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Radio World

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HD Radio Developer Takes Close Look at ZoneCasting

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 11:00 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/hd-radio-developer-takes-close-look-at-zonecasting


The FCC has received lots of feedback on the proposed technology from GeoBroadcast Solutions to allow FM stations to use boosters to originate programming on a limited basis, to provide geo-targeted content.

HD Radio developer Xperi told the FCC this week that the experimental field testing conducted by GBS to support its ZoneCasting technology presents an incomplete record of the system’s performance and validates Xperi’s concerns. In fact, Xperi went so far as to conduct its own field tests of
the booster technology earlier this year.

The FCC has been taking comment on studies submitted by GBS about booster operations at KSJO(FM) in San Jose, Calif., and WRBJ(FM) in Brandon, Miss.
We reported this week on the strong criticism of the tests from NAB and
many other broadcast groups, and on support for GBS from NABOB and MMTC.

Xperi also filed comments.

“The testing environment created by GBS did not sufficiently account for and/or evaluate all of the potentially problematic scenarios or test
routes,” Xperi told the FCC. “The Xperi testing did, however, confirm our hypothesis that the ZoneCasting system could cause significant disruption
to digital services (HD Radio availability) in transition regions. Left unabated, this disruption is likely to result in an unacceptable level of dissatisfaction among consumers and automotive manufacturers.” 

The GBS testing paints an “incomplete picture” regarding the performance of ZoneCasting regarding digital transmissions. Only one of the two  test stations, KSJO(FM), transmits an HD Radio Signal, according to Xperi.

In previous comments to the FCC, Xperi had expressed concern about digital-to-digital interference in the transition regions between zones. To investigate, Xperi said its employees worked with GBS to conduct field
tests designed to evaluate the impact on HD Radio reception performance at KSJO.

“Xperi’s more recent testing amplify Xperi’s concerns regarding the performance of the ZoneCasting system in transition zones. The disruption
to the listening experience was at times significant, and Xperi is very concerned that the potential benefits of ZoneCasting will be far outweighed
by an inevitable increase in listener complaints,” it wrote. 

Xperi’s tests were conducted on in late March of this year, and the results demonstrate that if “main and zone boosters are not properly synchronized, disruptive digital audio outages ranging in duration from a few seconds to
one minute are possible. The existence of digital dead zones underscores
the importance of establishing and maintaining proper synchronization of HD Radio boosters.” 

The HD Radio developer said its field tests demonstrated a generally
positive listener experience when driving within a zone, but it identified three potential issues that it said could have a profoundly negative impact
on the listener experience:

Prolonged interruptions to digital audio occurred after driving through a transition area from a strong main signal to a strong zone signal (or vice-versa), indicating that the main and zone signals were not
synchronized at the physical layer, resulting in digital dead zones.
Degradation in digital signal-to-noise ratio occurred in areas where main
and booster antennas broadcasting identical programs produced similar
signal levels, indicating digital-to-digital co-channel interference due to improper digital synchronization.
Routes were identified within a transition area where alternately acquired main and zone digital signals could result in frequent and disruptive
switching between main and zone audio programs for a significant length of time, even if the main and zone signals were fully synchronized.


Xperi told the FCC the interpretation by GBS of the data provided in its
KSJO test report was “overly positive and may have favored demonstration of successful outcomes.” And the company expressed concerns about whether the requisite standard of implementation can be achieved on a mass scale.

It concludes: “The commission must approach its evaluation of the
ZoneCasting system from the perspective that any disruption to the
listening experience is simply unacceptable.”

Reply comments in the rulemaking proceeding (RM-11854) are due June 21.

The post HD Radio Developer Takes Close Look at ZoneCasting appeared first
on Radio World.


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A Lifetime in Broadcast Tech

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 07:55 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/from-the-editor/a-lifetime-in-broadcast-tech


A word about James O’Neal, whose articles about technology and history are among our most popular features. His series about Franken FMs concludes in
this issue.

James has been involved in broadcast technology for more than half a
century, beginning in his early teens, when he worked at a commercial radio station in his hometown of Hope, Ark. 
James ONeal

He worked in radio and TV during high school and college, then began his engineering career after college in 1969. He spend 30+ years in U.S.
government television operations, including the U.S. Information Agency’s Television and Film Service, WorldNet Television and VOA-TV. Among other
things he helped launch Uncle Sam’s first global satellite-delivered TV network.

