Topic 'Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote' in forum '' - dslreports.com http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21923762 en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:19:37 EDT Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:19:37 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21960461 said by number_one:

seriously, leave it to the government to spend crazy amounts of money on something and still miss the point entirely. I mean, really, who out there can afford a TV but can't afford a freakin converter? Is this really where our government needs to spend our tax dollars?
That was the first thought I had when I heard about the coupon program. Why does the government care if I watch TV or not? Shouldn't it be 'tough cookie' if you can't afford 40 bucks to watch TV again after the switch? Maybe our collective intelligence would go up if fewer people were watching after the change over. Of course with the higher intelligence they would then get a better job, be able to afford to buy the coupons and then start watching TV again.

Last year I was first in line to apply for for a coupon because who knows when this bad idea would be corrected. I guess I should have known better, it's the government. They don't correct bad ideas, they relish them. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21960461 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:26:02 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21960431
seriously, leave it to the government to spend crazy amounts of money on something and still miss the point entirely. I mean, really, who out there can afford a TV but can't afford a freakin converter? Is this really where our government needs to spend our tax dollars?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21960431 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:14:11 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21956120 said by JPL:

said by whocares0:

5.8 Million houses * $80/house (each coupon is worth $40) = $464 million.

But they allocated $650 million? What's the extra $186 million for?
The extra $186 million is for black ops of course. :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21956120 Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:02:02 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21931784 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21931784 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:08:27 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21929722 said by knightmb:

The fact that they can switch but chose not to kind of proves that point that not all stations were really going to be ready by the deadline. They are ready. Some are anxious to get it done but can't because their post-transition digital channel is still in use by an analog nearby. The ones who decided to hang onto analog until June are doing it mostly because February is a ratings period.

I laugh at the righties who are trying to paint this as some sort of left-wing Obama plot, while in reality the converter coupon program was hatched and bobbled by Bush's NTIA.
--
Toolmaster of La Grange.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21929722 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:02:41 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21929429 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21929429 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:56:14 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21929382
The additional funding is designed to speed up ability to issue coupons. When program expires unused funds will be returned to Treasury.

»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CECB

/tom]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21929382 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:40:54 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21929357 "No Idiot Left Behind".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21929357 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:35:14 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21929030 said by JPL:

But they allocated $650 million? What's the extra $186 million for?This is the government were talking about. A 40% markup for "administrative costs" actually sounds a little low.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21929030 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:52:07 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928749 said by KingofCola:

All broadcasters should switch tonight at midnight. If Obomanites want to keep the transmitters running then let them pay power bill. Why are we putting the burden on broadcatsers to keep paying the power bill for the outdated transmitters.
The fact that they can switch but chose not to kind of proves that point that not all stations were really going to be ready by the deadline.

I think a lot of you "switch because only old, stupid, whatever people don't know any better" are now eating your own crow. :p

So I guess the "Obomanites" (very cute, kind of like McSame I guess) weren't part of the conspiracy after all?
--
Fight NebuAD and the like:
Click Here to pollute their data]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928749 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:39:44 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928739 said by vinnie97:

What about the poor/minorities who haven't received their coupons yet?
Screw them. You don't have to spend one red cent to apply for a coupon. All it takes is calling a toll free number. They had plenty of time.
--
Islam is a hate crime: »www.thememriblog.org]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928739 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:32:17 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21928735 said by N10Cities:

Uhhh.....yea.....but they have to have PERMISSION from the FCC before they can switch anyway. If they do it without permission, they can be nailed with big $$$$$ fines. Your point?
Fines are like taxes. They should just not pay them... they they'd get jobs in the Obama Administration.

Just wait folks... when the new deadline approaches, they will extend it again.

Bookmark this thread.
--
Islam is a hate crime: »www.thememriblog.org]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21928735 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:29:20 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928670 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928670 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:44:14 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928392 --
Toolmaster of La Grange.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928392 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:40:40 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928263 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928263 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:25 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928101 said by BF69:

Um no it's tonight. As in 1 more hour in the EST. Here in Southern NH local PBS station, WENH, is shutting down analog at 8:30 AM tomorrow Feb 17. Since analog shutdown no no longer needs to be coordinated stations have more flexibility to decide when to pull the plug.

