Funferal

Break for LPFM?

According to posts on the Stubblefield list, the ‘Mitre’ report for the FCC is due for publication tomorrow. This report examined the impact of third-channel adjacent signals on broadcasters, and seemingly found that they have no impact. There is no easy link to the files, but how’s this excerpt:

In summary, based both on the measured data and the theoretical analysis, MITRE has concluded that LPFM stations can be operated on third-adjacent channels with respect to existing “Full Power” FM (FPFM) stations provided that relatively modest distance separations are maintained between any LPFM station and receivers tuned to the potentially affected FPFM station. These required separations are on the order of a few tens of meters in the best case, to slightly more than a kilometer in the worst case. MITRE has determined, based both on the field measurements and its own theoretical analysis, that no case of harmful third-adjacent LPFM interference will exist outside of an area with a radius of 1100 m surrounding the LPFM antenna, for an LPFM transmitter Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of 100 W or less and an LPFM antenna height of 30 m or less.

This is significant as the third-channel issue was raised by NAB and NPR in opposing the licensing of LPFM stations, and as a result Congress enacted legislation that severely limited the number of LPFM stations which could be licensed (this survey is a result of that legislation).
The FCC is looking for comments within the next 60 days.