On retirement he began a second, decade-long chapter as technology editor
of TV Technology magazine, our sibling publication. 

Sought after as a speaker — even by the Smithsonian — James also restores consumer radio and TV items and commercial broadcasting equipment; he even built a working replica of the 1947-vintage small-town radio station where
he began his career. He holds both commercial and amateur radio licenses. 

Oh, and he is a Life Member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers … a Life Fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers … Life Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers … member of the IEEE’s Editorial Advisory Board …  editor-in-chief of BTS’s
Broadcast Technology publication … a manager of the Washington, D.C., SMPTE section … member of the SMPTE Board of Editors … an associate editor of the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal … member of the board of directors of the
Early Television Foundation Museum … an enthusiastic proponent of keeping broadcast history alive … a friend to Radio World … and a true gentleman.

We’re grateful to have him in the RW family.

Read the conclusion of ONeals three-part series on Franken FMs here. 

The post A Lifetime in Broadcast Tech appeared first on Radio World.


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Do "Frankens" Really Fit Into the Radio Ecosystem?

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 07:31 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/do-frankens-really-fit-into-the-radio-ecosystem


The FCC has opened a notice of proposed rulemaking intended to decide
whether FM6 stations have a permanent place in the U.S. broadcast landscape.

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel may have indicated which way she is leaning
on the issue when she previewed the NPRM by saying the commission would be “asking about preserving established local programming for radio audiences.” 

James O’Neal wrote about the new wave of FM6 stations in our March 30 and
May 11 issues. He concludes the series here; this article was prepared
prior to the release of the actual NPRM, summarized here and which you can
read here.

Although many thought “Franken FMs” would quickly fade from the scene when the FCC pulled the plug on the last of the analog Ch. 6 LPTV operations
last summer, this has not been the case. 

By now several of the new wave of ATSC 3.0 digital TV/87.75 MHz FM audio broadcasters are going strong, enabled via some 21st century RF filtering technology and FCC-issued STAs, of which 13 have been issued. 

The original (analog Ch. 6 video/FM audio carrier) Frankens certainly drew their share of comments from the radio broadcast community, and now this
new wave of hybrid DTV/analog FM operations is coming under scrutiny, with
some sharply divided opinions. 

We begin with comments from the implementer of the first of these “second-gen” Frankens.
AN OWNER’S PERSPECTIVE

Possibly the biggest proponent of the hybrid DTV/FM technology is Paul
Koplin, CEO of Venture Technologies, which owns KBKF(LD), a San Jose,
Calif. low-power Ch. 6 TV station that switched on its ATSC 3.0 DTV/analog
FM operation in March of 2021.

“When we converted to digital [TV broadcasting], we thought about the best way to achieve a hybrid model and to the FCC, this works well,” said
Koplin. There’s no interference between the two services per FCC rules.”

Koplin observed that VHF TV spectrum — especially the low-band Channels 2 through 6 — has become “low-rent” real estate due to the ever-increasing amount of manmade noise in that region, and says these new Frankens are
able to wring some utility out of this region.

“This spectrum was a lemon and [with the hybrid broadcasting] we made it
into lemonade,” said Koplin. “It’s a win-win solution.”

He noted that the initial STA on which KBKF was operating had been renewed,
and looked forward to the day when the FCC officially recognized Ch. 6
hybrid broadcasting by codifying rules and regulations for it. In doing so, this would become an additional revenue stream for the commission.

“The FCC is getting additional revenue from what we’re doing as we’re paying supplemental fees,” he said, adding that “there’s no technical reason for anyone to oppose this. We’ve had no technical issues, and there’ve been no interference complaints. No major radio groups are
opposing this sort of operation, only NPR. They don’t want anyone to the
left of their dial position.” [In fact the National Association of Broadcasters and other major broadcast groups have filed vocal opposition.]

Koplin expects other Ch. 6 licensee to follow his lead, and perhaps even
build on it by providing services that go beyond radio and television.

