Up-to-date information on all satellites around the world. ***** Vis.

http://www.arachnoid.com/satfinderonline/index.php#scrolldown

“Satellite Finder Online” (hereafter SFO) is a Web-based version of my popular Java application “Satellite Finder”. This service provides coordinates to help you locate geostationary satellites, primarily for those installing and pointing satellite dishes. If you are a professional dish installer and you expect to be in the field at the time you need pointing information, you may want to download “Satellite Finder” as well (both services are free).

About :
The Upgrade Program will reimburse the eligible costs to upgrade analog low‑power television broadcast stations, Class A television stations, television translator stations, and television booster stations in rural communities to digital transmission.

Eligible stations must be broadcasting a licensed digital signal before applying for a grant.

Assistance Available :
Eligible stations can apply for reimbursement(s), up to $6,000 to refit analog equipment for digital transmission or up to $20,000 to replace analog equipment with digital equipment, to upgrade low-power stations in eligible rural communities from analog to digital.

Status :
NTIA is now accepting applications from eligible stations qualifying for priority reimbursement. These applications are due 07/13/2009. On 09/01/2009 and in subsequent months, applications are due from any eligible station the first business day of each month for as long as funds are available.

Martin wanted the agency to vote on the plan last Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn., but he decided against going forward last Tuesday afternoon after failing to obtain two votes in addition to his to ensure passage.

The FCC’s meeting was to include testimony from low-power television executives from around the country. Dozens of them needlessly traveled to Nashville, even though Martin knew as early as last Monday that his plan was doomed.”

Whats Left on the books;
Title 47: Telecommunication
PART 76—MULTICHANNEL VIDEO AND CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE
§ 76.55 Definitions applicable to the must-carry rules.

d) Qualified low power station. A qualified low power station is any television broadcast station conforming to the low power television rules contained in part 74 of this chapter, only if:

(1) Such station broadcasts for at least the minimum number of hours of operation required by the Commission for full power television broadcast stations under part 73 of this chapter;

(2) Such station meets all obligations and requirements applicable to full power television broadcast stations under part 73 of this chapter, with respect to the broadcast of nonentertainment programming; programming and rates involving political candidates, election issues, controversial issues of public importance, editorials, and personal attacks; programming for children; and equal employment opportunity; and the Commission determines that the provision of such programming by such station would address local news and informational needs which are not being adequately served by full power television broadcast stations because of the geographic distance of such full power stations from the low power station’s community of license;

(3) Such station complies with interference regulations consistent with its secondary status pursuant to part 74 of this chapter;

(4) Such station is located no more than 56.32 km (35 miles) from the cable system’s principal headend, as defined in §76.5(pp), and delivers to that headend an over-the-air signal of good quality;

(5) The community of license of such station and the franchise area of the cable system are both located outside of the largest 160 Metropolitan Statistical Areas, ranked by population, as determined by the Office of Management and Budget on June 30, 1990, and the population of such community of license on such date did not exceed 35,000; and

(6) There is no full power television broadcast station licensed to any community within the county or other equivalent political subdivision (of a State) served by the cable system.

Note to paragraph (d): For the purposes of this section, a good quality signal shall mean a signal level of either -45 dBm for UHF signals or -49 dBm for VHF signals at the input terminals of the signal processing equipment, or a baseband video signal.

COMMENCEMENT OF RURAL, FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED DIGITAL LICENSING FOR LOW POWER TELEVISION AND TV TRANSLATORS BEGINNING AUGUST 25, 2009 AND COMMENCEMENT OF NATIONWIDE, FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED DIGITAL LICENSING FOR LOW POWER TELEVISION AND TV TRANSLATOR SERVICES BEGINNING JANUARY 25, 2010

