RF CURRENT

Welcome to RF Current, a weekly electronic newsletter focusing on Broadcast technical and F.C.C. related issues. This newsletter is part of The RF Page @ www.transmitter.com, a web site devoted to TV Broadcast RF engineering. For more information see the What is... guide to the R.F. Page site.

Issues are dated each Monday, although recently I've needed an extra day or two to complete each issue. Articles may be posted earlier if time permits or if there is a major, breaking story.

<<< Back to June 26 - Issue 220

July 3, 2000 - Issue 221 Final Edition

FCC Finalizes Reallocation of 2 GHz Spectrum for Broadcast Auxiliary Service (July 3)

The FCC released its Second Report and Second Memorandum Opinion and Order In the Matter of Amendment of Section 2.106 of the Commission's Rules to Allocate Spectrum at 2 GHz for Use of the Mobile-Satellite Service. In it, the FCC outlined its solution to the difficult problem of providing early entry to the 1990-2025 MHz band for new Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) licensees while ensuring the continuity of the Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) during the transition. The FCC noted that "BAS is a critical part of the broadcasting system by which information and entertainment is provided to the American public. We must minimize the disruption and down time BAS licensees will undergo in the transition, in order to continue day-to-day high quality BAS service."

The solution outlined in the Ordere includes a two-phase plan for the transition of BAS from its current 120 MHz of spectrum at 1990-2110 MHz to a band of 85 MHz at 2025-2110 MHz. The new band would comprise seven narrow BAS channels.

In Phase I, as outlined by the FCC, "the first MSS entrant (or entrants if more than one MSS licensee is ready to begin service within a short period) will be responsible for clearing 18 megahertz of spectrum at 1990-2008 MHz. This corresponds with current BAS Channel 1. The Phase I BAS band will consist of one channel of 15 megahertz, and six channels of 14.5 megahertz each, centered at the following frequencies:

Channel 1 -- 2015.5 MHz
Channel 2 -- 2030.25 MHz
Channel 3 -- 2044.75 MHz
Channel 4 -- 2059.25 MHz
Channel 5 -- 2073.75 MHz
Channel 6 -- 2088.25 MHz
Channel 7 -- 2102.75 MHz

Phase I will persist as long as 18 MHz of spectrum is sufficient for MSS operations."

The Order also described how the BAS band will be narrowed again in Phase II of the transition. The final configuration will consist of seven channels in the 2025-2110 MHz band centered on the following frequencies:

Channel 1 -- 2031.20 MHz
Channel 2 -- 2043.45 MHz
Channel 3 -- 2055.55 MHz
Channel 4 -- 2067.65 MHz
Channel 5 -- 2079.75 MHz
Channel 6 -- 2091.85 MHz
Channel 7 -- 2103.95 MHz

Phase II will be triggered when the 18 megahertz of Phase I spectrum is no longer sufficient to meet MSS requirements.

The first MSS license(s) will only be required to complete Phase I of the relocation plan in the 30 largest television markets (LA/Metro) before they begin operations. After the MSS licensee(s) begin operation, the FCC will forbid the use of 1990-2008 MHz, in the Light and Rural markets where BAS has not yet been relocated. The new MSS licensee(s) will be required to complete subsequent Phase I relocation in the next 70 largest television markets within three years after beginning operations.

Before MSS entrants can may begin operations in Phase II spectrum, "BAS licensees in the LA and Metro television markets must be relocated to the Phase II channel plan before the new MSS entrant(s) may begin operations in Phase II spectrum." Once Phase II MSS operations begin in Phase II spectrum, the FCC will forbid use of 2008-2023 MHz in the remaining television markets. The FCC Order states, "From that date, MSS providers will have three years to complete relocation of BAS licensees in the Light markets, and an additional two years, for a total of five years, to complete relocation in the remaining (Rural) television markets."

