Patrick Martin wrote:
I know this is OT, but we do have several TV DXers here that post. My
understanding is that LPTV's have regular 4-call letter signs like full
power stations and translators have the number/letter set like K17XJ. Is
this correct?
Not necessarily.
A brief bit of history is in order.
When the TV translator service was created, translators received the number/letter calls like K17XJ. TV translators were only allowed to relay some
other station -- they were not allowed to originate any programming of their own.
When the LPTV service was created, basically all that happened was that the FCC allowed TV translators to originate programming. Their callsign
assignments did not change.
It was some years later that LPTVs convinced the FCC to issue four-letter calls. (over the objections of full-license stations) In a partial
concession to the full-license stations, the FCC required LPTVs with four-letter calls to use the -LP suffix. (WMKE-LP) (full-power stations have
either the -TV suffix or no suffix at all. Or, in a few cases, a -DT suffix.[0] )
LPTVs *may* ask for a four-letter call. (if they meet certain criteria) They
are not *required* to do so, even if they're qualified to.
So in a nutshell, a LPTV *may* have a four-letter call, but it may also have a
number-letter call. A translator will have a number-letter call.
There are also Class A stations. These meet the same technical requirements as a LPTV but have stricter non-technical requirements -- children's
educational programming, etc.. In return they cannot be bumped from their channel by other stations. (a translator can lose its frequency to an
upgrade at a full-license station) Analog Class A operations receive a -CA suffix. Class A stations are also qualified to receive four-letter calls,
and nearly all of them take such calls.
Then, there are digital LP stations...
Number-letter stations that receive a digital license receive a -D suffix. K17XJ, if it were to go digital, would become K17XJ-D. The very few Class
A stations with a number-letter call receive a -CD suffix. If K17XJ were to go Class A digital, they would become K17XJ-CD.
Four-letter LPTVs that receive a digital license receive a -LD suffix.
KASO-LP, if it were to go digital, would become KASO-LD.
Four-letter Class As that receive a digital license receive a -CD suffix.
KWOR-CA, if it were to go digital, would become KWOR-CD.
The FCC does not appear to have been very consistent with suffix assignment to digital LP stations. A few digital Class As got -DC suffixes; some
digital number-letter stations received no suffix at all.
That is what our translators here have. Also, I have
heard that the date the FCC wants LPTV's to go digital is by 2012. If
so, are TV translators included? Thanks.
Some time in 2012, yes. *When* in 2012 is still under consideration. Probably sooner for those operating above channel 51. Yes, the end-of-analog
date applies to both LPTVs and translators. (and Class A)
--
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View, TN EM66
[0] Last fall the FCC changed all DTV callsigns back to the stations' original analog callsigns. However, they allowed stations to ask to keep the
-DT suffix, and a dozen or so did ask. Almost all were Univision O&Os.
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
[email protected]
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: [email protected]