/tom]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928101 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:13:39 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928031 said by afiggatt:

said by KingofCola:

All broadcasters should switch tonight at midnight.
The switch is/was at midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 17, not tonight (Feb. 16).
Um no it's tonight. As in 1 more hour in the EST.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21928031 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:56:10 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21928029 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21928029 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:56:00 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927932 said by eat_me :

You forgot one big thing - interference.

That is why our local O&O cannot go full power with an omni antenna. They have to notch out South Jersey because of issues with WMCN.

There's an app filed for when the FT is built but for now they're stuck on the ESB with the current power and antenna.
There are those kinds of interim gotchas but their post-transition allotment should resolve it as you mention. However, this one is particular to that station and not really due to analog being run at the same time as digital as was incorrectly stated above.
--
Toolmaster of La Grange.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927932 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:32:48 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927894 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927894 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:23:47 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927887 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927887 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:21:59 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927877
However, as I mentioned above there is no technical reason why a full power digital signal can't coexist with a full power analog since they are on different channels. There may be business or practical reasons, though, as you said.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927877 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:19:11 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927856 said by BF69:

I've only know about his transition since 1995. What were you in grade school then?You know, I should just ignore twits on this site but you are a special case. I've been in broadcast engineering since 1976 and have been a consultant since 1983. What grade were you in when I earned my degree in 1981?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21927856 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:15:15 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21927165
They left the CW network running on analog here ;)

Possibly the FOX station, the linked page says FOX and gives the call letters for CBS.

I assume the ION network is still on analog but they don't seem to be rolling over to digital. Low-power station perhaps? Not interested enough to try analog pass-thru to check :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21927165 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:58:13 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21926812 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21926812 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:49:25 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21926719 said by whocares0:

“If we have a serious natural disaster and folks don’t have a TV on which to receive updates, that’s a problem,” said =============
»www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/tec···126.html
I lived at ground zero during the Northridge Earthquake. TV didn't help me one bit, since I had no power for days. I relied on the radio and survived. Actually I had a TV that could operate on a battery or car cigarette lighter, but didn't bother. With digital TV, I haven't seen any of those cheapo handheld or itty-bitty TVs sold anymore. Are we doomed because of this? I don't think so.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21926719 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:29:08 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21926651 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21926651 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:18:17 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21926172 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21926172 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:43:43 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21926161 said by tschmidt:

said by iknowiknow :

These issues were not known until really the last few months and the gov failed to account nor educate anyone on this and still aren't.
Actually this has been know for a long time and is very difficult to address.
I have no doubt engineers knew about this, but I was talking about the people who would be affected. Still, many of those same people still don't know this and will be affected if not educated prior to the transition (which has yet to happen) or the gaps are closed which is really ideal.

said by tschmidt:

1) Digital Cliff effect is much different the gradual degradation of analog TV. There are many fringe viewers that lived with poor quality snowy analog that will lose some channels after transition.
I understand digital cliff effect, which is at the heart of the fringe area issue. At issue is that there are actually many who do not have poor quality snowy analog that will still be cut off due to cliff if they do not invest in new equipment.

If you take the example of Hunterdon County, NJ which was part of the subject in the link I posted, you will see their rural fringe is 40 miles dead center of NYC and Philly. Not the sticks by any means. They can't be the only area that has terrain and reach issues. Just drop anywhere in google street view around this county and anyone can get a feel for how "rural" any place can be. (Not scientific, just for illustration).

Not to debate this to death like this has been.. I was just pointing out that the whole coupon thing and readiness campaign really did fail to address issues to many affected by the once Feb. deadline.

You all make great points, btw... Just sayin']]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21926161 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:42:15 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925786
That is why our local O&O cannot go full power with an omni antenna. They have to notch out South Jersey because of issues with WMCN.

