NPR Seeks Immediate Interim 10dB Power Increase

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

In a filing with the FCC, National Public Radio (NPR) is asking the Commission for an interim, immediate power increase of up to 10dB for HD Radio signals, contending the boost would not damage or interfere with existing analog broadcasts. However, NPR's plan limits power increases based on station spacing to limit any IBOC (in-band on-channel) interference to the existing 1% power level.

The NPR plan was included in comments to the FCC in response to the Commissions' Public Notice soliciting a second round of comments on the proposed one size fits all 10 dB across-the-board power increase.

NPR's position has not changed as it generally supports increasing HD transmission power provided it is based on a managed regulatory policy (spacing rules would apply rather than a free for all without regard to consequences to analog neighbors). NPR feels this approach is essential to avoid harmful interference to analog radio services.

"NPR is committed to the successful implementation of HD Radio by increasing IBOC power to improve HD Radio coverage in a way that preserves existing analog service," said NPR President/CEO Vivian Schiller.

"It is indeed possible to boost HD broadcasting power and protect our current analog services that bring radio to 235 million Americans," said NPR CTO/Executive Director of NPR Labs Mike Starling. "It simply isn't necessary to degrade our analog broadcasting signals as we bring needed improvements to HD radio coverage."

Additional testing by NPR Labs is currently well under way and will produce the technical basis and methodology for authorizing stations to increase IBOC transmission power. Given how soon that testing will be completed -- approximately 2 months -- NPR urged the Commission to defer acting on any unilateral, across-the-board power increase.