ARK Multicasting is taking low-power television (LPTV) to the next level with next-gen transmission, or ATSC 3.0, and ARK has selected Dielectric as its main antenna provider. Dielectric has built and stored Powerlite™ Series antennas for nearly 50 ARK stations. Many of them operate on UHF frequencies impacted by the low-power FCC repack. The deal also includes antennas for two repacked VHF stations, and 150 single TUA panels for non-repack UHF stations.
ARK’s 300 LPTV stations reach about one-third of U.S. households. The FCC project to make room in the broadcast band for wireless services displaced nearly 60 ARK stations in the broadcast repack. Those stations will be assigned new broadcast frequencies by September 2022. Within three years, ARK plans to upgrade the affected stations to ATSC 3.0 operation and offer datacasting services as well as its current religious programming.
Dielectric’s new range of ATSC 3.0-ready Powerlite slot and panel antennas has been designed specifically for U.S. LPTV broadcasters. To meet ARK’s need for antennas, Dielectric recalibrated its automated pole fabrication machine, originally built for full-power broadcasters impacted by the FCC repack, to accommodate low-power, pre-production workflows. As a result, low-power antennas can be built more efficiently and broadcasters can bring their displaced stations back online more quickly, according to Dielectric.
“Knowing those antennas are already in process helps ARK plan better for their upcoming installations,” said Cory Edwards, director of OEM, distributor, and Southeast Asia sales, Dielectric. “We also worked closely with ARK to make the FCC reimbursement process more efficient for their business and operational needs, which was critical to meeting their repack deadlines.”
Dielectric will ship DLP Series slot antennas and TUL Series panel antennas to ARK stations in the coming months. Dielectric worked closely with ARK engineers to develop custom patterns for each station based on coverage areas and market conditions.
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