*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 34074* 1 PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION News Media Information: (202) 418- 0500 445 12th STREET, S. W. Fax- On- Demand: (202) 418- 2830 WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov DA 03- 3898 December 8, 2003 MM Docket No. 99- 325 COMMENT SOUGHT ON USE OF SEPARATE ANTENNAS TO INITIATE DIGITAL FM TRANSMISSIONS Comment Date: January 8, 2004 Reply Comment Date: January 23, 2004 On July 24, 2003, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) submitted a report to the Commission regarding the use of separate antennas for the analog and digital components of the hybrid FM IBOC signal. 1 The report includes field tests prepared by an ad hoc technical group, and recommends that the Commission permit certain FM stations implementing IBOC transmissions to use separate antennas for analog and digital signals. The NAB report is available electronically at http:// www. fcc. gov/ cgb/ ecfs under MM Docket No. 99- 325, or from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Qualex International, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room CY- B402, Washington, DC, 20554, 202- 863- 2893. We seek comment on the conclusions and recommendations made by the NAB report. Stations may voluntarily initiate hybrid IBOC transmissions upon notification to the Commission. The initial grant of interim IBOC authority restricted stations to use of facilities similar to those evaluated by the National Radio Systems Committee. 2 As a result, stations are currently restricted to transmission systems that combine the digital and analog signals into one antenna. 3 Many 1 The term “hybrid” refers to a system which transmits both the digital and analog signals within the spectral emission mask of a single AM or FM channel. 2 Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and Their Impact on the Terrestrial Broadcast Service, 17 FCC Rcd 19990, 20004 (2002) (“ IBOC Order”); see also IBOC Notification Procedures Effective Immediately, Public Notice, 18 FCC Rcd 5029 (2003). 3 When a single antenna is used for IBOC, the analog and digital FM signals may be combined after amplification (high- level combining), a method which results in substantial power losses for the digital signal. Stations with lower effective radiated power may combine the analog and digital signals before amplification 1 3 Suite 110, Washington, DC, 20002, in accordance with 47 C. F. R. § 1.1206( b)( 1). In addition, one copy of each ex parte memorandum should be delivered to each of the following locations: (1) the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Qualex International, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room 2- B450, Washington, DC, 20554. Copies of the reports and any subsequently filed documents in this matter may be obtained electronically at http:// www. fcc. gov/ e- file/ ecfs. html, and on paper from Qualex International during normal business hours in the Commission’s Reference Information Center located at 445 12 th Street, SW, Room CY- A257, Washington, DC, 20554. For additional information, contact Edward De La Hunt or Ann Gallagher at the Audio Division, Media Bureau at (202) 418- 2700. By: Chief, Media Bureau -FCC- 3