To ensure continued service for viewers of low power television (LPTV) and TV translator
stations in the rural portions of the United States and to assist stations in these areas with their transition
to digital, we announce a rural digital filing opportunity for these services. Beginning August 25, 2009
we will permit the filing of applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations in rural
areas, for major changes to existing analog and digital LPTV and TV translator facilities in those areas,
and, in the case of incumbent analog stations, for digital companion channels.1 No applications for new
analog facilities will be accepted. As outlined below, this filing opportunity will be subject to a
geographic restriction and to first-come, first-served processing.
In addition, to further assist all LPTV and TV translator stations in their transition to digital, we
will begin accepting applications on a nationwide, first-come, first-served basis for new digital-only
LPTV and TV translators stations, for major modifications to existing analog and digital stations in these
services, and, in the case of incumbent analog stations, for digital companion channels without
geographic restriction2 on January 25, 2010.3 No applications for new analog facilities will be
accepted.
We remind incumbent LPTV, TV translator, and Class A television stations that they may file an
application for on-channel digital conversion or flash-cut at any time.4 So that they may retain processing
priority, we encourage those incumbent stations that have not already done so to file their flash-cut
applications prior to the commencement of first-come, first-served digital licensing. We are providing
1 Unlike the 2006 digital companion channel filing window, there is no deadline for the submission of digital
companion channel applications and interested stations must submit a long-form application for their proposed
digital companion channel. See “LPTV and TV Translator Digital Companion Channel Applications Filing Window
for Auction No. 85,” Public Notice, 21 FCC Rcd 4100 (MB/WTB 2006) (Auction No. 85 Filing Window Public
Notice).
2 Id.
3 Applications for new Class A stations may not be filed.
4 See 47 C.F.R. § 74.787(a)(1).
2
notice so that incumbent stations and their technical consultants will have sufficient time to prepare and to
file their flash-cut applications prior to the commencements of both the rural and nationwide first-come,
first-served digital licensing opportunities.
We also remind applicants that additional adjustments in the facilities and assigned channels of full-power
television broadcast stations may be required as the transition of that service to digital mode is optimized.
These adjustments, the extent of which is not fully known at this time, could have an adverse impact,
including displacement, on applicants filing under the procedures in this Public Notice.
Filings Procedures
Beginning August 25, 2009, all interested parties including incumbent LPTV and TV translator
stations, may begin filing applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations, for major
changes to existing analog and digital facilities and, in the case of incumbent analog stations, for digital
companion channels,5 where such applications specify transmitting antenna site coordinates (geographic
latitude and longitude) located more than 121 kilometers (75 miles) from the reference coordinates of the
cities listed in Appendix A. These applications will be filed on a first-come, first-served basis and will be
“cut-off” daily.
Beginning January 25, 2010, all interested parties, including incumbent LPTV and TV
translator stations, may begin filing applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations,
for major changes to existing analog and digital LPTV and TV translator stations, and, in the case of
incumbent analog stations, for digital companion channels without geographic restriction.6 Such
applications will be filed on a first-come, first-served basis and will be “cut-off” daily.
All applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations or for major changes to
existing digital or analog LPTV and TV translator stations are subject to a $705.00 filing fee. There is no
application filing fee for the submission of a flash-cut or digital companion channel application, or for
applications for replacement digital translator stations as these applications are for minor changes.
Applicants must file their applications electronically using FCC Form 346. Paper-filed applications will
not be accepted. Instructions for use of the electronic filing system are available in the CDBS User’s
Guide, which can be accessed from the electronic filing web site at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/cdbs.html.
For assistance with electronic filing, call the Media Bureau Help Desk at (202) 418-26MB (418-2662).
Important Reminders. All mutually exclusive applications will be resolved by competitive bidding
(auctions).
Applications for new digital LPTV and TV translator stations and for replacement digital
translators may only be filed for in-core channels 2-51.
Applicants proposing digital companion channels on channels 52-59 must certify in their long
form application the unavailability of any suitable in-core channel.7 “Suitable in-core channel” is defined
as one that would enable the station to produce a digital service area comparable to its analog service
5 See supra n. 1.
6 Id.
7 See 47 C.F.R. § 74.786(d).
3
area.8 In addition, Section 74.786(d) of the Commission’s rules provides that applicants proposing digital
companion channels on channels 52-59 must notify all potentially affected 700 MHz band wireless
licensees of the spectrum comprising the proposed TV channel and the spectrum in the first adjacent
channels thereto not later than 30 days prior to the submission of their long form application.9
Specifically, notification is required to wireless licensees within whose licensed geographic boundaries a
digital LPTV or TV translator station is proposed to be located.10 Notification is also required to cochannel
and first adjacent channel licensees whose geographic service area boundaries lie within 75 miles
and 50 miles, respectively, of the proposed digital LPTV and TV translator station location.11 The
identity and contact information for all wireless entities in the 700 MHz band is available through the
Universal Licensing System (ULS) on the Commission web site (www.fcc.gov). Digital companion
channel facilities on channels 52-59 may operate on a secondary basis as long as they do not technically
conflict with the operations of a primary service licensee. Digital companion channel authorizations will
be explicitly conditioned to that effect.
We remind applicants of the following important rules and policies that apply during this filing
