Use of Analog Ch. 6 For FM radio

[Peter Parker]

In several cities low powered Analog TV stations use Channel 6 to broadcast an audio signal that is receivable on many FM radios. the FCC was considering allowing this to continue even after analog TV service finally shuts down. I believe there was even a request for comment earlier this year. Does anyone know where this stands?

I would as k this in a local (DC area) forum dedicated to TV and radio but we have one poster who is convinced the practice is illegal and has crusaded against it. I do not want to set him/her off.

 

[Radioguy41]

It's only illegal if the FCC says it's illegal.

 

[Peter Parker]

Well there is at least one individual who thinks they should have that particular power of the FCC----or perhaps they think they already have that authority. I am not sure.

 

[Juan]

Depends if it is interfering with a commercial station

Well there is at least one individual who thinks they should have that particular power of the FCC----or perhaps they think they already have that authority. I am not sure.

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[Juan]

Wiki article

Channel 6 radio stations in the United States - Wikipedia

Well there is at least one individual who thinks they should have that particular power of the FCC----or perhaps they think they already have that authority. I am not sure.

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[Wireless Engineer]

It's sad that most antenna forums tend to be dominated by a handful of self proclaimed experts that tend to perpetuate their myths, and misinformation as fact.
But if we allowed only REAL technicians and engineers, the forums would be empty.

I apologize for your experience on that forum.

Since analog tv channel 6 uses 87.75Mhz for it's audio carrier, it is normal to be able to hear it with most FM radios.
Low power analog stations have 51 months from the completion of the incentive auction(April 2017) to cease analog operations so by july 4th 2021 they will be gone.
Many will be gone before that date if needed for the repack.

 

[harshness]

Since analog tv channel 6 uses 87.75Mhz for it's audio carrier, it is normal to be able to hear it with most FM radios.
Low power analog stations have 51 months from the completion of the incentive auction(April 2017) to cease analog operations so by july 4th 2021 they will be gone.
Many will be gone before that date if needed for the repack.

Does DTV operating on RF6 not use that bandwidth as well?

As the repack progresses, there will be more and more stations operating on RF6 and as Next Gen TV comes on line then there's that to consider.

I'm perplexed as to the value of such a small parcel of real estate that may or may not even show up on a digital tuner.

 

[Peter Parker]

Thanks to the previous posters for sharing information---but I really was asking about the status of any FCC action on continuing the LPTV use of channel 6 on an analog basis to allow for use as an FM radio station.

b ut why should this thread stick to the original topic/

 

[Juan]

Sorry

Thanks to the previous posters for sharing information---but I really was asking about the status of any FCC action on continuing the LPTV use of channel 6 on an analog basis to allow for use as an FM radio station.

b ut why should this thread stick to the original topic/

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[Tower Guy]

Does DTV operating on RF6 not use that bandwidth as well?
.

Yes, a normal ATSC 1.0 signal overlaps 87.75. Some have proposed a narrowband ATSC signal that can be tuned by a standard TV that would leave room for a 87.70 aural carrier.

For several weeks WRGB in Schenectady, NY ran 87.9 along with an ATSC signal. It worked well, even with a 88.3 FM station on a nearby tower. The FCC asked them to stop, and they did.

 

[NYDutch]

Before the digital age, we lived in channel 6 WRGB's market and always had the first button on our FM car radios set for their channel 6 audio so we could catch the news and my wife could listen to her favorite soap when we were away from a TV when it came on. Now we can easily stream both of course, so the FM feed is not needed on our end.

 

[Peter Parker]

I remember listening to WRGB via radio as well. Still these stations have carved out niches in their respective markets and their are people for an against them continuing. I was just curious as to whether there was any news on the FCC front. I am mow assuming no one knows. too bad. But I suppose it is of little interest to most of us.

 

[Juan]

They will just go away after the final digital transition

I remember listening to WRGB via radio as well. Still these stations have carved out niches in their respective markets and their are people for an against them continuing. I was just curious as to whether there was any news on the FCC front. I am mow assuming no one knows. too bad. But I suppose it is of little interest to most of us.

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[Trip]

Nothing has changed. The LPTV stations in question have asked the FCC to permit the continuation of analog audio after the digital transition, but the FCC has not acted on it.

- Trip

 

[harshness]

Yes, a normal ATSC 1.0 signal overlaps 87.75. Some have proposed a narrowband ATSC signal that can be tuned by a standard TV that would leave room for a 87.70 aural carrier.

How is the tuner to know that the RF6 bandwidth is different from the other channels (or does it matter)?

Again, what is the ruckus over such a small bit of the band?

 

[Trip]

Again, what is the ruckus over such a small bit of the band?

Because with low-VHF being so poor for TV use, these LPTV stations on channel 6 are anxious to instead use the audio carrier as if it were an FM station, since many FM receivers will tune down to 87.7 where the channel 6 audio carrier is located. This is how most of them use it today, but come 2021, a conversion to digital will force that audio carrier off the air.

- Trip

 

[Peter Parker]

How is the tuner to know that the RF6 bandwidth is different from the other channels (or does it matter)?

Again, what is the ruckus over such a small bit of the band?

You would needan analog tuner to listen to that sudio on your TV. If your TV has one it would scan in (as analog) just likea digital cahhnel does. Having said that such stations cater to people in their cars. In amny markets it is hispanic programming but thereare some other formats using it.

As for the fuss there are some owners of struggling AM stations who would like those frequencies for themselves (as FM translators0 some waht that specific frequency others want an expansion of the existing FM band. IMHO there is little chance that this will happen but they are certainly entitled to push for it.

 

[navychop]

In essence, they are asking for a small increase in the FM band. Bad precedent, and would restrict future use of channel 6 for TV. We don’t know 10, 20 years down the road.

They should fold tent, or get a new, FM, frequency. If they are so in the sticks channel 6 need not be used, I doubt the FM band is crowded.


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[harshness]

In essence, they are asking for a small increase in the FM band. Bad precedent, and would restrict future use of channel 6 for TV. We don’t know 10, 20 years down the road.

From what I can gather, there is a fear that AM may go the same way it did in Germany so everyone may have to pile onto FM. I don't have any idea how tightly packed FM is but TV is feeling the squeeze in more than a few markets.

 

[navychop]

Seems to be a political act to kill AM. But then, everything governments do is inherently a political act.


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