FCC DTV Coverage Changes

[John Blankenship]

Following the DTV transition, there will be some changes as to where in the spectrum the TV stations will call home.  In my area (Indianapolis), for instance, a couple of stations will transition their DTV frequency back to where the analog one was.  In other cases, stations are moving into slots formerly occupied by yet a different station.

To help sort out how the changes will affect your favorite freqs, here are the FCC's "Coverage Maps for All Designated Market Areas" as they are projected to be after the switch to full DTV is made:

http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/

(Thanks to Matt Mayer for posting a link, on RAMPS, leading to this link.)

I don't recall seeing it posted here.  My apology if it's a duplicate.

John

[Matt Mayer]

Thanks for the props John.

Even cooler was a later message by Peter Schneider at Gotham.

All stations and frequencies by market:

http://www.rabbitears.info/ss/DTV-Channels.xls

---Matt

[wolfvid]

Legal  Newsflash:

There is provision in the federal regulations now to use Video Assist transmitters legally in the USA with some restrictions.

Look at:  Federal Communications Commission §74.870        47 CFR Ch. I (10-1-04 Edition) asks the manufacturer to:  include with a wireless assist video device information regarding the requirement for users to obtain an FCC license, the requirement that stations must locate at least 129 kilometers away from a co-channel TV station, the limited class of users that may operate these devices, the authorized uses, the need for users to obtain a license, and the requirement that a local coordinator (or adjacent channel TV stations, if there is no local coordinator) must be notified prior to operation.

[68 FR 12772, Mar. 17, 2003, as amended at 68 FR 69331, Dec, 12, 2003]

You may read the details regarding above at:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/octqtr/pdf/47cfr74.870.pdf

[wolfvid]

• CHANNEL GUIDE FOR AROUND THE WORLD:Of course you cannot use any UHF transmitter in the USAunless you have special permission from FCC or are working for certaingovernment agencies.  If you are, thisapplies to you: 
  
  Some channels (14-20) are used by police and fire in manyplaces around the world for data, so even if there's no picture on yourmonitor, some other service is using this frequency for data communication andyou could be interfering with them. They may complain and stop you from using your equipment. If you areanother government service with priority you probably have other choices orknow how to frequency coordinate.
  
  In use channels in Tijuana:  12, 21, 27, 33, 57
  
  Do not use channels that have Broadcast analog TV on it.  It does not work and its not permitted mostplaces. If you want to be real safe do not use the channel on either side of abroadcast channel.  You may interferewith broadcast TV reception they may desensitize your reception.
  
  Do not transmit over the air in the USA or other placeswhere you have no permission from the appropriate authorities!
  
  Spectrumuse:  Here some worldwide frequencies inuse find them for your area:
  http://www.sennheiserusa.com/frequencyfinder/default.asp  (ref. Scott F)
  http://www.lectrosonics.co.uk/lectroeurofreq.htm
  A sample database of USA TV channels pre digital is at http://www.globalcommnet.com/operators/tvoperator.asp  Enter your location and TV channel and alllicensed transmitters (TV, AM, FM) at a specified distance will be listed withfull site maps.  Of course, it’sof little use, as you are not allowed to use Modulus in the US      and loads of TV and freq. Info: http://tvtower.com/Commercial%20Television%20Frequencies.html
  WorldTV systems list: http://www.kropla.com/tv.htm  also http://www.alkenmrs.com/video/wwstandards1.html 
  forworld radio stations and internet stations go to :
  http://www.tvradioworld.com/region1/ca/tv.asp?m=los 
  AllTV channels and frequencies in the US
  http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/News_Releases/1998/et8002a.txt
  And http://www.soontai.com.tw/tvtab1.html 
  Good little antenna lesson: http://www.professionalwireless.com/antenna.aspx
  
  LECTROSONICSWEBSITE FOR WIRELESS FREQ: http://www.lectrosonics.com/cgi-bin/tv_form.pl
  SHUREWEBSITE FOR WIRELESS FREQUENCIES: http://www.shure.com/scripts/freq_app/default.asp
  SENNHEISERWEBSITE FOR WIRELESS FREQ: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/mat_dev/frequencyfinder/Freqfinder-open.asp
  TV& RADIO CHANNELS AROUND THE WORLD: http://www.tvradioworld.com/
  FCC TV CHANNEL LOOK-UP SERVICE:http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html
  
  Want to find out how to coordinate frequencies on the set?Here a computerized approach:  http://www.professionalwireless.com/ias/Demo/index.html
  Digital transition consumer info:
  http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
  http://www.dtvanswers.com/
  http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php
  http://www.hdpictures.com/stations.htm
  http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/PressRoom/WhiteSpaces/index.htmwhite space info
  Find all digital stations within 80 miles of a zip code:
  http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php