opportunity:
· Only existing low power station permittees and licensees are permitted to file for a digital
companion channel;12
· Applicants for digital companion channels will be required to identify their associated analog
station and must propose to serve the community of license of their associated analog facility;
· Incumbent stations may continue to file applications to flash-cut their existing analog stations to
digital;
· Stations with a construction permit, license or pending application for a digital companion
channel may not file for a second digital companion channel;13
· Stations seeking digital operation must choose between an on-channel digital conversion of their
analog station or operating a digital companion channel station;
· Any station that has a license, construction permit, or pending application for on-channel digital
conversion will not be eligible to submit an application for a companion digital channel for the
same station, and any such companion digital channel application will be dismissed;
· Stations that receive a digital companion channel will be required at a future date to return either
their analog channel or companion channel to the Commission;14 and
· Class A stations are on notice that all digital companion channels will be licensed as LPTV
channels on a secondary, non-interference basis.
8 Id.
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 Id.
12 Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission’s Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television,
Television Translator, and Television Booster Stations and to Amend Rules for Digital Class A Television Stations,
Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 19331, 19383 (2004) (Digital LPTV Order).
13 Id.
14 Id.
4
If you have any questions, please contact Hossein Hashemzadeh (technical) or Shaun Maher
(legal) of the Video Division, Media Bureau at (202) 418-1600.
– FCC –
5
APPENDIX A
Applications for new digital low power television and TV translator stations and analog and
digital major changes to existing low power television and TV translator stations filed during the limited
filing opportunity beginning August 25, 2009 may not propose new or modified facilities located within
121 kilometers (75 miles) of the reference coordinates listed below for the following cities. Source of
cities: January 1, 2008 Nielsen Media Research Estimates. Source of coordinates: Section 76.53 of the
Commission’s Rules.
DMA
RANKING MARKET NORTH LATITUDE WEST LONGITUDE
1 New York City, New York 40-45-06 073-59-39
2 Los Angeles, California 34-03-15 118-14-28
3 Chicago, Illinois 41-52-28 87-38-22
4 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 39-56-58 75-9-21
5 Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 32-47-09 096-47-37
6 San Francisco, California 37-46-39 122-24-40
7 Boston, Massachusetts 42-21-24 71-3-25
8 Atlanta, Georgia 33-45-10 84-23-37
9 Washington, District of
Columbia 38-53-51 77-0-33
10 Houston, Texas 29-45-26 95-21-37
11 Detroit, Michigan 42-19-48 83-2-57
12 Phoenix, Arizona 33-27-12 112-4-28
13 Tampa, Florida 27-56-58 82-27-26
14 Seattle, Washington 47-36-32 122-20-12
15 Minneapolis, Minnesota 44-58-57 93-15-43
16 Miami, Florida 25-46-37 80-11-32
17 Cleveland, Ohio 41-29-51 81-41-50
18 Denver, Colorado 39-44-58 104-59-22
19 Orlando, Florida 28-32-42 81-22-38
20 Sacramento, California 38-34-57 122-23-34
21 St. Louis, Missouri 38-37-45 90-12-22
22 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 40-26-19 80-0-0
23 Portland, Oregon 45-31-6 122-40-35
24 Baltimore, Maryland 39-17-26 76-36-45
25 Charlotte, North Carolina 35-13-44 80-50-45
26 Indianapolis, Indiana 39-46-7 86-9-46
27 San Diego, California 32-42-53 117-9-21
28 Raleigh, North Carolina 35-46-38 78-38-21
29 Hartford, Connecticut 41-46-12 72-40-49
30 Nashville, Tennessee 36-9-33 86-46-55
31 Kansas City, Missouri 39-4-56 94-35-20
32 Columbus, Ohio 39-57-47 83-0-17
33 Cincinnati, Ohio 39-6-7 84-30-35
34 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 43-2-19 87-54-15
35 Salt Lake City, Utah 40-45-23 111-51-26
36 Greenville, South Carolina 34-50-50 82-24-1
37 San Antonio, Texas 29-25-37 98-29-6
38 West Palm Beach, Florida 26-42-36 80-3-5
6
39 Grand Rapids, Michigan 42-58-3 85-40-13
40 Birmingham, Alabama 33-31-1 86-48-36
41 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 40-15-43 76-52-59
42 Norfolk, Virginia 36-51-10 76-17-21
43 Las Vegas, Nevada 36-10-20 115-8-37
44 Albuquerque, New Mexico 35-5-1 106-39-5
45 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 35-28-26 97-31-4
46 Greensboro, North Carolina 36-4-17 79-47-25
47 Memphis, Tennessee 35-8-46 90-3-13
48 Louisville, Kentucky 38-14-47 85-45-49
49 Jacksonville, Florida 30-19-44 81-39-42
50 Buffalo, New York 42-52-52 78-52-21
51 Austin, Texas 30-16-9 97-44-37
52 Providence, Rhode Island 41-49-32 71-24-41
53 New Orleans, Louisiana 29-56-53 90-4-10
54 Scranton, Pennsylvania 41-24-32 75-39-46
55 Fresno, California 36-44-12 119-47-11
56 Albany, New York 42-39-1 73-45-1
57 Little Rock, Arkansas 34-44-52 92-16-37
58 Knoxville, Tennessee 35-57-39 83-55-7
59 Richmond, Virginia 37-32-15 77-26-9
60 Tulsa, Oklahoma 36-9-12 95-59-34
61 Mobile, Alabama 30-41-36 88-2-33
62 Dayton, Ohio 39-45-32 84-11-43
63 Fort Myers, Florida 26-38-42 81-52-6
64 Lexington, Kentucky 38-2-50 84-29-46
65 Huntington, West Virginia 38-25-12 82-26-33
66 Flint, Michigan 43-0-50 83-41-33
67 Roanoke, Virginia 37-16-13 79-56-44
68 Tucson, Arizona 32-13-15 110-58-8
69 Wichita, Kansas 37-41-30 97-20-16
70 Green Bay, Wisconsin 44-30-48 88-0-50
71 Des Moines, Iowa 41-35-14 93-37-0
72 Toledo, Ohio 41-39-14 83-32-39
73 Honolulu, Hawaii 21-18-36 157-51-48
74 Springfield, Missouri 37-13-3 93-17-32
75 Omaha, Nebraska 41-15-42 95-56-14
76 Portland, Maine 43-39-33 70-15-19
77 Spokane, Washington 47-39-32 117-25-33
78 Rochester, New York 43-9-41 77-36-21
79 Paducah, Kentucky 37-5-13 88-35-56
80 Syracuse, New York 43-3-4 76-9-14
81 Columbia, South Carolina 34-0-2 81-2-0
82 Shreveport, Louisiana 32-30-46 93-44-58
83 Huntsville, Alabama 34-44-18 86-35-19
84 Champaign, Illinois 40-7-5 88-14-48
85 Madison, Wisconsin 43-4-23 89-22-55
86 Chattanooga, Tennessee 35-2-41 85-18-32
87 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 41-58-48 91-39-48
88 Harlingen, Texas 26-11-29 97-41-35
7
89 South Bend, Indiana 43-40-33 86-15-1
90 Jackson, Mississippi 32-17-56 90-11-6
91 Johnson City, Tennessee 36-19-4 82-20-56
92
Burlington, Vermont/
Plattsburgh, New York 44-28-34 73-12-46
93 Colorado Springs, Colorado 38-50-7 104-49-16
94 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 30-26-58 91-11-0
95 Waco, Texas 31-33-12 97-8-0
96 Davenport, Iowa 41-31-24 90-34-21
97 Savannah, Georgia 32-4-42 81-5-37
98 El Paso, Texas 31-45-36 106-29-21
99 Johnstown, Pennsylvania 40-19-35 78-55-3
100 Charleston, South Carolina 32-46-35 79-55-53

