Subject: Re: [IRCA] Update on WGN IBOC interference
> I wonder if anything will happen? Should a study find that the IBOC subcarriers are putting more RF into a protected coverage area than allowed, then there really must be action taken to reduce that. There is a very specific formula for calculation of the NIF contours vis a vis the other stations on that frequency. The FCC has conveniently ignored these allocation procedures for IBOC and that chicken has come home to roost. Since a Canadian station is not under FCC jurisdiction, they cannot simply tell that station they must accept the noise. If WGN runs sidebands at 1% of the power of their main analog carrier, that's 500w. There is no way the FCC would have authorized a 500w non-d station on either 710 or 730 in Chicago if WGN wasn't there. The interference to 710 and 730 is too great and well within the clear channel protected radius. The fact that the digital modulation produces far, far more interference than analog modulation has also been swept under the carpet. The Massachusetts station on 650 is limited to about 10w at night. IBOC carriers should be limited accordingly. If that carrier is within the clear channel 750 mile radius, then no power should be allowed. Since IBOC requires equal power in both the upper and lower sideband, then the lower of the two (upper, lower sideband) should be the limit. That would effectively kill night IBOC. If a station like the 1040 in upstate NY were to take signal strength readings and do the whole allocation procedure on the WBZ IBOC, they would have a very strong case to present to a court. It is a no-brainer that the IBOC signal would never be allowed under the FCC's own analog requirements. Being able to present solid evidence of damage to their coverage would cement the case. I'm sure that the defense would be that "The FCC has allowed this, so it should be permitted". Given the damage, and the fact it flies in the face of procedures in place for decades, I can easily see the plaintiffs prevailing. If they do not, then it's not much of a stretch for a station like WJOE-700 to use that as leverage to gain night power. "If WOR can use 500w at night on 700, why can't we?". I am really very surprised that nobody has brought this into court yet, but maybe the wheels grind slowly. Craig Healy Providence, RI _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
