So, the underpinning point is that those not in the majority can now drag this thing to death

Which is exactly what the Founding Fathers had in mind. :)

So, the underpinning point is that those not in the majority can now drag this thing to death as long as the stimulus bill stays mired (although that appears to finally be moving).

Of course, much of this is being mooted by the fact that a number of owners are moving ahead as planned.
The House passed the stimulus bill today and if they can hold on to most of those 258 that voted for the delay today they could pass the carbon copy of the Senate delay bill in about a week so unfortunately it ain't dead yet.

The House passed the stimulus bill today and if they can hold on to most of those 258 that voted for the delay today they could pass the carbon copy of the Senate delay bill in about a week so unfortunately it ain't dead yet.

Yeah, but seeing so many stations file analog shutdown notices pre-emtpively with the FCC seems to me to be the final nail in the coffin. It sure looks like a lot of ownership groups want to go ahead and call an end to analog.

So, the underpinning point is that those not in the majority can now drag this thing to death as long as the stimulus bill stays mired (although that appears to finally be moving).

Of course, much of this is being mooted by the fact that a number of owners are moving ahead as planned.

IIRC, the 2/3rds vote was needed for the "fast" way. It could still go through the normal way. House rules are a bit more strict about debate time. The first stop for this bill will be to the rules committee for that decision. With that, to the appropriate committee for debate, possible amendments and vote, and then to whole House for debate and vote.

If after all that it is still unamended, then off to the President.
If it's amended, it's off to joint conference committee to reconcile the two versions. This reconciliation would then go back to both houses

Actually it's Feb 17 or another House bill ...


EXACTLY!!! CONTACT YOUR HOUSE REP NOW!!!! Tell them to NOT delay the transition date..I did so with both of mine.....not sure how they voted though...
IF the House fails to pass it by 2/3, it will not go to Obama for signature and become law....KEEP the pressure on them and let them know WE are tired of the wait...lets GET on with it!!

Alright, let's see here.

KOLN, KGIN, KUPK, and WEAU filed for STAs to operate their post-transition facilities as on 02/17/09 if the date is delayed. And WIBW, KOLO, WRDW, WSAW.

Here's the analog shutoffs thus far:
ION stations that are flash-cutting (WPXM, WHPX should make Falcon happy, KWPX, WPXD, KPPX).
More Sinclair (WDBB, WNYS, WNAB)

Lots of 387s coming in, mostly from Sinclair stations which filed for STAs yesterday, let's be patient and see if anything else comes in.

KEPR is silent due to failure of analog transmitter, but no details about whether they'll fix it or not.

Wisconsin PBS will nightlight.

WDTV and WDHS filed for cautionary extensions, because they want to flash-cut on 6/12/9 in case it's delayed.

I think that's it for this evening.

- Trip

ION stations (WPXM, WHPX should make Falcon happy, KWPX, WPXD, KKPX)

You know me well. :D

Add some more to the list:

WCBI's analog went off on 01/24 due to equipment failure.

WWSI
KEVN
KIVV
KREM
KSKN
KWTX
KTDO
WPGA
WAGM

WBBH filed as well and said in its filing that WZVN, WINK, and WXCW agreed and it sounded as though those stations would be filing as well.

- Trip

Waiting for some Denver area stations...

Whoops, had KKPX when I should have had KPPX. Sorry...

- Trip

AMENDMENT OF SECTION 73.622(I), FINAL DTV TABLE OF ALLOTMENTS, TELEVISION BROADCAST STATIONS, DANVILLE, KENTUCKY. Changed station WDKY-DT's channel from 4 to 31. Proceeding Terminated. (Dkt No. 08-104, RM-11442). Action by: Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau. Adopted: 01/23/2009 by R&O. (DA No. 09-144). MB DA-09-144A1.doc DA-09-144A1.pdf DA-09-144A1.txt

AMENDMENT OF SECTION 73.622(I), FINAL DTV TABLE OF ALLOTMENTS, TELEVISION BROADCAST STATIONS, CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO. Changed station KVIH-DT's DTV channel from 20 to 12. Proceeding Terminated. (Dkt No. 08-132, RM-11464). Action by: Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau. Adopted: 01/26/2009 by R&O. (DA No. 09-145). MB DA-09-145A1.doc DA-09-145A1.pdf DA-09-145A1.txt

Here's the analog shutoffs thus far:
(WPXM, WHPX should make Falcon happy,

- Trip

I am buying a round of virtual champagne if you hear of WFTV filing!

Even last night our powerhouse WUFT on 36.1 was getting hammered by analog! Some nights it's 28.1 that gets hit. One night last week something analog on 31 had 500watt giant 20 miles away WOGX at zero.

The really really bad part is one of our biggest tropo seasons is starting right now and goes through June. Damn the Analog, full Digital ahead. Hope that is alright to say, because it sums up my feelings totally.

CONTACT YOUR HOUSE REP NOW!!!! Tell them to NOT delay the transition date..

Mine voted for delay, so I emailed last night late and called today straight to the Washington office. But I am one to email and call all the time anyway.
I also emailed and called before the vote.

The one thing I would love to see if take all the emails, calls, letters sent in and see if delay or Feb 17th cut off wins. I would be willing to be that holding the date is the vast majority of their calls. Something we will probably never know or hard to find out.

I would love to say more but don't want to get political here :@)

...CONTACT YOUR HOUSE REP NOW!!!! Tell them to NOT delay the transition date..

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
To email you house rep

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll041.xml
To see how your congressman voted!

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
To email you house rep

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll041.xml
To see how your congressman voted!

Good. Also you can go and find their phone number
Most people these days that have HD also have free long distance.

http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/mcapdir.html

If you don't know your district go here
http://www.house.gov/htbin/zipfind
and put in your 9 digit zip code.

If you don't now your 9 digit zip go here
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

Don't forget President Obama has to sign it also.

So write and call him or both

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

WDTV and WDHS filed for cautionary extensions, because they want to flash-cut on 6/12/9 in case it's delayed.
- Trip
Sounds like Withers wants to operate their digital stations on hamster power as long as possible.

Add to the running list:

KVCT and KFJX
KPTV and KPDX
WMBC
WZVN
WVIR
KIDK

Also, WVPY is at reduced analog power, joining WVPT.

Stations asking for STAs to flash-cut to final facilities on 2/17/09:

WSJV
WGEM
WREX
WAOW
KTTC
KWWL
KWTV

WSUR seemingly tried to flash-cut and has gone back to analog for now...

KTGF has filed yet another incomprehensible filing.

I think that's it.

- Trip

four dallas channels moving on time.

WFAA-TV 8 Z TV APP DALLAS TX US BSTA-20080612AAM - 72054 158. kW 512. m WFAA-TV, INC.

KFWD 52 Z TV APP FORT WORTH TX US BSTA-20060706AEN - 29015 3350. kW 545. m HIC BROADCAST, INC.

*KSTR-TV 49 Z TV APP IRVING TX US BSTA-20081208AAD - 60534 2235. kW 519. m TELEFUTURA DALLAS LLC
*already shut off analog channel

four dallas channels moving on time.

WFAA-TV 8 Z TV APP DALLAS TX US BSTA-20080612AAM - 72054 158. kW 512. m WFAA-TV, INC.

KFWD 52 Z TV APP FORT WORTH TX US BSTA-20060706AEN - 29015 3350. kW 545. m HIC BROADCAST, INC.

*KSTR-TV 49 Z TV APP IRVING TX US BSTA-20081208AAD - 60534 2235. kW 519. m TELEFUTURA DALLAS LLC
*already shut off analog channel

KUVN-TV 24 0 DS STA GARLAND TX US BDSTA-20020912ABS - 35841 190. kW 518. m KUVN LICENSE PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

I see no filings for them (other than KSTR). Where did you get that information?

- Trip

I see no filings for them (other than KSTR). Where did you get that information?

- Trip

trip KFWD and WFAA are posted on the fcc website.

kuvn was a typo.

wfaa dt 9->8
kwfd 51->9

trip KFWD and WFAA are posted on the fcc website.

kuvn was a typo.

wfaa dt 9->8
kwfd 51->9

Where on the FCC site? I'm well-aware of the channel changes, but I see no documentation supporting they will be shutting down analog on 02/17 if the date is delayed.

- Trip

Where on the FCC site? I'm well-aware of the channel changes, but I see no documentation supporting they will be shutting down analog on 02/17 if the date is delayed.

- Trip

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html

type in the call sign.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html

type in the call sign.

That doesn't really help me. I'm very familiar with the TV Query. I don't see any documentation showing that WFAA will take TV-8 silent on February 17.

I'm looking for a Legal STA like KSTR's: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1283577&Service=TV&Form_id=911&Facility_id=60534

Or for a Notice of Suspended Operations like this one for KCEN: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1291944&Form_id=910&Facility_id=10245

- Trip

More stations for the running list:

KCRG
KTAS
KTWO
KFNE
KLWY
WNPT
KYTX
WWSB
KGWR
KGWC
WHFT
WBOC
KFNB

Someone will need to check and make sure all of them are going silent, I've found that some stations listed as "LICSL" are actually at reduced analog power. Once I leave for class at 9:40 or so, I'll be gone pretty much all day.

- Trip

Where on the FCC site? I'm well-aware of the channel changes, but I see no documentation supporting they will be shutting down analog on 02/17 if the date is delayed.

- Trip


I'll ask Johnny at WFAA...he or Brian at KUVN can tell me.....

The number of stations to end analog on or before 2/17/09, regardless of any delay is up to 543.

It's beginning to look like some markets may be maneuvering to completely end analog ops on time, with multiple major networks involved. e.g., Nashville, Las Vegas and Portland, OR.

Falcon_77 or Trip, do you have an updated count as to how many stations have shut down analog as of today? I've seen that you guys have found a few more stations that have already gone dark recently. If we are up to close to 200 stations dark on analog that would be a useful round number to include in emails to Congress in support of sticking with the Feb. 17 date. That at least 543 stations will be or already have stated they plan go dark by February 18 should be pointed out as well.

I wonder how many Feb. 17 shutdown filings we will see early next week. Some station owners or corporations may have been reluctant to file for a shutdown on Feb. 17. But now that they see that several hundred other stations have filed for shutting down, especially if the other major stations in their market(s) have filed for shut down, that gives them political cover to go ahead and shut down their analog and/or do their flash cut. If enough stations start to head to the exits, might make for a small stampede as other stations decide to join them. Interesting to see how many markets as a group might decide to stick with the February 17 date.

If enough stations start to head to the exits, might make for a small stampede as other stations decide to join them.

The stampede has already started. If it reaches 50%, this will bite Congress in the butt if they push the date back. 543 is roughly 25% now.

The stampede has already started. If it reaches 50%, this will bite Congress in the butt if they push the date back. 543 is roughly 25% now.

This would not hurt my feelings any.

I don't care if they keep analog up AS LONG AS THEY can make the transition to their final digital assignment (and that's a big cluster over here even without a delay)....

This would not hurt my feelings any.

+1, I think it is funny!

I would agree that at this point the delay, no matter how misguided, seems inevitable. The question becomes how many stations will transition on the original date. There is a still lot of promotion of the original date on the air here. Will the government do anything if it becomes apparent that their planed delay is not going to happen for many people? I would guess that given the current economic conditions that no station wants to continue paying the electric bill to keep the analog transmitter going. At the station I used to work for we are talking about $20K or so a month that is not in the budget when they are forcing the remaining staff to take a week off unpaid in the first quarter.

Falcon_77 or Trip, do you have an updated count as to how many stations have shut down analog as of today?

I don't have responses from all the stations that were supposed to end analog by now, but I currently show 190 as shut-down.

As for markets that would hang on, other than possibly KTBN in the LA area I have not seen any indication that another broadcaster is considering going on 2/17 if the transition is delayed (KJLA/Ventura's analog end last summer aside). Most of the other top 15 markets seem to be handling it the same way, except for perhaps PBS in Chicago.

Converter boxes seem to be selling in much greater quantities, but I believe that LA is poorly prepared for the transition. It is probably "down" to 60% completely unprepared by now, if I had to make an educated guess (after looking at December Nielsen data), but how much more will the number drop until the transition actually happens?

I have emails back from the engineering staff from Iowa Public TV and KSMQ (both PBS) they plan to run their analogs up until the mandated end... No Night Light on IPTV, but KSMQ is looking into it... but the rest of my market (Rochester, MN) KAAL, KTTC, KXLT and KIMT will shutdown on or before Feb. 17th....

WOWK flash-cut last night.

I, unfortunately, do not have a list of stations which have flash-cut. The DTR is a week out of date but that would have that information, though not in a neat, numerical form. Falcon's list is probably better than mine in that respect.

- Trip

The stampede has already started. If it reaches 50%, this will bite Congress in the butt if they push the date back. 543 is roughly 25% now.

Doesnt even need to be 50%..once the top say 50 markets have changed, there's the stampede......that will take most of the viewing public to digital...Houston is ready for the switch come hell or high water (Oh wait, we only get that in hurricane season...or a good afternoon thunderstorm :eek: here on the Gulf Coast)

but the rest of my market (Rochester, MN) KAAL, KTTC, KXLT and KIMT will shutdown on or before Feb. 17th....