There's an app filed for when the FT is built but for now they're stuck on the ESB with the current power and antenna.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925786 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:40:51 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925966 said by battleop:

...I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore.
Over the Air (aka OTA) picture quality blows away cable and/or satellite. If I had the option I'd dump cable in a flash. Great way to save money in these troubled times.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925966 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:02:14 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925905 said by nwrickert:

Why are we putting the burden on broadcatsers to keep paying the power bill for the outdated transmitters.
Personally, I think they should have stuck with the Feb 17th date. However, I'm not shedding any tears over the cost to broadcasters. After all, this is about them keeping their audience that generates the advertising revenue that pays them the big bucks.
Affiliates of the big 4 usually charge retransmission fees to cable and sat providers.

This gets passed on to you in the form of higher cable and satellite bills.

So don't think the broadcasters are just eating it. When ad revenue takes a dive, they have to make it up somewhere. This is when they shake down the cable companies for more money come contract renewal time.

This is an expensive business to be in as you may have figured out by now.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925905 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:48:35 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925707
For example, many in this area cannot get WNET-DT because WNET is broadcasting low power on a temporary antenna.

And it's a real shame too because WNET's subchannels have various E/I programs that children can learn from.

So while granny's going to be losing her TV, children will be gaining educational programming.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925707 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:13:04 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925619 said by tschmidt:

said by RadioDoc:

there is no technical reason for analog presence to reduce digital power levels.
Our local PBS station will be moving back to VHF once analog is shut down. VHF antenna is higher then one used for interim digital. Once analog is shut down they will be able to use higher VHF antenna currently used for analog. Post-transition DTV coverage area will be larger then interim UHF coverage area.now quit posting FACTS into this. no need for that junk.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925619 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:59:42 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925611 said by RadioDoc:

You clearly have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. None. Zero. Nada. Except for instances where the station did not want to invest in a full-power digital transmission plant for it's interim channel, and could not economically convert that plant to it's post-transition channel, there is no technical reason for analog presence to reduce digital power levels.

Of course, what do I know. I only work in this industry. :uhh:
I've only know about his transition since 1995. What were you in grade school then?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925611 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:58:25 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925525 said by iknowiknow :

These issues were not known until really the last few months and the gov failed to account nor educate anyone on this and still aren't.
Actually this has been know for a long time and is very difficult to address.

1) Digital Cliff effect is much different the gradual degradation of analog TV. There are many fringe viewers that lived with poor quality snowy analog that will lose some channels after transition.

2) Modeling propagation path loss is part science and part black magic. It appears model used to create equal coverage area is somewhat optimistic in the case of digital and actual coverage area is smaller then anticipated.

»www.tvantenna.tv/papers/dtv%20co···tion.pdf

»www.tvantenna.tv/papers/The%20DT···blem.pdf

/tom
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925525 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:45:45 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925382 said by RadioDoc:

there is no technical reason for analog presence to reduce digital power levels.
Our local PBS station will be moving back to VHF once analog is shut down. VHF antenna is higher then one used for interim digital. Once analog is shut down they will be able to use higher VHF antenna currently used for analog. Post-transition DTV coverage area will be larger then interim UHF coverage area.

I assume, but don't know for sure, temporary UHF transmitter may not have been sized for same coverage area but to save money.

Again just a guess on my part. I wonder if in some cases combined transmit power is not limited due to utility feed and it was not cost effective to upgrade it just to support power needed during temporary simulcast phase.

Due to doubling of number of transmitters during simulcast phase is it not possible some stations are running at lower power then normal due to adjacent channel issues that go away after transition?

/tom ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925382 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:21:34 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925328 said by RadioDoc:

You clearly have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. None. Zero. Nada. Except for instances where the station did not want to invest in a full-power digital transmission plant for it's interim channel, and could not economically convert that plant to it's post-transition channel, there is no technical reason for analog presence to reduce digital power levels.

Of course, what do I know. I only work in this industry. :uhh:
Yeah doc, how would you know??? Too funny.
--
I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925328 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:13:38 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925282
Of course, what do I know. I only work in this industry. :uhh:
--
Toolmaster of La Grange.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925282 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:06:41 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925239 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925239 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:58:38 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925211
"I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore."

