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WiFi Signals In Between Television Frequencies

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the will-this-work dept.

compgenius3 writes "The FCC unanimously voted today to allow wireless providers to use the frequencies between television stations to broadcast WiFi in rural areas. Broadcasters argue that this will cause interference on television stations but the FCC chairman says otherwise." Update: 05/18 23:40 GMT by T : compgenius3 points out NAB president Edward Fritts' skepticism of the plan, as reflected in this press release citing fears of intereference to over-the-air broadcasts.

4 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. A valid concern by erick99 · · Score: 5, Informative
    From my experience as a ham radio operator (KE3PB) I know that RF interference is certainly possible unless every precaution (and then some...) is taken. There can be harmonics, spurious signals, oscillators, etcInterference in this case is a very valid concern but one that can be adequately addressed if all parties work cooperatively together.

    Happy Trails!

    Erick

    --
    http://www.busyweather.com/
    1. Re:A valid concern by mstovenour · · Score: 5, Informative

      I agree. The current regulatory environment makes it more and more important to have abuse monitoring and enforcement of the strict transmission rules. However, I only see regulations loosening up with no effort to extend monitoring and enforcement. This trend is likely to result in serious problems from the consumer's perspective.

      I live in an area that is already targeted by wide area WiFi and other technologies. I occasionally experience 1 or 2 hours where I cannot receive broadcast TV, FM radio, or even weather alert radio broadcasts. During the event I cannot receive broadcasts at my home or FM radio in my car within a mile or so. I strongly suspect that it is a wireless operator in my local area but proving it will take some serious effort on my part. I always notice when the event begins because my wireless mouse stops working.

  2. Re:What about FM? by Professor_Quail · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yes, channel 6 is 83.25 Mhz, channel 7 is 175.25 MHz...channels 2-6 are 'VHF-LO' and 7-13 is 'VHF-HI'

    UHF starts at channel 14 @ 471.25 MHz...

    See this page for more info.

  3. Re:What about FM? by jgabby · · Score: 5, Informative

    The TV stations aren't pissed off at the FM stations because TV and FM don't have to share any spectrum, and FM is also a licensed and regulated service. There is a nearly 100 MHz break between channels 6 and 7 used for FM, Aircraft navigation and communication, and various other things.

    This is different because it proposes using 'unused tv channels' to carry unlicensed signals. (Take note that this is also different from what is implied in the headline...this is not 'the space between TV channels,' it is full channels.)