New Satellite TV and Radio Stations

[Sadoun]

Great progress so far.

A reasonable (i.e. conservative) BUDGET needs to be established to check the feasibility of the project.

 

[AcWxRadar]

Jamal,

Thanks for your support of this adventure. And it is an awesome adventure!

I am growing more fond of this idea with each post and the more I research this idea and read the responses from the members here, who provide opinions, information and support in general, I really believe that this is highly possible.

Although it was I who posted this initial idea, it will require all of us to obtain this goal. I certainly don't feel that I could do it all myself, we will have to work together on this, if you are all game for it.

Keep feeding what information that you have and I will compile it all into one bag of mulch and grow something from it.

No matter what the outcome, we will have fun trying!

Gordy

 

[dougbrown]

Gordy, found the following regarding earth station licenses here
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_08/47cfr25_08.htm
Lots more info there also...
Thought it may prove interesting.....


[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR25.115]

[Page 184-187]

TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED)

PART 25_SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS--Table of Contents

Subpart B_Applications and Licenses

Sec. 25.115 Application for earth station authorizations.

(a)(1) Transmitting earth stations. Commission authorization must be
obtained for authority to operate a transmitting earth station.
Applications shall be filed electronically on FCC Form 312, Main Form
and Schedule B, and include the information specified in Sec. 25.130,
except as set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(2) Applicants for licenses for transmitting earth station
facilities are required to file on Form 312EZ, to the extent that form
is available, in the following cases:
(i) The earth station will transmit in the 3700-4200 MHz and 5925-
6425 MHz band, and/or the 11.7-12.2 GHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz band; and
(ii) The earth station will meet all the applicable technical
specifications set forth in part 25 of this chapter.
(iii) The earth station is not an ESV.
(3) If Form 312EZ is not available, earth station license applicants
specified in paragraph (a)(2) must file on FCC Form 312, Main Form and
Schedule B, and include the information specified in Sec. 25.130.
(4) Applications for earth station authorizations must be filed in
accordance with the pleading limitations, periods and other applicable
provisions of Sec. Sec. 1.41 through 1.52 of this chapter, except that
such earth station applications must be filed electronically through the
International Bureau Filing System (IBFS) in accordance with the
applicable provisions of part 1, subpart Y of this chapter;
(b) Receive-only earth stations. Applications to license or register
receive only earth stations shall be filed on FCC Form 312, Main Form
and Schedule B, and conform to the provisions of Sec. 25.131.
(c)(1) Large Networks of Small Antennas operating in the 11.7-12.2
GHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz frequency bands with U.S.-licensed or non-U.S.-
licensed satellites for domestic or international services. Applications
to license small antenna network systems operating in the 11.7-12.2 GHz
and 14.0-14.5 GHz frequency band under blanket operating authority shall
be filed on FCC Form 312 and Schedule B, for each large (5 meters or
larger) hub station, and Schedule B for each representative type of
small antenna (less than 5 meters) operating within the network.
(c)(2) Large Networks of Small Antennas operating in the 4/6 GHz
frequency bands with U.S.-licensed or non-U.S. licensed satellites for
domestic services (CSATs). Applications to license small antenna network
systems operating in the standard C-Band, 3700-4200 MHz and 5925-6425
MHz frequency band shall be filed electronically on FCC Form 312, Main
Form and Schedule B.
(i) An initial lead application providing a detailed overview of the
complete network shall be filed. Such lead applications shall fully
identify the scope and nature of the service to be provided, as well as
the complete technical details of each representative type of small
antenna (less than 4.5 meters) that will operate within the network.
Such lead applications for a single CSAT system must identify:
(A) No more than three discrete geostationary satellites to be
accessed;
(B) The amount of frequency bandwidth sought, up to a maximum of 20
MHz of spectrum in each direction at each of the satellites (The same 20
MHz of uplink and 20 MHz of downlink spectrum at each satellite would be
accessible by all CSAT earth stations in the system. The 20 MHz of
uplink and 20 MHz of downlink spectrum need not be the same at each
satellite location);

[[Page 185]]