I don't see a filing or an LICSL record for KAAL for this. Let me know if I am missing something or if they have not made a formal filing yet.

I doubt whether in the top 50 markets you're going to see the network owned stations go early. The corporate heads are afraid to go against the White House, a new Congress, and a new FCC.

I hope I'm wrong, But the networks and the NAB have not stood up to the idiocy of changing the date. Also, let's not forget Verizon and AT&T's response - pitiful!

I doubt whether in the top 50 markets you're going to see the network owned stations go early. The corporate heads are afraid to go against the White House, a new Congress, and a new FCC.
The networks don't own stations in all of the top 50 markets but I think you're right for the markets where they do and think some of the other station groups that compete in the major markets are also reluctant to make waves. Stations in the smaller markets are much more likely to shutdown analog before Feb. 18 if the delay becomes law.

FOX in Boston had to shutdown analog early when they had an antenna failure about a month or so ago. So in Boston at least, one of the O & O's are done with analog.

From what I can tell on the Boston thread, WFXT was able to restore analog operations, but with very limited power (appears to be under 293kW).

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15372837#post15372837

New spreadsheet version uploaded

* 1051: operating Post-Transition facilities
* 159: with maximized Construction Permits but otherwise ready (included above)
* 316: to end analog operations early
* 198: have already ended (or will not commence) analog operations (included above)
* 226: to end analog operations on 2/17/09, even if the transition is delayed (not included above)
* 542: to end analog operations on or before 2/17/09, regardless of a delay

One of the stations I had flagged as turning off analog early no longer appears to be doing so.

Add all broadcasters in Kansas shutting down regardless -
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1980359#post1980359

New spreadsheet version uploaded

* 542: to end analog operations on or before 2/17/09, regardless of a delay


Falcon, just so I am not confused (do it to myself) 542 is getting very very near half that will not be on Feb 18th?

Falcon, just so I am not confused (do it to myself) 542 is getting very very near half that will not be on Feb 18th?

It's about 30% of all full-power US stations (1800 or so).

What I'm confused about are those stations scheduled to flash-cut on 2/17 (i.e. shut down analog and move digital to the old analog frequency). In Denver KMGH (7) and KUSA (9) are supposed to flash-cut on 2/17. Is there any way to know if these stations will go with their original plan or change the flash-cut time to 6/12?

It's about 30% of all full-power US stations (1800 or so).

What I'm confused about are those stations scheduled to flash-cut on 2/17 (i.e. shut down analog and move digital to the old analog frequency). In Denver KMGH (7) and KUSA (9) are supposed to flash-cut on 2/17. Is there any way to know if these stations will go with their original plan or change the flash-cut time to 6/12?

This is why delaying the transition date is such a bad idea...

At least before we had certainty.

This is why delaying the transition date is such a bad idea...

At least before we had certainty.

yes, it probably can't be said simpler.

It's about 30% of all full-power US stations (1800 or so).

What I'm confused about are those stations scheduled to flash-cut on 2/17 (i.e. shut down analog and move digital to the old analog frequency). In Denver KMGH (7) and KUSA (9) are supposed to flash-cut on 2/17. Is there any way to know if these stations will go with their original plan or change the flash-cut time to 6/12?

Houston VHF's are flashcutting on 2/17....including ABC/Disney owned KTRK13.

POST-TRANSITION DTV TABLE OF ALLOTMENTS, 47 C.F.R. § 73.622(I), MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. Changed station WCOV-DT's DTV channel from 16 to 20. Proceeding Terminated. (Dkt No. 08-230, RM-11504). Action by: Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau. Adopted: 01/27/2009 by R&O. (DA No. 09-172). MB DA-09-172A1.doc DA-09-172A1.pdf DA-09-172A1.txt

Houston VHF's are flashcutting on 2/17....including ABC/Disney owned KTRK13.


And KADN Lafayette, LA today announced on the air they are terminating analog as of 2/17....

The DTV Channel Channel Spreadsheet listing for WFXG, in Augusta GA, shows their post-transition pattern as directional. I thought their maximization request indicated that, by moving to channel 31 (instead of 51), they would be able to transmit a non-directional pattern. Is this an error in the table data, or was their request modified?

From the FCC website, File NO. BDTUCT-20080718ASX...

Exhibit 4
Description: ANALOG TO DIGITAL TRANSITION - ADDITIONAL STEPS PLANNED

AS SET FORTH HEREIN, THE LICENSEE ALREADY HAS A FULLY CONSTRUCTED, FULL-POWER, OPERATIONAL DTV FACILITY ON CHANNEL 51, WITH A PENDING APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER CONSTRUCTION PERMIT.

THE STATION ALSO HAS PENDING, HOWEVER, A MAXIMIZATION APPLICATION FOR THIS FACILITY (FILE NO. BMPCDT-20080620AJC) ON CHANNEL 51 AND A PETITION FOR RULE MAKING TO CHANGE FROM DTV CHANNEL 51 TO DTV CHANNEL 31. THE MAXIMIZATION APPLICATION PROPOSES ONLY AN INCREASE IN POWER AT THE SAME TRANSMITTER LOCATION. AS THE PROPOSED POWER INCREASE IS SUBSTANTIAL, IT WOULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN WFXG-DT'S SERVICE AREA AND POPULATION SERVED. ADOPTION OF THE PETITION FOR RULE MAKING ALSO WOULD ALLOW THE STATION SIGNIFICANTLY TO INCREASE ITS NOW LIMITED COVERAGE OF THE MARKET AND TO SERVE A MUCH GREATER NUMBER OF PEOPLE THROUGH, AMONG OTHER FACTORS, ELIMINATION OF THE NEED FOR A DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA.

THE STATION'S EXACT PLANS FOR COMPLETION OF THE DIGITAL TRANSITION ARE THEREFORE SOMEWHAT DEPENDENT UPON THE STATUS OF EACH OF THESE MATTERS AS THE TIME FOR TRANSITION APPROACHES. REGARDLESS OF THEIR STATUS, HOWEVER, WFXG-TV COULD NOW CEASE ANALOG OPERATIONS AND CONTINUE OPERATING WITH ITS CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED AND OPERATING, FULL-POWER DTV FACILITY. ACCORDINGLY, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THE STATION WILL BE READY TO CEASE ANALOG BROADCASTING AND CONTINUE DTV BROADCASTING AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 2009

The DTV Channel Channel Spreadsheet listing for WFXG, in Augusta GA, shows their post-transition pattern as directional. I thought their maximization request indicated that, by moving to channel 31 (instead of 51), they would be able to transmit a non-directional pattern. Is this an error in the table data, or was their request modified?

They haven't filed a maximization application. As of right now, they only have filings for channel 51.

They got the allocation in the table of allotments changed to channel 31, but there's a certain waiting period before they can file for it. At that time they'll probably file for the non-directional antenna and all that.

- Trip

Someone please give me a medal. No, really, I want one.

I just spent the last several hours sorting my Analog Termination List. That was intense and now I feel like going to bed, but the FCC updates are after midnight, so...

http://www.rabbitears.info/termlist.php

Enjoy.

- Trip

If I had one, you surely would get it!

You're incredible.

What you're doing is more than a full time job, and you have school on top of it.

How you do it, I don't know.

But thanks, thanks so much.

Here you go.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q297/spokybob/my_medal.jpg

Here you go.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q297/spokybob/my_medal.jpg

You are amazing. :D

- Trip

Does KAET's filing count as notification?
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1290315&Form_id=910&Facility_id=2728

Does KAET's filing count as notification?
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1290315&Form_id=910&Facility_id=2728

Unfortunately, no. All it covers is a power reduction on January 20. It says "expects to" which is very loose language, implies they could stay on longer.

Stations which I'm including on my list are those which say something like "this is a cautionary filing in the event of Congressional action to delay the transition date."

- Trip

Stations which I'm including on my list are those which say something like "this is a cautionary filing in the event of Congressional action to delay the transition date."The filings are so similar it is practically plagiarism. :)

It is obvious that the stations filing believe that they need to file a STA request to secure their ability to disable. I suppose such a filing does no harm. Anytime before the FCC changes the rules (although the law says "rules as of enactment" so no retroactive changes should be possible). Good FCC lawyers like to be cautious.

KVHP wants to terminate immediately.

Stations going on time:

KHGI
KWNB
WGCL
KCTV
KSMO
WETP
WKTC
WQTO
WRDQ
KRXI
WHIO
WAXN
KSTU
WDBD
WSMV
WHNS

And KYES has yet another interesting filing that I don't fully understand.

And with 39 DTR filings to add, it once again will fall behind...

- Trip

two things i have noticed...

-It appears that all of the Meredith Corporaton stations will go ahead on 2/17,

-That all the stations in Nashville will flip on that date.

Add to the list:

Grant: WEUX/WLAX, KLJB, WZDX
KSL
KBYU
Pappas: KMPH/KFRE, KPTM, KPTH
KWCM/KSMN
WQED/WQEX
London: KXXV, KSWO
WEDU
WINK/WXCW
WDAZ
KJZZ

- Trip

The DTV Channel Channel Spreadsheet listing for WFXG, in Augusta GA, shows their post-transition pattern as directional. I thought their maximization request indicated that, by moving to channel 31 (instead of 51), they would be able to transmit a non-directional pattern. Is this an error in the table data, or was their request modified?

As Trip has noted, I am awaiting the grant (or at least the application for) the facility on 31. Until then I am using the R&O values, which should be noted in the comments. I have not found antenna pattern data on the R&O's, but will keep this in mind. Thank you for the info.

Trip,

Thank you for the revision, by market. However, I will need to go through each one now to see what has changed. :D

That should be ok, since you are keeping us up to date here.

The updated count, not including San Diego (awaiting something more formal), is 579.

At this rate, few markets (outside the top 20) will be un-touched and the list of markets shutting down multiple major network analog signals is increasing at a rapid pace.

Add to the list:

Grant:
WINK
WRDQ
- Trip

Look in you PM now, I goofed.

I am getting nervous as the list in Florida is not growing fast enough for me!

WRDQ seems (besides ones already off) the only Orlando in the list.

Funny thing about WINK, even though they are full power. In decades up here I have only seen WINK on 11.0 once or twice and I have had taller TV installations than I do here in Orange Springs. I had up a 50 foot in High Springs just to pick up NBC and CBS from Orlando. So I hoping WINK will seldom if ever block WNBW. Last night in all the skip in FL I had to turn the antenna to WESH to watch The Office (not a football fan sorry). I will wait to see how it is when ever we are really post transition, but I am leaning more and more to a rotor on my VHF. UHF skip here is rare, so I call that not usable for a practical (not DX) system. But if I need to alternate between WNBW and WESH, then just maybe it's better to have a rotor. Also we have WJCT that might just come in.

Ever seen a remote A/B switch? If I can't seem to get any better signal stacked, I might think about A/B switch on the antennas for WESH and WNBW once each pointed at them.

Trip,

Thank you for the revision, by market. However, I will need to go through each one now to see what has changed. :D

That should be ok, since you are keeping us up to date here.

I'm posting it here as an alternative to putting something on the page, so you can easily find it. :)

- Trip

Look in you PM now, I goofed.

Thanks, got 'em. I'll work on them this evening.

I am getting nervous as the list in Florida is not growing fast enough for me!

WRDQ seems (besides ones already off) the only Orlando in the list.

Be patient, there's still time. :)

- Trip

Thanks, got 'em. I'll work on them this evening.

Be patient, there's still time. :)

- Trip

Good I will take the TSR stuff off my dorky domain, lol. Like that domain name? I bought it on a dot name sale cheap and stuck in on the server. I have a copy locally.

Why don't you set up an FTP area on your site for Falcon and you to pass that data if you don't already have one? Just an idea.

----------

Patient? lol, more like nervous that WFTV will nightlight if the House passes that. Isn't tomorrow when Rep. Waxman want to take it to the floor?

=========

Edit: Trip or others look in the Gainesville FL thread where I posted the newest change, newer than what you just downloaded hours ago.

Here is the link to the file here on AVS

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=132189&d=1233604687

I'm posting it here as an alternative to putting something on the page, so you can easily find it. :)
Trip, thanks for the revised layout of the Feb. 17 shutdown or bust stations. It will be interesting to see if there are patterns that emerge for markets where most if not all stations are planning to shut down on February 17, regardless. I saw you added WBOC CBS 16 (21) and WDPB PBS 64 (44) in the small Salisbury, MD market. WMDT-DT ABC 47 in Salisbury shut down analog last September when they flash cut from a weak digital signal to UHF 47. Did that a major network station has already shut down analog make it easier to WBOC and WDPB to decide to go ahead and file to shut down on Feb. 17? Figuring that if people there wanted to keep getting ABC, they would already have gotten converter boxes or TVs with digital tuners?

Will we see this pattern in other markets where if 1 or 2 of the big four affiliates are going dark, the rest of the commercial network affiliate stations go ahead and join them? Outside of the top 10 to 20 DMAs where there are greater revenues and greater political pressures, I can see the station owners using this logic.

Good I will take the TSR stuff off my dorky domain, lol. Like that domain name? I bought it on a dot name sale cheap and stuck in on the server. I have a copy locally.

