Re: [IRCA] Update on WGN IBOC interference

["Craig Healy" <bubba@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Subject: Re: [IRCA] Update on WGN IBOC interference


> I wonder if anything will happen?

Should a study find that the IBOC subcarriers are putting more RF into a
protected coverage area than allowed, then there really must be action taken
to reduce that.  There is a very specific formula for calculation of the NIF
contours vis a vis the other stations on that frequency.  The FCC has
conveniently ignored these allocation procedures for IBOC and that chicken
has come home to roost.  Since a Canadian station is not under FCC
jurisdiction, they cannot simply tell that station they must accept the
noise.

If WGN runs sidebands at 1% of the power of their main analog carrier,
that's 500w.  There is no way the FCC would have authorized a 500w non-d
station on either 710 or 730 in Chicago if WGN wasn't there.  The
interference to 710 and 730 is too great and well within the clear channel
protected radius.  The fact that the digital modulation produces far, far
more interference than analog modulation has also been swept under the
carpet.

The Massachusetts station on 650 is limited to about 10w at night.  IBOC
carriers should be limited accordingly.  If that carrier is within the clear
channel 750 mile radius, then no power should be allowed.  Since IBOC
requires equal power in both the upper and lower sideband, then the lower of
the two (upper, lower sideband) should be the limit.  That would effectively
kill night IBOC.

If a station like the 1040 in upstate NY were to take signal strength
readings and do the whole allocation procedure on the WBZ IBOC, they would
have a very strong case to present to a court.  It is a no-brainer that the
IBOC signal would never be allowed under the FCC's own analog requirements.
Being able to present solid evidence of damage to their coverage would
cement the case.  I'm sure that the defense would be that "The FCC has
allowed this, so it should be permitted".  Given the damage, and the fact it
flies in the face of procedures in place for decades, I can easily see the
plaintiffs prevailing.

If they do not, then it's not much of a stretch for a station like WJOE-700
to use that as leverage to gain night power.  "If WOR can use 500w at night
on 700, why can't we?".

I am really very surprised that nobody has brought this into court yet, but
maybe the wheels grind slowly.

Craig Healy
Providence, RI

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