Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1956)

41. In a Notice of Proposed Rule Making adopted June 22, 1955, (Docket No. 11433, FCC 55-705), the Commission requested comments on a proposal to raise the maximum power of UHF television stations from 1000 kw to 6000 kw, and to substitute new curves in Figures 3 and 4 of Section 3.699 of the Rules governing reduction of power for antenna heights exceeding 2000 feet. In a Further Report and Order adopted on December 14, 1955, the foregoing rule making proceeding was incorporated as part of the general television allocation proceeding under Docket No. 11532, and the proposal is accordingly before us for review in the instant proceeding. After careful examination of the comments which have been submitted in support of and in opposition to these proposals the Commission has concluded, in the light of the decisions reached in this proceeding, that the public interest would be served by increasing the maximum power of UHF stations to 5000 kw. It has accordingly decided to amend the relevant rules, including the curves already mentioned, in Figures 3 and 4 of Section 3.699. Equipment is now available and in use which yields effective radiated power of 1000 kw for UHF stations. Encouraging experiments have been conducted with UHF transmissions at 4500 kw and even higher power. The increase at this time in the maximum power authorized for UHF stations seems particularly appropriate in view of the importance attached to the research and development program already discussed. 42. In a Further Report and Order adopted November 30, 1955, (Docket Nos. 11181 and 11532, FCC 55-1198), the Commission brought within this general television allocation proceeding the proposal to increase the antenna height at which maximum power could be authorized for VHF television stations in Zone I. Previously, on July 20, 1955 (Report and Order, Docket No. 11181, FCC 55-802), the Commission had announced the adoption of an amendment to Section 3.614(b) of the rules which would permit VHF television stations in Zone I to use maximum power at antenna heights up to 1250 feet, instead of up to 1000 feet as provided in the rules. The effective date for that amendment was designated as August 31, 1955. This effective date was subsequently extended in a series of Orders issued prior to November 30, 1955, at which time the Commission vacated the Report and Order of July 20, 1955 and made the record in Docket No. 11181 part of this general television allocation proceeding. The rule making proposal under the former Docket No. 11181 is accordingly before us for decision. 43. In re-examining this proposal we have again carefully reviewed the comments, supporting and opposing the change. We have also considered a number of petitions for reconsideration or for stay of our Report and Order of July 20, 1955 (Docket No. 11181).’ We also have considered the issues concerning maximum antenna heights and powers for VHF stations in Zone I in the light of the conclusions reached in this proceeding concerning the measures which will best facilitate the building and operation of greater numbers of television stations in both large and small markets. This objective is paramount, and furnishes the basis for our conclusion that it would be undesirable to alter the antenna height and power maxima at this time. As we pointed out in our Report and Order of July 20, 1955, there were cogent reasons for rejecting, in the Sixth Report and Order, proposals to permit all stations to use maximum power at 2000 feet, irrespective of location. In that document the ronimission adverted to the lower separations in Zone I, the shorter distances between cities, and the need for • Piled by Elm City Broadcasting Corporation, The Air Transport A.ssoclatlon of America, The Ultra High Preqency Coordinating Committee, Greylock Broadcasting Company (WMGT), Springfield Television Broadcasting Corporation (WWIJ’), Plains Television Corporation (WICS), The Helm Coal Company (WNOW-TV), Rossmoyne Corporation (WCMB-TV), Southern Connecticut and Long Island Television Company (WICC-TV). I more data on operations over 1000 feet. The pattern of VHF stations in Zone I is now well established on the basis of the height and power rules adopted in 1952 when the Sixth Report and Order was issued. 44. The comments and data submitted in the instant proceeding also indicate that to some extent, the overlap of service areas tends to diminish the opportunities for j the building and successful operation of a larger number I of stations, both in the VHF and UHF bands, in smaller communities neighboring the larger metropolitan areas. The power increases sought for Zone I would tend to ! augment these effects of overlapping of service areas. In these circumstances, taking into account the objective of facilitating the construction and operation of a larger number of television stations, the Commission has come to the conclusion that it would be preferable not to adopt even the compromise increase contemplated in our Report and Order of July 20, 1955. In reaching this decision, the Commission has borne in mind not only the possible impact of the change on UHF stations in Zone I, but also the needless burdens which would be thrust on VHF stations, which would be faced with the alternatives of sustaining increased interference from co-channel stations taking advantage of the proposed rule change^ or of increasing the heights of their own antennas in order to offset it. Owing to the added cost, local zoning restrictions and air space considerations not all VHF stations in Zone I would find it possible to increase their antenna heights. Thus this proposal would tend to unbalance the established pattern of VHF service in Zone I, a result which would not be justified by the extension of service areas which the amendment might make possible in a relatively few cases. 45. In our Memorandum Opinion and Order adopted December 14, 1955, we listed five petitions which related directly to the matters under review in the general television allocation and which we announced we would, accordingly, consider in these proceedings. It is now appropriate to consider these petitions in the light of the decisions reached herein. The petition filed April 18, 1955, by Albert J. Balusek of San Antonio, Tex. has already been disposed of. The remaining 4 are dealt with in the succeeding paragraphs. 46. On June 21, 1955, the. UHF Industry Coordinating Committee requested that the Commission amend the rules so as to permit the authorization of VHF stations on a case-to-case basis at lower separations than are permitted at present. Whether such authorizations were processed on a case-to-case basis or on the basis of a general reduction of minimum separations, the Commission has concluded, for the reasons already given, that the authorization of additional VHF stations at sub-standard transmitter spacings would not be desirable. 47. On October 17, 1955 the Ultra High Frequency Industry Coordinating Committee filed a separate petition requesting, inter alia, that the Commission consider the television allocations problem under a broad rule making proceeding. The instant rule making proceeding corresponds with that requested by the petitioner. The Ultra High Frequency Industry Coordinating Committee also requested the deferment of authorizations or modifications of authorizations which would increase intermixture pending the conduct of the general proceeding. That portion of the petition is now moot, since we are now terminating this proceeding. 48. On October 7, 1966, the American Broadcasting Company filed a petition requesting the deintermixture of some communities, the reduction of VHF separations and other revisions to the present rules. These proposals of the American Broadcasting Company have been super , ^ eded by comments filed under the instant proceeding, j It is not necessary, therefore, to give separate consideia1 tions to this petition. 7