(C) The maximum number of earth station sites;
(ii) Following the issuance of a license for the lead application,
the licensee shall notify the Commission of the complete technical
parameters of each individual earth station site before that site is
bought into operation under the lead authorization. Full frequency
coordination of each individual site (e.g., for each satellite and the
spectrum associated therewith) shall be completed prior to filing
Commission notification. The coordination must be conducted in
accordance with Sec. 25.203. Such notification shall be done by
electronic filing and shall be consistent with the technical parameters
of Schedule B of FCC Form 312.
(iii) Following successful coordination of such an earth station, if
the earth station operator does not file a lead application or a
Schedule B within six months after it successfully completes
coordination, it will be assumed that such frequency use is no longer
desired, unless a second notification has been received within ten days
prior to the end of the six month period. Such renewal notifications
must be sent to all parties concerned. If the lead application or
Schedule B, or renewal notification, is not timely received, the
coordination will lapse and the licensee must re-coordinate the relevant
earth stations if it still wishes to bring them into operation.
(iv) Operation of each individual site may commence immediately
after the public notice is released that identifies the notification
sent to the Commission and if the requirements of paragraph (c)(2)(vi)
of this section are met. Continuance of operation of each station for
the duration of the lead license term shall be dependent upon successful
completion of the normal public notice process. If any objections are
received to the new station prior to the end of the 30 day comment
period of the Public Notice, the licensee shall immediately cease
operation of those particular stations until the coordination dispute is
resolved and the CSAT licensee informs the Commission of the resolution.
If the requirements of paragraph (c)(2)(vi) of this section are not met,
operation may not commence until the Commission issues the public notice
acting on the CSAT terminal authorization.
(v) Each CSAT licensee shall annually provide the Commission an
updated list of all operational earth stations in its system. The annual
list shall also include a list of all earth stations deactivated during
the year and identification of the satellites providing service to the
network as of the date of the report.
(vi) Conditional authorization. (A) An applicant for a new CSAT
radio station or modification of an existing CSAT station authorized
under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section in the 3700-4200; or 5925-6425
MHz bands may operate the proposed station during the pendency of its
application after the release of the public notice accepting the
notification for filing that complies with paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this
section. The applicant, however, must first certify that the following
conditions are satisfied:
(1) The frequency coordination procedures of Sec. 25.203 have been
successfully completed;
(2) The antenna structure has been previously studied by the Federal
Aviation Administration and determined to pose no hazard to aviation
safety as required by subpart B of part 17 of this chapter; or the
antenna or tower structure does not exceed 6.1 meters above ground level
or above an existing man-made structure (other than an antenna
structure), if the antenna or tower has not been previously studied by
the Federal Aviation Administration and cleared by the FCC;
(3) The grant of the application(s) does not require a waiver of the
Commission's rules (with the exception of a request for waiver
pertaining to fees);
(4) The applicant has determined that the facility(ies) will not
significantly affect the environment as defined in Sec. 1.1307 of this
chapter;
(5) The station site does not lie within 56.3 kilometers of any
international border or within a radio ``Quiet Zone'' identified in
Sec. 1.924 of this chapter; and
(6) The filed application is consistent with the proposal that was
coordinated pursuant to Sec. 25.251.
(B) Conditional authority ceases immediately if the Schedule B is
returned

[[Page 186]]

