DTV question - "final answers"

[cd637299]

Hi

I will admit, I am still a novice at this whole DTV thing.....my only "digital TV" is the WinTV for my PC.

A buddy of mine told me that traditional analog TV stations (those on chs 2 to 51) will have the choice of *staying* on their analog channel OR moving to their DTV allotment come 2009.

I know WLS 7 will stay, reading what I read.

So, how soon will we DXers know whether a channel will stay or move? And, if some stay & some move, would that not cause confusion for the FCC? If one stays, let's say, and one moves, using the same channel which COULD be short spaced, well.....would there not be a problem here?

Here in Miami, ya know how *I* would feel if WPBT 2 & WFOR 4 stayed, knowing the potential for foreign DX. Getting foreign DX on ch 3 is all fine & dandy, but I am looking forward to NOT having to travel to see 2 & 4! I know for sure our ch 6 will move off, due to its undesirable tower location at present.

Can anybody shed some light?

[Danny]

Check out Doug's list of final channel assignments:

http://www.w9wi.com/tvdb/dtvfinal/dtvindex.htm

Danny
Shreveport, LA

[cd637299]

Well, if that's written in stone, I'm a happy camper! I may even be actually looking forward to my 50th b'day! (May 6, 2009)

cd

[w9wi]

So, how soon will we DXers know whether a channel will stay or move? And, if some stay & some move, would that not cause confusion for the FCC? If one stays, let's say, and one moves, using the same channel which COULD be short spaced, well.....would there not be a problem here?


Thanks Danny for the link - unfortunately there are some errors as the FCC document that page was based on turned out to *not* be final, although I thought it was... The FCC did release the final (I hope!) document earlier this week, and I'm working on translating it into Web format.

So I guess to specifically answer your first question, this past Monday...

As for confusion at the FCC, the decision is not 100% the station's. The FCC had the power to veto a station's choice if interference would result, and in a few cases choices *were* vetoed. (not very many, as most stations hired engineering firms to ensure their choices would meet interference requirements - stations didn't apply for a channel unless they were pretty sure the FCC would approve it)

Looking specifically at your situation in the Miami area, you're going to be in luck. The only low-band channel that will be in use in the Miami market after transition will be 3, and that for a relatively low-powered station in Key West. Your locals on analog 7 and 10 will be remaining on analog 7 and 10, and there will be stations on 12 and 13 in West Palm Beach. (along with a low-powered channel 8 in Key West)