“It’s one step at a time right now,” he said. “We’re the first in the country to provide this service. The Channel 6 supplemental use case we’ve established is a pathway for other stations to use their spectrum for even
more innovative services.”
Triveni Digital StreamScope screenshot displaying video and data about the
ATSC 3.0 TV signal being transmitted by KBKF(LD), the first implementer of “second-gen” FM6 “Franken” broadcasting. (The station was transmitting two
independent video streams at the time of the screen capture in late March 2021.)
OTHER BROADCASTERS WEIGH IN

“I just wish I’d thought of it!” remarked Chuck Conrad, the owner and general manager of Tyler-Longview, Texas radio stations KZQX(FM), KDOK(AM)
and KYZX, when asked for his take on the Franken resurgence.
Chuck Conrad

“If nothing else, I admire the ingenuity of whoever first implemented it. I’m sure a lot of other broadcasters will disagree with me because the industry doesn’t like additional competition. Why would they? If people are listening to the Franken FMs, it means they are not listening to their
station. It’s a simple as that.”

A lot of objections past and present stem from potential interference to existing broadcast operations, and this concern is registered in the STAs
under which the new Frankens are operating. Conrad was asked about this possible downside.

“When these Franken FM stations were riding along with an analog Channel 6
TV signal, the reports of interference to the lower end of the FM band were
few and far between,” he said. “As far as I know, all were resolved. Some of those stations became quite successful. I see no reason to not give them
the blessing of the commission.”
Aaron Read

Aaron Read, the IT and engineering director at Rhode Island Public Radio,
has a different opinion. Read, speaking only for himself and not for his employer, says the technology that’s enabling these new hybrid broadcasters might be valid, but the application of it is not.

“Technology is a tool, and tools are value-neutral,” said Read. “It’s how
you use the tool that matters. And that’s why I have a problem with this
use of the tech. It has nothing whatsoever to do with providing any
television service, much less an improved television service. It’s merely
an end-run around all the existing rules for creating FM radio stations.
And worse, it bypasses most of the technical rules that protect FM radio stations from interfering with each other, and it also bypasses the FCC fee structure that the agency depends on for its operating revenue.” 

Dave Kolesar, a senior broadcast engineer at Washington’s WTOP and Federal News Network, shares the belief that the first- and second-gen Frankens are
a somewhat misdirected application of technology for creating an FM radio service.
Dave Kolesar (Credit: Jim Peck)

Kolesar, also speaking for himself and not on behalf of his employer,
stated: “I think the evidence for this is based upon the fact that in the analog days such operations were generally not marketed to the public as television stations, and so 6 MHz of RF spectrum was effectively allocated
for just one analog FM signal. 

“In an ideal world,” he said, “I’d like to see 87.7 and 87.9 opened to commercial FM service if there are no TV stations on Channel 6 in the area.
In that ideal world, a Ch. 6 TV station could surrender its TV license and apply for an FM license on that channel.” 

He added that he did not favor a downwards expansion of the current FM band
to occupy all of the TV Ch. 6 region, as there are no readily available receivers that cover this. He also feels that any new radio broadcasting spectrum allocations should be for digital services.

[Related: Letter: We Don’t Need This Franken]
RULES NEEDED

Given the apparently popularity of these new DTV/analog FM stations, the
FCC seems obliged to make a binding decision about them, rather than
continue to renew STAs.

“I think if this concept is allowed to stand in any form,” Aaron Read said, “it’ll be inevitable that the FCC will be ‘forced’ to legitimize them, and
also that you’ll see greater proliferation of LPTV-6s operating as ‘Franken FMs,’” said Read. “I put ‘forced’ in quotes since they are, of course,
‘forcing’ themselves by not blocking this service from existing in the first place.

“There has always been a strong ‘pro-TV at the expense of FM’ bias written
into the Part 73 rules in the Code of Federal Regulations,” he continued. “But more than that, there literally is no regulatory structure in place to manage interference from these ‘Franken FMs.’”

He said regulation 47 CFR 73.525 has many rules and engineering specs, but they’re all in reference to the NTSC television standard, which no longer exists. 

“There [are] no rules for dealing with ATSC. How is anyone supposed to know when prohibited interference is legally occurring? And to say that these TV stations ‘aren’t allowed to interfere’ with FM is wildly disingenuous. How
are FM stations supposed to prove that interference exists? By listener complaints? Does the FCC seriously expect your average listener to even realize when they’re hearing interference, much less recognize what the interference is, and know enough to contact the FM radio station about it?

