[Dave Loudin]

Posted in more detail before, but just to repeat in brief:

The regulatory scheme for determining channel assignments and power for digital TV is the same as it was for the last years of analog TV. The problem was that some engineering assumptions for VHF, especially low-VHF were not correct for DTV.

At least in the US, the FCC cannot change the scheme without a rulemaking process. In the interim, stations that want to raise power have to submit reports that include some measurements about how far off predictions were and/or an anlysis of where viewer complaints are coming from. Stations also have to prove that they will not create new interference to others or have negotiated agreements with stations they may affect.

If stations can file for more power and show no increased interference under the current regulatory scheme, then the process is much simpler and quicker.

 

[Dave Loudin]

GeorgeMX - well said!

 

[Dave Loudin]

In the US, an application for new or changed facilities must demonstrate that they cause only de minimus, defined as 0.5%, additional interference to the service areas of other stations. The minimum signal that defines the service area is different for the low VHF, high VHF, and UHF bands. For your reference, here are the service area plots for WUTV and WPTZ. Ignoring the international factor, interference outside the countour doesn't count, and viewers' complaints will fall on deaf ears at the FCC.

Note that I said additional interference. There are already locations within these service areas where interference and terrain blockage occurs. A new proposal cannot make the problem noticeably worse.