(a) Applications for TV stations are divided into two groups: (1) In the first group are applications for new stations or major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. A major change for TV broadcast stations authorized under this part is any change in frequency or community of license which is in accord with a present allotment contained in the Table of Allotments (73.606). Other requests for change in frequency or community of license for TV broadcast stations must first be submitted in the form of a petition for rulemaking to amend the Table of Allotments.

(2) In the case of Class A TV stations authorized under subpart J of this part and low power TV, TV translator, and TV booster stations authorized under part 74 of this chapter, a major change is any change in: (i) Frequency (output channel), except a change in offset carrier frequency; or (ii) Transmitting antenna location where the protected contour resulting from the change is not predicted to overlap any portion of the protected contour based on the station’s authorized facilities.

(3) Other changes will be considered minor; provided, until October 1, 2000, proposed changes to the facilities of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator and TV booster stations, other than a change in frequency, will be considered minor only if the change(s) will not increase the signal range of the Class A TV, low power TV or TV booster in any horizontal direction.

(4) The following provisions apply to displaced Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator and TV booster stations: (i) In the case of an authorized low power TV, TV translator or TV booster which is predicted to cause or receive interference to or from an authorized TV broadcast station pursuant to 74.705 of this chapter or interference with broadcast or other services under 74.703 or 74.709 of this chapter, an application for a change in output channel, together with technical modifications which are necessary to avoid interference (including a change in antenna location of less than 16.1km), will not be considered as an application for a major change in those facilities.

(ii) Provided further, that a low power TV, TV translator or TV booster station authorized on a channel from channel 52 to 69, or which is causing or receiving interference or is predicted to cause or receive interference to or from an authorized DTV station pursuant to 74.706 of this chapter, or which is located within the distances specified in paragraph (4)(iv) of this section to the coordinates of co-channel DTV authorizations (or allotment table coordinates if there are no authorized facilities at different coordinates), may at any time file a displacement relief application for a change in output channel, together with any technical modifications which are necessary to avoid interference or continue serving the station’s protected service area.

Such an application will not be considered as an application for a major change in those facilities. Where such an application is mutually exclusive with applications for new low power TV, TV translator or TV booster stations, or with other nondisplacement relief applications for facilities modifications of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator or TV booster stations, priority will be afforded to the displacement application(s) to the exclusion of other applications, provided the permittee or licensee had tendered its initial application for a new LPTV or TV translator station to operate on channels 5269 prior to the August 2000 filing window.

(iii) A Class A TV station which is causing or receiving interference or is predicted to cause or receive interference to or from an authorized TV broadcast station pursuant to 73.6011 or 73.613; a DTV station or allotment pursuant to 73.6013 or 73.623, or which is located within the distances specified below in paragraph (iv) of this section to the coordinates of co-channel DTV authorizations (or allotment table coordinates if there are no authorized facilities at different coordinates); or other service that protects and/or is protected by Class A TV stations, may at any time file a displacement relief application for a change in channel, together with technical modifications that are necessary to avoid interference or continue serving the station’s protected service area, provided the station’s protected contour resulting from a relocation of the transmitting antenna is predicted to overlap some portion of the protected contour based on its authorized facilities. A Class A TV station displacement relief applications will be considered major change applications, and will be placed on public notice for a period of not less than 30 days to permit the filing of petitions to deny. However, these applications will not be subject to the filing of competing applications. Where a Class A displacement relief application becomes mutually exclusive with applications for new low power TV, TV translator or TV booster stations, or with other non-displacement relief applications for facilities modifications of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator or TV booster stations, priority will be afforded to the Class A TV displacement relief application(s) to the exclusion of other applications. Mutually exclusive displacement relief applications of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translators or TV booster stations filed on the same day will be subject to competitive bidding procedures if the mutual exclusivity is not resolved by an engineering solution.

(iv)(A) The geographic separations to co-channel DTV facilities or allotment reference coordinates, as applicable, within which to qualify for displacement relief are the following: (1) Stations on UHF channels: 265 km (162 miles) (2) Stations on VHF channels 26: 280 km (171 miles) (3) Stations on VHF channels 713: 260 km (159 miles) (B) Engineering showings of predicted interference may also be submitted to justify the need for displacement relief.

(v) Provided further, that the FCC may, within 15 days after acceptance of any other application for modification of facilities, advise the applicant that such application is considered to be one for a major change and therefore subject to the provisions of 73.3522, 73.3580, and 1.1111 of this chapter pertaining to major changes. Such major modification applications filed for Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator, TV booster stations, and for a non-reserved television allotment, are subject to competitive bidding procedures and will be dismissed if filed outside a specified filing period. See 47 CFR 73.5002(a).

(b) A new file number will be assigned to an application for a new station or for major changes in the facilities of an authorized station, when it is amended so as to effect a major change, as defined in paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section, or result in a situation where the original party or parties to the application do not retain more than 50% ownership interest in the application as originally filed and 73.3580 will apply to such amended application. An application for change in the facilities of any existing station will continue to carry the same file number even though (pursuant to FCC approval) an assignment of license or transfer of control of such licensee or permittee has taken place if, upon consummation, the application is amended to reflect the new ownership.

(c) Amendments to Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator, TV booster stations, or non-reserved television applications, which would require a new file number pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, are subject to competitive bidding procedures and will be dismissed if filed outside a specified filing period. See 47 CFR 73.5002(a). When an amendment to an application for a reserved television allotment would require a new file number pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the applicant will have the opportunity to withdraw the amendment at any time prior to designation for a hearing if applicable; and may be afforded, subject to the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge, an opportunity to withdraw the amendment after designation for a hearing.

(d)(1) The FCC will specify by Public Notice, a period for filing applications for new television stations on reserved noncommercial educational channels or for major modifications in the facilities of an authorized station on reserved channels. TV reserved channel applications for new facilities or for major modifications will be accepted only during the appropriate filing period or window.

