NAB and MSTV Comment on FCC Proposal to Ban Wireless Microphone Operation above Channel 51

On October 3, NAB together with MSTV filed comments on an FCC proposal to ban the use of low power auxiliary devices licensed under Part 74 subpart H of the FCC’s Rules - including wireless mics - in the 698-806 MHz band (700 MHz Band).

The FCC made this proposal in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) released on August 21, 2008. The NPRM stated that the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 (“DTV Act”) set a firm deadline for the end of the digital television (DTV) transition of February 17, 2009, at which time the spectrum in the 700 MHz Band, currently occupied by TV broadcasters on Channels 52-69, will be fully available for public safety as well as commercial wireless services. As such the FCC has tentatively concluded to amend its Rules to make clear that the operation of low power auxiliary stations within the 700 MHz Band will no longer be permitted after the end of the DTV transition because such operations could cause harmful interference to new public safety and commercial wireless services in that band.

In addition, the NPRM sought comment on issues raised in a petition filed by the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) which addressed the use of unauthorized wireless mics in the 700 MHz band. PISC requested, among other things, that the FCC grant general amnesty to all unauthorized users of wireless microphones and permit use of the equipment on a going forward basis until the Commission authorizes the new General Wireless Microphone Service (GWMS). Users in the GWMS would operate on a secondary basis to broadcast licensees and other authorized wireless mic users in the UHF band (below channel 52).

In our comments, NAB and MSTV urge the Commission to adopt a reasonable phase-out process for licensed wireless microphones in the 700 MHz band. While we agreed with the Commission’s tentative conclusion that low power auxiliary stations, including wireless microphones, should not remain permanently in the 700 MHz band, there is no basis for the Commission’s proposal to ban their use on all 700 MHz channels throughout the country on February 17, 2009. Such a ban would be premature, as 700 MHz licensees will not build out services en masse on that day. And stations would suffer financially just as they are deploying funds to bring the digital transition to a successful close. Accordingly, we asked the FCC to adopt a reasoned plan requiring licensed wireless microphone operations in a given 700 MHz band channel and geographic area to cease upon the earlier of (1) receipt of notice that the primary licensee intends to commence service, or (2) February 17, 2012.

Finally, NAB and MSTV agreed that the Commission should slightly adjust the list of entities eligible to hold Part 74 licenses for wireless microphone operation in the core broadcast spectrum. This expanded list would include theaters, live music producers, houses of worship, and government bodies; each of these users would, like the current licensees, operate intermittently and in professional, controlled settings. They would also be subject to the strict coordination rules of Part 74 to avoid interference to reception of broadcast television stations.

The Docket number of this proceeding is WT 08-166. Reply comments are due on October 20, 2008. A copy of the NPRM is available at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-188A1.pdf. NAB and MSTV’s comments are available in the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Go to http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.cgi and enter “08-166” (no quotes) in the first box (marked “Proceeding”), then scroll down and select “Retrieve Document List.”

NAB Trains Engineers in Safe and Interference–Free Satellite Operations

Pictured (l-r) Alex W. Lynch, WHNT-TV, Huntsville, Ala., Mati Kerpen, WJLA - ABC, Washington, D.C. and Steve Sage, Media Comm/Inspiration Networks, Charlotte, N.C.

Deadline Extended for 63rd NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference
Call for Papers
NAB Show will host the 63rd NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference on April 18 - 23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference is a highly technical conference where presenters deliver technical papers ranging over a variety of topics relevant to the broadcast and allied industries. We invite you to submit a proposal to present a technical paper at our conference. The deadline for submitting your proposal is October 27, 2008.

To submit a technical paper proposal, click here and complete the electronic form. If you have questions regarding the NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference, please contact John Marino.

The IEEE Broadcast Technology Society
58th ANNUAL IEEE BROADCAST SYMPOSIUM
Managing the Transitions
15 - 17 October 2008
The Westin Alexandria
Alexandria, VA

Keynote speakers to include: Richard E. Wiley, Wiley Rein, LLP and Peter Fannon, Panasonic Corporation.
Please visit the Registration page for additional information.

ATSC Digital VSB Measurements Seminar
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites
Indianapolis Ind.

A one-day seminar on the ATSC’s digital television (DTV) vestigial sideband (VSB) transmission system measurement methodologies will be presented on October 20 in Indianapolis Ind. Presented by DTV transmission engineer, Gary Sgrignoli, the seminar identifies and describes the pieces of test equipment needed for VSB testing in the laboratory, at transmitter sites and at remote field sites.

For additional information contact Gary Sgrignoli, Meintel, Sgrignoli & Wallace at (847) 259-3352 or Gary.Sgrignoli@IEEE.org.

The October 6, 2008 TV TechCheck is also available in an Adobe Acrobat file.
Please click here to read the Adobe Acrobat version of TV TechCheck.