Yep! Very nice. :D

Why don't you set up an FTP area on your site for Falcon and you to pass that data if you don't already have one? Just an idea.

There's nothing secret about the list of updates to the page, I'd just prefer to post them here rather than keep a running update on the top of the page. Falcon already has a place to upload stuff, as he uploads his spreadsheet and whatnot without any intervention from me.

Patient? lol, more like nervous that WFTV will nightlight if the House passes that. Isn't tomorrow when Rep. Waxman want to take it to the floor?

The nightlight bill passed months ago. This is the DTV deadline extension. We'll see what comes of it.

Edit: Trip or others look in the Gainesville FL thread where I posted the newest change, newer than what you just downloaded hours ago.

Here is the link to the file here on AVS

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=132189&d=1233604687

Thanks! =)

Trip, thanks for the revised layout of the Feb. 17 shutdown or bust stations. It will be interesting to see if there are patterns that emerge for markets where most if not all stations are planning to shut down on February 17, regardless. I saw you added WBOC CBS 16 (21) and WDPB PBS 64 (44) in the small Salisbury, MD market. WMDT-DT ABC 47 in Salisbury shut down analog last September when they flash cut from a weak digital signal to UHF 47. Did that a major network station has already shut down analog make it easier to WBOC and WDPB to decide to go ahead and file to shut down on Feb. 17? Figuring that if people there wanted to keep getting ABC, they would already have gotten converter boxes or TVs with digital tuners?

Will we see this pattern in other markets where if 1 or 2 of the big four affiliates are going dark, the rest of the commercial network affiliate stations go ahead and join them? Outside of the top 10 to 20 DMAs where there are greater revenues and greater political pressures, I can see the station owners using this logic.

Don't forget that WCPB is also gone already. Half the stations in the market are gone, plus MyNet/RTN signed on digital-only on WRDE-LD.

I have a feeling that most of the country will end up going on time or at least trying to go on time.

- Trip

Be patient, there's still time. :)From the negative option side of the coin ... the Nightlight:
Filings (Legal STAs or simple emails if pre-approved, Engineering STAs if not) for stations that want to be nightlights are due February 10th. Other than the few that mentioned that they would be willing to be nightlights in the NPRM filings, have you seen ANY filings for nightlight service? or have stations ignored nightlight knowing that there probably will be an analog extension?

Stations are not required to simulcast digital on analog (the FCC withdrew that rule and allowed market forces to keep stations simulcasting). If the analog cutoff is moved to June stations could still "Nightlight" ... without the "emergency programming only" limitations. I can see that happening in the mid size to larger markets that don't simply switch on the 17th.

Don't forget that WCPB is also gone already. Half the stations in the market are gone, plus MyNet/RTN signed on digital-only on WRDE-LD.

I have a feeling that most of the country will end up going on time or at least trying to go on time.
Missed that news on WCPB-DT MPT 28. Found their short notice Dec. 12 Silent STA filing to flash cut on Dec. 18. Not on your DTR list or Falcon_77's list as dark.

If Congress does pass the delay bill, going to be interesting to try to get a handle on how many stations have actually shut down their analog come February 18. You and Falcon_77 may need to take the rest of that week off. :eek:

I've seen a few nightlight filings but not many. Wisconsin PBS, WUSF, KRMA, WJBK, KDFW... I have a list on my hard drive somewhere.

Here it is:

KETC
KRMA
KDFW
WJBK
KTKA
WUND
KTLM?
KSPS
WORA
WSIL
WUSF
WXXI
KHOG
KCRA
WESH
WKCF
WCVB
KMBC
WPTZ
KOCO
WDSU
KOCT (Maybe)
KITV (Jan 15-31)
KSL
KTBS
WJXT
KSPS

I haven't updated it in a while (the delay threw it into chaos), so any newer ones are missing.

- Trip

Missed that news on WCPB-DT MPT 28. Found their short notice Dec. 12 Silent STA filing to flash cut on Dec. 18. Not on your DTR list or Falcon_77's list as dark.

I just fixed it on the DTR, though I'm not uploading it just yet. It'll show up later.

If Congress does pass the delay bill, going to be interesting to try to get a handle on how many stations have actually shut down their analog come February 18. You and Falcon_77 may need to take the rest of that week off. :eek:

Take the week off from school maybe, this is light-years more interesting than school. :D

In all seriousness, I do get off easy that week I think, since one of my labs is not meeting that week...

Oh, and the rumbling is getting louder about mass filings by major station owners. It's a game of wait and see, but I've heard some big names get floated...

- Trip

I've seen a few nightlight filings. I have a list on my hard drive somewhere.

Here it is:

WESH
I haven't updated it in a while (the delay threw it into chaos), so any newer ones are missing.

- Trip

this could be best news I have heard! WESH, pronouced by them as Wesh, night lights, that means or I hope it means everyone else in the Orlando DMA goes off ASAP, pending the possible delay.

Actually they are the perfect nightlight. It will be the end of a era and a small but thankful tear when 2.0 goes silent. I have watched that station since I was 8 years old, right at 48 years! (old fart that never grew up). You probably know but it covers all of it's DMA and most of 3 others, Tampa, Gainesville, Jacksonville. With a modest outdoor antenna one can watch them from the south outskirts of Jacksonville to the East side of Tampa and well south of Melbourne. They were the mouth of the south. Better range than a 50KW AM station ever hoped here even in flat Florida.

But I think I will buy some cheap wine to celebrate with WFTV 9.0 goes silent.

KAET analog is listed as silent as of 1/20, its not so is this an error or does it say that because they expect to shutdown on 2/17?

Ever seen a remote A/B switch? If I can't seem to get any better signal stacked, I might think about A/B switch on the antennas for WESH and WNBW once each pointed at them.

RS sells one or did....not sure if they still do...its IR so has to be in the same room....IF you cant find one and would like this one, let me know...I am not using it.

KAET analog is listed as silent as of 1/20, its not so is this an error or does it say that because they expect to shutdown on 2/17?

Their licensed facility is silent because half the transmitter is off the air (converted to digital). They're operating on an STA at half-power. No filing yet about February 17.

- Trip

This evening's list:

Granite: WPTA, KDLH
Cox: WTOV, KAME, KICU, WSOC
Schurz: WSBT
McKinnon: KBMT
Local TV: WHO, KFOR, KAUT, WDAF, WITI
Pappas: KSNB, KXVO, KCWI
Media-General: WJBF, WCBD, WCMH, WJAR, WKRG, WNCT, WRBL, WSAV, WHLT
McGraw-Hill: KERO, WRTV
Bahakel: WCCB, WOLO
Smith: WFFF, KATN, KJUD, KIMO, WKTV, KEYT
Tribune: WXMI
WVCY
KBCB

KSNB filed for 10 kW on channel 4.

I think that's it.

- Trip

Schurz: WSBTAnd so ends the South Bend, IN, market.

WNIT, WHME gone, WNDU filed for 2/16, WSJV filed for noon 2/17 and the final full power station WSBT.

Perhaps I should write my representative and let him know is vote is moot in his home district? :D

Perhaps I should write my representative and let him know is vote is moot in his home district? :D

Unless you want a wacky law that *forces* stations to keep their analog, I suggest keeping that info under your hat. ;)

Unless you want a wacky law that *forces* stations to keep their analog, I suggest keeping that info under your hat. ;)Any modification sends S.352 back to the senate where it will either have to be "unanimously approved" again or (more likely if there is an analog mandate) go through the committee process and a roll call vote. That will push the bill back another few days.

The senate only gave "unanimous consent" because of the language permitting stations to turn off analog early. Take that away and it is a fight to get a bill the old fashioned way. Slow.

BTW: I got a letter from my senator yesterday thanking me for my comments and explaining that S.328 would allow stations to turn off their analog signals as I requested. (I said it was a letter ... the bills changed while the mail was in route!) S.352 has the same language. I'll be contacting my senator again if this goes back to the senate with ANY changes.

KVIH analog is gone.

This evening's list:
McGraw-Hill: KERO, WRTVABC affiliates, with WRTV being in Indianapolis (market "26").
Nice to see the bigger market stations join in.

Add some more:

WNYA
KBLN
WSBT
KUED
KUEN
KMTF
WDEF
KCWI
KSNB

- Trip

Trip, is it just me, or is RabbitEars down?

Trip, is it just me, or is RabbitEars down?

It's not just you.

I can't get to it either.

It's not just you.

I can't get to it either.Me too.

Yes, it's down. I think I'm being flooded. I got linked by NERW, PBRTV, and Ohio Media Watch basically all at the same time, and that's just the ones I know of.

I can get into the server at the backend (ssh) and via FTP but the web side of it is dead.

Record traffic levels... I used more than 800MB of bandwidth yesterday, and already in the first 10 hours of the day I've used 161MB.

- Trip

Yes, it's down. I think I'm being flooded. I got linked by NERW, PBRTV, and Ohio Media Watch basically all at the same time, and that's just the ones I know of.

I can get into the server at the backend (ssh) and via FTP but the web side of it is dead.

Record traffic levels... I used more than 800MB of bandwidth yesterday, and already in the first 10 hours of the day I've used 161MB.

- Trip

Wow.

Cool.

As he transition approaches (or, maybe not :rolleyes: ), you get really popular! ;)

For Falcon: WPFO has flash-cut.

I just got off the phone with my provider. "Our administrators are working on it and have no time frame for when it will be back up."

Great.

- Trip

Yes, it's down. I think I'm being flooded. I got linked by NERW, PBRTV, and Ohio Media Watch basically all at the same time, and that's just the ones I know of.

I can get into the server at the backend (ssh) and via FTP but the web side of it is dead.

Record traffic levels... I used more than 800MB of bandwidth yesterday, and already in the first 10 hours of the day I've used 161MB.
The good news is that the word must be getting out about how many stations are planning to shut down anyway and that your website is a useful resource. The bad news is that your provider can't handle it. Hope they don't charge you extra for this. :eek: Maybe someone on avsforum can help by setting up a temporary alternate site.

We can only hope that the word about how many stations are shutting down anyway and how many will be left in limbo on moving to their post-transition channel if other stations don't shut down their analog becomes part of the Congressional debate and decision process on whether to push this June 12 delay through.

The good news is that the word must be getting out about how many stations are planning to shut down anyway and that your website is a useful resource. The bad news is that your provider can't handle it. Hope they don't charge you extra for this. :eek: Maybe someone on avsforum can help by setting up a temporary alternate site.

We can only hope that the word about how many stations are shutting down anyway and how many will be left in limbo on moving to their post-transition channel if other stations don't shut down their analog becomes part of the Congressional debate and decision process on whether to push this June 12 delay through.

This post made me think of a question for Trip....

Trip,

Is it easy to pull stats as to how many hits to your site are coming from places like "senate.gov" and "house.gov"? :D

It's back up.

- Trip

Thanks, Trip. You're doing a great job with the updates, too!

And thanks for the tip about local WRTV-6 filing to sign off 2/17. With their tower just 5 miles away, this will definitely help me with Es DXing within a few months!

Steve

This post made me think of a question for Trip....

Trip,

Is it easy to pull stats as to how many hits to your site are coming from places like "senate.gov" and "house.gov"? :D

Since the start of the week, I've had 21 hits from fcc.gov and 4 hits from nasa.gov.

The week before, 30 hits from fcc.gov, 12 from nasa.gov, and 4 from noaa.gov.

2/3 of all hits could not be traced back to an ISP, so who knows what's missing. If someone knows the IP range of the Congressional offices, I might be able to dig something up later.

- Trip

I have to run out the door to a lab, but I looked up the Congressional IP ranges on Wikipedia (thinking back to the editing scandal a while ago) and searched through the logs for last week.

I did find some House and Senate views. The House one looked at a specific broadcaster, the Senate one at least looked at the termination list. I need to pick through it when I have more time.

- Trip

I have to run out the door to a lab, but I looked up the Congressional IP ranges on Wikipedia (thinking back to the editing scandal a while ago) and searched through the logs for last week.

I did find some House and Senate views. The House one looked at a specific broadcaster, the Senate one at least looked at the termination list. I need to pick through it when I have more time.

- Trip
Trip you probably know how to do this yourself. Find a domain name of a Congressional office or two (more the better within reason).

Do a reverse IP look up either on your local Linux or via SSH on rabbit ears.

Then do a Whois on the IP. and it usually returns a range.

Try that across a few of the domains and common denominators should fall out.

Maybe a little OT.

But a burning question out of curiosity

Where are all these digital transmitters going for stations that are going VHF after Feb 17, but have been on UHF for the last few years?

seems like there must be a few dozen of them. No, I don't need one :@)

Mexico?

Trip,

You have WRBL (Columbus, GA DMA) on your Analog Termination Possibilities page listed as an ABC affiliate. It's actually a CBS affiliate.

You also have WTVY (Dothan, AL DMA) stuck in the Panama City, FL DMA. It's "Significantly Viewed" in PC, FL, but it's DMA is Dothan, AL.

Just happened to notice it...