The NAB suggested a plan where, in addition to relocation of the LA and Metro markets, MSS would be rquired to relocate one ENG mobile vehicle in each market to allow it to operate on the Phase I channel plan. This would make it easier to coordinate events near the border of LA/Metro markets and Light markets where vehicles from both sizes of markets would be present. While recognizing the coordination difficulties of different band plans in adjacent markets, it did not adopt the suggestion, noting "operation in the BAS outside of the licensee's city of license of the associated broadcast station is on a secondary, non-interference basis to home-city licensees. Our relocation policy has never provided for secondary licensees or secondary uses, and we hesitate to do so here. Second, we note that in the scenario described by NAB, coordinators would be able to assign the secondary, out-of-area licensees to BAS Channels 8 and 9 (2450-2483.5 MHz), which are unaffected by this relocation. In the alternative, the out-of-area licensees could use satellite newsgathering equipment, which would also avoid any problem with incompatible channel widths. Finally, the relocation suggested by NAB would be very difficult and expensive, because it would be necessary to relocate BAS receive sites as well as ENG vehicles."

With regards to involuntary relocation, the FCC applied the requirements of its Emerging Technology polices: "(1) payment of all relocation expenses by the MSS operator, (2) full comparability of replacement facilities, and (3) the right of the incumbents to demand that MSS licensees cure any defects, should the replacement facilities prove not to be fully comparable after relocation." The actual relocation policy is more complex and readers with an interest in it should refer to the Order for a detailed description of it.

For more information, including the details on the negotiation process between broadcasters and MSS for relocation, refer to the FCC Second Report and Second Memorandum Opinion and Order In the Matter of Amendment of Section 2.106 of the Commission's Rules to Allocate Spectrum at 2 GHz for Use of the Mobile-Satellite Service. It is available from the FCC web site as either a text file fcc00233.txt or a Microsoft Word document fcc00233.doc.

Table of frequencies revised per FCC Erratum Released July 19.

FCC Reconsiders Service Rules for 700 MHz (TV channels 60-69) (June 30)

The FCC has issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (MO&O)generally affirming the service rules adopted in the 700 MHz First Report and Order. In the MO&O the FCC provided additional guidance on the factors they will consider when reviewing applications for approval of voluntary agreements between analog TV licensees and new 700 MHz licensees to open up the bands for new 700 MHz use. This article focus, however, on revisions of some of the technical rules for the new 700 MHz services.

The MO&O listed the following actions taken by the Commission "to help establish a neutral regulatory scheme in which competing wireless technologies may contend.":

Removed restriction on operation of base stations in the lower band, and mobile, portable and control stations in the upper band.
Revised power limits on fixed and base stations to better enable Time Division Duplex technologies in these bands. New levels for both bands are 1000 watts ERP for base and fixed stations; 30 watts ERP for mobile and control stations and 3 watts ERP for portables.
Declined to revise the original, mandatory pairing of lower-band and upper-band spectrum blocks.
Affirmed earlier decision to orient service rules to "intensive and efficient commercial wireless use."
Reaffirmed decision in the 700 MHz First Report and Order regarding conventional television broadcast services in these bands, reiterating:
"the interference problem between commercial television broadcast services and wireless services arises from the fundamental and substantial disparity between the two services' characteristic power levels, and the corresponding disparity between their transmitter tower heights. These disparities, in conjunction with the characteristic limits of receivers' ability to distinguish between desired and extraneous signals, inherently create disproportionate interference difficulties for the lower-power service. Our determination not to permit sharing between such disparate services was not based on an assumption that conventional television service has unique interference characteristics, as MSTV would have it, but on our basic understanding, supported by experience in the 470-512 MHz context and by Motorola's opposition, of the inherent interference effects that such technically disparate services have on one another, and the heightened potential for interference that naturally arises the greater the underlying disparities.
Reaffirmed out-of-band emissions limits of -70 dBW/MHz EIRP for wideband emissions and absolute EIRP limit of -80 dBW for descrete emissions of less than 700 Hz bandwidth and denied USGPS argument that these levels are insufficient to protect GPS operations.
Affirmed FCC's authority to consider and grant regulatory requests needed to implement voluntarily negotiated agreements to expedite clearing analog TV from these frequencies.