by the Commission because it is not accepted for filing.
(C) A conditional authorization pursuant to paragraphs (c)(2)(vi)(A)
and (c)(2)(vi)(B) of this section is evidenced by retaining a copy of
the Schedule B notification with the station records. Conditional
authorization does not prejudice any action the Commission may take on
the subject application(s) or the Schedule B notifications.
(D) Conditional authority is accepted with the express understanding
that such authority may be modified or cancelled by the Commission at
any time without hearing if, in the Commission's discretion, the need
for such action arises. An applicant operating pursuant to this
conditional authority assumes all risks associated with such operation,
the termination or modification of the conditional authority, or the
subsequent dismissal or denial of its application(s).
(E) The copy of the Schedule B notification form must be posted at
each station operating pursuant to this section.
(vii) Period of construction. Construction of each earth station
must be completed and the station must be brought into regular operation
within twelve months from the date that action is taken to authorize
that station to operate under the lead authorization, except as may be
otherwise determined by the Commission for any particular application.
(d) User transceivers in the NVNG, 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite
Service, and 2 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service need not be individually
licensed. Service vendors may file blanket applications for transceivers
units using FCC Form 312, Main Form and Schedule B, and specifying the
number of units to be covered by the blanket license. Each application
for a blanket license under this section shall include the information
described in Sec. 25.136.
(e) Earth stations operating in the 20/30 GHz Fixed-Satellite
Service with U.S.-licensed or non-U.S. licensed satellites: Applications
to license individual earth stations operating in the 20/30 GHz band
shall be filed on FCC Form 312, Main Form and Schedule B, and shall also
include the information described in Sec. 25.138. Earth stations
belonging to a network operating in the 18.3-18.8 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz,
28.35-28.6 GHz or 29.25-30.0 GHz bands may be licensed on a blanket
basis. Applications for such blanket authorization may be filed using
FCC Form 312, Main Form and Schedule B, and specifying the number of
terminals to be covered by the blanket license. Each application for a
blanket license under this section shall include the information
described in Sec. 25.138.
(f) User transceivers in the non-geostationary satellite orbit
fixed-satellite service in the 11.7-12.2 GHz, 12.2-12.7 GHz and 14.0-
14.5 GHz bands need not be individually licensed. Service vendors may
file blanket applications for transceiver units using FCC Form 312, Main
Form and Schedule B, and shall specify the number of terminals to be
covered by the blanket license. Each application for a blanket license
under this section shall include the information described in Sec.
25.146. Any earth stations that are not user transceivers, and which
transmit in the non-geostationary satellite orbit fixed-satellite
service in the 10.7-11.7 GHz, 12.75-13.15 GHz, 13.2125-13.25 GHz, and
13.75-14.0 GHz bands must be individually licensed, pursuant to
paragraph (a) of this section.
(g) Applications for feeder link earth stations operating in the
24.75--25.25 GHz band (Earth-to-space) and providing service to
geostationary satellites in the 17/24 GHz BSS must include, in addition
to the particulars of operation identified on Form 312 and associated
Schedule B, the information specified in either paragraph (g)(1) or
(g)(2) below for each earth station antenna type:
(1) A series of EIRP density charts or tables, calculated for a
production earth station antenna, based on measurements taken on a
calibrated antenna range at 25 GHz, with the off-axis EIRP envelope set
forth in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (g)(1)(iv) of this section
superimposed, as follows:
(i) Showing off-axis co-polarized EIRP spectral density in the
azimuth plane, for off-axis angles from minus 10[deg] to plus 10[deg]
and from minus 180[deg] to plus 180[deg];
(ii) Showing off-axis co-polarized EIRP spectral density in the
elevation

[[Page 187]]

plane, at off-axis angles from 0[deg]to plus 30[deg];
(iii) Showing off-axis cross-polarized EIRP spectral density in the
azimuth plane, at off-axis angles from minus 10[deg] to plus 10[deg];
and
(iv) Showing off-axis cross-polarized EIRP spectral density in the
elevation plane, at off-axis angles from minus 10[deg] to plus 10[deg]
(2) A certification on Schedule B that the antenna conforms to the
gain pattern criteria of Sec. Sec. 25.209(a) and (b), that when
combined with input power density (computed from the maximum on-axis
EIRP density per carrier less the antenna gain entered in Schedule B),
demonstrates that the off-axis EIRP spectral density envelope set forth
in Sec. Sec. 25.223(b)(1) through (4) of this part will be met.

[62 FR 5928, Feb. 10, 1997, as amended at 62 FR 64172, Dec. 4, 1997; 65
FR 54169, Sept. 7, 2000; 65 FR 59142, Oct. 4, 2000; 66 FR 31559, June
12, 2001; 67 FR 53510, Aug. 16, 2002; 68 FR 16966, Apr. 8, 2003; 68 FR
63998, Nov. 12, 2003; 69 FR 29901, May 26, 2004; 69 FR 47794, Aug. 6,
2004; 70 FR 4783, Jan. 31, 2005; 70 FR 32253, June 2, 2005; 72 FR 50027,
Aug. 29, 2007]

 

[AcWxRadar]

Doug,

Really superb! There is a lot of information there! I will have to print that out and digest it.

I tried to go the link you provided, but it wasn't found. I shortened the address line and it then came up with a notation that the site had been relocated and automatically directed me to the new one.

I browsed it briefly, but it is getting a little late for me to get too involved with much reading now. I have been up for ~26 hours and growing quite tired! I am off work Friday - Sunday, so I can play catch-up then.

Great thanks for the information, Doug!

Gordy

 

[14karat]

The best cure I know for sleeping problems is a quiet evening reading a good CFR. If you make it thru 5 pages, you should probably see a specialist

 

[mikelib]

FTA Station License and Call Sign?????

