Questions About DTV Station Matrix
Update from HiDefSooner 8/3/2004: KOCO’s answers are in blue.
Orginally Posted 7/26/2004: In looking at the DTV station matrix on this web site, I find some things that confuse me.
The first listing for OKC is KOCO (ABC affiliate, OTA analog channel 5). The matrix lists 1411 feet and 34kw under “Construction Permit” and 1214 feet and 47 kw (STA) under “ERP Broadcast Power.”
Does that “STA” annotation under ERP Broadcast Power mean that KOCO has temporary authority from the FCC to exceed its permitted broadcast power/strength? If so, can we infer that, once the STA expires, KOCO will broadcast at a lower power/strength level than it does now?
Yes, the STA allows us to temporarily operate at our current power and height. We are transmitting at a lower height but a higher power to compensate. Remember, our DTV antenna is side mounted on our tower. We intend to remain at this power until we re-locate our antenna to the top of the tower. How much power we can”put out” is part of a calculation that takes into consideration area to cover with the signal, antenn height and tranmitter output power.
Also . . . please look at the two heights listed (1411′ and 1214′). Does that mean that KOCO is permitted to puts its transmitter at 1411 feet but has chosen, for some reason, to place its transmitter at 1214 instead? If so, why would KOCO do that, given that it has already been permitted to puts its transmitter higher?
We decided to mount on our own tower which forced us to go to a lower height with a side mounted antenna. As I mentioned above, we do intend to re-locate to a top mount antenna on our tower eventually. This will be done when we it is determined to shut down the analog transmitter. This date has yet to be determined by the FCC. When this is done, we will have better coverage with our digital signal than we currently have now and be able to do it with less actual ouput from the transmitter than we currently use.
Thanks for any and all answers to help me understand this!
This is correct. The antenna is at 1214 ft broadcasting at 47KW. When the antenna shutoff actually takes place the antenna for the digital will replace the one currently at 1411 ft. Since the antenna will be higher the power will have to be turned down to 34kw so signal coverage does not go beyond what it is supposed to.
Since the antenna is at 1214 the power has to be turned up to cover the area it is supposed too. I will get some better answers next week some people are on vacation at KOCO-DT.
Very, very interesting. Thanks very much for your answers. I look forward to reading more once you have had the chance to speak with the KOCO folks.
Wow. Learn something new every day . . . .
Again. Very, very interesting. I truly appreciate the time and effort that KOCO and you put into answering my queries.
Here’s another query or two, if you don’t mind:
The KOCO folks stated that they are currently broadcasting with a side-mounted antenna. Does that side-mount location affect the reach and/or shape of the "footprint" of their signal?
When the antenna is mounted on top on the tower (no longer mounted on the side), will the signal footprint be more evenly distributed (that is, have an equally strong signal around all 360 degrees)?