Applications submitted prior to the window opening date identified in the Public Notice will be returned as premature. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be dismissed with prejudice as untimely. Mutually exclusive applications for reserved channel television stations will be resolved using the point system in subpart K of this part.

(2) Concurrently with the filing of a new or major modification application for a reserved noncommercial educational channel, the applicant shall submit to the FCC’s public reference room and to a local public inspection file consistent with 73.3527(e)(2), supporting documentation of points claimed, as described in the application form.

(e) The FCC will specify by Public Notice a period for filing applications for a new non-reserved television, low power TV and TV translator stations or for major modifications in the facilities of such authorized stations, whether for commercial broadcast stations or noncommercial educational broadcast stations, as described in 47 U.S.C. 397(6), and major modifications in the facilities of Class A TV stations.

(f) Applications for minor modification of Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator and TV booster stations may be filed at any time, unless restricted by the FCC, and will be processed on a first-come/first-served basis, with the first acceptable application cutting off the filing rights of subsequent, competing applicants.

Provided, however, that applications for minor modifications of Class A TV and those of TV broadcast stations may become mutually exclusive until grant of a pending Class A TV or TV broadcast minor modification application.

(g) TV booster station applications may be filed at any time. Subsequent to filing, the FCC will release a Public Notice accepting for filing and proposing for grant those applications which are not mutually exclusive with any other TV translator, low power TV, TV booster, or Class A TV application, and providing for the filing of Petitions To Deny pursuant to 73.3584.

[63 FR 48626, Sept. 11, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 30007, May 10, 2000; 65 FR 36379, June 8, 2000; 67 FR 5513, Feb. 6, 2002; 67 FR 45374, July 9, 2002; 68 FR 26227, May 15, 2003]

also see
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2008/octqtr/pdf/47cfr74.787.pdf

Update 1:

“The FCC has postponed until Jan. 15, 2001, the effective date of its relaxed definition of “minor” change for LPTV, TV translator and Class A television facility-change applications. Under the old rules (which now have been extended) LPTV and TV translator licensees could not file applications proposing any increase in coverage except in occasional filing windows. These applications were considered “major” changes and subject to auction processing if mutually exclusive with other window applications.

Under new rules, which originally were to be effective Oct. 1, only the following two classes of applications are still considered major:

- changes in frequency (not including offset); and

- changes in transmitter location where there would be no overlap with areas previously covered with a protected contour.

The FCC rule change is intended to provide flexibility to new stations and others who have not been able to upgrade under the window/major change system. Under the new procedure, applications for changes will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.” http://broadcastengineering.com/mag/broadcasting_lptv_processing_relaxation/

The LPTV service is considered a secondary service by the FCC which means the licensee is not guaranteed protection from interference or displacement. An LPTV station must accept harmful interference from full-service television stations and may not cause harmful interference to any full-service television station. (The FCC defines what interference levels are deemed to be “harmful”.) The problem with potential displacement was made evident during the transition of broadcasting in the United States from analog to digital. All television stations operating on channels 52 and above were required to move to channel 51 or below. Full-service stations were guaranteed a place to land in the new compressed band while LPTV stations operating on channels 52 and above were forced to find their own channel to move to. If a station was not able to find a displacement channel it runs the risk of losing its license.

Class A LPTV Stations

The FCC provided for a one-time filing opportunity for existing LPTV stations to become Class A stations. The designation was available only to those LPTV stations that were producing two hours per week of local programming. Class A status provides for protected channel status and Class A stations are required to produce two hours per week of local programming, maintain a production studio within their Grade B contour, and comply with many of the requirements placed on full-service television stations.

Must-Carry

One of the key distinctions between full-service television stations and low-power stations is cable and DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) carriage. Full-service stations are guaranteed carriage in their local DMA through “must-carry” and LPTV stations are not. In 2008 there was an effort put forward by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to grant must-carry rights to Class A LPTV stations. The effort failed due to a lack of support from the other FCC Commissioners.

Digital Transition

The FCC has not set a date (as of November, 2008) whereby LPTV stations are required to convert to digital broadcasting. Therefore LPTV stations are exempt from the June 12th, 2009 deadline to cease analog transmissions. The FCC did open a filing window for existing LPTV stations to file for a secondary digital channel to operate in parallel of its analog channel.

Unlike FM and AM, unlicensed use of TV bands is prohibited for broadcasting. The amateur television channels do allow for some very limited non-entertainment transmissions however, with some repeaters airing NASA TV during Space Shuttle missions when they are not in local use.

The Low Power Television industry is represented by the Community Broadcasters Association (CBA) which holds its annual convention each year in October and an annual meeting each year in April at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas. The meeting is always held on Monday night of the NAB convention in Ballroom B of the Las Vegas Hilton and is open to anyone interested in the Low Power Television industry.

Source

More information

http://www.christianradiohome.com/start_lptv.asp

The main LPTV regulations are the limits on effective radiated power (3 kilowatts for VHF channels and 150 kilowatts for UHF channels) and the interference protection standards. LPTV stations MUST NOT cause interference to the reception of existing or future full-service television stations and must accept interference generated by such full-service stations.

There are more than 2,000 licensed and operational LPTV stations, 250 of which are part of a state-wide network in Alaska. In the lower 48 states, approximately 1,500 stations are operated by 700 licensees in nearly 750 towns and cities, ranging in population size from a few hundred to communities of hundreds of thousands. About two-thirds of the stations serve rural communities. An additional 5,000 “TV translator stations” rebroadcast the signals of the full-service stations, mostly in the western mountainous states.