~Alan

Where are all these digital transmitters going for stations that are going VHF after Feb 17, but have been on UHF for the last few years?
Many of the freed up in-band digital UHF transmitters are going to other stations who have out of band digital channels. For example, in Baltimore. WJZ-DT CBS 13 is flash cutting from UHF 38 to VHF 13. WMAR-DT ABC 2, currently on UHF 52, is taking over the 1000 kW UHF 38 transmitter. In DC, there is a different shift where WUSA-DT CBS 9 is flash cutting from UHF 34 to VHF 9. The local Ion station WPXW-DT 66, currently located out in the VA suburbs in Manassas, will take over the 1000 kW UHF 34 transmitter in NW DC and greatly improve their broadcast coverage. OTOH, WJLA-DT ABC 7 is moving from UHF 39 and VHF 7 and no one is taking over that transmitter (UHF 39 will be used by WJAL-DT 68 in the Hagerstown, MD market).

The stations doing these types of moves have contracts to sell/buy or lease the antennas and transmitter. If Congress enacts a delay to June 12, there could be disputes between a station that wants to go ahead and take over the transmitter if the station doing the flash cut doesn't want to move until June 12. Could lead to some horse trading between stations and corporate owners with stations blocking each other in different markets. See how simple this all is if Congress postpones the Feb. 17 shutdown? :rolleyes:

The count of stations wishing to end analog operations on or before 2/17/09 is now at 625.

FYI... Representatives of all stations transmitting from Sutro Tower in San Francisco are meeting on Thursday morning to decide what they're going to do regarding the transition.

Several stations require other stations to move or turn off their analog transmitters before they can do anything, so it has to be a coordinated effort, including stations in other cities - Concord, Santa Rosa, Stockton and Sacramento.

I'll let you know what they decide as soon as I know.

Larry
SF

Maybe a little OT.

But a burning question out of curiosity

Where are all these digital transmitters going for stations that are going VHF after Feb 17, but have been on UHF for the last few years?

seems like there must be a few dozen of them. No, I don't need one :@)

Mexico?
plenty of lowband 2-6 Vs that are moving to UHF or other high Vs that are moving to UHF...others may wish to buy a new setup already in place. KPXB in Houston is one case...they are currently DT5 but going to DT32 when KTRK flash cuts back to their analog channel, 13....so KPXB gets a taller site, better coverage and equipment already installed. They currently are on another tower and will remove DT5 (unless someone is dumb enough to want it because it has poor coverage, etc but maybe one of the LPs may take it and upgrade it..who knows) and then lease/buy the UHF DT from ABC and lease the tower space (it is on KTRK's tower which is owned by ABC/Disney)... A win win for both!

Trip you probably know how to do this yourself. Find a domain name of a Congressional office or two (more the better within reason).

Do a reverse IP look up either on your local Linux or via SSH on rabbit ears.

Then do a Whois on the IP. and it usually returns a range.

Try that across a few of the domains and common denominators should fall out.

I did figure it out, it's just a pain. The logs are broken into a ton of 50MB text files that I have to sift through to get IPs. I just grabbed the list off Wikipedia and did it that way. I'll work on it more later this evening.

Where are all these digital transmitters going for stations that are going VHF after Feb 17, but have been on UHF for the last few years?

Sold to other stations. The out-of-core ones will be retuned to be in-core, and the in-core ones will go to others of the same or nearby channels.

Trip,

You have WRBL (Columbus, GA DMA) on your Analog Termination Possibilities page listed as an ABC affiliate. It's actually a CBS affiliate.

You also have WTVY (Dothan, AL DMA) stuck in the Panama City, FL DMA. It's "Significantly Viewed" in PC, FL, but it's DMA is Dothan, AL.

Just happened to notice it...

~Alan

Thanks for the note, my copy of the termination list has been fixed with regard to WRBL, it'll be uploaded later this evening.

As for WTVY, I figure the station gets most of its viewers from Panama City, so I stick it in the Panama City area. I might duplicate it though, now that you mention it. And actually, I'm told the analog signal is still on the air, despite having authority to shut it off on 2/1.

- Trip

Also, as a note, KXLT is running on air ads saying that they will terminate analog at 12PM Feb 17th, not the 15th that your site shows...(I know that you said it is in the FCC database, not sure where that date came from though) I am not aware of any issues at KXLT which would make them shutdown sooner, I do not think they have to "re-plumb" the feed line even, I could be wrong on this, since, I have NOT been in contact with the engineer...

I'm going to stick with what's in the FCC database. Thanks for the tip though. :)

- Trip

Also, as a note, KXLT is running on air ads saying that they will terminate analog at 12PM Feb 17th, not the 15th that your site shows...(I know that you said it is in the FCC database, not sure where that date came from though) I am not aware of any issues at KXLT which would make them shutdown sooner, I do not think they have to "re-plumb" the feed line even, I could be wrong on this, since, I have NOT been in contact with the engineer...The data on KXLT (Rochester, MN) comes from here:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1290275&Form_id=910&Facility_id=35906

These "silent" notices have been tricky to track. Some are coming through as applications for STA; others are coming through from a "station search," and you have to go into the correspondence folder for them. Some have both.

In the case of KXLT, their notice says "on or after" Feb. 15, which appears to leave the door open for them to shut off Feb. 17.

dline: Do you have some way of searching for the new Notices of Suspended Operation? You seem to get them really early and I can't find a way to search without bringing up all 400+ of the things.

- Trip

dline: Do you have some way of searching for the new Notices of Suspended Operation? You seem to get them really early and I can't find a way to search without bringing up all 400+ of the things.

- TripI'm not sure how to do that with the station search. The application search lets me narrow things by status date, so I just search from a few days ago to 12/31/2009.

I guess that problem doesn't really bug me too much since I deal mostly with stations which broadcast into Iowa for local threads, which further limits my searches.

Anyone have any ideas?

I'm not sure how to do that with the station search. The application search lets me narrow things by status date, so I just search from a few days ago to 12/31/2009.

I guess that problem doesn't really bug me too much since I deal mostly with stations which broadcast into Iowa for local threads, which further limits my searches.

Anyone have any ideas?

Ohhh, you must search by state and then look at which ones are new...

I know about the Application search (it's what I do right after midnight) but unfortunately these filings are not listed there.

- Trip

Even with 3 and a half hours of downtime today, viewers of RabbitEars still managed to suck down 630MB of bandwidth. :D

To start off the FCC filings this evening, I was unaware that Venture Technologies was trying to buy KBBC from Cocola. Wonder what their plan is for that. Also, the sale of DT-49 in Tupelo MS to New Age Media has been delayed.

WPGD finally filed for their non-directional 1000 kW channel 33 signal.

Citadel: KLKN, KCAU
Morgan Murphy: KAPP, KVEW, WISC, KXLY, WKBT
Midwest: KFMB
McGraw-Hill: KGTV, KMGH
ION: KGPX
Media-General: WHLT, WJTV, WJHL, WVTM, WSPA
Belo: KGW, KTVB
GOCOM: WBUI, WRSP, WCCU
Local TV: WGHP, WJW, KFCT, WNEP, WQAD, KDVR
Morris: WXXV, WTVQ
Vermont ETV: WVER, WVTA, WVTB, WETK (All will nightlight)
Belo: WWL, WUPL, WCNC, KVUE, KTVK, KMOV, KMSB, KASW
Tribune: WPMT, WNOL, WGNO, KRCW, KMYQ, KCPQ
Four Points: KEYE
LIN: WDTN
WCVE/WCVW/WHTJ
KWYB
WNKY
WPFO
KTTW
KMCY (combination silent notice and license to cover)

WCAX filed to note that it will nightlight, WVNY will go silent on time, and they will move to 22 on time.

WAKA asked for permission to move to 42. KSNB for permission to operate channel 4 at 4.4 kW. KGFE wants DT-15 under STA.

WEDW wants to boost from 41 kW to 91 kW. WEDH from 465 kW to 490 kW.

WNYE wants to nightlight its analog at 50 kW ERP.

KWBU's transmitter failed, they're now digital-only. KVTV is gone too.

KBDI hopes to be fixed by next Wednesday.

That's it, I'm done for the evening.

- Trip

I'll leave it to Trip and Falcon_77 to review all the STAs posted tonight. But I was randomly spot checking the filings. I liked this one.

KTTW Fox 17 (DT 7) in Souix Falls, SD wants to shut off their UHF 17 broadcast on Feb. 17 and wrote: "INDEPENDENT'S POST-TRANSITION DIGITAL FACILITIES ON CHANNEL 7 ARE IN FULL OPERATION. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE KTTW ANALOG FACILITIES AFTER THE LONG-ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 17, 2009 TRANSITION DATE WOULD NOT, IN THE VIEW OF THE LICENSEE, FURTHER THE GOAL OF SMOOTHLY EFFECTUATING THE DTV TRANSITION. STATIONS IN THE SIOUX FALLS MARKET ALREADY HAVE CONDUCTED A 'SOFT' DTV TRANSITION TEST DURING WHICH KTTW TERMINATED ITS ANALOG OPERATIONS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE STATION RECEIVED NO CALLS COMPLAINING ABOUT OR EVEN NOTING THE FACT THE STATION WAS NOT TRANSMITTING AN ANALOG SIGNAL."

So they turned off the analog and no one called. No one noticed. :D

[...SNIP...]
Belo: WWL, WUPL, [...SNIP...]
Tribune: WNOL, WGNO,[...SNIP...]

And with that, only 3 full power stations in my DMA (New Orleans) have not announced a shutdown by Feb. 17, or already shut down analog. (3 have already thrown the turn-off switch).

The "holdouts":

WYES (PBS), WDSU (NBC) and WPXL (Ion).

I suspect WDSU will hold out as long as they can. They are on channel 6 and until early 2008 they regularly announced in their station promos, "And listen to channel 6 at 87.7 FM!" They stopped that about a year ago, but they still are probably not looking forward to losing that "channel 6 comes in on FM" bonus.

I still suspect WYES will shut down on Feb. 17, they just have yet to file.

Have no idea about WPXL, but I believe that the margins in their budget must be thin enough that leaving that analog transmitter on for extra time will be deeply felt.

EDITED: To add WPXL (note Trip's reminder below).

What about WPXL?

- Trip

So they turned off the analog and no one called. No one noticed. :D

The first station in my DMA to shut down analog, WVUE FOX8 did so on December 15 of 2008.

They braced themselves for an onslaught of calls. They brought in extra staff to man the phones.

When they actually threw the switch, they heard crickets chirping. Only the tiniest smattering of calls trickled in.

I think the country is more ready than congress and the FCC are estimating.

What about WPXL?

- Trip

Oops. Good point. I'll edit my post.

They are an Ion O&O. Have you heard anything in general from Ion about the shutdown extension?

Oops. Good point. I'll edit my post.

They are an Ion O&O. Have you heard anything in general from Ion about the shutdown extension?

ION is flash-cutting its flash-cutters but has done nothing with the stations which are on their final digital channels or have conflicts which will keep them from their final digital channel (like KPXB-DT 5 needing KTRK to vacate their UHF digital).

- Trip

Oops. Wrong thread

Trip,
Yesterday you added WJAR to the list and last night I saw one of their PSA's that said that they intend to shut down on Feb. 17. All other PSA's that I have seen say Feb. 17 is the day all stations transition to digital.
John

KTTW Fox 17 (DT 7) in Souix Falls, SD wants to shut off their UHF 17 broadcast on Feb. 17 and wrote: "INDEPENDENT'S POST-TRANSITION DIGITAL FACILITIES ON CHANNEL 7 ARE IN FULL OPERATION. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE KTTW ANALOG FACILITIES AFTER THE LONG-ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 17, 2009 TRANSITION DATE WOULD NOT, IN THE VIEW OF THE LICENSEE, FURTHER THE GOAL OF SMOOTHLY EFFECTUATING THE DTV TRANSITION. ."


Ya know, I am beginning to wonder about the proofreaders....does the word
"Effectuating" even exist???? I know my spell checker doesnt catch it but that doesnt mean its real.....sounds like a Pakistani vendor who told a friend of mine their web site had gone through a Windows "updation" and thats why he was having trouble!! New words for the Webster??? :eek:

Otherwise, GOOD for them!!!! Now Congress needs to be told that!

ION is flash-cutting its flash-cutters but has done nothing with the stations which are on their final digital channels or have conflicts which will keep them from their final digital channel (like KPXB-DT 5 needing KTRK to vacate their UHF digital).

- Trip

They'll have no problem with KTRK moving......ABC13 is ready to flash cut on the 17th....I suspect KPXB is working out lease/ownership agreements with ABC right now (since the digital is sidemounted on 13's tower)..I need to drop them an email and see what the latest is...

So, from Trip's list (is that like Angie's List now? :D), I see that local Fox affiliate and former O&O WJW/8 is now coming up to the plate for the One True Conversion Date, Congress be damned.

It's thought generally that they should have no interference problems to deal with, since they'll be on their current analog 8 (moving from 31).

They're the only one in Cleveland so far.

3 and 25 (NBC/PBS) probably won't go early because their new, shared tower isn't even close to being done, so they'd have to depend on their awful pre-transition facilities - 3 on low VHF DT 2, 25 on a meager STA.

5 (ABC) could well file. They've already filed to run post-transition STA on their current DT 15 facility, moving antenna work into warmer weather. The STA includes a new backup facility they'll put in as an aux, on the air while they move the antennas. There is a slight maximization involved in this, but the current DT 15 is more than adequate (and the aux will have the same current pre-transition 980KW power).

