Dielectic TFU-WB broadband side-mount antennas
“Based on our experience with the DTV transition years ago, we know that tower crews and RF transmission equipment will be in great demand as broadcasters all push at once to relocate their channels,” said Dielectric VP/GM Keith Pelletier. That’s why American Tower Corporation just placed a $3.9 million order with Dielectric for TFU-WB Broadband, side-mount antennas plus transmission line to prepare for the upcoming TV channel repack.
AMT wanted its own inventory for its 150 broadcast tenants. “American Tower made a commitment over two years ago to the U.S. TV industry and the FCC to be as prepared as possible for the construction challenges associated with the 39-month repack construction period,” said AMT VP Broadcast Peter Starke.
Dielectric’s TFU-WB antenna is newly-developed and both ATSC 3.0 and DVB-T2 ready. Compared to UHF panel antennas, the TFU-WB offers 75 percent less wind load, lower overall weight and cost-efficiency, according to the company. With its high power input, it can handle multiple stations’ transmissions at one time.
AMT realized that RF transmission suppliers need long lead times to acquire and fabricate large, rigid coax transmission materials into finished product. By placing its order now with Dielectric, AMT is assured it will have the RF transmission components needed for repack and ATSC.3.0-ready projects. AMT’s order includes three runs of 1,500-foot six-inch transmission line, as well as eight runs of 1,500-foot eight-inch transmission line, which will be used in conjunction with the transitional antennas.
Starke said when the FCC proposed its 10-phase repack plan, AMT principal engineer for RF broadcast Jim Stenberg recognized the need for auxiliary antennas at tower sites where repack construction complexities may not allow enough time for a permanent new channel solution to be built within the 39-month deadline. “Some stations might even have to cut over to their new channels in only 15 months,” Starke said. The Dielectric antennas will give AMT tower tenants “the security of no downtime” during the tight repack schedule, plus the flexibility to use the antenna for either their current or new channels, he added.
The companies met at NAB 2015 to discuss repack preparation; AMT realized it needed new broadband antennas on its towers because of limited tower space, short transition time and site complexities. Dielectric responded by designing the TFU-WB antenna, which Dielectric’s Pelletier said, “can serve as a transitional or interim antenna that broadcasters can put up on towers. This ensures that they’re on the air and broadcasting without interruption due to unforeseen installation delays.”
March 27, 2017
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