I don't know you soooooo that means that I am not talking about you. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925211 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:53:46 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925106 said by insomniac84:

What is a 3 month delay going to do for those that couldn't figure it out in the past 2 years?
Anyone who can't figure this out is a moron anyway. They can listen to Nascar on the radio.
--
I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925106 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:34:50 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925046 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925046 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:24:18 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925042 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925042 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:23:24 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925009 said by KingofCola:

If Obomanites want to keep the transmitters running then let them pay power bill.
I highly doubt there are many Obama supporters that want this delay. At least there will probably be none on this site. Most people are against the delay. And technically the people who would support a delay such as confused old people and people from rural areas that will lose service when the switch happens, would be the demographic that probably voted for John McCain.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21925009 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:17:36 EDT Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21924963 said by whocares0:

WASHINGTON — With millions of U.S. viewers still apparently unprepared for the nation’s switch to digital TV, nearly 500 full-power television stations across the nation are preparing to move ahead with the transition anyway and drop traditional over-the-air broadcasts Feb. 17.

The loss of signals in those markets means that some viewers will no longer get television reception unless they have installed a digital converter box and, in some cases, purchased a new antenna.
Nielsen Co. has estimated that 6.5 million over-the-air households are unprepared for the “digital transition.” Elderly, Latino and low-income households are believed to be most affected.
“If we have a serious natural disaster and folks don’t have a TV on which to receive updates, that’s a problem,” said =============
»www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/tec···126.html
Actually, per Nielson, that number is 5.8 million as of the beginning of February. But Congress, in their infinite wisdom, decided that too much money is what's called for here. First off, the notion that the original pool of money ran out isn't quite right. Yeah they allocated all the coupons per what was in the original pot, but the coupons expire after 90 days. Once they do, the money goes back into the pot to go to the person at the top of the list.

As others have said, there are lots of people who got coupons 'just in case' they thought they would need them. Alot decided not to use them and the money goes back into the pot.

As for Congress's role in this. In the latest stimulus bill, they allocated an additional $650 million for new coupons. Ok, let's do the math here, shall we? Let's assume that Nielson's numbers are correct. Let's also assume that every single one of those households needs converter boxes. And further let's assume that NO more money frees up as existing coupons expire. And finally let's assume that every one of those households gets the maximum allocation of 2 coupons per house. That means that we would need:

5.8 Million houses * $80/house (each coupon is worth $40) = $464 million.

But they allocated $650 million? What's the extra $186 million for?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Some-stations-plan-digital-switch-despite-delay-vote-21924963 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:10:03 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21924955 said by nasadude:

Why should granny lose her TV just so some of the richest corporations in the world don't have to wait three more months to get richer?

Don't you realize that it's the US government who is collecting all those billions of dollars in license fees from companies who want to use the vacated TV spectrum? The richest corporations you refer to are in effect paying a huge tax.

The ignorance of some here is astounding.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21924955 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:08:40 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21924698 said by afiggatt:

said by KingofCola:

All broadcasters should switch tonight at midnight.
The switch is/was at midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 17, not tonight (Feb. 16).
A lot of people have the time messed up.. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21924698 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:20:54 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21924680 Why are we putting the burden on broadcatsers to keep paying the power bill for the outdated transmitters.Personally, I think they should have stuck with the Feb 17th date. However, I'm not shedding any tears over the cost to broadcasters. After all, this is about them keeping their audience that generates the advertising revenue that pays them the big bucks.
--
AT&T dsl; Westell 327w modem/router; openSuSE 11.0; firefox 3.0.6]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21924680 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:16:47 EDT Re: What a waste of time! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21924591 said by RadioDoc:

Nope. Not correct. In fact, some stations have been running their analog transmitter at lower power due to having to convert part of it to digital and/or not wanting to spend tens of thousands of dollars to repair or replace something that will be useless in a few months.

The actual problem is the model used to allocate channels and "equivalent coverage" has been found to be inaccurate.
NO YOU are incorrect. the fact they have to run the analog at ANY power means running the digital at lower power.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-a-waste-of-time-21924591 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:56:04 EDT