19 (CBS) could file, though there are local complaints about their pre-transition 3.5KW VHF channel 10 facility.

23 (ION) will flash cut whenever. They could go early.

25 (PBS) is covered above.

43 (MyNet) could presumably shut off the analog and keep the current DT 28 facility, since it's at post-transition levels.

49 (PBS/Akron) according to local reports, will stay on in analog if the date moves. They already dumped analog on their sister 45 in the Youngstown market, way back in November.

55 (CW) could dump analog, as they're on post-transition facilities on DT 30.

61 (Univision) is the same, I believe.

So, most locals COULD dump analog, and WJW appears unworried about their NBC competitor still being on analog 3 after the 17th. We'll see if the other commercial stations follow WJW's lead.

I suspect WDSU will hold out as long as they can. They are on channel 6 and until early 2008 they regularly announced in their station promos, "And listen to channel 6 at 87.7 FM!" They stopped that about a year ago, but they still are probably not looking forward to losing that "channel 6 comes in on FM" bonus.


KFDM in Beaumont, TX has stated they are trying to do something to KEEP the FM aural signal.....personally, I disagree with that...WHY should they get to keep that bonus that noone else had?? AND all the little portable AM/FM/TV radios now will have the TV audio useless....so again, why should KFDM think they are special and retain their 87.7 capability?? I heard they even asked the US Rep to get involved and ask the FCC for some special license.....I DOUBT it will happen though. Thats not playing on an equal footing with others. Maybe someone should design a DTV audio to 87.7MHz converter...with 75kHz dev on the FM side, all in one box...(guess you could do it now with a DTV D->A box...take the stereo audio and pass it to a FM modulator...but you'll need a low power AC inverter to run the box in the car off 12Volts (Black and Decker makes one that is pefect....$20 at Walgreens and other places...100watts of AC and its RF clean!..also have 5V DC oout on USB for iPOD or Cell phone charging :)

Oh, I forgot to mention that 3 locally has to depend on TBN's analog channel 17 shutting off - they're moving from 2 to 17 digitally.

But that's almost an afterthought. At this point, the tower work is so far behind, the issue may not be visited any time soon...though I presume it will be done before June 12th.

KFDM in Beaumont, TX has stated they are trying to do something to KEEP the FM aural signal.....personally, I disagree with that...WHY should they get to keep that bonus that noone else had??

I can't remember which channel 6 facility I heard this about (WLNE in the Providence RI market?), but at least one station is trying to find a way to transmit the aural analog 87.75 MHz carrier ALONG WITH the digital signal on 6.

Yipes.

Aside from the need to get this in writing with the FCC, they'll have to figure out a way to do it without affecting the DT 6 primary service. It sounds like a mess to me.

Of course, CW affiliate XETV/6 in the San Diego market will keep that audio side effect - because it isn't signing off analog 6 at whatever the transition date will be. Mexico isn't transitioning yet. :D

I also forgot 67 (Canton), our local Infomercial Paradise, but who doesn't forget them? :D

They have a shiny new digital facility on its post-transition levels, so they could also dump the afterthought analog signal. The station's owner (brokered radio king Arthur Liu's TV arm) could certainly claim financial hardship in keeping the two transmitters on.

Trip, I saw a list of night light station you posted in this thread if I remember.

Do you have a list of night lights on rabbitears.info ?

Akin the to http://www.rabbitears.info/termlist.php list.

I know it's a pretty short list if I remember. Not even every DMA will have one.

I can't remember which channel 6 facility I heard this about (WLNE in the Providence RI market?), but at least one station is trying to find a way to transmit the aural analog 87.75 MHz carrier ALONG WITH the digital signal on 6.

Yipes.

Aside from the need to get this in writing with the FCC, they'll have to figure out a way to do it without affecting the DT 6 primary service. It sounds like a mess to me.

WRGB in Albany. It will be a mess, according to the several engineers I discussed it with on another board.

Trip, I saw a list of night light station you posted in this thread if I remember.

Do you have a list of night lights on rabbitears.info ?

Akin the to http://www.rabbitears.info/termlist.php list.

I know it's a pretty short list if I remember. Not even every DMA will have one.

I don't, because such a list would be very incomplete. There's no easy way to search for stations that will be nightlighting, and my list fell into disrepair when the delay popped up. I have a list on my hard drive that I suppose I could post, but I'm hesitant to do so.

- Trip

WJBK-2, Detroit, MI http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101293466&formid=387&fac_num=73123 and WCAX-3, Burlington, VT have filed to nightlight.

Steve

Both are on my list, but I think there are more that I've missed. I could make a list this evening and post it with a disclaimer that it may be incomplete. Thoughts?

- Trip

Debating as I type.

I don't, because such a list would be very incomplete. There's no easy way to search for stations that will be nightlighting, and my list fell into disrepair when the delay popped up. I have a list on my hard drive that I suppose I could post, but I'm hesitant to do so.
The nightlight program is another effort that gets thrown into confusion by a delay to June 12. While Congress may enact an extension of the nightlight program to July, what happens if all of the stations in a market shut their analog down by Feb. 18 except for the nightlight station? Does the nightlight station stay on the air for 4 more months with regular programming, then go to nightlight service on June 12? Or do they only provide the fixed nightlight announcements for a month and go off in March?

Until there is some clarity on what is going to happen on Feb. 17/18, may not be worth the effort to make a list of the nightlight stations as those stations may change their minds and keep regular analog broadcasting going for 4 more months.

WRGB in Albany. It will be a mess, according to the several engineers I discussed it with on another board.

Ah, yeah, you're right...I confused WRGB with WLNE.

I just don't see how it can be done.

The nightlight program is another effort that gets thrown into confusion by a delay to June 12. While Congress may enact an extension of the nightlight program to July, what happens if all of the stations in a market shut their analog down by Feb. 18 except for the nightlight station?The nightlight law is 30 days after the date set that will be changed by the DTVDelay law ... so it instantly becomes July 12th. (The FCC will have to adjust their rules to make that official.)

Stations CANNOT nightlight unless they don't interfere with digital stations. In the interum months if a station decides to "nightlight" prior to June 12th it is their analog signal and they have the legal right to be on the air, so the digital station waits. On June 12th the digital station gets priority.

Digital does not have to be the same program as analog. A station could "nightlight" today by putting different content on their analog than digital. The FCC would treat the station as if it were airing normal programming.

Is anyone else paying attention to Congress debate on delaying the date right now?

http://www.betanews.com/article/Republicans_DTV_delay_would_push_4_million_tons_of_carbon_em issions/1233764370 for a real-time blog.

Is anyone else paying attention to Congress debate on delaying the date right now?

http://www.betanews.com/article/Republicans_DTV_delay_would_push_4_million_tons_of_carbon_em issions/1233764370 for a real-time blog.Thanks for the link (I don't have C-SPAN), and they are reporting the delay has passed 265-158.

http://www.betanews.com/article/House_votes_to_delay_DTV_transition_President_likely_to_sign/1233764370

Thanks for the link (I don't have C-SPAN), and they are reporting the delay has passed 265-158.

http://www.betanews.com/article/House_votes_to_delay_DTV_transition_President_likely_to_sign/1233764370

So, is this over now? Is it delayed for sure?

So, is this over now? Is it delayed for sure?

It needs the President's signature, but since it was his administration's idea, you can assume it'll get it.

But keep an eye on these topics. The law does not force stations to keep the analog going, and at least a third of them have already said they'll be digital-only on the 18th regardless.

It's over, sadly. Technically it's not official law till Obama signs it, but he will.

What a bunch of wasted time, money, resources, I don't know know where to begin.

Yes, the June 12 postponement has been passed by the House. The president will presumably sign this very soon. The next step is a FCC public hearing where they may issue a series of rulings that we will all be trying to figure out what they really mean.

Big question: how many stations that have filed to shut down on February 17 will blink and instead keep analog on the air? Or will we see a flood of more silent STA filings and stations heading for the analog exit on February 17? Stay tuned. To your digital channels of course. You may be SOL on your analog channels. :D

Big question: how many stations that have filed to shut down on February 17 will blink and instead keep analog on the air? Or will we see a flood of more silent STA filings and stations heading for the analog exit on February 17? Stay tuned. To your digital channels of course. You may be SOL on your analog channels. :D

Why would they blink? All those filings were made under the assumption that this very bill was going to pass.

That's it, I'm done for the evening.

WACS-TV (GPB - Dawson, GA) in the Albany, GA DMA is now listed is "LICENSED AND SILENT"... which makes it currently the only station in the Albany, GA DMA to switch off this month (WSWG, which is a quasi-local station already signed off their analog some time ago).

Note that I tried two other nearby GPB stations (WABW, and WJSP), but both were still listed as "LICENSED".

~Alan

It needs the President's signature, but since it was his administration's idea, you can assume it'll get it.

But keep an eye on these topics. The law does not force stations to keep the analog going, and at least a third of them have already said they'll be digital-only on the 18th regardless.OK. Now, do we have a list of stations of who is who going digital on 2/17/2009 and who is delaying?

I actually want the delay because of my antenna issue and still want to keep using my analog feeds. ;)

OK. Now, do we have a list of stations of who is who going digital on 2/17/2009 and who is delaying?

I actually want the delay because of my antenna issue and still want to keep using my analog feeds. ;)

Assume 2/17. Pretty much nationwide.

Assume 2/17. Pretty much nationwide.
Are you serious? No stations wants delays right now? Wow.

Huh?

Assume pretty much nationwide???

I'd love to see the network owned stations go with 2/17 - I hope I'm wrong, but they are scared to death of the new people in Washington - White House, Congress, FCC and the Hill.

I really don't think they will stand up and be counted. Media concentration (ownership) is very important to them. I think they'll take this one in the neck!

Why would they blink? All those filings were made under the assumption that this very bill was going to pass.
A reading of the political terrain. The owners of these stations all have other regulatory matters before the government and some may decide that it is not worth getting their congressman or the players in the FCC & administration mad at them. Or there may be enough stations shutting analog off that it will provide political cover for others to join in and head for the analog exit ramp. We don't know how it is going to play out. I'm hoping for a mass exodus to the analog exits, but we will find out in 2 weeks.

WACS-TV (GPB - Dawson, GA) in the Albany, GA DMA is now listed is "LICENSED AND SILENT"... which makes it currently the only station in the Albany, GA DMA to switch off this month (WSWG, which is a quasi-local station already signed off their analog some time ago).

Note that I tried two other nearby GPB stations (WABW, and WJSP), but both were still listed as "LICENSED".

~Alan

Interesting. There's no documentation behind it, so I wonder what the deal is there.

OK. Now, do we have a list of stations of who is who going digital on 2/17/2009 and who is delaying?

I actually want the delay because of my antenna issue and still want to keep using my analog feeds. ;)

http://www.rabbitears.info/termlist.php

- Trip

Interesting. There's no documentation behind it, so I wonder what the deal is there.



http://www.rabbitears.info/termlist.phpThanks Trip! Hmm, no L.A. so far!

Interesting. There's no documentation behind it, so I wonder what the deal is there.

I don't know.... for a minute I thought that maybe I was imagining them broadcasting in analog again after the tower issue... but I tuned to channel 25 and there it is in analog.

Personally, I'm kind of surprised WABW wasn't listed as "LICENSED AND SILENT" too since WCTV-TV (Thomasville, GA/Tallahassee, FL) will be shutting down analog this month leaving channel 6 open for WABW.

~Alan

The local news on WJAR mentioned the delay passed by the House, but said they and the rest of the stations in the Providence market would transition on the Feb. 17 date.
John

Huh?

Assume pretty much nationwide???

I'd love to see the network owned stations go with 2/17 - I hope I'm wrong, but they are scared to death of the new people in Washington - White House, Congress, FCC and the Hill.

I really don't think they will stand up and be counted. Media concentration (ownership) is very important to them. I think they'll take this one in the neck!Yeah, but aside from the networks and perhaps Sinclair, broadcast TV doesn't really have a single "villain" most people can point to like radio does with Clear Channel. Some large companies run fairly good local operations and have a record they can point to. Unfortunately, even well-heeled operations are laying people off due to the recession, so they can point to that as well: force us to keep that outdated analog TV on the air, and we're going to have to lay even more people off, your choice.

Today's 4 pm KKTV local news talked about the DTV delay bill passing Congress and that viewers would get a four month reprieve.

Problem: KKTV was running crawls as recently as a couple of days ago stating they'd shutoff analog on 2/17. Either the KKTV news dept. is not aware that their station is transitioning on 2/17, or KKTV / Gray corporate mgmt. is not sure what to do now.

Bottom line: Nothing was said in KKTV's 4pm news about KKTV's plans for transition, whether it's still 2/17 or if it will be delayed.

Until Obama puts his John Hancock on the bill, the old rules are still in effect. And they say "run the 2/17 crawls."

The local news on WJAR mentioned the delay passed by the House, but said they and the rest of the stations in the Providence market would transition on the Feb. 17 date.
John

Colorado Springs: Today's 4 pm KKTV local news talked about the DTV delay bill passing Congress and that viewers would get a four month reprieve.

