WABC currently broadcasts their analog signal on channel 7 at 64.6kW ERP. On 2/17, they will be moving their digital broadcast to channel 7 and will be transmitting at 11.69kW ERP. That's less than 20% of their current analog transmitting power. Other stations will be doing similarly -- their current analog transmission is at XkW, and when they move their digital to that same channel space, they will reduce their power.

Why?

Analog power is based on peak power, digital power is based on average power as well as signal to noise ratio differences of it takes to decode the analog and digital signals. You are comparing apples to oranges. It more than just power levels.

Compare the service areas that the FCC calculates for WABC:

Channel 7 analog (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=TV610988.html)

Channel 7 digital (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1247154.html)

Thank You!

Very interesting. Thanks for the info.

Rick R