Talk:Channel 6 radio stations in the United States

A couple technical questions

I don't have a technical background, so I would be interested in some informed thoughts about the FCC regulations adopted on July 20, 2023: "Fifth Report and Order: In the Matter of Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission's Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television and Television Translator Stations" (FCC 23-58, MB Docket No. 03-185, Adopted: July 20, 2023, Released: July 20, 2023)

• The audio for analog TV 6 was an FM signal that was assigned, if I've done research right, to a bandwidth "swing" of 50 MHz, centered at 87.75 MHz. The new FCC standards refer to "on 87.75", without any reference to bandwidth or center frequency. So, does it make sense to continue to refer to an FM6 station's "center frequency"?

• With limited ways to measure coverage comparisons of the TV and FM signals, and, unlike analog TV, no relative power limits described, is the phrase "the service contour of FM6 operations to be contained within, and may not exceed, the LPTV station’s protected contour" largely empty words, allowing a savvy engineer to expand the FM signal beyond the practical TV coverage? Especially if no one complains.

Thomas H. White (talk) 01:22, 21 July 2023 (UTC)

Not a broadcast engineer, but my understanding is 1) yes, 87.75 MHz remains the center frequency and 2) no, the coverage for the audio cannot extend beyond the licensed reach of the TV station. That said, since it is an analog signal, the ability to tune the signal on the fringe of the coverage area will be greater than for a (digital) TV signal. —Carter (Tcr25) (talk) 02:22, 21 July 2023 (UTC)