The FCC MO&O included Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to seek comments on "potential mechanisms to further the goals of transitioning the 700 MHz band to wireless services."

"First, we seek comment on whether or not we need to adopt cost-sharing rules that would spread the cost of band clearing among 700 MHz licensees that benefit from the process. Second, we seek comment on additional voluntary band clearing mechanisms that would provide alternatives to individually negotiated agreements between 700 MHz licensees and incumbent broadcasters in the 700 MHz band. One such alternative would be "three-way" agreements that would provide for TV incumbents in the 700 MHz band to relocate to lower band TV channels that would be voluntarily cleared by the lower band TV incumbent. Another alternative would be to allow use of "secondary auctions" in which 700 MHz bidders would bid for the right to enter into band clearing arrangements with TV incumbents that wished to clear their channels. We seek comment on the viability of these and other alternatives for facilitating the voluntary clearing of TV Channels 59-69 in connection with the upcoming auction of licenses for this portion of the spectrum. In addition, we seek comment on whether any or all of these mechanisms could be used to facilitate band clearing of Channels 52-58 in connection with our future licensing of this lower portion of the spectrum for wireless services.

The FCC also seeks comment on other proposals, such as allowing incumbent broadcasters on televison Channels 59-69 and 700 MHz new service providers to share spectrum in time and/or bits. The FCC also asks for comment on whether it should allow broadcasters to share DTV facilities and spectrum during the transition.

The complete 700 MHz Memorandum Opinion and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is available from the FCC online as text file fcc00224.txt or Microsoft Word file fcc00224.doc.

WIRELESS - NTIA Announces Testing Program for Ultra-Wideband (June 29)

Recognizing the possibility that developing ultra-wideband (UWB) techologies could interfere with existing radio communications services, the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications Information Adminstration (NTIA) will start a measurement program to evaluate UWB. Gregory Rohde, assistant commerce secretary for communications and information and director of NTIA said, "The testing plan is a good first step toward learning more about the characteristics of this dynamic new technology and its potential impact on various radiocommunication services. We look forward to the results in the coming months."

The NTA Annoucement noted that UWB transmits very short pulses, often in the picosecond range, at very low (average) power using very wide signal bandwidths. Rohde explained, "Because of that combination of characteristics, UWB has shown promise for many commercial applications, including wireless communications within buildings and the locations of objects on the other side of walls or other barriers. UWB will be using the same spectrum that is presently being used by conventional radiocommunication devices, including emergency services. Therefore, it will be important to ensure that there are no adverse effects from UWB to these critical radiocommunication services."

The test plan will be available for public review and comment on NTIA's web site at www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/uwbtestplan. It calls for development measurement procedures using commercial, off-the-shelf equipment to accurately measure UWB signal characteristics and investigate whether UWB devices will interfere with conventional radio receivers. Testing for interference to GPS is not included in this plan, but will be addressed in a plan to be released in late July.

DTV - ATSC Initiates Standards Activity to Explore VSB Enhancements (June 28)

The Advanced Television Standards Committee announced it is launching " a formal standards activity aimed at addressing emerging digital television (DTV) applications, including mobile services." Building on the work of the ATSC Task Force on RF System Performance, the ATSC Executive Committee directed its standards group to develop enhancements to the existing VSB DTV transmission standard.

Mark Richer, ATSC Executive Director, stated, "This effort responds to broadcaster requirements for more flexibility while ensuring the continuity and momentum of the DTV transition." The first step in the process is a detailed analysis of market requirements. With this information, ATSC will develop enhancements to the DTV standard, following the normal ATSC open standards setting process.

The ATSC Press Release did not indicate whether the enhancements would be backward compatible with existing U.S. 8-VSB DTV receivers. More detailed information on possible enhancements, including a non-backward compatible 2-VSB mode, Zenith's R-VSB (bi-rate) mode or even an alternative modulation system, is available in the EE Times article by George Leopod and Junko Yoshida listed in Other Items below.

