up.

    If one station in Peoria is denied their request, there will be some analog coverage of variable width available either side of a line running from Danville, to Springfield, to Jacksonville.

    Subsequent comments from the FCC chairman regarding the "Public Interest", shows the dumb fck he is. We are not talking live support here, only TV for dummies. This DTV transition emergency appears to be a grand political scheme to create a needless and phoney crissis from which the messiah can save his constituents. If there were any broadcasters unable to make the February 17 date, it's the best kept secret in America.

    The problem with the coupon program could have been fixed in late December, 2008....and all on the waiting list would have had their coupons and subsidized converter boxes weeks ago. But what did we get? A hollow bill, with no funding, unnecessary confusion, and a messiah that can't find the time to sign it!

    Welcome to Illinois folks!
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  27. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Here is the full FCC list of (a PDF)
    "APPENDIX B: ALL FULL-POWER TELEVISION STATIONS BY DMA, INDICATING THOSE TERMINATING ANALOG SERVICE BEFORE ON OR
    FEBRUARY 17, 2009"
    http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-221A5.pdf

    Remember that there will be a period of digital optimization while antennas are repositioned. This could take weeks to months. Consult the individual TV station announcements.
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  28. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Reading through that list, it appears most large markets will delay analog shutdown until June while more of the smaller markets are going ahead with the Feb 17 plan.
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  29. edit
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  30. Member
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    http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-221A5.pdf only shows the stations that will switch on February 17, and those that will switch at a later date. Not all that don't switch on February 17 will wait until June 12.

    Locally, three stations are switching on February 17, one in March, one in April, and four on June 12.
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