Problem: KKTV was running crawls as recently as a couple of days ago stating they'd shutoff analog on 2/17. Either the KKTV news dept. is not aware that their station is transitioning on 2/17, or KKTV / Gray corporate mgmt. is not sure what to do now.

Bottom line: Nothing was said in KKTV's 4pm news about KKTV's plans for transition, whether it's still 2/17 or if it will be delayed.

Colorado Springs: Today's 4 pm KKTV local news talked about the DTV delay bill passing Congress and that viewers would get a four month reprieve.

Problem: KKTV was running crawls as recently as a couple of days ago stating they'd shutoff analog on 2/17. Either the KKTV news dept. is not aware that their station is transitioning on 2/17, or KKTV / Gray corporate mgmt. is not sure what to do now.

Bottom line: Nothing was said in KKTV's 4pm news about KKTV's plans for transition, whether it's still 2/17 or if it will be delayed.Meanwhile, another Gray station, WOWT in Omaha, has this headline on its website: "DTV: No Delay in Omaha."

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/39104697.html

I'm so confused now. I'm trying to find out which of our local station have indicated that they will still shutoff on 2/17, but can't figure out what to look for or where.

Indianapolis:
WRTV
WTHR
WISH
WXIN

I'm so confused now. I'm trying to find out which of our local station have indicated that they will still shutoff on 2/17, but can't figure out what to look for or where.

Indianapolis:
WRTV
WTHR
WISH
WXIN

I compiled all the available data on my site: http://www.rabbitears.info/termlist.php

If you're looking for the raw data, you need to look for STAs in the CDBS, and for Notices of Suspended Operation in the stations' Correspondence Folder. That's found on the TV Query.

If that sounded like a bunch of noise to you, reply back and I'll provide links and details.

- Trip

I compiled all the available data on my site: http://www.rabbitears.info/termlist.php

If you're looking for the raw data, you need to look for STAs in the CDBS, and for Notices of Suspended Operation in the stations' Correspondence Folder. That's found on the TV Query.

If that sounded like a bunch of noise to you, reply back and I'll provide links and details.

- Trip
Thanks. I found the data right after posting that. I was just looking in the wrong place.

Something that might interest you...someone posted a message in our local OTA thread that one station in particular (WRTV) had just filed for termination on 2/17. A local engineer for another station (WISH) said we shouldn't read much into that. Here is what he said...

Don't jump to too many conclusions too fast.

Some of the filings are precautionary, based on legal advice, especially with the date still in doubt. Our stations are not receiving those same advisories at this time, but it is something we have thought about.

Tom Weber
Engineering
WISH/WNDY

He posted this message this afternoon...before the House voted.

Glad you found what you were looking for.

I suspect the vast majority of stations filing want to go on February 17, though they can't make any decisions until the FCC sets some policies on what to do. Hopefully the FCC will let these STAs and NSOs apply so stations can shut off on time. If not, it may hamper such plans to go digital-only.

- Trip

Without any FCC rules I wonder how the stations news depts. are saying that they will shutoff in Feb.
Trip, I sent you the WTNH file.
John

Colorado Springs: Today's 4 pm KKTV local news talked about the DTV delay bill passing Congress and that viewers would get a four month reprieve.

Problem: KKTV was running crawls as recently as a couple of days ago stating they'd shutoff analog on 2/17. Either the KKTV news dept. is not aware that their station is transitioning on 2/17, or KKTV / Gray corporate mgmt. is not sure what to do now.

Bottom line: Nothing was said in KKTV's 4pm news about KKTV's plans for transition, whether it's still 2/17 or if it will be delayed.

So, I e-mailed KKTV's news director w/ the above....

Good point, thanks. We’re going to air the following script at 5:30 to hopefully make it more clear!



THE BILL NOW HEADS TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

HIS SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE PRESIDENT WILL SIGN IT.

UNTIL THAT HAPPENS...WERE STILL AIRING THE CRAWL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN ONCE IN AWHILE WITH THE FEBRUARY 17TH DATE.

THAT IS A MANDATE FROM THE F-C-C AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT UNTIL THE CHANGE IS OFFICIAL.

FOR ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED ON THE SWITCH HEAD TO KKTV DOT-COM.







Thanks,

Liz Haltiwanger

News Director

KKTV 11 News

719-578-0000

lhaltiwanger@kktv.com



In all fairness, the AP story (on KKTV.com) that I suspect they used as basis for 4pm cast, was silent on the voluntary transition option. With that missing from the story, would be easy to blanket conclude that it was going to be four month delay.

Decided it was better to go to the source, and it worked!

Without any FCC rules I wonder how the stations news depts. are saying that they will shutoff in Feb.
Trip, I sent you the WTNH file.
John

Legally the date continues to be February 17 until the president signs off on the legislation on which the congress has voted.

Once that happens, who knows what the Commission will be doing and all of this is going to cause more confusion than we've seen.

Just think of those markets where one or more stations will make the transition while others will wait.

Those who are behind this delay have no idea of the mayhem that we will experience!

Without any FCC rules I wonder how the stations news depts. are saying that they will shutoff in Feb.
Trip, I sent you the WTNH file.
John
If they are already on their final allotment and already given notice I don't see how the FCC can stop them. Any rules to stop such stations at this point are probably unconstitutional.

Interesting. There's no documentation behind it, so I wonder what the deal is there.


As re WACS, my notes say the tower collapsed on 3/1/07, due to a tornado, but they restored 90kW analog operations (down from 501kW).

More info here:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=615622

I presume if everything else is in order, and with an early voluntary analog shutoff in the new soon-to-become-law, the FCC won't have much choice but accept all these STAs and NSOs, right? Assuming they fit in regards to no new interference and the like...which the analog shutoff alone certainly would.

And is it possible that there are so many applications, the FCC might not be able to approve many of them in under two weeks?

And Trip? Should we take up a collection for your favorite form of caffeinated beverage after midnight tonight? I expect a flood, frankly...

How long does it take for the President to sign the bill?

I presume if everything else is in order, and with an early voluntary analog shutoff in the new soon-to-become-law, the FCC won't have much choice but accept all these STAs and NSOs, right? Assuming they fit in regards to no new interference and the like...which the analog shutoff alone certainly would.

And is it possible that there are so many applications, the FCC might not be able to approve many of them in under two weeks?

And Trip? Should we take up a collection for your favorite form of caffeinated beverage after midnight tonight? I expect a flood, frankly...

I'm taking the "wait and see" approach. I figure the FCC will eventually figure out what they're doing, and until then it's hard to say.

And I don't touch caffeine, though I certainly wouldn't mind something with a lot of sugar. Maybe this drawer full of candy would be good for that... :D

- Trip

How long does it take for the President to sign the bill?

Just a few seconds. :D

There is a public FCC meeting tomorrow afternoon where they will discuss the DTV transition and the nightlight program (agenda posted at fcc.gov). The DTV Delay act is likely to get a mention. :)

Until Pres Obama signs the bill into law there is nothing that the FCC can do other than privately think about what they want to do. Once there is a law S.352 gives the FCC 30 days to come up with rules. Which means Acting Chairman Copps will need to get a NPRM (notice of proposed rulemaking) out pretty quick with comment dates and deadlines, get said NPRM published in the Federal Register. Accept said comments and reply comments. Then rule on the NPRM and comments issuing an R&O (report and order) that actually, at that moment, changes the date from February 17th to June 12th.

Until the R&O is out the FCC rules governing transition have not changed. :D

I presume if everything else is in order, and with an early voluntary analog shutoff in the new soon-to-become-law, the FCC won't have much choice but accept all these STAs and NSOs, right? Assuming they fit in regards to no new interference and the like...which the analog shutoff alone certainly would.

And is it possible that there are so many applications, the FCC might not be able to approve many of them in under two weeks?


I'm certainly not a lawyer, but I don't see where the FCC has any wiggle room to disapprove these.

The bill specifically says it cannot be construed to prevent stations from shutting down their analogs before June 12th as long as the stations comply with the existing FCC regulations that covered stations that wished to shut down before February 17th.

As I remember the FCC regulations (admittedly it's been awhile since I've read the specific rules) it was only necessary for stations to notify the FCC (and the audience) of their plans. My theory is that Legal STAs have been the method for doing it because there isn't a category in the CDBS computer system for entering an analog signoff notification.

(so I really don't think it matters if the FCC is able to process these in time, it's only necessary that they be received. That's just a theory though.)

I'm just wondering if the current FCC, and the current administration, will eventually see the numbers we're seeing thanks to you and Trip, and see a stampede for the analog exits... and try to stop that in any way.

Is there something President Obama can do by executive order? Or are his hands (and the FCC's) tied by the language in the bill that the president is about to sign?

And I'm also unfamiliar with the process up to now. Can a station just say "OK, we're signing off" and not have to give a reason, like transmitter failure? Or hardship? (Which, actually, most TV station ownership groups can pretty much claim in 2009.)

WOLO (ABC) in Columbia SC, which is on Trip's list, had a story about the Senate vote on their 11pm news tonight, in which they noted that stations have the option to transition early anyway, then announced that they be would doing so on the 17th, and showed a "13 days left" countdown screen.

WYCW (CW) in Asheville NC, which is a sister station of WSPA (CBS) in Spartanburg SC and shows WSPA's news at 10pm, reported on the vote and said that an announcement would be coming soon from station management about what they would do. Both are owned by Media General, which has filed shutdown notices for most of its stations including WSPA but not WYCW.

WOLO (ABC) in Columbia SC, which is on Trip's list, had a story about the Senate vote on their 11pm news tonight, in which they noted that stations have the option to transition early anyway, then announced that they would doing so on the 17th, and showed a "13 days left" countdown screen.

WYCW (CW) in Asheville NC, which is a sister station of WSPA (CBS) in Spartanburg SC and shows WSPA's news at 10pm, reported on the vote and said that an announcement would be coming soon from station management about what they would do. Both are owned by Media General, which has filed shutdown notices for most of its stations including WSPA but not WYCW.

Media General also hasn't said anything about WNCN (NBC here in Raleigh). Currently 55 DT, moving back to 17 (their analog).

I was told Feb. 17 and got my coupons and convertor box in anticipation of that date. This extension is false advertising. That's wrong. Therefore I'm suing the government to get my $40 spent on the boxes back and another $500,000 for pain, suffering and haivng to miss work getting the boxes. :D


^^^ -- Yes, that was a joke. :)

So here's what's going on this morning:

KFDM wants to boost power slightly on their current antenna. KXLA wants... something. It's more than I care to read right now. Falcon?

As for shutoffs:

Belo: WFAA, WVEC, KING
LIN: WNAC, WPRI
Cox: KIRO
Evening Post: WLEX
Sinclair: KFXA
Global: WLNE
Fisher: KBAK, KATU, KCBY, KVAL, KPIC, KOMO, KUNS
Calkins: WTXL
Tribune: WTTK, WGN
Morris: WMGT
Hearst: WNNE, WPTZ (nightlight)
Gray: WITN
Stainless: WICZ
Cascade: WBKI
Wyoming PBS: KWYP, KCWC, KPTW
Hoak: KFYR

WPTZ will reduce digital power so WCAX can deal with 22, and nightlight on 5. WLXI built their maximized facility and wants it licensed. KNPB wants a DTS. WCBB wants to maximize early under STA. WTVS analog at low power. WOUC analog at low power.

KTDO wants more time to finish their digital, but I haven't read it yet.

WHCT-LD applied for, to those who follow Connecticut. :)

KFFX wants to stay on 8 til equipment can be changed out due to delays and weather and all kinds of mess (it's a fun read).

That's it for the evening! =)

- Trip

LIN: WNAC (which implies WPRI)


I read somewhere here, and heard on my own, that Providence was going with the 17th as a market, so that makes sense (as does the WLNE filing).

Looks like Seattle is stacking up, too, with KIRO and KOMO.


WOUC analog at low power.


What does this mean...? Are they having problems with their analog, and keeping it on past the 17th in low power? WOUC is the Cambridge half of Ohio University's WOUB in Athens...some folks up not far from here can get its DT.


Is this it?


I expected more. Was the vote too late to spur any flood? Just wondering...

WJW (Fox/Cleveland, owned by Local TV) had a story on the vote on its 10 PM newscast, noting that stations could still voluntarily shut off analog early - but not noting that they were the only local station already filing to do so.

I read somewhere here, and heard on my own, that Providence was going with the 17th as a market, so that makes sense (as does the WLNE filing).

Looks like Seattle is stacking up, too, with KIRO and KOMO.

Evidence backs up both markets going on schedule as a group.

What does this mean...? Are they having problems with their analog, and keeping it on past the 17th in low power? WOUC is the Cambridge half of Ohio University's WOUB in Athens...some folks up not far from here can get its DT.

The analog had equipment failure, it's running at 4.4 kW ERP.

I expected more. Was the vote too late to spur any flood? Just wondering...

I'm guessing so. Fewer here than I expected, though WGN was a surprise.