LPTV stations are operated by diverse groups, high school and colleges, churches and religious groups, local governments, large and small businesses and individual citizens. More than 20 percent of the stations are licensed to minority groups or individuals. LPTV stations also include those that primarily provide a translator rebroadcast function, but also desire the flexibility to originate programming. LPTV modes of operation and programming vary widely. These generally include satellite-delivered programming services, syndicated programs, movies and a wide range of locally-produced programs. Stations sometimes tailor program segments or entire schedules to specific viewer groups: for example, on the basis of age, language or particular interest. On the technical side, LPTV stations transmit on one of the standard VHF or UHF television channels. The distance at which a station can be viewed depends on a variety of factors; antenna height, transmitter power, transmitting antenna and the nature of the signal environment (rural or urban, hilly or flat terrain). Viewers with outdoor receiving antennas have received some stations at distances of more than 20 miles. Most LPTV stations use one or more satellite receiving antennas (“dishes”) and operators may either own or lease studio facilities.

This Fact Sheet is designed to answer the most frequently asked questions about LPTV, and to provide information about other resources that are available. If you need more information you can contact the Video Services Division at 202-418-1600. More information can also be obtained through FCC Web Site; www.fcc.gov

Q. WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR A LPTV STATION?

A. New applications for LPTV and TV translator stations are only accepted during a designated auction filing windows. These window periods are announced at least 30 days before the opening of the window. The announcement will have the details as to how to file. The most recent filing window was from July 1, 2000 through August 31, 2000. More than 4500 applications were filed during this filing period. We process applications received during a filing window before opening the next one. Interested applicants should check the web site periodically for window announcements.

Q. WHAT FORM DO I USE?

A. Application must be made on the latest version of FCC Form 346, and you must submit an original and two copies, or it can be filed electronically. Also FCC Form 175 which is the auction form should be filed electronically. Form 346 can be downloaded from the web site.

Q. What’s the filing fee?

A. The filing fee currently is 570 dollars, which will be adjusted yearly.

Q. Does the auction procedures apply to LPTV applications?

A. Yes. If your application is mutually exclusive with other applications that are filed during the same window, then a winner will be chosen by conducting an auction.

Q. I HAVE HEARD THAT LPTV STATIONS HAVE SECONDARY SPECTRUM PRIORITY TO FULL-SERVICE STATIONS. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

A. It means that LPTV stations:

(1) May not cause interference to the off-air reception of existing full-service TV, Class A TV stations and DTV stations (LPTV stations must correct any interference caused),

(2) Must accept interference from full-service stations,

(3) Must yield to increase in facilities of existing full-service stations and

(4) Must yield to new full-service stations, where interference occurs.

Q. DO SIMILAR RULES APPLY WHEN CABLE/LPTV INTERFERENCE IS INVOLVED?

A. Between cable systems and LPTV or TV translator stations, a “first in time, first in right” policy applies when there is interference at the cable headend, the output channel of a cable system using a converter. In other instances of cable/low power interference, the cable operator is responsible for correcting the interference.

Q. WHAT ABOUT LAND MOBILE/LPTV INTERFERENCE?

A. LPTV stations are being authorized on a secondary basis to land mobile stations starting on UHF channels 14 through 20 with broadcast uses. LPTV stations must correct whatever interference they cause to these land mobile stations or cease operation.

Q. WHAT IS CHANNEL “DISPLACEMENT RELIEF?”

A. The Commission adopted a procedure known as “displacement relief,” to help LPTV and TV translator stations facing electromagnetic interference conflicts. This procedure allows an affected station licensee or permittee to file an application to modify its license or permit to a different channel in order to avoid interference with full-service TV stations, primary land mobile radio operations, and other protected video services. Displacement relief applications are considered a special type of “minor” change application that can be filed whenever necessary. Applicants for this relief submit Form 346 to the FCC at its Washington, D.C. location. A filing fee is not required. These proposals must not be predicted to cause interference to authorized facilities or those proposed in already pending LPTV and TV translator applications however, the displacement applications have priorities over pending new and major change applications. Once found acceptable, displacement applications are granted without competition for use of the channel requested. The displacement relief was also extended to the existing stations that are operating on channels 52 through 69 and those stations that will cause interference to existing and future DTV stations. You can obtain more information by visiting the following link: http://www.fcc.gov/oet/faqs/dtv-tvtx.html.

Q. ON WHAT CHANNEL COULD I OPERATE A LPTV STATION?

A. Low power TV stations may operate on any available VHF (channels 2-13) or UHF (channels 14-69), provided that they do not cause objectionable interference to full-service stations, earlier-authorized TV translators or existing low power stations or to land mobile stations that share frequencies with broadcast uses. Low power channels are to be allocated on a demand basis. There is no table of allotments and no channels are reserved solely for noncommercial use. Applicants select a channel and provide engineering information as required on the application.

Q. WHAT POWER AND ANTENNA HEIGHT LIMITS ARE AUTHORIZED?

A. Low power TV stations and TV translators are limited to effective radiated power of 3 kilowatts (VHF) and 150 kilowatts (UHF). There are no limits on transmitter output power. There is no limit on antenna height as long as the tower structure has been registered with the Commission.

Q. HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO CONSTRUCT MY LPTV STATION ONCE MY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (CP) IS GRANTED?

A. Construction must be completed and the permittee must apply for a station license (FCC Form 347) within thirty-six (36) months of issuance of the authorization, or the CP must be turned back to the FCC.

Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO SELL MY LPTV CONSTRUCTION PERMIT OR MY LICENSED STATION?

