Impact of Repacking on FM and TV Stations. Presented by: Cory Edwards, Sales Manager

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Vincent Wheeler
6 years ago
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1 Impact of Repacking on FM and TV Stations Presented by: Cory Edwards, Sales Manager

2 What s Different This Time Industry Dynamics Who stays? Who cashes in and gets out? Channel Sharing? Master Broadband Antennas? Do you have someone at your site that has done this? (many have retired) Manufactures Who is left? They May Have limited or fewer resources? Installers are more limited Industry is older (retirees take knowledge) Fundamental changes in technology

3 Topics for Discussion Repack Overview Equipment Re-channelization Antennas, Line, Inside RF Logistics and Installation Opportunities - Leased Facilities, FM System Upgrades What Can I do Now

4 TV Channels (stations) Received by County 1700 Full Power Stations in 210 Markets

5 TV Repacking Impact Overview 20 Channels 1/3 of Band, 550 Channels Minimum 10 Channels 1/6 of Band, 275 Channels Minimum More Shared Facilities - Broadband Systems Higher Wind loads - Opens up aperture for FM Upgrades Distributed Transmission Systems, Gap Fillers, OFDM? Service interruption (or Reduction) on temporary basis, during build-out. TV stays on old channel during move to new. FM may need temporary aux system. = Additional tower loads QUESTION 1: IS the repack going to happen? Congress says yes! QUESTION 2: WHEN? CANADA? ATSC 3.0?

6 Repacking Antenna Reuse?

7 Antenna Considerations SLOT ANTENNAS High Power: Limited Bandwidth +/- 1 channel maybe Low Power : +/- 5 Channels with relaxed specifications BROADBAND PANELS Hpol: Full Channel Bandwidth -typical BB PANELS WITH VPOL +/- 10 channels typical before Vpol varies more significantly

8 Repacking Transmission Line Reuse?

9 Transmission Line Recommended Lengths

10 Transmission Line

11 Repacking UHF Mask Filter and RF Reuse?

12 Changing Channels Inside RF Components

13 RF System Typical UHF High Power

14 RF Components: UHF Retune or Replace? Retune: o Waterloads o w/g miters o Directional couplers o Coax switches o w/g switches o Patch panels Replace: o Mask filters o Magic tee o Combiners

15 Changing Channels Need to be on air with existing equipment while new is being installed Physical space issues Availability of RF talent to re tune & install components Some older equipment may not be supported Example: series switches Transmission lines need to be measured at new channels

16 Repacking VHF and LPTV, Filter and RF Reuse?

17 VHF RF Systems Mask Filters grouped ch 7-9 and All other components are broadband

18 Low Power UHF (< 5 kw)? All UHF filters band tunable since 2012 All other components are broadband

19 Repacking Combiner Considerations

20 Combiners Manifold Type

21 8 Station Combiner CH 34/36/38/40/42/44/46/48

22 8 Station Combiner 34/36/38/40/42/44/46/48

23 Low Power Combiners

24 Repacking Structural and Logistics

25 Existing Configurations Possible Inactive Antennas & Lines

26 Wind Load Comparison UHF over UHF with radomes DTV/ANALOG with panel (12 Bays) 2 UHFs STACKED Area = ft² 4 Around. Area = 280 ft² 5 Around. Area = 420 ft²

27 Broadband Panels = Higher Wind Load

28 Installation Logistics Rigging Orientation Lifting Lug Orientation

29 FM Possibilities Mounting to Inactive TV Antenna Poles

30 FM - Opportunities Move up on tower, Consolidate facilities, Save cost$

31 FM Antenna Mounted on UHF Pole Assume no structural compromise Rust, fatigue, extreme wind, etc Assumes slot covers remain, Drag coefficient 0.08 Old antennas built to 222 C 50/33 psf New antenna built to 222 F 80 mph; 69 MPH with 0.5 ice Determine mast capacity in Wind Area Determine maximum allowable Antenna/Pole stresses Difference in wind area = largest antenna the mast can handle; length limits the # of bays Weight not a major concern Recommend 5 ft minimum between tower top and first bay

Elements Used for Climbing (may need pole steps) Clamp On (RCA) vs

32 Mounting FM to VHF Antenna VHFs may be Older than UHFs Older Structural Code Similar Analysis to UHFs, but. Elements Used for Climbing (may need pole steps) Clamp On (RCA) vs Welded (Harris) Telescoping Poles (FM Mounts) Lighting Conduit Internal or External TF TDM

33 Photos courtesy of TCI

34 Future? More Options, New Products

35 Repacking What Can I do Now?

36 Try to be Prepared Sweep the T/L you have and make sure it can be used At the same time sweep the antenna to check bandwidth Think about your back up plan to stay on the air Low power filters can be retuned Broadband panels as Aux antennas Call Manufactures for existing equipment data

37 Thank You Questions?

Optimum elevation gain and zero radiation at 90 degrees can be achieved with

Question John FM Antennas: One way to reduce downward RF signal near the tower is to use short -spaced element antennas. Is there another way it can be accomplished? 2 Optimum elevation gain and zero radiation