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR25.115]

TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED)

PART 25_SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS--Table of Contents

Subpart B_Applications and Licenses

Sec. 25.115 Application for earth station authorizations.
(b) Receive-only earth stations. Applications to license or register
receive only earth stations shall be filed on FCC Form 312, Main Form
and Schedule B, and conform to the provisions of Sec. 25.131.

Does this mean that we can get FTA station call letters like Ham radio call letters with C band or KU band endorsement (SAT2FTA-C, SAT9FTA-KU, SAT6FTA-C/KU)? We can have contest like Ham radio's WAS (Work All States) where the FTA contest will be WAS (Work all Satellites). We can start an organization similar to the Ham radio's ARRL (American Radio Relay League), FTA version ASRL (American Satellite Receive League).

I think were on to something here.
Tongue in Cheek
Mike Lib

 

[avg1joe]

What you are researching is very ambitious. I would suggest you look at it from a different angle though.

Ku satellite almost had something awesome but it only lasted a short time. Movies on 129w, pbs on 125w, music tv, networks and old movies on 123w. A person could have had all this on one dish. The digital tv transition was happening at about the same time and a lot of people were discovering that they weren't going to be able to get all their old channels without an outdoor amplified antenna. Meanwhile Dish was moving to Nagra 3 and prices on stbs were plunging. I was ready to start building triple lnb dishes for 123/125/129 and sell them door to door if I had to. If only equity could have held on and taken what they had and figured out how to generate national ad revenue from the fta market, banding together with the stb manufacturers to prove that that this is why you legally own a coolsat, pansat, visionsat or sonicview.

[taking a deep breath and stepping down off the soap box]

So here is the different angle. Don't try to do it all yourself. Sit down with one of the satellite lists of what channel is on what satellite and a highlighter. Figure out where the good stuff is (White Springs, PBS, KTWO, Daystar, Biography, History, Fashion, JCTV, SOAC, MYX, RTV, etc.) and note where it is on the arc. Note the spacing between the good channels and think about the feasability of multi-lnb dishes. Now figure out which satellite you want to plop your channel(s) down on to complement the programming which is already there. We took a big hit when equity left but there are still some clusters: 129/125/123 97/101.

 

[AcWxRadar]

What you are researching is very ambitious. I would suggest you look at it from a different angle though.

Ku satellite almost had something awesome but it only lasted a short time. Movies on 129w, pbs on 125w, music tv, networks and old movies on 123w. A person could have had all this on one dish. The digital tv transition was happening at about the same time and a lot of people were discovering that they weren't going to be able to get all their old channels without an outdoor amplified antenna. Meanwhile Dish was moving to Nagra 3 and prices on stbs were plunging. I was ready to start building triple lnb dishes for 123/125/129 and sell them door to door if I had to. If only equity could have held on and taken what they had and figured out how to generate national ad revenue from the fta market, banding together with the stb manufacturers to prove that that this is why you legally own a coolsat, pansat, visionsat or sonicview.

[taking a deep breath and stepping down off the soap box]

So here is the different angle. Don't try to do it all yourself. Sit down with one of the satellite lists of what channel is on what satellite and a highlighter. Figure out where the good stuff is (White Springs, PBS, KTWO, Daystar, Biography, History, Fashion, JCTV, SOAC, MYX, RTV, etc.) and note where it is on the arc. Note the spacing between the good channels and think about the feasability of multi-lnb dishes. Now figure out which satellite you want to plop your channel(s) down on to complement the programming which is already there. We took a big hit when equity left but there are still some clusters: 129/125/123 97/101.

Avg1joe,

I understand your "angle" here. However, if this project were to ever go through and become operational, I would want it set up in a particular manner in regards to which orbital position it resides.

Allow me to explain as best I can.

First of all, it would be most desirable to reach the most markets (households) from coast to coast and north to south and hopefully include Hawaii and the Caribbean and as much of Mexico and Canada as possible.

NOTE: There may be some international legalities which prohibit this, but in a perfect world with no red tape and no bull from any politician in someone's back pocket, we'll just assume for this moment that we can do anything we darn well please.

That being stated, it would be to the benefit of the end receiver (home station) if the satellite selected to broadcast the signal had the greatest potential to reach all areas with the best EIRP level possible.

Hence, a sat at an orbital of near 93-105 west longitude would probably serve east and west ground reception sites the best overall. The near center of the country may benefit most, but neither coast would be put out more than the other.

