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The Honorable Tom Wheeler
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445 12th Street, NW 11l-f\L\~
Washington, DC 20554 l)U'~'
Re: GN Docket No. 12-268 . nl ;~
FCC File No. BPRM-20110526AJO (WCYB Channel Change Petition) ~~'~jJ
Dear Chairman Wheeler: ~ \O.N1f'T
We are writing to share our concern about the FCC's delay in acting on the request ofWCYB,
located in Bristol, Virginia, to move from its low VHF channel to a UHF channel. We
understand that WCYB' s request was on file with the FCC prior to May 31, 2011, the date when
the FCC said it would not accept future, similar petitions but committed to processing petitions
already on file.
We believe action on this petition would be entirely consistent with the Spectrum Act, which
appears to be the basis for the FCC's inaction to date.
The FCC has repeatedly acknowledged difficulties with VHF digital television reception,
particularly for low VHF digital stations such as WCYB. We are concerned these problems are
depriving viewers of access to WCYB' s local news programming, emergency information,
emergency alerts, and network and other content.
We've heard directly from WCYB, which is eager to construct superior UHF facilities. The
station has also expressed concern that as manufacturers phase out production of VHF
equipment, equipment failures could result in long signal outages and the need to design and
manufacture custom replacement equipment.
We encourage the FCC to process this petition in a timely manner, allowing for the station to
continue providing viewers with reliable, robust, and free television service. If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact Tiffany Haverly (Roe) or Corban Teague (Griffith) in our
Washington offices. Thank you for your assistance and attention in this matter.
Sincerely,
Phil Roe, M.D.
Member of Congress
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