With the Nearby Transmitter page working nicely, I decided to go back to the FCC database and add in every FCC licensed TV transmitter.
As you know, we are about to FINALLY end analog TV (in most places) in June – assuming that Congress doesn’t turn into cowards again. Changes to the way I handled TV were already in the pipeline. Since this is a Radio guide, TV is not central to the content, but still of interest to some people.
At the moment, in most markets most TV station are still operating on two channels – their original Analog TV channel and a parallel Digital Channel (which may have as many as 6 sub-channels carrying additional programming, like 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, etc…). These are directly similar to what HD radio does to radio, where one radio license allows a radio station to air up to three different “programs” at the same time.
DTV does not work well on VHF channels (2-13) for technical reasons related to the way TV signals travel – you probably have noticed that channels 2 and 3 get a lot of interference during storms, and sometimes signals from TV stations hundreds of miles away can be picked up. UHF (14-66) do not have those issues. Most TV stations will stay on their new DTV – a few will “move back” to their original channels because of a strong brand identity – but they may regret that choice if management ignored the advice of their radio engineers.
Back to the new TV stuff – there is a relatively obscure thing called LPTV, and its cousin “Class A” TV. LPTV is “Community TV” – non commercial TV operating at low power over a very limited area. Because it is low power, it can be allowed in places where a full power TV station would create overlap with an existing station. Typical uses would be for college TV station or for a religious retreat or for ACORN. In the good old days, TV cameras and studios were very expensive to build – but now a “TV Station” requires little more than a table and a webcam. Expect to see more of LPTV stations created during the Obama Years, as Community Organizing gains more clout at the FCC.
TV also has translators (like your statewide PBS network) and Boosters (used on the same frequency as the main station to fill in coverage in small areas – like behind a mountain). Those show up now, too.