Researching the current footprints of satellites already located in these orbitals help to display this coverage pattern benefit better visually. This would result in a greater selling point for marketing purposes. Of course, it would also probably cost more to utilize.

Next, the use of Ku linear band would be most desired as this idea is directed towards FTA advocates and hobbyists most of all. The people who are interested in this hobby and who would be highly likely to approve of this/these channels would also be most likely to already own the equipment needed, be familiar with it and probably more prone to support the Ku band equipment industry in the future.

I hope that my notion in this regard seems logical.

Gordy

 

[guapoharry]

What about the programming syndication angle? Costs, availability, etc....

 

[RedSavina]

What you are researching is very ambitious. I would suggest you look at it from a different angle though.

Ku satellite almost had something awesome but it only lasted a short time. Movies on 129w, pbs on 125w, music tv, networks and old movies on 123w. A person could have had all this on one dish. The digital tv transition was happening at about the same time and a lot of people were discovering that they weren't going to be able to get all their old channels without an outdoor amplified antenna. Meanwhile Dish was moving to Nagra 3 and prices on stbs were plunging. I was ready to start building triple lnb dishes for 123/125/129 and sell them door to door if I had to. If only equity could have held on and taken what they had and figured out how to generate national ad revenue from the fta market, banding together with the stb manufacturers to prove that that this is why you legally own a coolsat, pansat, visionsat or sonicview.

[taking a deep breath and stepping down off the soap box]

So here is the different angle. Don't try to do it all yourself. Sit down with one of the satellite lists of what channel is on what satellite and a highlighter. Figure out where the good stuff is (White Springs, PBS, KTWO, Daystar, Biography, History, Fashion, JCTV, SOAC, MYX, RTV, etc.) and note where it is on the arc. Note the spacing between the good channels and think about the feasability of multi-lnb dishes. Now figure out which satellite you want to plop your channel(s) down on to complement the programming which is already there. We took a big hit when equity left but there are still some clusters: 129/125/123 97/101.

Another consideration in dealing with multiple orbital slots is the use of a motor or multi-LNB dishes. Your point of clustering and Gordy's point of what is on these satellite clusters in relation to greatest footprint (usable EIRP) are important factors. If we assume that there is sufficient programming (existing or potential) on desirable neighboring orbital slots, then we can move forward with a multi-LNB setup.

With a multi-LNB setup you have the issues of availability of an appropriate sized dish (EIRP, etc). To my knowledge most available elliptical (multi-LNB friendly) dishes are a little to a lot smaller than the typical Ku dish. The Glorystar configuration is the exception and offers a 4 degree solution. If it is determined that a smaller dish provides acceptable service (doubtful for non-hobbyists), there are numerous threads about using old primestar dishes or pizza dishes. Having done the pizza experiment, I can tell you that a dual LNB option is possible on either a D500 or PhaseIII at 6 degree separation in my location, and with very strong transponders. However, the modifications required are not "off the shelf" and the small dish size makes for a very fragile QoS (rain, fog, clouds, flock of birds, cloud of insects, etc).

I like your thinking and Gordy's additional thoughts. As a potential customer, advocate, and installer for this service, I would lean towards one of these two options:
1) A Glorystar dual (4 degree) dish aimed at an orbital location meeting Gordy's criteria.
2) A Glorystar dual (4 degree) dish and motor aimed at an orbital location very close to an existing pair of satellites (e.g. 97/101 or 125/129) so that the dish could quickly move between the two paired location. Motorizing a dual LNB dish has been discussed elsewhere and is possible, but the configuration headache more than likely keeps an option like this firmly in the hobbyist camp unless SatelliteAV created a feature like this for their receivers. IMO, the only way to do this for a non-hobbyist is in the code...***

Of the two options, #1 is by far the simpler choice. I suggest looking at existing and potential orbital pairs with 4 degree separation in the 93-105 W range that Gordy suggested.

Red

*** Hey Brian, how difficult would it be to add motor support for dual LNB reception to your code? Calculating the "bore sight" as an offset to satellite pairs seems reasonable at the conceptual level, but I am not an engineer...
I understand there would need to be a suitable demand to proceed with such a feature and am asking only as a "what if". Thx.

 

[avg1joe]

That being stated, it would be to the benefit of the end receiver (home station) if the satellite selected to broadcast the signal had the greatest potential to reach all areas with the best EIRP level possible.

