A group of broadcasters and equipment manufacturers now has formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to approve increasing the allowable FM IBOC digital operating power by up to 10 dB, from the current –20 dB to –10 dB.
That is the equivalent of an increase from 1% to 10% of a station’s authorized analog power.
Radio World has reported this was a major topic during the spring NAB convention and that a request was likely; proponents say more such requests are expected and they hope the commission will put the proposal out for public comment in a rulemaking process.
Equipment manufacturers on the filing to the FCC include Harris, BE, Nautel and Continental.
Broadcasters making the request include American Public Media, Backyard Broadcasting, Beasley, Black Crow Media Group; Bonneville, CBS, Clear Channel, Commonwealth Broadcasting, Commonwealth Public Broadcasting, Cox, Emmis, Entercom, Greater Media, Journal, Lincoln Financial Media, NRG Media, Radio One and WNYC.
Ibiquity and CBS submitted studies to back up the request which they say demonstrate that the requested power increase will help improve radio’s digital FM performance “with minimal risk of harmful interference to existing analog service.”
See ongoing coverage of the HD Radio power increase issue in Radio World.