A. A LPTV construction permit or licensed station may be sold by obtaining prior Commission’s approval. Buyer gets remaining time left on construction permit. If the construction permit has been obtained through the auction procedure and the winning bidder has received a bidding credit and subsequently seeks to assign or transfer control its license or construction permit to an entity not qualifying for the same level of bidding credit. The winning bidder must reimburse the U.S. Government for the amount of the bidding credit plus interest, as set forth in the rule. An assignment or transfer in the first two years after issuance of the construction permit will result in a forfeiture of 100% of the value of the bidding credit; during year three, of 75% of the value of the bidding credit; in year four, of 50% of the value of the bidding credit; in year five, 25% of the value of the bidding credit; and thereafter, no payment.

Q. DO I HAVE TO ORIGINATE PROGRAMMING ON MY LPTV STATION? IF SO, TO WHAT EXTENT?

A. While LPTV stations are permitted to originate programming to an unlimited extent, there is no requirement for them to do so. Program origination includes any transmission other than simultaneous rebroadcast from a full-service television station.

Q. MUST A LPTV STATION MAINTAIN A PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE?

A. No. However, licensees must maintain station records for inspection by FCC personnel. These should include station authorization and official correspondence with the FCC, contracts, rebroadcast permission and required entries concerning improper functioning of tower lighting.

Q. WHAT ARE THE LPTV RULES RELATING TO PROGRAMMING AND PROGRAM CONTENT?

A. LPTV stations are subject to a minimum of program-related regulations:

(1) There is no community ascertainment requirement.

(2) There are no prescribed amounts of non-entertainment programming or local programming.

(3) There are no limits on commercialization.

(4) There are no minimum hours of operation required.

But the statutory prohibition on the broadcast of obscene material, lotteries, plugola and payola and the obligation to run licensee-conducted contests fairly, do apply to the LPTV service. Rules mandating access for political candidates and victims of personal attacks apply on a sliding scale, to the extent that the LPTV stations’ origination capability permits. The copyright and rebroadcast consent laws apply to LPTV stations. This means that consent from the copyright holder or full-service TV station, as applicable, must be obtained for program rebroadcast and commercial substitution.

Q. MAY MY LPTV STATION CONDUCTS ITS OWN STV OPERATION?

A. LPTV stations may provide subscription television (pay) programming. There are no minimum hours of free programming required.

Q. MUST A CABLE TV SYSTEM CARRY THE SIGNAL OF MY LPTV STATION?

A. Under certain conditions a cable TV system is required to carry the signal of a LPTV station. Further information to what qualifies a LPTV station to be carried can be obtained in the Report and Order adopted March 11, 1993 and released March 29, 1993, Paragraph 62, under the title of Low Power Television.

Q. MAY I OWN MORE THAN ONE LPTV STATION?

A. The LPTV rules do not impose any limit on the number of low power stations that may be owned by any one entity.

Q, WHAT IF I ALREADY OWN A RADIO STATION, TV STATION, CABLE TV SYSTEM, OR NEWSPAPER?

A. Current broadcast licensees, cable operators and newspapers may own LPTV stations.

Q. ARE THE MAJOR COMMERCIAL NETWORKS ALLOWED TO OWN LPTV STATIONS?

A. The national commercial networks may own LPTV stations.

Q. DOES THE FCC’S MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP RULES APPLY TO THE LPTV SERVICE?

A. The local television multiple ownership, radio-television cross ownership, daily newspaper cross-ownership and national television multiple ownership rules are not applicable to the LPTV service.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/lptv.html

TV Translators and the DTV Transition
April 12, 1999

The Commission has received a number of inquiries from licensees and other parties representing the interests of TV Translator stations regarding the impact of the Commission’s digital television (DTV) transition policies on TV translator stations. This paper provides information on a number of important questions to assist TV translator licensees others in understanding how the DTV transition will affect TV translators and how to plan for and the continued operation these stations in the rapidly advancing digital age.

Question: What is the FCC’s policy with regard to TV translators and Low Power TV (LPTV) stations in the DTV transition?

In the Sixth Report and Order in the DTV proceeding, the Commission adopted a Table of Allotments for DTV service that provided a second channel for each existing full service to use for DTV service in making the transition from the existing analog (NTSC) TV technology to the new DTV technology. These second channels were provided to broadcasters on a temporary basis — at the end of the DTV transition, which is currently scheduled for December 31, 2006, they must relinquish one of their two channels. In developing the DTV channels, the Commission maintained the secondary status of TV translators and LPTV stations. In order to provide all full service TV stations with a second channel, the Commission found it necessary to establish DTV allotments that will displace a number of low power stations, particularly in the larger urban market areas where the available spectrum is most congested.

The Commission also provided for recovery of a portion of the existing TV spectrum so that it can be reallocated to new uses. Specifically, the Commission provided for immediate recovery of channels 60-69 stations and for recovery of channels 52-59 at the end of the DTV transition. As required by Congress under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Commission has completed the reallocation of channels 60-69. Existing analog stations, including TV translators and LPTV stations, and a few DTV stations will be allowed to operate on these channels during the DTV transition. At the end of the transition, all of analog broadcast TV stations will have to cease operation and the DTV stations on channels 52-69 will be relocated to new channels in the DTV core spectrum.

Question: How many TV translator and LPTV stations will be displaced?

Because TV translators are located primarily in rural and other similarly less congested areas, we expect that only a relatively low number, approximately 10 to 20 percent, of these stations will be affected by DTV stations. On the other hand, LPTV stations, which tend to be located in larger markets and more congested areas, will be affected to a greater extent. We estimate that about 35 to 45 percent of the LPTV stations will have to either change their operation or cease operation to protect DTV service.

Question: What steps has the FCC taken to reduce the impact on TV translators and LPTV stations?