I agree completely. My point was, if many of the types of shows you are looking for are already available plan your orbital slot to complement as many of them as possible. I think its a shame that the content that is currently up there is so spread out.

 

[LoTech]

many of the types of shows you are looking for are already available

The only problem is that with the exception of WSTV, and some of the religious and ethnic channels, most of the FTA channels/shows are not intended for the home end user. They may be here today and gone tomorrow. It would be great if we could count on other programmers to partner with the new upstart, but I wouldn't count on it. I think that he is trying to build something that will be financially sound enough to provide a permanent slot for quality FTA programming regardless of what else is up there.

 

[LoTech]

RADAR,

Have you checked out the government grants for Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. They are available to provide startup capital to companies like yours (assuming you are going the nonprofit route.)
--LoTech

 

[AcWxRadar]

The only problem is that with the exception of WSTV, and some of the religious and ethnic channels, most of the FTA channels/shows are not intended for the home end user. They may be here today and gone tomorrow. It would be great if we could count on other programmers to partner with the new upstart, but I wouldn't count on it. I think that he is trying to build something that will be financially sound enough to provide a permanent slot for quality FTA programming regardless of what else is up there.

LoTech,

This is precisely what I would "WISH" to accomplish. I indeed want it to be a true FTA slot (no encryption) and intended for direct to home end consumers for FREE.

Any local affiliate TV station (small broadcasters) could also access the "feed" from our broadcast and redistribute the content from us, provided they pay us to redistribute it to their customer base within the legally allowed confines.

The main objective is to provide a really true FTA broadcast with the content that most everyone can agree with and 95% or better of the N.A. consumers can access with inexpensive, small scale FTA equipment.

No charge would be expected from those who are at home watching the channel/s, but a subscription fee enterprise would be offered for those who, on the honor system, feel that they need to aid the support of the enterprise.

In simple words, there is a tip jar on the counter and anyone who tips well, will get more than what is offered for free. Maybe that would be access to a website, a newsletter or magazine or other small scale promotional items and perks.

RADAR,

Have you checked out the government grants for Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. They are available to provide startup capital to companies like yours (assuming you are going the nonprofit route.)
--LoTech

I have not checked that out yet, but I am going to print this entire thread out from time to time and research each individual suggestion and link. Eventually, this thread may be utilized to help secure funds through grants, donations, loans or other measures of support. The more responses of a positive direction here may serve to sway investors (or advertisers) in the future.

I view this as sort of a poll for support that I could possibly utilize somewhere down the road, if you understand my thinking.

Gordy

Pretty exciting and highly informational so far, don't you think?

 

[BurlesonBlue]

If I may just throw in my two cents here, I don't think it would be particularly hard to program a channel like this. There's some pretty good programming in the public domain, like The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, The Beverly Hillbillies, and The Lucy Show.

Then there's The Program Exchange. where in exchange for airing a certain number of General Mills product ads per show, you get to broadcast the program. They've got Just Shoot Me, Newsradio, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and lots of other shows and movies.

So, at least from a programming standpoint, it could be done.

 

[goobenet]

Well, i've done this game before. It's not fun, it's definately not cheap, but the long-term payout is pretty good.

First and foremost, FCC allocation lawyers to get an uplink license alone is about $50k said and done, this does not include any annual licensing fees. This is just to have a study done and the paperwork filed, the FCC can still decline you.

Uplink gear can be found on the cheap, even through donations. (TV stations love writeoffs!) We got an old CONUS truck for cheap at an auction and gutted it for permanent install. Total cost for the truck was about $90k. Needed to add about 100k worth of new supporting hardware for the permenent install. (vtr's, test equipment, cameras, think master control)

A single 3Mhz TP on AMC8 was running us around $28k/mo full time. We looked at hourly, but it got over the 30k/mo mark durring hockey season, so full time was technically cheaper. (we had to pitch this to the schools president so he'd sign off on the budget) This was circa 2005 when we built this, so it's pretty recent. I know DishNet charges somewhere around $10k/mo for their business TV channels, so it'd seem accurate now as well.

As for programming, forget networks unless you want to pay through the nose. Even local affiliates have to pay "royalties" to have the peacock in the corner. Public domain stuff is available, but i think you'll eventually want to pony up some cash for "newer" programming. We were originating our own (sports mostly for a college) so we didn't run into this too much. It was mostly student generated. (we did take ARTS TV on the overnights, and the school had a radar system, so we'd do a little weather splash and audio from the campus radio station).