Zenith Electronics Corporation issued a Press Release commending ATSC on the VSB enhancement activity. Richard M. Lewis, Zenith senior vice president, research and technology, commented, "We view this as a reaffirmation that the DTV transition is on track and that VSB is a standard with the flexibility and headroom to meet changing broadcaster needs. The VSB standard ensures that more consumers will get digital programming sooner while also addressing the evolving needs of broadcasters. With the 8-VSB transmission system firmly established as the American standard, the transition to digital television can continue unabated while exploration of future VSB applications can proceed in parallel." (The Zenith Press Release includes a copy of the ATSC Press Release that does not require a PDF viewer.)

INDUSTRY - Adaptive Broadband Agrees to Sell Microwave Radio Communications (MRC) Division (June 27)

Vislink plc announced it has proposed to acquire the Microwave Radio Communications Business (MRC) of Adaptive Broadband for consideration of up to US$20.75 million. MRC designs, manufactures and markets digital and analogue microwave radios. Vislink's broadcast and telecommunications division currently sales are currently less than US$2.5 million in the North American Market. Vislink, a British plc, also said MRC has a strong presence in Korea where Vislink has only a limited presence.

A Vislink Press Release said, "The acquisition of MRC is a further step in allowing the Group to create a global microwave broadcast and satellite communications business. Following the Acquisition, the Group proposes to continue to develop the broadcast and telecommunications division organically through both market growth and new product development."

The June 5, 2000 RF Current reported that Adaptive Broadband had reached an agreement to sell its EF Data division to Comtech Telecommunications Corporation.

FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Modify DTV Table of Allotments in Kingston, New York (July 3)

WRNN-TV Associates Limited Partnership, licensee of station WRNN-TV, NTSC Channel 62 in Kingston, New York, has requested the substitution of DTV Channel 48 for its assigned DTV Channel 21. WRNN states the channel change would eliminate interference to co-channel noncommercial educational station WLIW. Operation on the assigned DTV channel 21 would also force displacement of LPTV station W21BU, while the proposed channel 48 operation is not predicted to cause interference to any currently authorized low power facility. DTV Channel 48 would also allow WRNN to provide a net increase in interference-free DTV service to 5,931,013 people.

The FCC has found this channel change would meet its requirements and warrants consideration, but put WRNN on notice that it will be required to demonstrate compliance with not only minimum field strength requirements but with any other technical standards that may be adopted by the Commission in the Notice as part of the ongoing biennial review of DTV. The technical parameters of the modified allotment on Channel 48 would specify an effective radiated power of 200 kW at a height above average terrain of 388 meters.

Interested parties may file comments on or before August 21, 2000. Reply comments are due on or before September 5, 2000. Refer to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (MM Docket 00-121) for details on the request and information on filing comments.

FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Modify DTV Table of Allotments in Hazleton, Pennsylvania (June 29)

WOLF License Corporation, licensee of station WOLF-TV, NTSC Channel 56 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, has requested the substitution of DTV Channel 45 for its assigned DTV Channel 9. WOLF said that its proposed channel change will not result in the displacement of any existing TV translator or LPTV station. WOLF-DTon its assigned channel 9 would likely displace W09BL at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The proposed channel 45 would also permit station WOLF-TV to maximize its service area during the DTV transition period.

The FCC has found this channel change would meet its requirements and warrants consideration, but Canadian government concurrence must be obtained because the station is within 400 km of the U.S.-Canadian border. The technical parameters of the modified allotment on Channel 45 would specify an effective radiated power of 546 kW at a height above average terrain of 488 meters.

Interested parties may file comments on or before August 21, 2000. Reply comments are due on or before September 5, 2000. Refer to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (MM Docket 00-119) for details on the request and information on filing comments.

FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Modify DTV Table of Allotments in Lexington, Kentucky (June 29)

WKYT License Corporation, licensee of station WKYT-TV, NTSC Channel 27 in Lexington, Kentucky, has requested the substitution of DTV Channel 13 for its assigned DTV Channel 59. WKYT stated that adoption of its in-core spectrum digital allotment would permit it to construct only one set of digital transmission facilities. WKYT maintained that adoption of its proposal would reduce the construction costs it will incur during the DTV transition, allowing the savings to be used to maintain and improve other aspects of its services.

The FCC has found this channel change would meet its requirements and warrants consideration. The technical parameters of the modified allotment on Channel 13 would specify an effective radiated power of 5.0 kW at a height above average terrain of 300 meters.

Interested parties may file comments on or before August 21, 2000. Reply comments are due on or before September 5, 2000. Refer to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (MM Docket 00-118) for details on the request and information on filing comments.

FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Modify DTV Table of Allotments in Salem, Oregon (June 29)

Paxson Salem License, Inc., licensee of station KPXG, NTSC Channel 22 in Salem, Oregon has requested the substitution of DTV Channel 4 for its assigned DTV Channel 20. Paxson said the proposed change would permit it to locate its antenna site closer to other broadcast stations serving the Portland, Oregon, DMA, specifically KOIN-TV. The proposed channel change, it contends, would enable KPXG-DT to improve DTV service for viewers in Portland, Oregon and reduce the stations competitive disadvantage resulting from receiver orientation problems. Paxson stated its proposal conforms with the FCC de minimis interference standard and would not result in the displacement of any LPTV stations.

The FCC has found this channel change would meet its requirements and warrants consideration. Canadian concurrence, however, is required because the community of Salem is located within 400 km of the U.S. Canadian border. The technical parameters of the modified allotment on Channel 4 would specify an effective radiated power of 17 kW at a height above average terrain of 455 meters.

Interested parties may file comments on or before August 21, 2000. Reply comments are due on or before September 5, 2000. Refer to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (MM Docket 00-117) for details on the request and information on filing comments.

FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Modify DTV Table of Allotments in Kansas City, Missouri (June 28)

, KMBC Hearst-Argyle Television, licensee of station KMBC, NTSC Channel 9 in Kansas City, Missouri, has requested the substitution of DTV Channel 7 for its assigned DTV Channel 14. KMBC noted more that 200 land mobile facilities are licensed for operation within 50 miles of the KMBC-TV tower site in the 3 MHz immediately adjacent to the lower edge of Channel 14. KMBC stated some of these facilities are used for rescue, ambulance and other life-saving emergency purposes. KMBC said that "the proposed channel change would serve the public interest by eliminating the potential adverse impact to these licensees involved in safety activities from out-of-band emissions."

The FCC has found this channel change would meet its requirements and warrants consideration. The technical parameters of the modified allotment on Channel 7 would specify an effective radiated power of 115 kW at a height above average terrain of 357 meters.

Interested parties may file comments on or before August 21, 2000. Reply comments are due on or before September 5, 2000. Refer to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (MM Docket 00-116) for details on the request and information on filing comments.

FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Modify DTV Table of Allotments in Reading, California (June 28)

California Broadcasting, Inc., licensee of station KRCR-TV, NTSC Channel 7 in Redding, California, has requested the substitution of DTV Channel 34 for its assigned DTV Channel 14. KRCR stated it shares its transmitter site with numerous land mobile operations, some of which operate on frequencies just below channel 14. KRCR argued that because of its transmitter location, filters sufficient to eliminate interference from DTV channel 14 to the land mobile receivers are complex and difficult to construct. These potential interference problems, KRCR asserts, can be avoided by moving its DTV channel to 34 in lieu of DTV channel 14.

The FCC has found this channel change would meet its requirements and warrants consideration. The technical parameters of the modified allotment on Channel 34 would specify an effective radiated power of 166 kW at a height above average terrain of 1106 meters.

Interested parties may file comments on or before August 21, 2000. Reply comments are due on or before September 5, 2000. Refer to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (MM Docket 00-115) for details on the request and information on filing comments.

FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Modify DTV Table of Allotments in Great Falls, Montana (June 28)

KFBB Corporation, licensee of station KFBB-TV, NTSC Channel 5 in Great Falls, Montana, has requested the substitution of DTV Channel 8 for its assigned DTV Channel 39. KFBB states that due to the better propagation characteristics of DTV Channel 8, "KFBB-TV could better replicate its analog service area using the lower-band VHF spectrum."

The FCC has found this channel change would meet its requirements and warrants consideration, although because Great Falls is located within 400 km of the U.S. Canadian border, Canadian government concurrence is required. The technical parameters of the modified allotment on Channel 13 would specify an effective radiated power of 160 kW at a height above average terrain of 180 meters.

Interested parties may file comments on or before August 21, 2000. Reply comments are due on or before September 5, 2000. Refer to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (MM Docket 00-114) for details on the request and information on filing comments.

FCC Grants Change to DTV Table of Allotments in Las Vegas, Nevada (June 29)

The FCC has granted the request of Journal Broadcast Corporation, licensee of KTNV, NTSC Channel 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada, to substitute DTV channel 12 for channel 17. Innovative Technologies, Inc., licensee of LPTV station KEEN-LP, Channel 17 in Las Vegas filed comments supporting the channel change request.

The FCC agreed the public interest would be served by the substitution since it could enable KTNV to achieve a net gain in interference-free television service. The technical parameters of the Channel 12 DTV allotment to Las Vegas specify an effective radiated power of 26.4 kW at a height above average terrain of 610 meters serving a population of 738,000.

This information is from the Report and Order (Proceeding Terminated)(MM Docket 99-252).

FCC Grants Change to DTV Table of Allotments in Reno, Nevada (June 29)

The FCC has granted the request of Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. (STI), licensee of KTVN, NTSC Channel 2 in Reno, Nevada, to substitute DTV channel 13 for channel 32.

The FCC said it believed the public interest would be served by the substitution since it "would permit STI to facilitate the relocation of its DTV transmitting facility."

The technical parameters of the Channel 12 DTV allotment to Las Vegas specify an effective radiated power of 12 kW at a height above average terrain of 906 meters serving a population of 481,000.

This information is from the Report and Order (Proceeding Terminated)(MM Docket 99-291).

OTHER Items of Interest

Petition for Declaratory Ruling That Digital Television Stations Have Must Carry Rights - Cable Services Bureau Proceeding CSR 5562-Z - WHDT-DT, Stuart, Florida, requests ruling that a new DTV-only station which seeks carriage of only a single channel of video programming is entitled to mandatory carriage. Comments and oppositions must be filed by August 4, 2000. Replies due August 18, 2000.
FCC Dismisses Petition for Rulemaking to Expand Certain Types of Transmissions in Prescribed Portions of the Amateur Radio VHF Bands - Order - CSMC had requested amendment of rules to allow all digital modes up to 300 baud and SSB phone in between 50.0-50.1 and 144.0-144.1 MHz.
FCC Extends Deadline for Filing Comments in Rule Making to Accommodate Advanced Digital Communications in the 117.975-137 MHz Band and Implement Flight Information Services in the 136-137 MHz Band - Order - Comments are now due by July 14, 2000 with reply comments due by September 1, 2000.
FCC Grants Columbia Communications Corp. Assignment of Five Space Station Licenses and One Earth Station to GE Americom - Order - [need info on satellites]
GE Americom Announces Plans for GE-2E to Expand European Capacity - Press Release - The all Ku-band GE-2E satellite to serve Europe, Scandinavia and the Middle East is planned to begin operation from 24 degrees West Longitude in 4Q2000.
EE Times article - Hurdles seen on road to wireless Internet - story by Patrick Mannion
EE Times article - ATSC to consider enhancements to digital TV spec - story by George Leopold and Junko Yoshida
EE Times article - U.S. to test ultra-wideband technology for interference - story by George Leopold

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