“At a bare minimum, if the FCC is going to allow this terrible idea to proceed, a complete rewrite of 47 CFR 73.525 is an absolute necessity so
that FM stations have something to fall back on.”
NPR’S POSITION

National Public Radio long been critical of Frankens due to the proximity
of their 87.75 MHz operating frequency to that of non-commercial broadcast allocations, and it has filed objections about their operation. 

Asked about its stance on this second wave of Frankens, Marta McLellan
Ross, the organization’s vice president of government and external affairs responded: “NPR continues to monitor the use of STAs and whether
interference occurs as a result of their use. We remain vigilant for any actions that would result in interference with our member stations’ ability to reach their audiences.” 

[The FCC said in the new NPRM that it wants comments on an NPR proposal
that the commission should license additional NCE FM radio stations on 82–
88 MHz in areas where Channel 6 LPTV and full-power stations are not operating.]

[Related: NPR Hopes Franken FM Resolution Includes New NCE Stations]
THE FCC WAITS AND WATCHES

As for the FCC’s position, a commission spokesperson provided this
statement in May, prior to release of the NPRM:

“The provision of so-called ‘FM6 services’ has been going on for over a decade. Today, there are actually fewer stations that are operating in this manner. We have permitted these stations to continue operating pursuant to STAs, as we evaluate the technical, legal and policy issues surrounding
these services. 

“In mid-2021, with the LPTV digital transition deadline fast approaching,
the Media Bureau began granting six-month digital engineering STAs to some
of the previous analog FM6 stations,” the spokesperson continued.

“This was an effort to minimize consumer disruption by allowing these previous analog FM6 stations to continue their FM6 operations after they converted to digital. To date, only 13 of the original analog FM6 stations
have been granted these digital engineering STAs. The previous analog FM6 stations were required to convert to ATSC 3.0 digital operations and could continue FM6 operations separately through the six-month digital
engineering STA. These STAs were granted with several conditions to ensure
that there would be no harmful interference to other users and to also
ensure that the station fulfilled its obligation to provide TV programming
to its TV audience.”

The spokesperson said stations are required to report every three months on
any interference complaints they had received, and that none of the
stations has reported interference to date. Several of the STAs have been renewed for an additional six months since their initial grants.
WHERE WILL IT END? (OR WILL IT END?)

Just as with about everything else these days, there seems to be no middle ground concerning these hybrid digital TV/analog FM operations. 

It would seem that the appeal to operators is biased on the radio side due
to the potential ad revenue, a decline in off-air TV viewers, the relative scarcity of ATSC 3.0 receivers and the limited availability of LPTV
stations on cable systems. 

However, this could change, making television broadcasting activities more viable. Also, given the continuing shift away from analog broadcasting,
perhaps it’s just a matter of time before Major Armstrong’s wonderful, 90-year-old, interference-free broadcasting modality will be relegated to
the history books; if so, even these “second-gen” Frankens will have no relevance and there will no longer be an issue. Only time will tell. 

Meanwhile, these hybrid DTV/FM stations continue to attract niche audiences
and generate operating revenues for their owners or operators. 

[Related: Radio World Editor in Chief Paul McLane celebrates James ONeal]

Comment on this or any article. Email radioworld@futurenet.com with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line.

The post Do “Frankens” Really Fit Into the Radio Ecosystem? appeared first on Radio World.


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Letter: We Dont Need This Franken

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 07:04 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/readers-forum/letter-we-dont-need-this-franken


Dear Radio World readers,

I am concerned that adding a Franken FM in the Fresno, Calif., market will
be a problem for the only free-speech station in the Central Valley, 88.1
KFCF, also in Fresno.

How can an adjacent channel be added so close to a long-established
community resource?

As a long-time engineer and community radio builder, I feel that deleting Channel 6 and opening up the band for more non-commercial LOCAL
broadcasting is the correct course.

Its bad enough now with so many HD signals causing digital chainsaw-type
static to adjacent stations already. New voices should be the priority, not more channels for the same old owners who have failed to retain the
listeners.

Brad Johnson

A retired chief engineer

[Check Out More Letters at Radio World’s Reader’s Forum Section]

The post Letter: We Don’t Need This Franken appeared first on Radio World.

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