Transmit power minimums

[dlhoppe]

Does anyone know what the minimum transmit power requirements will be for TV stations when we make the switch from analog to digital?  Is there an arbitrary minimum, or will it be based on the size of the geographic area a station provides for?

What would the numbers be for the stations in Wisconsin?

[Gregg Lengling]

There really isn't a minimum.....they came out with a little rule to allow stations to run low power on startup and it requires the station to calcultate the service coverage area and be able to create a usuable signal at 20' above ground in the City of Coverage.  In this case if they can get a signal to you if you have an antenna 20 feet off the ground in the City limits of Milwaukee, they are meeting the intent of the law.  Of course all these are done using computer simulations and as the MPG rating of cars...your results may vary.

[dlhoppe]

Greg,

Do you have any guesses as to what kind of power we would expect to see from Wisconsin stations in KW's after the switch-over?  

Does the low "startup" transmit power meet the requirements of this law you refer too?  If not, when are they required to meet it? At the official end of analog?


Thanks.

[Gregg Lengling]

Yes the low startup power meets the mandate...however they have to be full power by 12/31/06.  As for what the full power ratings will be, you can check that on the licenses themselves at the FCC website...it's pretty easy to browse around.  However the ERP will depend on Frequency (channel #) and antenna height above average terrain.  So on UHF you'll see anywhere from 1,000kW to 2,500kW, but much lower on VHF..usually just a few 100kW.

[Detritus]

You can also use this search: http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp

and make sure to include construction permits in your search. Then you'll know what their planned height and transmit power will be. As well as where they are from you and what type of antenna they're using.