Re: [IRCA] More available spectrum when TV goes digital.

Good News and BAD news. 1.) the only TV channels that MIGHT be able to be used -- would be TV channels 2 to 6. The low end TV channels do NOT work well for HDTV. And the FCC has given until the end of the year for all HDTV stations to select which one TV channel they will keep -- after 2007. The "CORE" channels are from 2 to 51. Any channel above 51 no longer exists for TV service. From 52 - 69 are now two-way radio useage ONLY. The Public safety (Police, Fire and EMS) services will get 4 of the uppper channels for their use. The others have been or will be auctioned off. The lower UHF channels from 14 to 20 have been used for Two-way communications and Public Safety use -- in the top 13 largest US cities. (New York, LA, Chicago, etc). TV channel 16 was just added for use in the New York City area for City Police and Fire services. A few Large cities may try to add one or two of the low end UHF channels --- for use by Police or Fire agencies. So what channels will be left open NOT MUCH. Only -- the LOWER VHF from 2 to 6. TV channel 5 is from 76 to 82 Mhz and channel 6 from 82 to 88 Mhz. The very first FM Band was from 40 to 50 Mhz. Then a proposed move to 88 to 108 Mhz. The FCC ruled that ONLY one band should exist for AM or FM service. That means MAYBE --- that IF only a very FEW TV stations select to remain on channels 5 and 6 -- it MIGHT be possible to move those FEW stations off and ADD from 76 to 88 Mhz to the EXISTING FM band, thus providing an additional 60 FM radio channels ---. That would meet FCC rules and Policy. The lower channels could be used by other radio services -- OR move ALL existing AM stations to a NEW band from 54 to 72 Mhz. ( 90 radio channels ) Since it would be possible for companys to build a NEW type of FM receiver that would tune from 54 Mhz to 108 Mhz and cost would not be a problem -- the FCC could see the idea as "do able". There is NO WAY in hell that any TV channel from 7 up to 51 would ever become open for any type of radio service. That band is TV's bread and butter and every TV channel is spoken for. What will it take to get a NEW AM - FM band ???