- Trip

Is there something President Obama can do by executive order?An amendment to the bill, that would have prohibited the FCC from preventing stations from switching early, was defeated, so it won't even require an executive order: The FCC could do it themselves. However, Copps did indicate that 61% of stations could switch early, leading me to believe that he may not be inclined to support preventing them from doing so. And, politically, he's better off letting them: It keeps Republicans from making the administration look like bad guys, and allows the administration to blame problems with those switches on the broadcaster, instead of those problems being the government's fault. Personally, I think that is one reason why the administration wanted to go this way. By muddying the waters of responsibility, they are better able to deflect the ire of citizens who lose their favorite channels on others. Very savvy, if you ask me.

I was told Feb. 17 and got my coupons and convertor box in anticipation of that date. This extension is false advertising. That's wrong. Therefore I'm suing the government to get my $40 spent on the boxes back and another $500,000 for pain, suffering and haivng to miss work getting the boxes. :D


^^^ -- Yes, that was a joke. :)Maybe a joke, for you... you only put out $10-$20 on a box you didn't need yet. However, companies like Qualcomm put out hundreds of millions of dollars, based on a promise that they'd get what they paid for on February 18. That is unquestionably (the government acting in) bad faith, AFAIC.

I read somewhere here, and heard on my own, that Providence was going with the 17th as a market, so that makes sense (as does the WLNE filing).Yes, and so far, nothing in Boston. :(

By muddying the waters of responsibility, they are better able to deflect the ire of citizens who lose their favorite channels on others. Very savvy, if you ask me.

I don't know about that. IMHO, had they left the date alone, they could keep right on blaming the Bush Administration until the cows come home with very little political blow back. Now, if it goes badly, it is squarely on the Democratic Congress and President Obama because they actively mucked around with it. It could be argued that the Obama Administration is trying to do too much too quick to bring about change and it might not all be good change. Personally, politically I wouldn't have touched this with a ten foot pole. You just don't mess with people's TVs. The government may be about to find that out.

Blaming the Bush Administration could have back-fired on them: It was Bill Clinton's pen that set the wheels in motion regarding the switch to digital television. At best, there would have been context for people to attack their deflection onto the Bush Administration. This way, it is much cleaner: The station switched to digital early == anything that goes wrong is that station's fault.

And what they've done here really doesn't foster more responsibility on their part: They can easily deflect such claims by saying that they did the best they could with the mess they inherited. (It has worked before, for both parties, when they took over the White House.)

On their morning news, WHNS announced that they're proceeding with their original plans to transition to DTV on Feb. 17th. According to a posting on Facebook, WSPA will announce their plans once the DTV Transition Delay bill is signed by President Obama to become law. There's no word at present on whether WYFF, WLOS/WMYA or WYCW will follow suit on Feb. 17th, as well.

Just a few seconds. :DHA! I meant from passed votes to him. :P

What does the term "nightlight" mean?

What does the term "nightlight" mean?

Keep the analog on the air for a short period broadcasting only informational messages about the transition, hooking up converter boxes, etc.

- Trip

A station's analog signal remaining on for about a month, or as some stations, until the end of February - not transmitting programming but information about the transition and also any emergency news concerning the community the station serves

Maybe a joke, for you... you only put out $10-$20 on a box you didn't need yet. However, companies like Qualcomm put out hundreds of millions of dollars, based on a promise that they'd get what they paid for on February 18. That is unquestionably (the government acting in) bad faith, AFAIC.
If President Obama does sign this into law before Feb. 18th it definitely does turn "the full faith and credit of the U. S. of A" upside down.

The count of stations which have filed to end analog on or before 2/17/09 is at 712 (maybe I should just put this in a signature).

I watched the Lehrer News Hour from yesterday and there was an awkward laugh about how stations can end analog anyway. They said to watch the local station announcements.

Effectively, some entire markets are scheduled to end analog on 2/17/09. News of a delay certainly won't be helpful for those areas.

At this rate, perhaps only the LA and NYC markets will see a real delay. WGN's filing was most surprising, as was WFAA/ABC in Dallas. Dallas has one of the highest OTA rates in the country.

Though Trip's page gives a better idea of what's happening market-by-market, I will see what I can do to make it clearer on the spreadsheet.

The following markets (out of our top 50) are planning to drop two or more major network stations ("Big Four").

Seattle*
San Diego*
Denver
St. Louis
Portland, OR*
Kansas City
Salt Lake City*
Charlotte, NC*
Las Vegas
Columbus, OH
Oklahoma City*
New Orleans*
Nashville*
Birmingham, AL
Providence, RI*
Fresno, CA
Dayton, OH*
Austin, TX

The areas denoted by a "*" are projected to have 1 of the "Big Four" left or none.

Some "delay" this is going to be.

Rules have been set. Thanks TalkingRat:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-6A1.pdf

No rest for those who maintain DTR pages!

- Trip

I just turned on channel 20 in San Francisco (analog) and it is still there. Perhaps I don't understand what your list is saying.

Allen

Rules have been set. Thanks TalkingRat:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-6A1.pdf

No rest for those who maintain DTR pages!

- Trip

Wow, this delay makes this even harder to follow.... Thanks for the link, it was a good read...

Rules have been set. Thanks TalkingRat:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-6A1.pdf

Sounds like all the people the FCC hired to man the call center will be redeployed to dealing with all the paperwork!

I just turned on channel 20 in San Francisco (analog) and it is still there. Perhaps I don't understand what your list is saying.

Allen

Cable or broadcast?

So if I understand the new rules:

* Any station wanting to cut off analog on 2/17 must have their paperwork filed with the FCC by 2/9;

* No stations will be able to terminate analog between 2/18 and 3/13;

* Stations wishing to turn off analog starting on 3/14 will need to provide 30 days notice;

* Stations wishing to terminate analog before 6/12 will be required to run their digital signal in their approved pre-transition service, and post-transition facility usage is prohibited before 6/12 without an approved STA.

I think those are the highlights.

I just turned on channel 20 in San Francisco (analog) and it is still there. Perhaps I don't understand what your list is saying.

Allen

The termination is effective as of the date in column near the owner noted on the right. For KOFY, that's 02/17/09.

Of course, given the new rules, my whole list gets thrown into chaos.

- trip

I think I'm going to just start over with a new list, since stations basically have to refile (if I'm interpreting this properly). I imagine there will be a flood of filings this evening and then again late Sunday and Monday evenings, so who knows how far behind I'll be.

If stations need to reaffirm they are nightlighting, I will start a new nightlight list.

- Trip

If there are as many filings as I fear there are going to be, I won't be able to keep up with it. If at all possible, I'd like to seek a couple of volunteers to give me a hand with it. Anyone who's willing to poke around on the FCC site after midnight eastern time for the three days, post here. I know there are people who already do it anyway on their own (dline is the one who comes to mind) but even if you don't and are interested. I'd probably break it down geographically, so you could get the stations in your area and surrounding markets.

Please post here (don't PM me, I don't need a flood of PMs) if you're interested. I'll start trying to figure something out so we can get a list together as quickly as possible.

For clarity, I'd be having volunteers basically compile a piece of an HTML page (no coding knowledge required) that would then be e-mailed to me and added to my master page, then uploaded.

Thanks.

- Trip

So if I understand the new rules:

* Any station wanting to cut off analog on 2/17 must have their paperwork filed with the FCC by 2/9;

* No stations will be able to terminate analog between 2/18 and 3/13;

* Stations wishing to turn off analog starting on 3/14 will need to provide 30 days notice;

* Stations wishing to terminate analog before 6/12 will be required to run their digital signal in their approved pre-transition service, and post-transition facility usage is prohibited before 6/12 without an approved STA.

I think those are the highlights.
*Any station can have a blown fuse on their analog transmitter that they don't find for 116 days

I'd be willing to help - assuming you'll give me the info on what to look for on the FCC page - I've poked around there a little bit - so I'm somewhat familiar with it. I'm in the Lansing, MI market.

I'd be willing to help - assuming you'll give me the info on what to look for on the FCC page - I've poked around there a little bit - so I'm somewhat familiar with it. I'm in the Lansing, MI market.

Absolutely, I'll be providing detailed instructions on how to get it and what I want. Keep an eye on this area, I'm waiting for more feedback, if I get any, before I say anything definitive.

- Trip

Anyone who's willing to poke around on the FCC site after midnight eastern time for the three days, post here.

I'll take the DMAs that I can receive stations from:

Greenville SC
Columbia SC
Charlotte NC
Augusta GA

plus a few neigboring ones if necessary.

Let me know what you want me to do. I can certainly handle at least CA and several other Western states (plus Hartford & Providence), but I will have to see what format this is going to be in. All stations that wanted to end on 2/17 have to re-file, regardless?

Fun stuff...

Hopefully, it will just be a matter of verifying the ones we already have flagged.

My weekend plans seem to be set. :eek:

KXLA wants... something. It's more than I care to read right now. Falcon?

It looks like KXLA is trying to defend its transmitter location on Mt. Wilson, when it doesn't cover its COL adequately. I don't know how they ever got Rancho Palos Verdes as a COL. Palos Verdes is a looming hill (mountain, really) in the direction of Long Beach (from an OC perspective) on clear days. Other than putting a transmitter (DTS?) in Rancho Palos Verdes itself, I don't see how they can meet the FCC requirements. Parts of the town are well obscured from Mt. Wilson, but I doubt many homes in that area rely on OTA.

However, this is nothing new... So I'm puzzled why it's suddenly a problem. It looks like they already paid a fine for not covering their COL properly.

They do want additional height, at 949m vs. 937m HAAT (98 vs. 86 AGL), FWIW, along with a new pattern that is highly irregular. Perhaps, they have to re-justify their situation.

Absolutely, I'll be providing detailed instructions on how to get it and what I want. Keep an eye on this area, I'm waiting for more feedback, if I get any, before I say anything definitive.

- Trip

To Trip and all others:

If you plan on keeping track of those stations that plan to shut down analog by Feb. 17, I wouldn't worry about the 387 forms. Footnote 11 of the FCC release explains how stations intending to shut off analog must notify the Commission.

Stations must file the Non-Form Silent STA/Notice of Suspension application through CDBS. The form now has a box specifically designated "Notification of Termination of Service on February 17, 2009."

Starting tomorrow, go to the FCC's CDBS website here: http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_sear.htm

In the box titled "Service" select "Television Station". Next, in the box titled "Form Number" select "Silent STA". Then click enter. This will give you a list of stations intending to shut off on February 17.

You can do a search through the FCC Form 387, but then you will also be dealing with stations that plan on shutting off at some date after February 17.

To Trip and all others:

If you plan on keeping track of those stations that plan to shut down analog by Feb. 17, I wouldn't worry about the 387 forms. Footnote 11 of the FCC release explains how stations intending to shut off analog must notify the Commission.

It's asking all stations to update them though, and my DTR page lists all of them so as to provide for whatever date they end up with. I do have to go through all of them at some point.

Stations must file the Non-Form Silent STA/Notice of Suspension application through CDBS. The form now has a box specifically designated "Notification of Termination of Service on February 17, 2009."

Starting tomorrow, go to the FCC's CDBS website here: http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_sear.htm

In the box titled "Service" select "Television Station". Next, in the box titled "Form Number" select "Silent STA". Then click enter. This will give you a list of stations intending to shut off on February 17.

You can do a search through the FCC Form 387, but then you will also be dealing with stations that plan on shutting off at some date after February 17.

Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely be keeping it in mind.

- Trip

Here's my take on the FCC's Public Notice. We're starting at ground zero again. Stations that want to turn off their analog transmitter on February 17 have to notify the FCC by Monday, and those that have already notified the commission have to do so again. Stations that terminate their analog service on February 17 can't use their post transition facitilities without applying for an STA.

Below is a brief summary of the FCC Public Notice highlighting the major points.

Larry
SF

- - -

1 - Stations that wish to terminate their analog signal transmission on February 17, are required to provide notice to the Commission and their viewers. Stations must notify the Commission no later than Monday, February 9, 2009 (11:59 p.m. EST), of their intention to terminate analog service on February 17.

2 - Stations that have already notified the Commission about their intention to terminate on February 17 must again notify the Commission confirming their intent to terminate on that date and their performance of the required viewer notifications.

3 - The Commission reserves the right to limit or reconsider this partial waiver in the event that it determines that analog termination on February 17 by a station or group of stations is contrary to the public interest. In such event, the Commission will promptly notify the affected station or stations.

4 - Stations terminating on February 17 are required to broadcast a crawl on their analog channel regarding the station’s termination of analog service, for the seven day period from February 10 (11:59 p.m. EST) through the termination of the station’s analog signal on February 17 (11:59 p.m. EST). (Gives details for crawl.)

5 - Stations that terminate their analog service prior to the June 12 transition date, may operate only a digital facility that is approved for pre-transition service. Stations that want to begin operating prior to the transition date on a post-transition digital facility that differs from their pre-transition facility must first file a request for digital Special Temporary Authority (STA) to seek Commission approval for an early transition. A station may request permission to operate its post-transition facility before the transition deadline, provided it demonstrates that it will (1) not cause impermissible interference to any authorized analog or pre-transition digital stations; (2) maintain at least its current digital service; and (3) commence full, authorized posttransition operations on the transition deadline. Stations requesting such approval must also indicate whether such early operation would result in loss of their own analog or digital service.

