Impact of Repacking on FM and TV Stations

Presented by: Cory Edwards, Sales Manager

Impact of Repacking on FM and TV Stations

Presented by: Cory Edwards, Sales Manager

What’s Different This Time

Industry DynamicsWho 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)

ManufacturesWho is left?They May Have limited or fewer resources?Installers are more limitedIndustry is older (retirees take knowledge)Fundamental changes in technology

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

TV Channels (stations) Received by County 

1700 Full Power Stations in 210 Markets1700 Full Power Stations in 210 Markets

TV Repacking Impact ‐ Overview

20 Channels – 1/3 of Band, 550 Channels Minimum10 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 ?

Repacking Antenna Reuse?

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

Repacking Transmission Line Reuse?

Transmission Line ‐ Recommended Lengths

Transmission Line

Repacking UHF Mask Filter and RF Reuse?

Changing Channels  ‐ Inside RF Components

RF System – Typical UHF High Power

RF Components: UHF Retune or Replace?

Retune:o Waterloadso w/g miterso Directional couplerso Coax switcheso w/g switcheso Patch panels

Replace:o Mask filterso Magic teeo Combiners

Retune:o Waterloadso w/g miterso Directional couplerso Coax switcheso w/g switcheso Patch panels

Replace:o Mask filterso Magic teeo Combiners

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: 50000 series switches

• Transmission lines need to be measured at new channels 

Repacking VHF and LPTV, Filter and RF Reuse?

VHF RF Systems

• Mask Filters grouped ch 7-9 and

10-13

• All other components are

broadband

• Mask Filters grouped ch 7-9 and

10-13

• All other components are

broadband

Low Power UHF (< 5 kW) ?

All UHF filters band tunable since 2012

All other components are broadband

All UHF filters band tunable since 2012

All other components are broadband

Repacking Combiner Considerations

Combiners – Manifold Type

8 Station CombinerCH 34/36/38/40/42/44/46/48

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

Low Power Combiners

Repacking Structural and Logistics

Existing Configurations – Possible Inactive Antennas & Lines

Wind Load Comparison

UHF over UHF with radomes

2 UHFs STACKEDArea = 100 - 200 ft²

DTV/ANALOG with panel

(12 Bays)

4 Around. Area = 280 ft²

5 Around. Area = 420 ft²

Broadband Panels = Higher Wind Load

Installation Logistics

Lifting Lug Orientation

Rigging Orientation

FM Possibilities– Mounting to Inactive TV Antenna Poles

FM - Opportunities

Move up on tower, Consolidate facilities,  Save cost$Move up on tower, Consolidate facilities,  Save cost$

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

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

TFTF TDMTDM

Photos courtesy of TCIPhotos courtesy of TCI

Future?More Options, New Products

Repacking What Can I do Now?

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

Thank You

Questions ?