Download Lower Power Television Project Information

Start a LPTV Station

To start a LPTV station, the very first step is to determine exactly what frequencies are available in your area. Just like the radio station process, we must run a Frequency Search (see the LPTV Frequency Search Agreement).

Low Power Television Project Information

The Federal Communications Commission action in Docket No. 86-286 concerning Low Power Television Broadcasting has generated a great deal of interest in the ranks of potential users.

The signal from a low power station, whether VHF or UHF, will travel to the horizon, but very little beyond. Except in very small areas, the maximum permissible power will generally be worthwhile. It will provide the best possible signal to the public within the coverage area but generally it will not increase the coverage area significantly. Increased transmitting antenna height increases the distance to the horizon but the cost of the transmission line and installation cost all go up rapidly with height. In addition, the transmission line absorbs power in proportion to its length, particularly at UHF. A practical limit is generally reached at 400 to 500 feet.

In flat open terrain with a 400 foot antenna height, an easily received signal will be available at 20 miles and homes which will make an effort to receive the signal should get it out to 30 miles. In urban areas the coverage, while hard to estimate, will be less due to man made obstructions and noise.

VHF & UHF Comparisons
VHF Transmitting antennas are much larger than UHF antennae. Man made interference, especially from power lines and automobile ignitions, frequently cause interference to low power signals. Long distance co-channel interference (skip) is a problem from time-to-time especially on low VHF channels (2-6). High power FM stations can interfere with LPTV stations on Channels 6 thru 13.

Occasionally a power level of 100 watts will be available. More often, powers of two to ten watt outputs are the maximum that can be used.

In general, UHF channels will be free of man made and natural interference. High gain transmitting antennas are readily available and are relatively small. However, UHF signals do not penetrate foliage or buildings as well as VHF, and the equipment is more expensive with respect to both initial cost and operation (maintenance and electrical power).

Microwave Options to Increase Coverage
Licenses of LPTV stations or translators are eligible for microwave relay frequencies in three bands as defined in part 74 of the FCC rules: Band A at 2Gc, Band C at 8Gc and Band D at 13Gc. Most microwave installations use .5 watt equipment, which is quite expensive. There is good quality 20 milliwatt microwave equipment available which can be used satisfactorily for path lengths not exceeding 10 miles (less in areas of very heavy rainfall and more in dry areas). However it is a widely accepted and successful practice to run translators in chains up to four or five repeats, and such an arrangement will generally be more economical.

Application Requirements
Any qualified individual or group may apply for a television translator station seeking a waiver for low power features. Qualification is based upon compliance with the statutory requirements with respect to citizenship, finance qualifications, and technical standards. An applicant must show sources of funds readily available and equal in amount to the estimated cost of equipment and installation, plus the cost of operation for three months.

As to technical requirements, all transmitting apparatus proposed to be utilized must meet the requirements for type approval by the Commission as set forth in the Rules. In addition, each proposal must contain a complete, detailed diagram and narrative statement describing the technical aspects of the application. The showing must include an analysis of the interference potential for the frequency selected. Such studies, as a rule, can be made only by a qualified broadcast technician. The Commission's staff is not available for technical assistance to prospective applicants and the staff will only give advice on application procedures. It is highly recommended that prospective applicants for TV translators with low power features, retain competent broadcast technical help in planning and submitting applications. Only those applications that are engineered with care and certified by a technically qualified firm will be accepted for filing and processed.

Financial Requirements
A low cost, local television station can be equipped for under $150,000. This is much less than a conventional high power television station, and often much less than the cost of a radio station. Financing is available up to 90% and leasing programs for equipment are available to entities with good credit. Your actual cast outlay prior to going on the air may be as little as $40,000.

Any individual or group may serve the community with such a television station. Such an investor can build equity in a bonafide television broadcast station that can become worth many times the initial investment.

Procedures too have been simplified with a view to cutting both the cost and the time involved. Comparative merit of programs or technical proposals will not carry any weight in considering an application. However, the Commission does place an emphasis upon the "complete and sufficient" manner in which an application is prepared. There is also a special effort to avoid the lengthy and expensive hearing process through lotteries, which can make the time involved in obtaining a permit significantly reduced. The addition of these mini-stations reflects the Commission's emphasis upon fuller service to rural communities, special interest groups, ethnic, educational, and other specialized audiences. A welcome feature of this new service will be access to the viewing public by local advertisers at prices they can afford.

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