The Commission understands the effect of its DTV decisions on low power television service and the unfortunate impact that these decisions will have for some of TV translator and LPTV stations. In this regard, it has sought to minimize this impact through a number of administrative and technical measures. First, the Commission has stated that low power stations will be permitted to operate until a displacing DTV station or a new primary service provider is operational. Low power stations will not have to take any actions to protect a DTV station until such time at the DTV station actually begins operation. The Commission will also allow low power stations displaced or affected by DTV stations to seek replacement channels in the same area without being subject to competing applications (displacement relief). Applications for replacement channels will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, without waiting for the Commission to open a low power application window. Such applications may be submitted at any time during the transition process. The Commission afforded applications for displacement relief priority over applications for new low power stations and requests for modification of existing low power stations, including any such applications and requests that may be pending at the time the displacement relief application is filed.

In the technical area, the Commission relaxed the technical criteria for determining when low power stations cause interference. First, the Commission deleted the UHF taboo restrictions on the use of channels 7 channels below and 14 channels above the channels of other UHF stations in the low-power TV service. It also eliminated the requirement that low power stations consider the existing full service UHF taboo restrictions on channels +/- 2, 3, 4, or 5 removed from existing analog TV stations. In addition, the Commission allowed low power stations affected by DTV implementation to make use of terrain shielding, Longley-Rice terrain dependent propagation prediction methods, and appropriate interference abatement techniques to show that their stations will not cause interference to other stations. The Commission further stated that it will entertain requests to waive the low power TV protection standards where it can be demonstrated that proposed TV translator or LPTV stations would not cause any new interference to the reception of TV broadcast analog stations. The Commission also indicated that it will consider waiving the low power TV interference protection standards where the applicant obtains the written consent of the potentially affected NTSC or TV licensee or permittee to the grant of the waiver.

Question: How will TV translators and LPTV stations make the transition to DTV service?

The Commission has not yet adopted general rules for DTV operation by TV translators and LPTV stations. It has, however, indicated that it will consider requests by low power stations to operate DTV service on replacement channels on a case-by-case basis under its displacement relief policy prior to its adoption of such rules. We anticipate that in many cases TV translators will make the transition to DTV by simply changing from analog to DTV operation on their existing channels at some point in time. In other cases, new translators will be added to provide DTV service on new channels. The Commission has indicated that it will initiate a rule making proceeding to address issues relating to the general authorization of DTV service by low power stations in the near future.

Question: What will happen to TV translators and LPTV stations operating on channels 60-69?

TV translators and LPTV stations operating on channels 60-69 will be secondary to existing analog stations, DTV stations, and stations of any other primary services operating on those channels. Low power stations will be allowed to continue broadcasting on these channels up to the end of the DTV transition as long as they do not cause harmful interference to primary services. In this regard, we anticipate that TV translators and LPTV stations operating in rural areas will generally be able to continue broadcasting throughout the transition because demand for spectrum by new services, both public safety and commercial applications, is likely to be less in rural areas than in urban areas. In both rural and urban areas, some low power stations displaced by primary stations will be able to find replacement channels below channel 60 during the DTV transition, and many more replacement channels will be available in the core DTV spectrum at the end of that period, when analog stations stop transmitting. The Commission has indicated that it will consider whether there are any other steps that may be beneficial to TV translator and LPTV operations as it develops services for the commercial spectrum, i.e., channels 60-62 and 65-67.

Where to find additional information: Additional information on the above subjects is available on the FCC Internet Site, at www.fcc.gov, in the following documents: the Sixth Report and Order in MM Docket No. 87-268, FCC 97-115 (released April 21, 1997), the Memorandum Opinion and Order on Reconsideration of the Fifth Report and Order and the Sixth Report and Order in MM Docket No. 87-268, FCC 98-24 (released February 23, 1998), Additional Application Processing Guidelines for Digital Television (DTV), Public Notice released August 11, 1998, and the Report and Order in ET Docket No. 97-157, FCC 97-421 (released January 6, 1998). Information on how the DTV transition will affect TV translators is also available from the National Translator Association, Byron St. Clair, President, telephone: (303) 465-5742; and website: www.tvfmtranslators.com.

Channels 52–59 and 60–69

Larson also commented on the recently completed auction of channels 52-59, an effort which netted the federal treasury just $88.6 million and which failed miserably in one of its primary goals—to get broadband services to rural areas. Of the 700-plus rural channels, 251 generated no bids at all.

There is a new rule for LPTV stations still broadcasting on channels 52–59. Stations on these channels can get displacement relief only if they cause actual interference to another full power station.

The new rule corrects a loophole in the rules for the August 2000 window: broadcasters were filing for as many channels as they could get, whether or not their new channel would be displaced. The idea was that once they had a displaceable channel for a new station, they could use the Commission’s displacement relief policy—which allows a displaced station to file an application for a new channel without waiting for a window—to move to a suitable core channel.

Further, the FCC has ruled that it can preclude any window filings for LPTV stations in the channel
52–59 range.

LPTV LINKS

Local link to FCC rules LPTV

LPTV LINKS

Local link to FCC rules LPTV

The LPTV Store The One-Stop Spot for Low Power Television
http://www.thelptvstore.com/
Partial Listing of Available LPTV Stations Partial Listing of Available LPTV Construction Permits

Stations for sale, http://www.haddenonline.com AM, FM, TV
http://www.radiobroker.com/

Low cost equipment http://www.rlmediasystems.com/index.htm

EAS= http://www.osp.state.or.us/oem/library/Legal%20Reference/47cfrpart11.htm
Equipment.
Transmitters
http://www.larcan.com/AUMXSeries.cfm
http://www.fmamtv.com/LPtv.htm