Analog TV transmitters

[fmksey]

Any thoughts on what will happen to 1000s of these transmitters after HDTV? I'm sure some will stay where they are collecting dust. I'm been in 2 older plants that I don't know how they would get them out anyway.

[genlock]

I think the rest of the world has gone digital, so no market for the analog stuff there.
I suspect it will be junked, PCB capacitors will have to be disposed of properly.
Some stations will a lot of xmtr space may elect to just let them sit there as
it may cost too much to dispose of the stuff and they don't have the staff to
do the job anyway. Some stations may need the room to maximize their DTV
power if they have not already done that or to put on a duopoly channel.
Current economic conditions may delay the more ambitious plans.
Few, if any of the parts are usable for ham radio projects.

[lastone]

JUST THINK OF IT !!

5, 10,20, 50, 100 kw HELL MEGAWATTS ON 27 MHZ

10-4 GOOD BUDDY !!!!!!!!
(IT'LL TUNE DOWN TO THAT WEN'T IT? KAN I GET ER' IN MY PICK-UP?)

[Tom Taggart]

There's nothing to prevent the newer transmitters from being used for DTV, just change the exciter. True, many stations are changing channels, but that doesn't mean the old transmitter can't be rebuilt and moved somewhere else.

[fmksey]

And what about the antennas/coax ----just hang there?

[genlock]

Some stations will return to their analog channel as digital stations, like WOWK.
If their antenna is ok for that, they will use the coax and antenna.
The coax and antennas may have some limited resale value, but the return could
be limited because of the cost of removal from the tower. There may be some low-power start-ups
that could use the old antennas or the tower capacity could be used for the planned
new broadband services. The stations will be looking for some opportunities to make
additional profit from valuable vertical real estate.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Why would you need a different antenna for digital if you're staying on the same frequency?

I know each TV broadcast antenna is cut for a specific frequency, but type of modulation???



[/techno-nerd questions]

[genlock]

To get the digital signal correct a closer attention to group delay is needed.
Center fed antennas are preferred. Older pylons are end fed.
They will work, and work well, but the station will always be at a dis-advantage because even
with perfect reception at the home, more of the tv sets adaptive equalization
will have to be used. This could put the station at a disadvantage during
weather changes or pulse noise events (and stuff).

BTW: for high power UHF, even the transmission line lengths of sections is critical.
Would not want a VSWR node at a bullet, would we?

Laurie Dhue is 6'3" tall.

[Big Media]

Some stations had the foresight to put clauses in their property leases where they can automatically dump the space, or foot print, used by their analog transmitters. In those situations, the transmitters have to be out of those buildings within about 30 days of the shut off so the space, or foot print, can be sublet to a new tenant.

Newer transmitters can be used in the digital realm but these assets will not be left in place. Taxes must be paid on them whether they are analog or digital. Anything of value will be sold. Anything older than 15 years will very likely be scrapped.

[genlock]

Who leases transmitter space?
Around here anyway.

[Big Media]

Who leases transmitter space?
Around here anyway.

Speaking primarily of larger markets. Very few companies own their towers anymore---let alone their plants. The liability is too high. Another plus to not owning your tower is by not having to light it or monitor the lights on it.

[Cameron]

Who leases transmitter space?
Around here anyway.

Another plus to not owning your tower is by not having to light it or monitor the lights on it.

The FCC tends to have a different view:

Licensees should be familiar with the painting and lighting specifications shown on their station authorization. In the event that the structure owner is unable to maintain the prescribed painting and lighting, e.g. in cases including but not limited to abandonment, negligence, or bankruptcy, the FCC would require that each tenant licensee on the structure undertake efforts to maintain painting and/or lighting. Additionally, if the licensee has reason to believe that the structure is not in compliance or that the owner is not carrying out its responsibility to maintain the structure, the licensee must immediately notify the owner, notify the site management company (if applicable), notify the FCC, and make a diligent effort to ensure that the antenna structure is brought into compliance.

CFR:

§ 17.6 Responsibility of Commission licensees and permittees.
(a) The antenna structure owner is responsible for maintaining the painting and lighting in accordance with this part. However, if a licensee or permittee authorized on an antenna structure is aware that the structure is not being maintained in accordance with the specifications set forth on the Antenna Structure Registration (FCC Form 854R) or the requirements of this part, or otherwise has reason to question whether the antenna structure owner is carrying out its responsibility under this part, the licensee or permittee must take immediate steps to ensure that the antenna structure is brought into compliance and remains in compliance. The licensee must:

(1) Immediately notify the structure owner;

(2) Immediately notify the site management company (if applicable);

(3) Immediately notify the Commission; and,

(4) Make a diligent effort to immediately bring the structure into compliance.

(b) In the event of non-compliance by the antenna structure owner, the Commission may require each licensee and permittee authorized on an antenna structure to maintain the structure, for an indefinite period, in accordance with the Antenna Structure Registration (FCC Form 854R) and the requirements of this part.

[Big Media]

§ 17.6 Responsibility of Commission licensees and permittees.
(a) The antenna structure owner is responsible for maintaining the painting and lighting in accordance with this part. However, if a licensee or permittee authorized on an antenna structure is aware that the structure is not being maintained in accordance with the specifications set forth on the Antenna Structure Registration (FCC Form 854R) or the requirements of this part, or otherwise has reason to question whether the antenna structure owner is carrying out its responsibility under this part, the licensee or permittee must take immediate steps to ensure that the antenna structure is brought into compliance and remains in compliance. The licensee must:

(1) Immediately notify the structure owner;

(2) Immediately notify the site management company (if applicable);

(3) Immediately notify the Commission; and,

(4) Make a diligent effort to immediately bring the structure into compliance.

(b) In the event of non-compliance by the antenna structure owner, the Commission may require each licensee and permittee authorized on an antenna structure to maintain the structure, for an indefinite period, in accordance with the Antenna Structure Registration (FCC Form 854R) and the requirements of this part.

Ahhhh. The American Tower clause. I forgot about that!

Oh well. At least American Tower has a 24 hour toll free number that rings into an 3rd party Indian call center.

[fearpeddler]

if anything I could see them being donated to the "poorer" countries of the world, the entire world hasnt gone digital yet..

[Scott Reppert]

if anything I could see them being donated to the "poorer" countries of the world...

Just like Fondue Sets For Namibia???