So, yes, it can be done. Startup costs (just to get on the air) would be in the million dollar range, on the cheap side. In dealing with the FCC, it would be about 1yr before you'd get a license (maybe 9 months) so you'd have plenty of time waiting for that part alone. With it being on an FTA type thing, you can expect a niche market. (ie, less than 500k "viewers") to start. Of course the only way to know is to pay Nielsen, who doesn't meter FTA equipment anyways... So this would even be a guess. With the penetration of pizza pan dishes, you'd be hard pressed to get past the average wife to install a bigger dish for "one channel".

I would say forget about the nice microwave tower too. That's a whole nother problem. FAA licensing, frequency coordination, tower paint, hell, light bulbs get expensive. I wouldn't take it if it was given away for free! (it'd cost you about $20k/yr just in power for the lights!) No no, find a nice little strip mall or an old gas station to start, stick the uplink dish out back (or on the roof) and go from there. It's a lot cheaper to buy an old Tom Thumb and maintain that than a full blown microwave tower. (unless you want to get into the vertical real estate business and lease the space, but you'd have to be somewhere where people WANT space on your tower, it's called "non-traditional revenue")

So, as you can see, there's a bunch more to be thought out here. It's not exactly like the drunk guys at the bar who hatch the plan to buy the bar so they can get drunk every night for free, but it kinda is at the same time, just a lot harder to do.

 

[Wescopc]

FYI found this site:
www.moviesfortelevision.com

In addition, it might be good to do some detective work on White Springs TV - What about their business model could be improved upon. Advertisers need to know how many folks are watching so that the ad rates are fair for all concerned.
Bob

 

[AcWxRadar]

FYI found this site:
www.moviesfortelevision.com

In addition, it might be good to do some detective work on White Springs TV - What about their business model could be improved upon. Advertisers need to know how many folks are watching so that the ad rates are fair for all concerned.
Bob

Bob,

My brother has been in communications with Victor Ives of WSTV previously for other related subjects. We might be able to convince him to give us some advice and direction regarding this. Maybe he would even like to assist in some way. Who knows, doesn't hurt to ask.

Gordy

P.S. Thanks for the link to that site, I will check it out.

 

[AcWxRadar]

I would say forget about the nice microwave tower too. That's a whole nother problem. FAA licensing, frequency coordination, tower paint, hell, light bulbs get expensive. I wouldn't take it if it was given away for free! (it'd cost you about $20k/yr just in power for the lights!) No no, find a nice little strip mall or an old gas station to start, stick the uplink dish out back (or on the roof) and go from there. It's a lot cheaper to buy an old Tom Thumb and maintain that than a full blown microwave tower. (unless you want to get into the vertical real estate business and lease the space, but you'd have to be somewhere where people WANT space on your tower, it's called "non-traditional revenue")

What is nice about the microwave tower is that it is so close to me (less than 6 miles) and we already have an "in" on it since my nephew's HAM club is already leasing it. It is almost a made to order deal. There is plenty of space to combine the two activities in the same building.

I guess it is kind of baiting me!

Gordy

 

[goobenet]

What is nice about the microwave tower is that it is so close to me (less than 6 miles) and we already have an "in" on it since my nephew's HAM club is already leasing it. It is almost a made to order deal. There is plenty of space to combine the two activities in the same building.

I guess it is kind of baiting me!

Gordy

I used to get that all the time. I work in radio (no, not a DJ, "Broadcast Engineer"), so i see them all the time. While the bunkers from hell(tm) are pretty cool, in reality, it's just a dish, no need for a tower really. But hey, if the ham club wants to knock down their lease price (and has a provision to allow sub-leasers) by all means. It's a lot easier getting a crane and truck into those facilities than an alley of an old tom thumb, that's for sure!

Though, i'm pretty sure to start, you might just need about 2 full racks worth of gear (provided no live broadcasts). But most of my original post still has merit.

It's not easy to do, nor cheap. Best thing to do is get a buisness model/plan written up and go hunt venture capital. There's a thing here in MN (yes, i'm in iceberg's territory, just north of the metro vs him in the southland) called the "idea bank". It's quite facinating. It's a bunch of bank presidents who stick money into new ideas, if they like it, they back it for a cut until you can buy them out. (which is how they end up with the money in the first place) Look around for these types of groups. But remember, they're bankers, they want to make money. So have numbers in hand when you talk to them.