openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA | reply to Mactron
Re: Gotta love them...
Is there something prevent low power transmitters from converting to digital? |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
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join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
 ·Comcast
| said by openbox9  :Is there something prevent low power transmitters from converting to digital? Only the fact that most of these low power stations make no money at all and can't afford the new equipment.
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openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
 ·AT&T Southeast
| Money availability is an obvious limitation for even some of the full power transmitters. I remember reading several articles a couple of years ago about how some broadcasters couldn't afford the equipment upgrade costs. Outside of public supported broadcasters, what other types of broadcasters can afford frequency licensing fees, tower rental, and equipment purchase/maintenance costs if they aren't generating revenue? |
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ke4pym
join:2004-07-24
Charlotte, NC
·Verizon BroadbandA..
 ·Packet8
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to TKJunkMail
said by TKJunkMail :said by openbox9 :Is there something prevent low power transmitters from converting to digital? Only the fact that most of these low power stations make no money at all and can't afford the new equipment. Time also isn't on their side. Even if you had the cash right now, this weekend, you wouldn't get your transmitter converted to digital before the transition.
There's a HUGE lead time on antenna production (each antenna is custom made, 1 at a time). Never mind the crew availability to mount the thing on the tower (assuming the tower is strong and sound enough to support the addtional load of the antenna). If you've got to replace the tower that'll take even more time.
Don't forget you've got to get the transmitter made as well as getting the crews to install and test it and maintain it.
If you're not ready to flip the switch now, it is questionable to whether or not you'll make it by next Feb.
Most high power stations (if not all) should already have a partial digital signal at the very least. They'll be required in the next couple of months to ramp up to full power and provide the same foot print that their analog signal had. |
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Lazlow
join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO | ke4pym
They have known about this for years. So time should really not be an issue. It is a little like saying you are late with your taxes (IRS) becuase you did not have the time. We all know when taxes are due. |
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EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
| reply to TKJunkMail
said by TKJunkMail :said by openbox9 :Is there something prevent low power transmitters from converting to digital? Only the fact that most of these low power stations make no money at all and can't afford the new equipment. We have a low power station here, WHDN-LD, which broadcasts entirely in digital and not in analog. I've never watched it, though, so I don't know what it carries (low-powers aren't on FiOS, and my OTA TVs are analog, and don't have any way to be upgraded) |
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