(The following is associated with a recent CGC Communicator newsletter, and is from Burt Weiner.)
I read the comments regarding Franken-FM’s.
Q. Regarding FCC Rule 73.653 mentioned in Randy’s article, what in the [heck] was the FCC thinking in allowing separate audio, unrelated to the visual content?
A. FCC Rule 73.653 is entitled, “Operation of TV aural and visual transmitters” and reads as follows:
“The aural and visual transmitters may be operated independently of each other or, if operated simultaneously, may be used with different and unrelated program material.”
One reader recalls that this rule was created specifically to help over-the-air Pay TV get off the ground at a time when UHF-TV was in financial distress and cable TV was coming on strong with pay channels. [Another reader believes that Channel 52 on Mt. Wilson may have been pay at one time and says, "Weren't they called, "On-TV" or something like that?"] The bottom line is that there was never any talk about using this rule to allow TV stations to become FM stations. Anyone attempting to use this rule for that purpose today should research the history of the rule. Further, Part 73 rules do not necessarily apply to LPTV stations, so careful research is needed there as well.
Burt Weiner says:
The FCC should also look at the original ruling and justification for allowing separate visual and aural content. This came about as a direct result of Oak Orion’s over the air TV scrambling when they, Oak Orion, petitioned the FCC to allow them to use the un modulated aural signal as a “Barker” to advise viewers that what they were seeing was a scrambled program and how to subscribe. Unfortunatley, there’s probably no one left at the FCC who would remember the justification for this rule. The rule should also have gone on to say under what circumstances this would be allowed. It really should’ve been on a station by station basis STA.
The FCC also needs to read and understand their own rules regarding television’s aural “Main Channel” deviation limits. These rules equally apply to LP TV stations.
Burt
Burt I. Weiner Associates
Broadcast Technical Services
Glendale, California U.S.A.
biwa(at)att.net
www.biwa.cc
K6OQK