6 - After February 17, stations that wish to terminate analog service before 11:59:59 pm on June 12, 2009 must comply with the requirements in the Third DTV Periodic Report and Order.

7 - Stations that have previously terminated analog service may request permission to resume analog broadcasting. Stations that have already terminated their analog service and desire to resume analog broadcasting must file a request for STA.

8 - Stations that previously notified the Commission that they intend to terminate their analog service on February 16 or earlier, and have not yet done so, must confirm whether they intend to terminate their analog signal prior to February 17 or if they intend to remain on the air with regular programming on their analog channel beyond February 17. These notifications must be submitted no later than Monday, February 9, 2009.

- - -

3 - The Commission reserves the right to limit or reconsider this partial waiver in the event that it determines that analog termination on February 17 by a station or group of stations is contrary to the public interest. In such event, the Commission will promptly notify the affected station or stations.


Is an entire market switching off analog against the public interest?


7 - Stations that have previously terminated analog service may request permission to resume analog broadcasting. Stations that have already terminated their analog service and desire to resume analog broadcasting must file a request for STA.

What is this feeling I'm getting in my stomach? :(

It's asking all stations to update them though, and my DTR page lists all of them so as to provide for whatever date they end up with. I do have to go through all of them at some point.


- Trip

You're right. If it was me, I would first weed out the ones going on February 17, and then deal with the rest.

Absolutely, I'll be providing detailed instructions on how to get it and what I want. Keep an eye on this area, I'm waiting for more feedback, if I get any, before I say anything definitive.

- Trip

Count me in to help you Trip. I go to that site a lot but never sure where or how you search. I can put in 30 minutes to an hour a day over the next week.

Trip - I'll be glad to help, but I can't work on it until I get up in the morning (8-9 AM). What ever area you need help with.

I work until midnight, then have a 40-45 minute drive home, by which time I'm ready for bed.

If there are as many filings as I fear there are going to be, I won't be able to keep up with it. If at all possible, I'd like to seek a couple of volunteers to give me a hand with it. Anyone who's willing to poke around on the FCC site after midnight eastern time for the three days, post here. I know there are people who already do it anyway on their own (dline is the one who comes to mind) but even if you don't and are interested. I'd probably break it down geographically, so you could get the stations in your area and surrounding markets.

Please post here (don't PM me, I don't need a flood of PMs) if you're interested. I'll start trying to figure something out so we can get a list together as quickly as possible.

For clarity, I'd be having volunteers basically compile a piece of an HTML page (no coding knowledge required) that would then be e-mailed to me and added to my master page, then uploaded.

Thanks.

- Trip
I'll cover all the AZ and TX stations.

I'll cover all the AZ and TX stations.

sorry coyoteaz you cant have a monopoly on finding stations.

wfaa shuts off analog 2/17/09

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101293505&formid=911&fac_num=72054

Alright, let me start a list of people involved and what they're covering:

Trip:
Anything not listed.

Falcon_77:
CA, NV, AK, UT, CT, RI

mathwhiz:
MI, OH, IN

jtbell:
SC, N. GA, W. NC, TN

coyoteaz:
TX, AZ, NM, OK

Piggie: (Would you be available after midnight tonight to do this?)
Non-panhandle FL

Alan Gordon:
AL, S. GA, FL Panhandle

kevin120:
LA

Scooper:
ND, SD, IA, NE, KS, MO

JimboG:
OR, WA, ID

All areas are subject to change. Are there any objections? I know I expanded some people's requests, so if you'd prefer not to have those, let me know and I'll remove them. If you think you want to cover more states, let me know that too and I'll expand it.

Still accepting volunteers, if anyone else wants to be involved. I can shuffle states if someone else has your home state.

I'll post detailed instructions a little later in the evening. Thanks so much, all, I really appreciate this. :) Hopefully we'll manage to get through it and have an accurate list of stations very quickly.

- Trip

ill take louisiana.

jtbell:
SC, GA, W. NC, AL, TN

If jtbell needs any help with GA... I'm free to help. I'll also throw in Tallahassee, FL and Dothan, AL if necessary...

~Alan

Thanks guys, I reshuffled that region a little bit and added your names. Look acceptable?

- Trip

tripp - sign me for KS, MO, nebraska, Iowa, and the Dakotas (North and South)

Alright, let me start a list of people involved and what they're covering:

Piggie: (Would you be available after midnight tonight to do this?)
Non-panhandle FL


All areas are subject to change. Are there any objections? I know I expanded some people's requests, so if you'd prefer not to have those, let me know and I'll remove them. If you think you want to cover more states, let me know that too and I'll expand it.

Still accepting volunteers, if anyone else wants to be involved. I can shuffle states if someone else has your home state.

I'll post detailed instructions a little later in the evening. Thanks so much, all, I really appreciate this. :) Hopefully we'll manage to get through it and have an accurate list of stations very quickly.

- Trip

Peninsula is great, I will be up and do this, I tried to give up Panhandling in the 1960's....

Hey buddy can you spare an analog transmitter?

tripp - sign me for KS, MO, nebraska, Iowa, and the Dakotas (North and South)

Alright, you're listed. Just know that if someone like dline comes along who lives in Iowa I might bump you from that state to another one in the area. Is that alright with you?

- Trip

Peninsula is great, I will be up and do this, I tried to give up Panhandling in the 1960's....

Hey buddy can you spare an analog transmitter?

My head hurts worse now from banging it against my desk at your joke. :D

I have a very weak analog transmitter if you really, really want one. :D

- Trip

Alright, you're listed. Just know that if someone like dline comes along who lives in Iowa I might bump you from that state to another one in the area. Is that alright with you?

- Trip

Sure
- I orignally come from KS, still have most of my family out there

Trip,

I'm happy to help you out with whatever is left. (Falcon 77 called dibs on California.)

Since I'm on the Left Coast, midnight EST isn't too unreasonable.:D

Lemme know what you need help with.

My head hurts worse now from banging it against my desk at your joke. :D

I have a very weak analog transmitter if you really, really want one. :D

- Trip

Nah, I am going to that sledge hammer analog party the locals are throwing. I just want one of the tube (it has tubes) bases for a flower pot in the yard.

Don't forget to sent us instructions. Other wise pigs go looking for stuff to eat.

LOUISIANA DTV switch channels feb 17 2009

Trip,

I'm happy to help you out with whatever is left. (Falcon 77 called dibs on California.)

Since I'm on the Left Coast, midnight EST isn't too unreasonable.:D

Lemme know what you need help with.

I've given you OR, WA, and ID tentatively. Does that work for you?

- Trip

LOUISIANA DTV switch channels feb 17 2009

That's old data. The FCC has basically said that all of those don't count, and now we have to wait for all new filings. Tonight, Sunday night, and Monday night, after midnight eastern time is when that data will show up.

- Trip

Nah, I am going to that sledge hammer analog party the locals are throwing. I just want one of the tube (it has tubes) bases for a flower pot in the yard.

Don't forget to sent us instructions. Other wise pigs go looking for stuff to eat.

:D

This shouldn't be too bad. We're basically going to code the Analog Termination page, or at least parts of it.

As long as you can do a <strong> tag and a <br /> tag, this should be pretty simple. :D

- Trip

Washington and Oregon are fine.

Idaho, is that a declarative statement?:p

Seriously, I would be happy to help out with these three states in the Pacific Northwest. Like Piggie said, please let us know what you would like us to do and how you would like the data formatted.

trip wfaa counts as it was filed today so wfaa is dropping their analog 2/17/09

I'll take NC from Greensboro to the coast as well.

This really isn't going to take too long, is it ?

:D

This shouldn't be too bad. We're basically going to code the Analog Termination page, or at least parts of it.

As long as you can do a <strong> tag and a <br /> tag, this should be pretty simple. :D

- Trip

Just give me an exact template of what you want in format, where all I have to do is cut/paste field data.

Alright folks, I'm going to post now how I want the data formatted, and I figure you can either post it here since the forum won't parse the HTML tags, or e-mail it to me in a text file.

Here's a sample, if you have any questions about the formatting, post it and I'll clarify.

<strong>Virginia</strong><br />
<br />
Norfolk<br />
WVEC DT ABC 13 41 13 02/17/09 Belo<br />
WHRO DT PBS 15 16 16 02/17/09 <br />
<br />
Richmond<br />
WCVE DT PBS 23 42 42 02/17/09 Commonwealth<br />
WRLH DT FOX 35 26 26 02/17/09 Sinclair<br />
WCVW DT PBS 57 44 44 02/17/09 Commonwealth<br />
<br />

And so on. For clarity, here's what each column is:

Call sign, DT, network, analog channel, current digital channel, post-transition digital channel, date the station will go off analog, and owner.

The stations should be sorted by market (order doesn't matter, as long as they're separated into markets) and then by analog channel number.

If the station is an independent PBS (not part of a network), you don't need to list the owner. If the station is Independently owned and has no sister stations, you don't need to list the owner there either.

That should do it. :) Again, if there are any questions, let me know.

I'll post where to get the data a bit later, and probably clarify it after midnight if it moves as effseesee implied it would.

- Trip

I'm not too sure we're going to see very many tonight..

I'm not too sure we're going to see very many tonight..

We might not, but if not tonight, then DEFINITELY next week, when I'll have even less time (two tests Wednesday).

- Trip

So first we need to check for the SIlent STA, then look at each station's 387, right ?

So first we need to check for the SIlent STA, then look at each station's 387, right ?

Actually, I'm not even worried about the 387s at this point, just the silent STA and the date that's on it.

- Trip

Alright, so here's where to pick up the data:

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_sear.htm

After midnight eastern, you put in the current date (in the Eastern time zone) or tomorrow's date (in other time zones) for the Status Date field, and put it in both the beginning and ending fields. So for this run, we'll enter 02/06/2009. You can specify the state you're looking for in the State field.

Now I don't know exactly what we're looking for as far as filings go. If effseesee is correct, we'll be looking for Silent STAs and I will post further instructions here after midnight when one pops up.

The last important thing to remember is that the FCC site is very slow. Not only in terms of load time (where it's actually gotten better lately), but also in terms of data upload time. If you watch it like I do, you'll find the data comes up over a period ranging from minutes on days of few filings, to hours on days with a ton of them. The rate appears to be roughly 300 filings per hour, and this includes all filings (AM, FM, and TV). The first batch of 387s last February had me up past 3AM waiting for them all. Tonight should be pretty light, but even next week's filings shouldn't be as heavy as those were last year.

If there are any questions, let me know.

- Trip

Looking for clarification - since the FCC rules - if no apps come up for our states with the 2/6/09 date - then the states should be empty - wiping out any data that was collected before. Correct?

Looking for clarification - since the FCC rules - if no apps come up for our states with the 2/6/09 date - then the states should be empty - wiping out any data that was collected before. Correct?

Yes. If there are no applications for a given market, give it a heading and leave it blank. Like:

<strong>North Carolina</strong><br />
<br />
Wilmington<br />
<br />

- Trip

Oh, and relevant updates don't start coming in til about 15-20 minutes after midnight eastern. Before then you get a lot of Consummation Notices and Amendments.

- Trip

Trip,

Do you consider Macon, GA to be a part of SOUTH GA or NORTH GA?

GA DMA MAP (http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/georgia.gif)

~Alan

Also, will the ones that are posted tonight "count"? If the filing (signature) date was before today, probably not, right? ...or is anything with a status date of 2/6 or later considered "real."

<strong>Virginia</strong><br />
<br />
Norfolk<br />
WVEC DT ABC 13 41 13 02/17/09 Belo<br />
WHRO DT PBS 15 16 16 02/17/09 <br />
<br />
Richmond<br />
WCVE DT PBS 23 42 42 02/17/09 Commonwealth<br />
WRLH DT FOX 35 26 26 02/17/09 Sinclair<br />
WCVW DT PBS 57 44 44 02/17/09 Commonwealth<br />
<br />

- Trip

On my CBS affiliate's (WTVF Nashville, TN) newscast tonight, they have already announced that they will keep their analog channel 5 on until June 12. They said it was due to interference and "losing viewers". Below is the information.

<strong>Tennessee</strong><br />
<br />
Nashville<br />
WTVF DT CBS 05 56 05 06/12/09 Landmark<br />
<br />

NashDigie signing off.

Trip,

Do you consider Macon, GA to be a part of SOUTH GA or NORTH GA?

GA DMA MAP (http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/georgia.gif)

~Alan

Call Macon south.

If they're dated before today, they don't count. Check the filing number, the first part of it is based on the date. Hopefully they'll have something in them to specify that they're conforming to the new FCC policy. There may not be many of them today, but next week's should all be fair game.

Also, if stations say they're nightlighting, please make a separate note of it somewhere. I want to try to put together an accurate nightlight list.

- Trip

First headache of the evening. I have no idea if that KWTX application counts. I don't think it does.

WPGD filed an amendment to yesterday's maximization app and WTVM filed their application for channel 11, but those are unrelated to the analog shutoffs...

- Trip

I would think the KWTX doesn't either - and I would bet that if a station is serious about their plans they'll file more applications just to be on the safe side.

So far, nothing sticks out at me as applying. We may not be late enough in the day. (The filings show up in the order they were filed I think, from earlier to later)

- Trip